Result-focused advice
Transparent delivery
WELCOME TO REAL ESTATE AT SW
WE ARE RELATIONSHIP LAWYERS, HERE TO GET YOuR dEALS dONE – FROM BRIdGING TO dEVELOPMENT, BTL TO SPECIALIST LENdING WE WORK WITH LENdERS, dEVELOPERS, BORROWERS, ANd INVESTORS.
WE HELP ARRANGE FINANCE, ACQuIRE ASSETS ANd MANAGE dEBT.
We are making real estate legals accessible through by-return advice and masterful due diligence always focused on transparency and delivery. We work closely with you to understand your objectives and create bespoke strategies focussed on your ultimate goal.
You get the full benefit of our knowledge, drawing on decades of real-world experience. We work on your terms and timelines because we know that in real estate, delays are incredibly frustrating and can be costly. Our team is known for its tenacity, determination and grit—we won’t back down until your goals are achieved. When challenges arise, we explain risk in plain English and your mitigation options. You’ll always feel supported, with a team that’s relentlessly on your side.
WHY CHOOSE US?
What sets us apart?
We’re not just another law firm—we’re your strategic partners, invested in your success.
It’s our passion, precision, and the personal touch we bring to every transaction. We’re experts, but we’re also problem-solvers, deal-makers, and trusted advisers.
Why us? Why not them?
Our clients come to us because we get results. We are relentless in delivering what you want, when you need it. Time is of the essence in real estate, and we pride ourselves on working to your timescales, not ours.
Choosing us means choosing a team as committed to your success as you are. We’re tenacious and proactive. With our global network of offices, we’re perfectly positioned to handle any challenge.
dEdICATION. RESuLTS. TRuST.
LET’S GET YOuR NExT dEAL dONE – ON TIME, ON POINT, ANd ON YOuR TERMS.
A NEW NARRATIVE
Our purpose
We approach lending and property transactions from a fresh perspective. We will remove the often experienced nonsense, politics and general unnecessaries from the process, improving the experience for all stakeholders. The industry tolerates poor and average examples of lawyering every week, but enough is enough: it’s time for resultsfocused delivery.
No drifting
Communication is key. We do not allow periods of silence.
No back and forth
We transact on material points only.
Constant transparency
We will hold our counterparts to account.
Early detection of risks
We will advise on mitigation and take early instructions.
OUR GAME-CHANGING PROMISE
When you work with us, you get more than just legal advice—you get a dedicated partner that’s committed to making things happen.
Here’s what you can always count on from us:
Partnership
• We’re more than just your legal team—we’re your in-house project team
• We always have your back. You’ll feel like our only client because your success is our priority
• We run at your pace. urgency is everything, and we keep up with your demands
Agility
• We adapt and respond at the speed required by your business
• deal structure changes? no problem—we’re all over it
• Need us on zoom or teams? We’re there in minutes
• Boardroom meeting in 90 minutes? We’ll see you there
Commerciality
• Our experience is your advantage—we’ve seen it all and we know what works
• We help you meet your goals while expertly managing risk
• Target-focused, risk-based advice ensures you stay on course without surprises. If something can be mitigated, you’ll be the first to know—we make sure you’re always one step ahead.
Transparency
• Clarity is key. We use plain English, explaining risks and your options of how to mitigate
• At any point in time, you’ll know exactly where the transaction stands and whose hands it’s in
• The clock starts when you’re ready to instruct. until then, ask away
• Transaction management by video call as often as it takes. No finger pointing, but each stakeholder knows what’s required of them
Responsive
• You’ll never struggle to reach us—we pick up the phone
• You will receive same day replies to your emails
• We’re on WhatsApp. Whether it’s a quick check-in or something more urgent, we’re always just a message away
• We love silly questions. don’t hesitate—we’re here to help
Residential property services
We understand that purchasing or selling residential property is one of the most significant financial decisions our clients will make, whether you’re buying your first home, acquiring a second
residence, or managing a property portfolio. Our team is experienced in handling residential property transactions in London and across the uK, providing advice tailored to these competitive markets.
Our services include:
• Conveyancing: Ensuring a smooth process from contract to completion
• Lease extensions and enfranchisement: Expert guidance on extending leases or purchasing freeholds
• New builds: Advice on plot sales, new developments, and off-plan purchases
• High-value investments: discreet and strategic advice for buyers and sellers of premium properties
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
The commercial property market presents a unique set of challenges. We work closely with our clients to provide strategic and practical legal advice, ensuring their commercial real estate transactions are structured to maximise returns while minimising risk.
