Steve Morris

Steve has an expertise in commercial and residential property development, in particular high value real estate projects with elements of property finance and planning.

Having joined Acuity in 2005, Steve played a key part of the growth of its real estate team.

Steve has a strong track record in advising private developers and investors with portfolio management needs, pension funds and institutional lenders, substantial blue-chip occupiers, public and third sectors.

Top ranked in the property market for his ‘user-friendly’ approach and for ‘analysing a multitude of interlocking issues across all disciplines’, Steve is recognised in peer journals for being ‘an excellent communicator who has a good legal brain, and explains things in a very clear manner’.

• Commercial property deals and transactions – acquisitions and disposals of freehold and leasehold land, landlord and tenant, placing of security, securitization of assets
• Real estate development projects – from site assembly to land acquisition, site due diligence, procurement, finance and advice on planning applications and appeals. Particular experience in complex land assembly and split financing projects
• Property finance – negotiation of forward funding and property development finance agreements, drafting of security agreements, collateral guarantees and complex facility arrangements
• Planning – from assessment of the site and application process through to negotiation and drafting of detailed planning agreements (including viability and affordable housing delivery) with advice on divergences between England and Wales in statute and policy
• Insolvency and effect on ownership of property – protecting tenanted properties