Week in the Life of a Commercial Property Solicitor
Shazia Issa, a Solicitor in our Commercial Property team, offers a glimpse into a week in the life of a Commercial Property Solicitor.
Monday
Monday morning is always spent by reviewing my diary, checking deadlines for the week, including completion dates and setting priorities for the week. I then catch up on emails, review updates from clients, and respond to urgent queries.
I have a lease completion this morning. Our client was the landlord and once I received the client’s authority, I completed on the lease with the tenant’s solicitor. After weeks of negotiations, seeing the transaction completed is very satisfying.
The afternoon is spent drafting a lease for a long-standing landlord client. It’s a matter of balancing their interests while ensuring the lease is attractive to potential tenants. Attention to detail is critical here, as even minor oversights can lead to disputes down the line.
Tuesday
Today, I reviewed a contract pack for a commercial property purchase. This involves conducting due diligence on the property, including reviewing title documents, searches, planning permissions, and any restrictive covenants that could affect the client’s use.
Every solicitor’s week includes unexpected issues and today is no exception. A client emails in a panic as they believe their tenant is breaching the lease and asks me to review the lease.
Later, I work on drafting a Licence to Assign, for a landlord client who has agreed to their tenant to assign the lease. It’s a standard process but requires clear terms to ensure my landlord client is protected.
By the end of the day, my to-do list has grown, but I feel productive.
Wednesday
Midweek is often the most hectic. The day begins with a phone call with a client to go through the amendments requested by the other side for a lease renewal.
Later I receive my client’s replies to commercial property standard enquiries (CPSEs) in relation to a property sale. The purpose of CPSEs is to provide the buyer with information for them to understand the premises they are purchasing. I review these as it is really important to ensure the CPSEs are accurate. I then draft the contract to send across the contract pack to the other side.
Next, I shift focus to a property sale that’s set to complete on Friday. I review the file to check we have everything for completion, and I review the title to be sure we hold all consents to any restrictions on the title.
Thursday
On Thursday I am in the office, our firm is very flexible and allows hybrid working. Every couple of weeks we have a department meeting with all members of our department and lunch is always provided. Our Head of Department will start off the meeting by providing any firm updates and then checks how we all are getting on. It is always nice to catch up with colleagues who I may not have seen in a while.
The day ends with a webinar on the latest changes to commercial property. Staying up to date on this is very important, especially with changes that could affect client’s liabilities.
Friday
On Fridays I prepare for the week ahead. I review the progress of ongoing transactions and send updates to clients.
This morning, I completed on the property sale which I had mentioned earlier. I confirm funds have been transferred to the client’s account and send the necessary completion documents to the buyer’s solicitor.
In the afternoon I take a call from a potential new client in relation to a lease enquiry they have, as they want to take on a lease for a shop.
I then review and update my matter list to prioritise tasks for the following week. As the week comes to an end, I reflect on the variety of work I’ve tackled. Being a commercial property solicitor is a role that requires adaptability, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle priorities. No two days are ever the same, with tasks ranging from lease negotiations to advising on acquisitions. Although the work is demanding, it is extremely satisfying when helping clients achieve their goals.