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Simon Ralphs

Partner

Simon Ralphs

Partner

“He is a problem solver who consistently delivers excellent service.”

The Legal 500

Simon Ralphs is a partner in the commercial real estate team, advising on a broad range of commercial property transactions but with a well regarded specialism in the food and restaurant sector.

Simon acts for institutional investors, large retailers, property funds, developers and landlords and tenants of all types and sizes.

Simon has over 20 years of experience working in commercial property and is well known in both the London and Thames Valley areas.

Simon is also well connected in the restaurant space with a detailed knowledge of restaurant leases and franchise arrangements. His passion for the food and restaurant sector has seen him support a range of clients, many of them, at the forefront of new developments in the sector.

The Cheese Bar and Pick & Cheese: We’ve been very lucky to have Simon work for us on two recent leases and can’t fault his approach. His communication, professionalism and advice has been invaluable.

Chambers: Simon provides reliable and timely advice.

Experience

Acquisitions and disposals

Frequently advises on the sale and purchase of freehold and leasehold properties. On acquisitions this includes co-ordinating title investigation and due diligence in connection with the purchase all types of property investments, including multi-let buildings and sites.

Development

Regularly acts for landlords and tenants in negotiating agreements for lease with development obligations, including agreeing conditions on planning and construction.

Investment and Property Management

Providing clear advice on the terms of any existing leases and supporting documentation. In addition, ongoing management of client’s property assets, including negotiating and agreeing supplemental documents where required.

Franchising

With many years of experience in franchising including acting for a large restaurant operator preparing and agreeing franchise documentation to facilitate their ambitious franchising programme.

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Real Estate update and 2024 expectations

The ECC confers rights on code operators to install and maintain electronic communications apparatus on public land, and even grants operators the right to sometimes apply to court for an order allowing them to install and maintain such apparatus on private land.

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Navigating Telecom agreements: landlords beware

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  • Commercial Real Estate

Is your property mixed use? Commercial buyers beware of higher residential SDLT

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  • 08 August 2023
  • Commercial Real Estate

Non-binding Head of Terms

The Court of Appeal Case of Pretoria Energy Company (Chittering) Ltd v Blankney Estates Ltd found that a lease clause within a Heads of Terms document was not binding.

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  • 11 July 2023
  • Commercial Real Estate

What licences do you need to open a restaurant?

Opening and operating a restaurant can be an exciting venture, but it also involves navigating various legal requirements. One crucial aspect of operating a restaurant is obtaining the necessary licences and permits.

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  • 12 June 2023
  • Commercial Real Estate

Conditionality in Agreements for Lease

It is not always possible or desirable for an agreement for lease to be unconditional.  Often, there is a need for an agreement for lease where the ultimate grant of the lease is conditional upon certain conditions being satisfied.