We take pride in offering pragmatic solutions that consider both legal and business implications, helping clients make informed decisions in an ever-evolving market.
Our services include:
• Acquisitions and disposals: Helping clients buy and sell commercial real estate assets
• Development projects: Providing legal support for planning, joint ventures, and construction agreements
• Commercial leasing: Acting for both landlords and tenants on lease negotiations, renewals, and dispute resolution
• Property management: Advising on all aspects of property management, including rent reviews, dilapidations, and tenant relations
WITH A dEEP uNdERSTANdING OF THE REAL ESTATE FINANCE MARKET, OuR TEAM ENSuRES THAT YOuR FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS ARE BOTH PRACTICAL ANd ALIGNEd WITH YOuR LONG-TERM INVESTMENT STRATEGY.
REAL ESTATE FINANCE
Comprehensive support for real estate finance transactions
We work with lenders and borrowers to ensure that ref transactions are structured effectively and meet all legal requirements. Our expertise covers a range of financing options for real estate assets, helping our clients make informed decisions.
We are panel lawyers and our services include:
• Commercial mortgages: Structuring finance for the purchase of commercial properties, including office, retail, and industrial spaces
• BTL finance: Advising investors and lenders on financing for BTL properties, including regulatory compliance
• Refinancing and restructuring: Refinancing existing loans or restructuring debt to improve terms or cash flow
• Bridging and short-term loans: Providing support with shortterm financing options to meet tight deadlines or capital needs
DEVELOPMENT FINANCE
Securing the right financing is critical to the success of a development project. We offer expert legal support to developers and lenders, ensuring that development finance is structured in a way that is both commercially viable and legally secure.
Our services include:
• Finance suite: drafting and negotiating facility agreements and advising on security arrangements, including charges over land and assets
• Full spectrum of due diligence including advice on overage, restrictive covenants, the planning process, s106, and CIL
• Bridging finance: Advising on short-term financing solutions to help you acquire development land or hold pending planning
• Mezzanine finance: Structuring mezzanine loans to provide additional funding layers
• Construction advice: Reporting on the building contract, collateral warranties, appointments, and PI arrangements
INTERNATIONAL REACH—OFFSHORE AND MIDSHORE EXPERTISE
Global solutions with local expertise
We offer international reach with a strong presence in key offshore jurisdictions, including the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Bermuda, Jersey, Guernsey, Switzerland, and South Africa. Our international network allows us to provide seamless cross-border legal advice, particularly in real estate transactions involving complex ownership structures.
Our presence in offshore and midshore locations enables us to support clients looking to diversify their property portfolios, manage international assets, or structure deals that cross borders. Spencer West LLP’s global perspective, combined with local expertise, ensures that your real estate investments are managed with precision and care.
Our services include:
• Cross-border transactions: We specialise in guiding clients through the complexities of real estate deals that span multiple jurisdictions, ensuring compliance with local laws while keeping an eye on global trends
• Offshore structuring: Our team advises on property purchases using offshore structures, working closely with our network of international offices to ensure robust legal protection
• Investment in uK property: We assist international investors in navigating uK property regulations, from acquisition to financing and leasing, leveraging our extensive experience in high-value transactions
DONALD MILLAR
donald.millar@spencer-west.com
Donald is the lawyer you want when you need results—and fast. With 20 years’ experience in real estate finance, donald is tenacious, always on your side, and ready to tackle any challenge head-on.
His clients know him for his grit, determination, and dedication: a street-fighting lawyer who ensures every project is completed on time and on target. Nothing is too much trouble.
Navigating the complexities of financing arrangements, title challenges and opposing solicitors of all dispositions, donald’s focus is simple: get the job done.
donald is on a self-professed mission to radically improve efficiencies in property finance transactions by analysing the risk profiles of each requirement and is working on processes by which AI can transform the process for lenders and borrowers alike. Stuck in Legals? Not any more!
