Expert legal advice for buying commercial property in Jersey

Purchasing commercial property in Jersey is a significant investment, whether you are acquiring premises for occupation, expanding your portfolio, or purchasing a site for redevelopment. Every transaction brings legal, financial, and operational risk that must be properly managed to protect your investment and future returns.

Our Expertise

At BCR, our team of experts advise clients on all aspects of buying commercial property in Jersey, from title due diligence to contract negotiation, financing, tax structuring, and post-completion formalities. We act for private investors, developers, occupiers, companies, and institutional buyers, offering practical, commercially driven legal support every step of the way.

Our Approach

We work closely with your agents, surveyors, funders, and tax advisers to ensure every aspect of your purchase is aligned.

We advise on all types of commercial property acquisitions, including:

• Offices and business parks.
• Retail units and shopping parades.
• Warehousing, logistics, and industrial premises.
• Hotels, hospitality, and leisure properties.
• Mixed-use schemes and development land.
• Multi-let investment portfolios.
• Long leasehold and freehold interests.
• Property-owning companies or SPVs (share purchases).

Whether this is your first acquisition or part of a long-term strategy, we tailor our advice to your needs, commercial appetite, and deal complexity.

We provide strategic and technical advice at every stage of a construction project:

Procurement Strategy and Contract Selection

Choosing the right procurement method and contract structure is vital. We advise on:

• Traditional vs. design & build vs. management contracting.
• Single-stage vs. two-stage tendering.
• Contractor-led vs. consultant-led projects.
• Framework agreements and partnering contracts.

We help clients balance time, cost, quality, and risk priorities when selecting contract models.

Drafting and Negotiating Contracts

We prepare and review construction documents tailored to the local legal landscape, including:

• Main contractor agreements.
• Subcontracts.
• Professional appointments (architects, engineers, quantity surveyors).
• Collateral warranties.
• Step-in rights and third-party agreements.

We ensure all parties’ roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, payment provisions are compliant, and dispute mechanisms are robust.

Risk Allocation and Insurance

We assist with identifying and allocating project risks, including:

• Site access and ground conditions.
• Delays and liquidated damages.
• Defects and completion liabilities.
• Indemnities and insurance cover.

We liaise with insurers and construction professionals to align contract terms with project realities.

Planning and Regulatory Interface

Construction in Jersey must comply with the Island’s planning laws and building control requirements. We work alongside our Planning team and external professionals to advise on:

• Planning conditions.
• Building permits and regulation compliance.
• Access and rights of way.
• Development obligations and agreements.

Dispute Avoidance and Resolution

Even well-managed projects can encounter disputes. We provide early-stage advice to avoid escalation and, where necessary, support clients through:

• Negotiation and mediation.
• Adjudication under JCT or NEC rules.
• Expert determination.
• Royal Court litigation.

We understand construction disputes require prompt attention, technical understanding, and commercial realism.

Our Values in Action

Excellence: Technically accurate, commercially sound legal work at every stage.
Delivery: Prompt, proactive service that aligns with construction timeframes.
Respect: For your team’s input, professional standards, and commercial drivers.
Elegance: Clarity and precision in documentation, communication, and strategy.

Why BCR Law

We offer expert legal advice tailored to every stage of your commercial property purchase in Jersey, ensuring your investment is protected from legal and financial risk.

Our experienced team delivers commercially focused, strategic support, from due diligence and contract negotiation to tax structuring and post-completion formalities.