High-rise boom in Manchester shapes lawyers

Manchester is experiencing an impressive transformation in its legal landscape, particularly within property law, as highlighted by Afsheen Nasr, Managing Partner at RFB Legal. The dramatic increase in high-rise developments over the past decade serves as a significant catalyst for this change. "Manchester is producing better property lawyers than it was ten years ago, and I believe the city’s high-rise boom is a major reason why," Nasr notes, emphasising the impact of urban development on legal education and practice.

According to Manchester City Council, the city constructed a record 4,766 homes in the most recent year, illustrating the scale of this boom. This surge has led to a new generation of conveyancers who are gaining invaluable experience in handling complex new-build transactions right from the start of their careers. "Younger conveyancers are coming through with experience of major new-build developments already on their CVs," Nasr explains, reflecting on the notable difference in recruitment compared to a decade ago.

Previously, much of the intricate work related to high-rise properties was reserved for senior lawyers, but this model is shifting. "Junior conveyancers in Manchester are now cutting their teeth on work that previously would often have been left to a partner or a more senior lawyer," Nasr states. The volume of complex dealings, especially in areas like Deansgate Square where RFB Legal handled over 100 buyers, necessitates a more collaborative approach to training and development within law firms.

High-rise conveyancing demands more from legal professionals than traditional freehold transactions. The intricate nature of apartment leases often includes extensive documentation filled with rights and restrictions. Nasr highlights the importance of understanding these nuances: "A straightforward freehold house and an apartment in a new high-rise can be two very different conveyancing jobs." It’s crucial for lawyers to be aware of factors such as service charges and managing agents, which often complicate the purchasing process.

An illustrative example of this complexity involves a new-build lease that could restrict buyers from filming TikToks in their own flats, a relevant concern for influencers. "That is something their lawyer needs to pick up before they buy," Nasr insists, stressing the need for vigilance in practice.

As the legal market adapts to the realities of Manchester’s booming residential developments, extensive local expertise in new-build transactions is becoming increasingly vital. “Years of high-rise development have now built that experience into Manchester’s legal market,” Nasr concludes, indicating a shift in the balance of knowledge. Law firms are actively seeking candidates with relevant new-build experience, highlighting the city’s evolving property law landscape as it continues to grow and change.