Law firm Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace (RCCW) has beefed up its commercial property team amid growing demand for its services from residential developers.
Carolyn Richards joined the division as a partner at the start of this week from fellow north-east legal practice Burness Paull.
She is a very experienced commercial property lawyer and a fantastic addition to our team.”
Callum McDonald, managing partner, RCCW.
Support for the housebuilders sits under commercial property at RCCW, pulling together a range of services focused on the different stages of residential projects.
The division looks after the legal needs of commercial and residential developers, as well as property investors, retailers, funders, housing associations, landlords, tenants, purchasers and sellers.
RCCW’s commercial property/housebuilding team was behind nearly 15% of Scotland’s private new-build sales last year.
The Aberdeen-based firm said this was a reflection of its position as a “trusted partner” for a portfolio of national and local housebuilders.
Nearly three decades of experience
Ms Richards is Granite City born and bred, having been educated at St Margaret’s School for Girls and Aberdeen University.
She boasts nearly 30 years’ experience in the new homes sector and, according to RCCW, has a deep understanding of the many issues faced by housebuilders.
RCCW, she will help lead a team supporting clients in setting up development sites and also the onward sales of new-build properties.
Managing partner Callum McDonald said: “Prior to taking up my current role I worked in the housebuilding sector, and I have known and admired Carolyn for many years.
“She is a very experienced commercial property lawyer and a fantastic addition to our team.”
Mr McDonald added: “She will allow us to continue to deliver excellent client service as the housebuilding sector rises to the challenge of meeting the demand for new-build housing, and as it continues to bounce back from the debilitating effects of the Covid pandemic.”
Growth market
Heather Stephen, head of commercial property, RCCW, said the new-build market was starting to return to pre-pandemic levels of activity and Ms Richards would be an asset.
Ms Stephen added: “Her unrivalled experience” in the sector will help us to continue to support our local and national clients with the first-class service for which we are known.”
Despite the challenges of Covid and Brexit, and in particular the increasing costs of materials and labour shortages, the new-build residential sector is showing strong performance as it emerges from more than two years of the coronavirus.
National House Building Council figures published earlier this year showed a 29% year-on-year increase in Scottish new-build completions in 2021. Volumes grew from 8,584 in 2020 to 11,063 last year.
The latest expedition of the @RCCandW's hillwalking club on Jock’s Road on the way to an attempt at Broad Cairn in the Cairngorms. #hillwalking #Cairngorms #Aberdeenshire pic.twitter.com/VDTXuhPbLM
— Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace LLP (@RCCandW) June 13, 2022
RCCW’s total plot sales showed a 44% increase across the same period, from 1,141 at the end of 2020 to 1,653 last December.
Formed in 2004 through the merger of Raeburn Christie and fellow Aberdeen firm Clark & Wallace, RCCW is a full service law firm providing estate agency and financial services through offices in Aberdeen, Banchory, Ellon, Inverurie and Stonehaven.
The firm now has 16 partners and a total of 119 staff across its branch network.
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