Legal News: Slater Heelis; SPB; Ascent
CONTRACTS have been exchanged in a scheme which will see a 17-acre site at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Didsbury campus turned into a development of 93 homes.
Law firm Slater Heelis advised Manchester developer PJ Livesey on the purchase of the land and buildings at the campus, for an undisclosed sum.
The project will include 42 new build homes, together with the restoration and conversion of a Grade II listed administration building, Grade II listed chapel and the retention of three more listed buildings.
Anne Irwin, managing partner and commercial property lawyer at the Manchester firm, led the team, which also included Nicola Deutsch.
She said: “All parties involved worked closely together to ensure the transaction successfully crossed the line. PJ Livesey has a strong reputation for delivering schemes of this nature and we’re confident that this will be a prominent residential development in an ever-confident sector.”
James Woodmansee, PJ Livesey Group development director, said: “Anne is an integral part of the PJ Livesey family. She has worked with the company for over 30 years and knows our business and the property industry inside and out.”
ASCENT, the Manchester-based recoveries law firm, has become the first major debt recovery law firm to achieve full authorisation status with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The significant announcement, which approves Ascent to act as principal for debt collection and mortgage administration activities, also means Ascent will be the first fully authorised provider for mortgage arrears mediation and rehabilitation home visits in the country.
Niall Gilhooley, chief executive at Ascent, said: “Full FCA authorisation provides Ascent with a clear advantage in its market because unlike our competitors, we are not relying on the exemption that SRA regulation provides for law firms.”
Ascent is a subsidiary of Irwin Mitchell Group and it operates across a range of sectors providing services which include UK and international debt recovery and litigation.
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THE Manchester office of international law firm Squire Patton Boggs has teamed up with broadcaster ITV to offer students from the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University week-long work experience placements.
Four students secured places on this scheme through an essay writing competition, which was judged by the course leaders at each university.
During their week the students learned about the day-to-day challenges faced by lawyers at ITV and how firms like Squire Patton Boggs support clients as external advisers.
Rob Elvin, office managing partner of Squire Patton Boggs in Manchester, said: “Schemes like this are vital to equip students for the demands of life working as a lawyer and we hope that this experience has given these able students some valuable insight for their careers.”
Barry Matthews, director of legal affairs at ITV, added: “It is crucial that companies invest in the communities in which they do business; the ITV legal team has focused the core of its corporate responsibility programme on social mobility.
“This scheme gives students who, whilst very bright, can all too often be overlooked for work experience opportunities of this quality. We are proud to partner with Squire Patton Boggs and the universities on this initiative and were hugely impressed by the calibre of students who participated in the scheme.”
