David Ford is the managing partner and head of our Conveyancing team.
David’s substantial experience covers all aspects of both commercial and residential property work, with a particular focus on commercial leases, property development, finance and business acquisition and disposal.
Over the years, David has developed a relationship with a number of property developers and business owners and has acted for a wide range of property companies, banks and international investors.
Areas of expertise
David has extensive experience acting for institutional investors with a property portfolio, private landlords looking to invest in or divest commercial property and large scale commercial lenders.
David has a keen eye for detail and is well regarded by his clients. He has a specific reputation for delivering results in respect of the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold commercial premises, whether vacant, as a going concern, or occupied for investment.
Whatever the size of your property portfolio, David can provide practical advice on a wide range of commercial property issues including acquisitions and disposals, financing, planning permission and licencing, commercial leases and auctions.
David is adept at advising clients on commercial leases, including the grant or acquisition of full repairing and insuring leases, whether of high street retail premises, offices, business parks or commercial warehouses.
David has a wealth of experience in dealing with the assignment of commercial leases and is comfortable drafting or approving licences to assign, guarantee agreements and rent deposits. David is also well versed with the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and can advise clients on the implications of the Act, including the service of notices, issuing proceedings for the renewal of a lease, interim rent applications and excluding leases from the Act.
He advises both landlords and tenants on all aspects of business leases, dilapidations, insolvency, rent arrears, consents, rent reviews and service charge disputes.
David has forged a particular reputation in the healthcare sector, having advised numerous clients on, amongst other things, the acquisition and disposal of retail pharmacies, dispensing chemists, residential nursing and care homes, opticians’ practices, dental surgeries and GP practices. In particular, he has advised numerous clients on their corporate strategies, as well as property and premises matters, licencing and regulatory issues and employment law.
David recently acted for a retiring pharmacist on his disposal of a successful and profitable pharmacy held by his private limited company. Work undertaken included advising on the sale of the entire issued share capital by way of a share purchase agreement, the preparation a disclosure letter and disclosure bundle, dealing with the assignment of a director’s loan, the preparation of board minutes and the granting of a new full repairing and insuring lease for one of the pharmacies.
David has expertise in the acquisition & disposal of all licensed premises including public houses, off-licences and restaurants, whether as a going concern, by way of simultaneous transfer of premises licences or by application for new licences. David can also advise on personal licences for designated premises supervisors.
Whether purchasing a single property or managing a portfolio, David works closely with developers, funds, corporate clients and private individuals in achieving their aims.
David can assist clients in buying or selling both freehold and leasehold properties, whether financed or not. He is skilled at identifying deficiencies in titles or documentation at an early stage. By doing so, he can ensure that they can be fully addressed and any risks minimised.
For help or advice please get in touch:
Click here to email or call +44 (0)20 8909 0400.