A commercial property solicitor is a legal professional specialising in commercial property law. Their role is to offer legal advice and support to their clients and to protect their interests. 

If you need help navigating the complexities of commercial property law, here are the most important questions to ask a commercial property solicitor before hiring. 

Why Might I Need A Commercial Property Solicitor? 

Commercial property solicitors handle anything relating to the sale, purchase, lease, use or development of commercial property. 

A commercial property is any non-residential property. This includes: 

• Retail spaces such as shops and supermarkets 

• Bars and pubs 

• Cafés and restaurants 

• Factories and warehouses 

• Entertainment and leisure facilities 

• Medical and nursing facilities 

• Hotels and resorts 

• Garages/Repair shops 

• Hair and beauty salons 

• Showrooms 

• Galleries and studios 

• Sports facilities 

• Offices 

This means that commercial property solicitors work with anyone who has an interest in commercial property. This might be investors, property owners, tenants, businesses, developers and those working in the public sector. 

As such, a commercial property solicitor can assist with a wide range of legal matters. For example: 

• Selling a commercial property 

• Buying a commercial property. 

• Drawing up commercial tenancy agreements. 

• Handling landlord/tenant disputes relating to commercial property. 

• Drafting, negotiating and reviewing contracts. 

• Commercial property litigation. 

• Assisting with planning applications. 

• Commercial lease reviews. 

• Mergers and acquisitions. 

• Handling financial transactions. 

• Tax advice. 

• Due diligence. 

Questions To Ask A Commercial Property Solicitor 

If you’re looking to hire a commercial property solicitor, you’ll want to be certain that they can meet your needs and get you the best possible result. But how do you know if a solicitor is right for you? 

Here are some things you should consider when choosing a commercial property solicitor and questions to ask before hiring them. 

What Is Their Experience and Expertise 

Before hiring a commercial property solicitor you should check that they’re registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and that their firm is regulated by the SRA. This ensures that they are fully qualified, ethical and held accountable for their practice. 

You should also ask what kind of experience and expertise they have in their field. 

Commercial property solicitors are always going to be best equipped to deal with legal matters relating to commercial property but you should find out if the solicitor has relevant experience and expertise in handling the specific matter you need assistance with. For example, if you need help dealing with a tenancy dispute or advice on a planning application, you want to know that they’re equipped to handle your case. 

What Are Their Fees? 

All solicitors charge fees but these can vary considerably depending on multiple factors, including the legal field they’re working in, the complexity of the case, the solicitor’s experience and expertise and geographical area. 

Things you might want to consider include: 

• Are they upfront about their fees and any other associated costs you might encounter? 

• Whether their fees suit your budget. 

• If they offer a range of ways to pay. 

• Are they clear about what your fees do and don’t cover? 

What Results Can You Expect? 

When hiring a commercial property solicitor, you want to know what kind of results you can expect. Don’t be afraid to ask about previous cases, expected timelines and how similar cases were handled or resolved. What work will your solicitor be undertaking on your behalf and what outcome do they anticipate? 

Do They Come Recommended? 

Ideally, you want a solicitor who comes recommended. This might be through word-of-mouth recommendations from family, friends and colleagues or you could check out online reviews or testimonials from previous or current clients. 

Where Are They Based? 

It isn’t always essential to hire a commercial property solicitor based in your local area as commercial property solicitors can work on behalf of clients both nationally and internationally. 

However, some people prefer to meet with their solicitor in person or know that they have a base nearby. If you want to work with a local solicitor, you’ll need to check that the commercial property solicitor covers your geographical area. 

For example, here at Blacks Legal, we work with people all across the country, but as we’re based in London, we find many of our clients are located within London and the Home Counties. 

Questions To Ask A Commercial Property Solicitor Before Hiring Blacks Legal 

There are significant benefits to having an experienced commercial property solicitor on your side when navigating the complex field of commercial property law. Likewise, understanding what questions to ask a commercial property solicitor before hiring can help you find the right professional to meet your needs. 

Blacks Legal’s team of specialist commercial property solicitors offers a wide range of services and expertise. Whether you’re buying, selling or leasing commercial property, here at Blacks Legal we have the legal knowledge and experience needed to protect your interests. 

If you’re looking to hire a commercial property solicitor or are in need of legal advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.