Meet our Commercial and Corporate team 

Left to right, back row: Alex Green, Clare Bray, Erica Nisbet, Tim Simmons, Sarah Walkden, Stacey Irwin, Front row Aman Kaur, Marianne Webb, Catherine Lloyd, Leah Thompson, Sarah Astley and Harry Tekchandani.

The Commercial and Corporate team here at Gullands is now led by Partner Catherine Lloyd. Catherine is also the Under Sherriff of Kent, a role she has held since March 2020. 

The team has grown in recent months, by welcoming several new joiners. The team offers comprehensive, expert legal advice in a friendly and approachable manner to business owners, commercial property owners and landowners. 

Commercial property and landowners 

Our commercial property experts advise businesses, developers, private investors, local authorities and charities throughout the county on the acquisition and disposal of all types of commercial property and land, such as development sites, industrial premises, offices, shops and pubs. 

They regularly act for investment companies and individual landlords holding portfolios of office, industrial and retail premises, dealing with all the legal documents involved in the management of these portfolios such as the granting of new leases, sub-lettings and assignments and dealing with lease renewals and licence arrangements. 

They also advise landowning farmers and vineyard owners on the purchase and sale of land, option agreements, promotion agreements and development agreements. The team also work with their clients to assist them in expanding their landholdings and businesses through the diversification of their commercial arrangements including through the means of residential and other development opportunities. 

Occupational tenants/businesses 

The team continues to advise business tenants on the acquisition of leasehold premises whether they be offices, factories, warehouses, shops or licensed premises. Where leases are being renewed, they provide businesses with clear advice regarding their opportunities, liabilities and commitments and, working closely with our Commercial Dispute team, ensure that all time limits relating to lease renewals are met both before and during any court proceedings. 

Business structure 

The team advise business clients on starting up, expanding, developing or disposing of their businesses. They advise on the merits of operating as a sole trader, traditional partnership, limited liability partnership or company and draft partnership and shareholder agreements tailored to each individual businesses’ requirements. 

The team has extensive experience in negotiating and preparing all types of commercial contracts including terms and conditions of business, long term supply agreements, master service agreements, agency and distribution agreements, franchise agreements, joint venture agreements, IT management contracts, and software maintenance agreements. 

The team are also experts in the acquisition and disposal of businesses and companies across all sectors, including construction, industry, retail, transport, technology, dentistry, healthcare, insurance, food & drink, farming, horticulture and viticulture. Together with the Employment team, they can negotiate terms, manage the due diligence process through our data room system, draft appropriate documentation and advise throughout the process.