Laceys Solicitors Laceys is a leading, forward-thinking law firm with specialist experts serving both individual and business clients across a broad spectrum of practice areas.

Navigation
If Social Services have notified you about legal proceedings concerning your child please call 01202 377995.

Commercial Property

With three of the partners carrying out transactional commercial property work supported by other solicitors in the department as well as our highly regarded litigation and licensing departments we are equipped to deal with any commercial property matters that our clients require, no matter how large or small.

We have extensive experience in the sale and purchase of land for development, estate conveyancing and plot/flat sales, industrial and retail units, offices, hotels, pubs, care homes, agricultural land, all types of landlord and tenant work and re-financing of commercial property.

Recent projects include the sale of 300+ units on a mixed-use development, the acquisition of commercial re-development land valued in excess of £10 million, the purchase of two historic hotels and a private hospital, and the sale of a care-home complex.

Our outstanding commercial property department is recognised in the Legal 500 as one of the leading Commercial Property teams in the region.

Clients can rely on the team at Laceys completely…Its business acumen and industry knowledge are second to none…Laceys’ quality team is praised for its attention to detail, thoroughness and quick responses‘.

For any further advice on any commercial property legal requirements you have please contact one of our team today to see how we can help.

high rise city commercial building                  

Contact us

    All fields are required

    *I consent to Laceys processing my personal information in accordance with its GDPR Compliance policies

    Meet the Team

    Close X

    Charlotte Dollimore

    Associate — Commercial Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377895

    Email

    Charlotte joined our Commercial Property team as an Associate in 2023 and has a wealth of experience to draw upon when assisting her clients with their property-related needs.

    Having qualified as a Solicitor in 1997, she’s been helping both private and commercial customers for over 25 years, with particular specialisms in commercial property acquisitions and disposals of factory units, offices, shops or mixed use premises including those with vacant possession or subject to existing leases, commercial mortgages, non-contentious landlord and tenant matters, development site set-up and plot sales/lease for both commercial and residential developments, easements and auction purchases and sales. 

    Additionally, she has also worked extensively for a large national housing association, which included management of a team dealing with shared ownership sales, re-sales and associated transactions. 

    Charlotte strives to build up a good working relationship with her clients and has a positive approach which involves good communication and working with all parties to achieve an appropriate and timely solution to each transaction.

    When she is not at work, Charlotte keeps active taking part in spinning, pilates and yoga classes and enjoys spending time with family and friends. With her children having now grown up, she and her husband are now able to spend more of their spare time exploring the Purbecks and beyond on long walks with their dog, a working cocker called Nala.   

      

    Madalane Ruston

    Solicitor — Commercial Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377864

    Email

    Madalane is a Solicitor in our Commercial Property team, and has been qualified since 2014.

    She has a range of general commercial property experience obtained in both the private and public sectors including commercial leases, licences, acquisitions and disposals, community assets, property specific advice relating to academy conversions (schools) and enfranchisement.

    Madalane has a ‘can do’ attitude and enjoys working closely with clients to ensure that her expertise contributes towards achieving their objectives.

    Outside of the office Madalane is kept very busy by her two young children and enjoys plenty of time outdoors on family cycle rides.

    Tony John

    Consultant — Property

    Direct dial: 01592 501891 / 07930 900545

    Email

    Tony John

    I specialise in commercial property work (freehold and leasehold), leasehold enfranchisement and residential conveyancing. Having qualified in 1973 I will soon have 50 years of experience to my name! I was originally a Partner in Fynn & Partners who merged with Laceys in 2015. I became a partner in Laceys and retired from the firm in November 2018. However, I still work for them remotely as a consultant providing support holiday cover and undertaking work for a number of clients who have stayed with me.

    Claire Taylor

    Partner — Commercial Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377817

    Email

    Claire Taylor
    • “I have worked with Laceys on many occasions for a variety of different matters both personally and for my business, and have always found your partners to be professional, knowledgeable and helpful.”

      Andrew Drake

    • “Thorough, diligent - everything a good solicitor should be.”

      Graham Walford - Howell

    Claire is a Partner in the Commercial Property team. Having qualified as a Solicitor in 2005, she gained ten years’ experience in both private practice at two international law firms as well as leading the commercial property department of a shared legal service for three large local authorities before joining Laceys in 2018.

    Claire advises clients on all aspects of commercial property including landlord and tenant and development work.  She is extremely approachable and focused on building long-lasting relationships with her clients, understanding their needs and delivering projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.  Previous projects Claire has been involved with are The Bullring in Birmingham, the 2012 London Olympics, town centre regeneration and mixed-use development sites.

    Having recently relocated, Claire’s spare time is spent with her three young children enjoying all that the coast and the New Forest has to offer,  catching up with friends and acting in her capacity as a trustee for a hospice.

    Related articles

    commercial property

    Documenting short-term occupation for commercial landlords

    No commercial landlord wants their property empty.  A vacant unit costs money in repair, insurance, and business...

    Read Article

    solar panel

    Solar Panels and Commercial Buildings

    Commercial landlords are increasingly keen to show that their buildings are sustainable.  With energy prices high and...

    Read Article

    Mark Preece

    Partner — Commercial and Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377862

    Email

    Mark Preece image profile
    • “Mark and the team take great care of our commercial property requirements. We have always been delighted with their service.”

      Simon Ward, NSN Propertis Ltd

    • “Quick, responsive service. Prepared to recommend a way forward and not sit on the fence.”

      Guy Eccles

    • “Efficient, competent and friendly.”

      Michael Bond

    • “Straightforward. Everything kept clear and simple.”

      Nicola Maidment

    • “I appreciate the personal service and the feeling that my business is important. I also respond well to a friendly approach.”

