Arthur Cox's Property Group is the most experienced in Ireland and is at the forefront of most major commercial property transactions. We represent a wide range of clients in a variety of transactions, including the acquisition, disposal, leasing and development of real estate.
The Practice
Arthur Cox’s Commercial Property Group in Belfast is one of Northern Ireland’s leading commercial property practices. We have unrivalled experience of the local commercial property market, having been involved in most of the major commercial property projects carried out in Northern Ireland in recent years. Our clients span the entire property spectrum from private developers to Government departments.
A number of members of the Property Group in Belfast are qualified to advise on property law both in Northern Ireland and in England & Wales and regularly act in both jurisdictions. We also work closely with our Dublin office to provide clients with a seamless service where their business extends to the Republic of Ireland.
Expertise
Our reputation is founded on proven professional skills, a thorough understanding of our clients’ requirements, an emphasis on sound judgment and a practical approach to solving commercial property issues. Our areas of expertise include:
- Acquisitions and disposals
- Commercial leasing
- Commercial development and site assembly
- Joint ventures
- Regeneration
- Development funding
- Secured lending
In addition, the Property Group has developed a number of sub-specialisms. Our Property Group in Belfast has leading lawyers with expertise in construction, environmental, planning, licensing and real estate finance.
Experience
Examples of recent matters on which the Belfast Property Group has advised include:
- Acting for Paddy Power Plc in relation to all property and licensing aspects of its first acquisition of a chain of betting shops in Northern Ireland
- Advising the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety in relation to the implementation of the Primary and Community Care Programme throughout Northern Ireland including the development of hybrid contractual and leasing structures. The programme has a capital value of £548 million
- Advising Moyle District Council in respect of the redevelopment by the National Trust of the visitor facilities at the Giants’ Causeway (Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site)
- Advising Musgrave Retail Partners NI Limited on a variety of property acquisitions, disposals and leases of supermarkets and convenience stores in connection with the ongoing roll-out of its brand throughout Northern Ireland
- Acting for 2 shortlisted bidders in relation to the proposed acquisition of George Best Belfast City Airport
- Advising Amey Plc on the property aspects of the Belfast Schools PPP Project. The programme has a capital value of c. £500 million
- Advising a consortium of 3 housing associations on the development of an eco-village on the site of the former Grosvenor Barracks in Enniskillen
- Advising arc 21 (11 local authorities in the east of Northern Ireland including Belfast) on all property and planning aspects of the procurement of an Energy from Waste Facility and two Mechanical and Biological Treatment Facilities for Northern Ireland
- Advising SWaMP (8 councils in the south west of Northern Ireland) on all property aspects of its mechanical biological treatment residual waste operations in the south west region of Northern Ireland
- Advising Moyle District Council in respect of the development of new marina facilities at Cusendall, County Antrim
- Advising a shortlisted bidder for the appointment as preferred developer for the Maze/Long Kesh National Stadium Regeneration Project including the development of a new multi-sports National Stadium for Northern Ireland
- Advising Q-Park Group on the pre-letting of the underground car park servicing the new Victoria Square shopping centre in Belfast
- Acting for Telereal on the Northern Irish aspects of its acquisition and leaseback of 55 properties from The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
- Advising the Department of Education (NI) and the Department for Education & Science (RoI) on a cross-border project involving the establishment of an all-Ireland Centre of Excellence for the development and harmonisation of education and allied services for children with autistic spectrum disorders
- Acting for Musgrave Investment Plc on the property aspects of its acquisition of J&J Haslett (Holdings) Limited, the owners of the Mace brand in Northern Ireland
Endorsements
'This team “is always keen to take a commercial approach, but not at the expense of ensuring our legal position is appropriately protected” clients report.’
Chambers UK: A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2009
‘Due to the expansion of the firm’s projects department, the real estate group has a burgeoning reputation for public sector work. It has been appointed by the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety to develop bespoke lease documentation for Northern Ireland’s Health Estate, and advises the Northern Ireland Department of Education. Moyle District Council has also retained the group to handle the redevelopment of a visitors’ centre at the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site. In the private sector, the team excels at advising high street lenders such as Bank of Ireland and HBOS on property finance matters. It also handles transactions in the retail industry, and is presently acting for Cusp Group on its sale of a provincial retail park.’
Chambers UK: A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2009
‘Clients heaped praise on the [Belfast office’s property] team for its dedication and commitment. In the words of one interviewee, “Whenever there was a problem or we needed input at odd times, like bank holidays, they were completely available to give clear, concise and helpful advice. Nothing is too much trouble for them.”’
Chambers UK: A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2008
‘A multifarious client base provides a healthy diet of financing and investment transactions. In addition, the real estate team acts as a vital support to the corporate department, and attracts a considerable amount of referral work from the mainland. Slaughter and May, Clifford Chance and Denton Wilde Sapte have all sought the group's mastery of Northern Irish property law and its enviable knowledge of the local market.'
Chambers UK: A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2007
People
Rowan White
Ross Davidson
Claire Duffy