Strategic legal advice for commercial property contracts in Jersey

Every commercial property project depends on well-structured contracts. Whether you are developing land, building property, leasing space, or entering a joint venture, the right legal framework is key to protecting your investment, defining responsibilities, and managing risk.

Our Expertise

At BCR, our team of experts advise developers, landlords, tenants, investors, contractors, lenders, and professional advisors on the full spectrum of contracts involved in Jersey commercial property transactions. From early-stage site agreements to complex joint ventures and construction documentation, we provide commercial, solutions-focused legal advice at every stage.

Our Approach

We combine deep local knowledge with an international outlook, drawing on best practices from UK and global developments while ensuring Jersey legal compliance. We advise on the following: -

JCT and Construction Contracts

We regularly prepare and negotiate JCT contracts, NEC contracts, and bespoke building agreements adapted for Jersey projects. Our Construction and Property teams collaborate to ensure contracts:

• Reflect local property law and planning context.
• Allocate risk clearly and fairly.
• Address project-specific commercial concerns.
• Interface smoothly with funding arrangements and leases.

For more detail, see our dedicated Construction page.

Joint Venture Agreements

Real estate projects often involve multiple stakeholders, landowners, developers, funders, and contractors, who work together through joint ventures or development vehicles. These arrangements require careful documentation to clarify:

• Ownership structures.
• Funding contributions.
• Profit sharing and exit arrangements.
• Development milestones.
• Decision-making authority.

We advise on:

• Corporate joint venture and shareholders’ agreements.
• Limited partnerships and LLP structures.
• Development agreements and forward-funding arrangements.
• Property-sharing and co-ownership models.

Where appropriate, we work closely with our Corporate and Commercial and Tax teams, including BCR Professional Services Limited, to structure these ventures tax-efficiently and in line with Jersey law.

Leases and Agreements for Lease

We draft and negotiate commercial leases, agreements for lease, and underleases for a wide range of commercial property sectors, including retail, office, industrial, and hospitality. We act for both landlords and tenants, and our advice is always tailored to the commercial and physical realities of the property.

We assist with:

• Heads of terms.
• Pre-lease due diligence.
• Rent, term, break clauses and renewals.
• Repair, service charge, and insurance obligations.
• Assignments, subletting, and alterations.

See our dedicated Leases page [link] for a full breakdown of our landlord and tenant services.

Pre-Sale and Option Agreements

For clients looking to buy or sell property conditionally, we prepare and advise on a range of forward-looking contracts, including:

• Pre-sale agreements (subject to planning, finance, or other conditions).
• Options to purchase.
• Put and call options.
• Overage agreements and development uplifts.

These contracts are often critical in managing risk, securing planning permission, and aligning multiple parties before a formal sale takes place. We ensure all relevant conditions are tightly drafted, and that enforcement mechanisms are clear and effective.

Integrated Support for Complex Transactions

We regularly act on projects where multiple contract types of interlock, for example:

• A site acquisition conditional on planning.
• A joint venture to develop mixed-use buildings.
• A funding agreement linked to staged construction.
• Agreements for lease signed before works commence.

Our ability to provide joined-up advice across construction, property, corporate, and finance law makes us uniquely positioned to manage these complex transactions. We anticipate where agreements interact, avoid duplication or gaps, and coordinate all elements so they align legally and practically.

Contract Risk Management and Dispute Prevention

Good contract drafting prevents bad outcomes. We build clear risk management mechanisms into every contract, including:

• Default clauses and remedies.
• Force majeure and delay provisions.
• Liquidated damages for late performance.
• Termination rights and triggers.
• Dispute resolution pathways.

When disputes do arise, we work closely with our Dispute Resolution team to protect your interests through negotiation, adjudication, or litigation, always focused on commercial outcomes.

Our Values in Action

Excellence: Contracts that are precise, comprehensive, and legally robust
Delivery: Timely, pragmatic legal support that keeps deals moving.
Respect: For your commercial objectives, working relationships, and negotiation dynamics.
Elegance: Sophisticated contract structures, simply and clearly expressed.

Why BCR Law

We deliver strategic, solutions-focused legal advice for every stage of your Jersey commercial property contract, from development and leasing to joint ventures and construction.

With deep local expertise and an international outlook, we provide precise, commercially aligned contracts that protect your investment and manage risk effectively.