Mark Austin

Mark has a broad-based practice, stemming from his many years as a partner in a major City law firm. He handles the full range of commercial property transactions and advice, with particular specialisations in planning / compulsory purchase work and leasehold enfranchisement. He acts for businesses, individuals and funders. He often acts for clients who can make use of his broad strategic view, detailed technical legal knowledge and patience in getting the job through.  Mark also deals with commercial contracts and has a rare expertise in rail issues, commercial and property. Mark particularly enjoys acting for overseas clients investing in the UK, whether through real estate or setting up a business. He speaks German and has had a variety of German and Danish clients.

Work highlights:

• – Handling a broad range of residential and commercial property transactions dealing with acquisitions, disposals, landlord and tenant, corporate support, joint ventures and development work. Acted for developers, funders and investors in schemes across many industry sectors
• – Wide range of planning work, from detailed advice on the Community Infrastructure Levy, due diligence on planning issues, through to large scale listed building and development projects involving planning obligations and agreements
• – Compulsory purchase advice on objections and compensation, particularly on Crossrail, Thameslink, HS2 and other rail-related schemes
• – Leasehold enfranchisement, lease extensions and freehold purchase advice for a range of tenants and landlords. Including structuring and associated company / commercial aspects
• – Specialist rail expertise since rail privatisation and subsequently, involving a broad range of transactional work including rail projects, new lines, development schemes, projects affecting and utilising stations; acting for a European national railway bidding for UK franchises
• – Acting on complex retail leases at major London stations for a retailer who has been building a chain of outlets

Position and Qualification:

• – Consultant solicitor- joined in 2010
• – LLB University of Warwick 1981
• – Qualified as a solicitor in 1984

Languages Spoken:

• – German
• – English