Reviewing a development as one project
Land payments, planning documentation, investor commitments and financing conditions affect one another. A development legal audit brings those documents together, identifies unresolved dependencies and sets legal priorities before the next acquisition, financing or construction milestone.
Land acquisition and project structure
Work can include a review of title and encumbrances, preliminary acquisition documents, conditional payments and the sequence for releasing existing security. Corporate work can address the project company, joint venture arrangements, shareholder governance and the legal terms for new capital entering the project.
Continuing development counsel
An ongoing mandate can cover contract review and negotiation, corporate approvals, investor decisions and coordination with financing, tax and technical advisers. Support follows the agreed project phase or retainer scope, including construction and sales arrangements, refinancing and a proposed exit.
A practical legal work plan
The initial deliverable can be a risk map, a document and evidence request, and a prioritised work plan. Transaction mandates can then move to drafting, negotiation and a checklist of requirements before signing, completion or drawdown. The scope and fees are agreed before work starts.
Common questions
Can you review a project that is already underway?
Yes. A focused audit can be scoped around an existing project and its next milestone, such as a land payment, investor entry, finance drawdown or construction contract.
Do you replace the project’s technical advisers?
No. Legal work is coordinated with architects, engineers, surveyors, financial and tax advisers as the project requires. Technical feasibility, valuation and financial underwriting remain within the relevant specialist mandates.