"Stephen Newson always gets the deal done. Practical, personable and professional.

Legal 500 2023

"He is a pragmatic lawyer who is good at cutting to the chase."

Chambers UK 2022

"A fantastically practical lawyer who drives deals to completion and is a proactive, clear and open communicator."

Chambers UK 2021

"I enjoyed working alongside him. He is very good and very efficient."

Chambers UK 2020

I’m a Partner in the Real Estate team based in Exeter. I joined Michelmores from the Real Estate division of City firm Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in 2012 and have since developed my core commercial property practice both nationally and locally, as well as growing the team’s Real Estate Energy offering.

I have extensive experience in investment, development and asset management of commercial real estate. A particular focus is high-end landlord and tenant work acting for institutional investors, leading property companies and investment funds in the UK.

I routinely act for corporate occupier clients, primarily on the relocation of headquarters or the acquisition of additional space. I also act for property developers both in the South West and further afield on forward funding, forward purchase and development agreements.

I am lead partner in the Real Estate Energy team providing real estate support to significant energy investment funds and managers across a range of asset types (EV, solar, wind, battery storage etc.). We work closely with our Commercial Energy team and have developed an innovative pricing mechanism with a menu of due diligence services to allow clients to tailor the energy due diligence work we undertake to their needs.

Michelmores has proved to be an excellent opportunity and environment within which to build on my existing traditional commercial property experience and to push into new areas whilst always delivering strong personal client service. Working collaboratively with talented lawyers across the Firm’s practice areas and offices is a real highlight for me and reflective of Michelmores’ ambitious, joined-up and entrepreneurial ethos.

I am ranked in Band 4 for Real Estate by independent legal guide Chambers, and I am a recommended lawyer for Commercial Property by the Legal 500.

Recent experience

Commercial Development – acting for the property division of sustainable-focused client Oxygen House in connection with the pre-letting aspects of the new watersports centre at Exmouth seafront on Queen’s Drive known as Sideshore. Sideshore is a not-for-profit development built from sustainable materials and combining renewable energy technologies

Asset Management – acting for Ashby Capital in the asset management of The Colmore Building, Birmingham

Environment Bank – advising on the leasehold property aspects of the framework arrangements between Environment Bank and landowners as part of the innovative biodiversity net gain partnership with Gresham House

Energy – establishing a framework arrangement for a significant rooftop solar company for large portfolio acquisitions and prospective developments. Leading on the property aspects of a number of corporate acquisitions of substantial rooftop solar portfolios

Dealing with all property aspects of IQVIA’s acquisition of new London headquarters at The Point, Paddington. Our team’s substantial experience in corporate relocation in London and elsewhere ensured that we were able to give the client focused and lateral commercial advice to achieve their operational requirements

Acting for South West developer Eagle One in relation to various pre-letting agreements for new car dealerships within a new phase of Matford Green Exeter, the largest car dealership space in Europe

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Stephen Newson
Stephen Newson sml