He thrives on the fast pace of bridges and development projects, providing clients with strategic advice that’s tailored, practical, and grounded in client-focussed outcomes. He’s not just about giving advice, he’s about making things happen. With his extensive experience, he keeps projects moving smoothly from conception to completion, ensuring that your goals are always within reach.
donald’s unmatched dedication to his clients means he works at your pace, adapting to changing deal structures and stepping into boardrooms at a moment’s notice. With donald in your corner, you’ll feel like you’re his only client—and you’ll always know he’s got your back.
Michael is the pragmatic adviser you can rely on to deliver results with clarity, confidence, and consistency.
Michael’s niche combines his top-class technical expertise with pragmatic and commercial advisory skills. This combination is an incredibly rare commodity and the basis on which clients know he will deliver them results with clarity, confidence, and consistency.
With extensive experience in both uK residential and commercial property law, both on behalf of private clients and international trust structures and funds, Michael is known for his unrivalled technical expertise. Whether it’s a complex LMA loan or an unravelling title issue, Michael applies his no-nonsense approach, ensuring clients not only understand their options but can navigate complex transactions smoothly. Whether representing lenders or borrowers, he leverages his deep knowledge and well of experience to provide tailored solutions that align with your objectives.
Michael excels in the real estate finance space and is adept at handling intricate cross-border transactions. What truly distinguishes him is his matter-of-fact advice. He believes in providing straightforward, actionable guidance that empowers clients to make informed decisions. That’s only possible because he’s able to quickly analyse the wider deal structure and has built a relationship with his clients to understand exactly their risk appetite and ultimate intentions.
Whether it’s a shifting deal or vehicle structure, the appearance of a giant obstacle on the completion date or urgent boardroom and Teams meetings, Michael embraces challenges as opportunities to innovate, approaching each situation with a solutions-driven mindset that mitigates risk while maximising potential.
TESTIMONIALS
But don’t just take our word for it. Here are some nice things our clients have said about us recently:
“The Spencer West team are the most proactive property lawyers we employ, which ensures all issues are highlighted at an early stage which allows us to make timely decisions on all property matters.”
“It’s that balance of pragmatism coupled with gamely risk mitigation, furthering the deal while protecting my interests and making sure the risk team understands the legal and practical implications of proceeding with each alternative that keeps us coming back to Spencer West time and again.”
“If it’s just a five-minute catch-up or full debrief on a client, donald always captures the salient points and explains them in layman terms. He is our go-to lawyer.”
“Michael has superb technical knowledge, is down to earth, communicates effectively, and is very matter of fact.”
“I enjoy working with donald and Michael. They have remarkable tenacity to get the deal over the line and their knowledge in terms of uKRE as well as the offshore jurisdictions proves invaluable in cross border deals. I have no hesitation in recommending them to your panel.”
SOME RECENTLY CLOSED DEALS...
Working alongside a structured finance lender, we provided legal guidance on an £8.5m loan aimed at converting a former agricultural site in Minehead into a 71-unit residential project. This ambitious development, which transforms rural land into muchneeded housing, exemplifies the power of structured financing to bring big visions to life. From property security to compliance, we navigated the full range of legal intricacies, ensuring the project could move forward smoothly.
In a London-based transaction, we represented a lender providing both bridging finance and a subsequent £6.7m development loan. This dual-phased financing will enable the demolition and construction of a five-storey, 15unit apartment block, addressing demand for high-quality housing in the capital. Coordinating across both phases, we ensured that each layer of security aligned seamlessly, allowing the lender and developer to move forward with confidence.
We advised a prime space development lender in securing £3.5m funding for a transformative project in south-west London’s SW10. This financing supports the complete demolition and groundup rebuild of a luxury residence, breathing new life into the space. Our work included handling property and construction security elements, safeguarding the lender’s interests as this property evolves from concept to reality.
An offshore lender engaged us for a £16.5m facility, taking security over a retail investment portfolio spanning London, including prized units on Oxford Street. This 17-unit portfolio required careful navigation of property and financing regulations to create a robust security suite, ensuring the lender’s interests were protected across one of the world’s most sought-after retail locations.
Representing a bank in a £15m financing, we guided a redevelopment project in central London backed by a Jersey-based borrower, with guarantees from a Jersey trust and an international uHNWI. Handling both the property and finance aspects, our team ensured the lender’s security was comprehensive, providing seamless support for the ambitious transformation of this valuable London real estate.
+44 7781 127273
LONDON: 20 Chiswell St, London, EC1Y 4TW
GUERNSEY: Bucktrout House, Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1WR