Spector Constant & Williams is based in Fitzrovia, the thriving core of London's real estate market. Uniquely positioned between the dynamic West End and the City's legal sector, our clients include the UK's most active property professionals. We act for FTSE rated companies, offshore investors, private developers and high net-worth individuals.

Meet the partners

Commercial Property

Today's property market requires investment in a diversified portfolio. Spector Constant & Williams's expertise can assist in maximising a yield from a tenanted asset, a break-up of a multi-tenanted property, or adding value through a planning gain. Our proven ability to deal with the most complex of property transactions means that we can offer strategic advice to clients, including indirect investment structures and complex regeneration schemes.

We work with expert professionals to achieve our client’s requirements professionally and quickly.

More Details

We advise on

Acquisition and financing of development sites
Acquisition and disposal of commercial investments
Commercial lettings
Options and overages
Land promotion agreements
Section 106 agreements for residential and mixed-use developments, including viability appraisals and the provision of affordable housing

Lease negotiations
Complex site assemblies
Joint venture arrangements
Financing transactions
Mortgage and mezzanine funding

Residential Property

Our team of residential property solicitors provide expert advice to landlords and individuals at every stage of the residential conveyancing process. We advise on all types of property including freehold and leasehold properties, new builds, listed buildings, development sites, renovations and conversions, and buy-to-let investments.

We specialise in prime London residential property transactions. Our clients include private individuals, banks, corporates and investment funds, based all across the world. We work with key players in the property industry such as agents, private estates and developers, and work towards tight deadlines and complicated structures.

We are an accredited member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme which is a mark of excellence in our residential conveyancing practices and is administered by the Law Society. Our accreditation is subject to annual review by the Law Society, which has been consistently successful since we became scheme members.

Development & Planning

The partners at Spector Constant & Williams have a wealth of experience in all aspects of development and planning. We can advise at each stage of the development process including site acquisition, planning and section 106 agreements, viability and affordable housing issues, and disposal or refinancing on practical completion.

We can also advise on the most appropriate structure for each client’s individual requirements including options, conditional agreements, land promotion agreements, overages and joint venture documents.

Construction

We specialise in contentious and non-contentious construction matters, advising on major construction projects across several sectors, including infrastructure, high speed rail, energy (conventional, nuclear and renewables), oil and gas, and commercial and residential developments (both domestically and internationally). We act for sponsors, developers, other types of employer, funders, consultants, contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers across a range of projects.

Our team has extensive experience and knowledge of construction procurement and contracts (including standard forms) and can draft and negotiate bespoke construction contracts. We provide advice on development agreements, construction contracts, consultants’ appointments, agreements for lease, landlord’s licence agreements, parent company guarantees, bonds, collateral warranties, third party rights, funders' direct agreements and novation agreements.

We also act on construction disputes, including adjudications, mediations, settlement agreements, claims under the Pre-Action Protocol for Construction and Engineering Claims, Court proceedings and including arbitrations, and professional negligence claims.

Enfranchisement & Lease Extensions

Leasehold Enfranchisement

Leasehold Enfranchisement is the extension of your residential lease or the joining together with your neighbours to purchase your freehold. It can also mean buying the freehold of your house.

The right for a leaseholder to extend their lease or buy their freehold, and indeed the process by which they can do it, is governed by legislation. For a leasehold house, the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 applies. For a flat then it is the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.

If the tenant and the flat (or house) and the building all qualify under the rules set out in the legislation, then the tenant can extend the lease of their flat for an additional period of 90 years or purchase the Freehold (if the property is a house). Or (if the property is a flat) join with his neighbours to buy the freehold of the building.

The price payable to the landlord in each case is governed by the formulae set out in the legislation. Parties will either agree it or have it determined by the First Tier Tribunal.

We have a high level of expertise in the field. Gary Scott formerly headed up the Property Litigation department at an established West End practice before helping to create Spector Constant & Williams. He is a member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners, successfully assisting both Landlords and Tenants throughout London and the South East.

We can assist with general advice as well as oversee the entire process, from the initial notice, through to completion.

More Details

Right to Manage

We advise on Right to Manage claims as introduced by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. In summary, the tenants of a qualifying block of flats have the right to collectively manage the building via a formal Right to Manage company. Our team has extensive experience in guiding qualifying tenants through the entire process and also advising Landlords as to their position should a claim notice be served on them.

Right of First Refusal (s5 Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 “LTA1987”)

Our experienced solicitors advise both landlords and tenants in relation to the Right of First refusal contained in Part I of the LTA1987.

Are you a landlord?

If you’re a landlord and are considering disposing of, or buying, the whole or any part of a freehold (or head leasehold) property which is subject to residential leases then you should seek advice about the impact of s5 LTA1987.

The consequences of getting it wrong are potentially a criminal prosecution and/or a forced transfer of the property to the lessees at the price paid. In a rising market and without a limitation-period defence being available (i.e. you could still be at risk in 10 years or more) then not serving a notice could be a costly omission.

Are you a tenant?

If you’re a tenant and have been served a s5 notice and are unsure as to what you want to or can do next, or if your building or part of your building has been sold without being offered to you, then you should contact us for advice on how to quickly protect your position.

Disputes

We can assist with

Spector Constant & Williams have a highly experienced team which specialises in property disputes:

Title and contractual disputes for developers
Contractual disputes such as non-completion and specific performance actions
Landlord & tenant disputes, such as contested rent reviews, forfeiture, injunctions to restrain or to enforce leasehold covenants and damages claims for dilapidations