Devonshires opens Cardiff office with hire of real estate and social housing partner

The firm said the new office would serve clients across Wales, adding that the move reflected its “deep commitment to the Welsh market as demand grows for specialist legal advice across the housing, real estate, development and infrastructure sectors”.

Devonshires said it had advised on every major merger involving Wales’ Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) over the past five years.

The firm also acted for landlord parties in Beacon Cymru Group Limited & Ors v Mitchell & Ors, a High Court test case on the practical and legal implications of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, “widely regarded as one of the most significant housing law cases in Wales in recent years”.

Devonshires added that it also has significant experience advising on complex building safety matters, major real estate transactions, regeneration and development projects, and the full spectrum of property and asset management issues.

Gibbons joins from Acuity Law, where she led its social housing practice. At Devonshires she will work closely with Stephanie Pugh, who also joins from Acuity Law.

Devonshires said Gibbons’ appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Wales and its housing and development market.

“Social landlords, developers and investors are navigating a rapidly evolving legal and regulatory landscape, including the implementation of Welsh building safety reforms; increasing sustainability and decarbonisation requirements; and ambitious plans to accelerate housing delivery through initiatives such as Unnos, the proposed national development body,” it suggested.

“At the same time, the sector faces significant pressures around viability, construction costs, planning constraints, land availability and infrastructure delivery.”

Liz Gibbons said: “This move was an obvious one for me. First and foremost, I am joining a firm that knows and loves the social and affordable housing sector as much as I do. Secondly, I am excited to lead a new team that can provide access to the full suite of services needed to succeed in matters from property litigation, real estate and construction, through to employment and corporate. It really feels like a natural pairing.”

She added that it is an exciting time to be working in Wales. “With significant government funding available, there are new investment opportunities across the length and breadth of the country. With further legislative and regulatory change on the horizon, affordable and social housing providers will need access to the very best full-service legal advice to realise these growth ambitions.”

Mark London, Senior Partner at Devonshires, said: “The opening of our Cardiff office is a significant milestone for Devonshires and reflects both the strength of our existing Welsh practice and our long-term commitment to the market.

“Wales is entering a period of significant opportunity, with ambitious plans for housing delivery, regeneration and infrastructure investment creating momentum across the built environment. Initiatives such as Unnos have the potential to unlock new opportunities for collaboration and accelerate delivery, but organisations will need to navigate an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and commercial landscape to realise that ambition. Our role is to help clients do exactly that.”

Cardiff will be Devonshires’ fifth office, joining established offices in Birmingham, Colchester, Leeds and London.

The firm has taken office in the Grade II listed Temple Court, located on Cathedral Road in the heart of Cardiff.