Andrew Hardcastle

Expertise

Andrew was once described by a corporate client’s surveyor as the best lawyer he had ever dealt with for speed of response. Andrew does both freehold and leasehold commercial and agricultural property work, including property finance, investment and development, and corporate support. He also does non-contentious corporate and personal insolvency work, and some very high value residential property work.

In addition to the usual commercial leases and related licences (many in London, including the City, and the Thames Valley) and option agreements for landowners and developers, Andrew also does a certain amount of contentious landlord and tenant work, statutory notices, break options, dilapidations claims and overriding leases.

And in addition to the usual institutional lending work, he does a certain amount of personal secured lending.

Andrew has acted in connection with the sale or purchase of a number of licensed premises and other small businesses (both assets and shares) as going concerns. Recently, these include an estate agency and two canal wharfs.

His commercial clients include commercial and residential property investment/development companies and trustees of directors’ pension schemes, and they vary from SMEs to a PLC.

Agricultural instructions include the dissolution of a farming partnership.

Residential instructions include buying the freehold of a block of flats in London under the collective enfranchisement legislation, then extending the participating members’ leases, and buying and selling numerous flats and houses in London and outside, some for many millions.

Experience Highlights

Recently, the sale of a longstanding corporate client’s commercial investment/development portfolio, having previously acted for the company in connection with the acquisition of a freehold property, and certain contentious and non-contentious landlord and tenant matters, to facilitate its then redevelopment of the site, and also the grant of a number of new leases of premises there.

The buyer’s solicitors put a team of half a dozen property, construction, planning and tax lawyers on it over two years.  However, Andrew dealt with all aspects of what was a demanding transaction involving complex overage provisions himself and he subsequently acted for the liquidators of the company, and he still acts for and with its former directors, accountant and surveyor.

Career History

• Hancocks, Partner : Nov 2013 - Mar 2023
• Moorcrofts LLP, Partner : Sep 2008 - Jun 2013
• A C Hardcastle, Sole Principal : Aug 2000 - Sep 2008
• Shoosmiths, Associate : Oct 1998 - Aug 2000
• Brethertons Auld & Jardine, Solicitor : Jan 1996 - Sep 1998
• Dibb Lupton Broomhead, Solicitor : Aug 1994 - Dec 1995
• Edge & Ellison, Solicitor : Oct 1991 - Aug 1994
• Edge & Ellison, Articled Clerk : Sep 1989 - Oct 1991

Education

• The Polytechnic, Wolverhampton – Common Professional Examination and Law Society Finals
• University of York (BA Hons) – History

Professional Membership

• Member of the Law Society for England and Wales