Tel: 01243 969245

james.sandbach@batealbonsolicitors.co.uk

James Sandbach

SOLICITOR

Commerical Property

I am a dedicated and professional 10 years PQE Commercial Property and Development Solicitor with experience of residential and commercial property and public and private sector property development work.

I have substantial experience of building and developing sustainable working relationships with clients with many years experience of and a commitment to customer and client care.

I have a keen interest in new business development and marketing, with 12 years previous experience as a senior manager with a large housing and property group including responsibility for a department of over 40 staff, involving identifying staff and management training needs, carrying out appraisals, all aspects of recruitment and disciplinary proceedings; I was responsible for a large departmental budget.

I have worked in partnership with numerous London Local Authorities including Westminster, Barnet, Islington, Newham, and Harrow. Formerly an elected local government Councillor and member of the executive team with responsibility for housing services and personnel.

I can advise on:

  • New leases, renewals, assignments, surrenders, variations, Landlord and Tenant work

  • Development Agreements, Options and Conditional Contracts

  • Overage

  • Dilapidations

  • SDLT

  • Financing

  • Complex residential matters

  • Commercial Freehold purchase and sale; and

  • Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 advice and negotiation

I have had a wide ranging and varied career. Before qualifying with Trowers & Hamlins in London in 2012 I was Housing Services Manager under contract to CityWest Homes, the Arm’s Length Management Organisation for Westminster City Council. This role was the culmination of 12 years with the then Genesis Housing Group (formerly Paddington Churches Housing Association – PCHA) and now Notting Hill Genesis. I joined PCHA in 1997 and worked my way up from a customer services role to that of senior management within the organisation.

I also spent four years as an elected member of a north London Local Authority and I have a very broad understanding of, and interest in, the political landscape generally. Prior to that I had a number of exciting roles such as working back stage in West End theatres, as a London motorcycle courier and I also played in a band for 10 years.

Since qualifying as a solicitor, I have held several positions in a number of firms and was most recently an equity Partner at Wannops LLP. My varied career and background gives me great insight into varying client needs. No two clients are the same and I pride myself in getting to know my clients and understanding their requirements from day one. As well as technical legal expertise my focus is client care and communication which I believe to be key in the client/solicitor relationship.

I have great commercial awareness built up over many years of dealing with an array of organisations, businesses and individuals.

When I’m not at my desk I love messing about in the sea with my children here in West Sussex, playing the drums (badly) playing golf (very badly), camping and the outdoors and exploring new places to visit.