Howes Percival adds four lawyers to property development team as demand grows

Established 12 years ago, the Norwich team has an impressive client portfolio that includes major UK housebuilders as well as local and regional developers, landowners and public sector organisations.

They have been involved with many of the region's largest developments acting for developers, planning promoters and landowners in connection with major development projects.

The team is part of the firm's wider commercial property department which offers a turnkey service for developers – from site acquisition through to disposal – and includes specialist lawyers in planning, real estate finance, environmental law, construction and social housing.

The new recruits include Partner, James Henderson, who has over 20 years' experience advising developers, landowners, investors (including institutional funds), promoters and funders on all aspects of land acquisition, development and disposal.

The others include Georgia Short (Senior Associate) who deals with a wide range of commercial property matters including all aspects of landlord and tenant law, acquisitions, disposals and refinancing. She has experience advising landowners and developers on easements, overage, options and conditional contracts, and joins from Leathes Prior.

Brendan Cawley, who is Head of New Homes, started his career in plot sales and property acquisitions, moving on to real estate investment, advising lenders and borrowers on security over development sites (residential and commercial), investment properties, owner occupied properties and property portfolios. His clients included all major high street lenders, challenger banks and private funders.

Emma Field joins the team as an Apprentice Solicitor from Howes Percival's legal administration team.

Chris Cubitt, Howes Percival Partner leading the Development team in Norwich, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome James, Georgia, Brendan and Emma to the team. Despite difficult market conditions ranging from systemic planning issues to inflation and higher borrowing costs, we continue to be very busy – seeing strong work flows in residential development and a growing client base in commercial development.

"We are recognised for the quality of our commercial property offering in the East, with teams in Norwich and Cambridge. It means we can provide an outstanding service across the whole region and beyond.”

Howes Percival has offices in Cambridge, Leicester, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Norwich and Oxford. It has 55 partners and 147 lawyers in total.