      Andrew Taylor

    • “Mark noted the requirements of the sale and worked very hard to achieve an excellent prompt outcome. He phoned me immediately the deal was done!”

      Paul R Barry

    • “Excellent service provided by Mark Preece and his team.”

      Francis & Natalia Erard

    • “Everyone at Lacey's seem to have my best interest at heart and act super efficiently. A pleasure to deal with.”

      John Beauchamp

    Mark qualified as a solicitor in 2008 after gaining an LLB (2003) and LLM (2005) at university’s in Birmingham.  He completed his training contract with the North Dorset and South Wiltshire firm now known as Farnfields LLP and joined Horsey Lightly Fynn (HLF) in Bournemouth in 2011.  He became a partner at HLF in 2014 and at merger of HLF and Laceys became a partner in the merged firm in 2015.

    Mark is a partner working across our Commercial and Residential property teams acting for a wide variety of clients from property developers, property investors, businesses, first time buyers and those needing advice relating to enfranchisement and residential landlord and tenant dealing with all aspects of property work.

    Away from work Mark spends his time with his wife and their three young boys who keep them very busy.

    Related articles

    Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill aims to make leasehold fairer

    The government has announced that it intends to make it cheaper and simpler for leaseholders to purchase...

    Read Article

    block of flats

    Right to manage v collective enfranchisement?

    If you own a leasehold flat, you may want to end your landlord’s involvement in running the...

    Read Article

    John Munro

    Partner — Commercial and Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377839

    Email

    John Munro, head of Property, Laceys Solicitors
    • “John Munro was friendly and very approachable, advising me with a clear depth of knowledge and experience. I have since recommended him and will do so if asked in the future.”

      N. Pitts-Crick

    • “Having dealt with Laceys on many a sale and purchase I’ve always found them to be efficient, knowledgeable and attentive. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them to family, friends and clients.”

      Stuart Cockram - Frost and Co

    • “We have always been very happy with the service provided by Laceys Solicitors, in both our business legal requirements and domestic property conveyancing.”

      Mark Edney

    • “You are our solicitor Superhero! Very grateful. ”

      Maria - Tom Frowde Architects

    • “Changing solicitors is not to be undertaken lightly. However really impressed with the way that John Munro and his associates have dealt with us over the last couple of years in a variety of complex property related transactions and on the commercial and personal front as well. We look forward to working with them going forward.”

      Malcolm Tice, Director - Tice & Son Ltd

    John joined Laceys in 2001 on a training contract, having completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Law in 2000, and qualified as a solicitor in 2003. He is now the Head of the Commercial and Residential Property Departments.

    He is also the firm’s Senior Responsible Officer under the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) with overall responsibility for the management of the property team and their delivery of the excellent service that our clients have come to expect.

    John acts in his own capacity for a number of commercial property owners, developers and investors, but also allocates time to ensure his team are up to speed with changing law and professional regulations and clients are provided with members of the team who possess the right skills to deal with their individual requirements, delivering projects in the most time and cost-efficient manner.

    Outside of work John seems to spend a great deal of time ferrying his children around but occasionally gets to put his feet up and listen to his eclectic collection of vinyl. He is also not averse to a good cheeseboard and a glass of IPA.

    Related articles

    House Key

    Freehold v Leasehold. Make sure you know what you are buying.

    If you are thinking of purchasing a property, it is vital you know what tenure it is...

    Read Article

    Adverse possession explained

    Adverse possession, sometimes referred to as squatting, can give someone legal ownership of land if they have...

    Read Article

    Jonathan Ogden

    Senior Partner — Commercial Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377840

    Email

    Jonathan Ogden profile picture

    Jonathan Ogden, who specialises in Commercial property, qualified from Guildford College of Law in 1987. He is both the longest serving partner at Laceys, having been with the firm since 1985, and the senior partner.

    He advises a wide client base on new site acquisitions for both residential and commercial developments, as well as hoteliers in connection with sales and purchases of hotels and associated businesses. He also assists with commercial tenancies, either with landlords granting leases to commercial tenants or vice versa.

    Jonathan prides himself in being results driven and has a number of longstanding clients whom he has looked after for over 10 years, not only demonstrating the longevity of his work relationships but also proving he can deliver!

    Outside of the office, he enjoys a busy social life sampling local restaurants as well as entertaining at home. When time permits he likes to immerse himself in a good book or sit back and watch a film. He also has a desire to complete a Philosophy Degree at some point in the future – watch this space!

    Related articles

    The Trust Register – Do I need to consider it?

    Unfortunately, you probably do! The Trust Register was set up to deal with new European Money Laundering...

    Read Article

    Latest News

    terraced housing in a suburban street

    Defending a negligence claim against a property professional

    If you are a professional working in the property sector, you may at some point face a claim from a disgruntled client claiming that...

    Find out more

    commercial property

    Documenting short-term occupation for commercial landlords

    No commercial landlord wants their property empty.  A vacant unit costs money in repair, insurance, and business rates, without producing any income; and it...

    Find out more

    solar panel

    Solar Panels and Commercial Buildings

    Commercial landlords are increasingly keen to show that their buildings are sustainable.  With energy prices high and continuing uncertainty in the global energy markets,...

    Find out more

    Avoiding problems with easements on commercial land

    If a neighbouring landowner uses part of your land for something, such as access or drainage, it is likely that they will have a...

    Find out more

    commercial lease papework

    What is a commercial lease?

    A commercial lease is a legally binding contract made between a landlord and a business tenant.  A commercial lease gives a tenant a legal...

    Find out more

    How to negotiate a turnover rent for retail premises

    Turnover rents are increasingly common in retail lettings.  In challenging times, they appeal to tenants because both the landlord and tenant share the risk...

    Find out more