Crown Estate commercial property legal panel nears conclusion

The Crown Estate is close to finalising its roster of legal advisers for its urban commercial property panel, following a three-month review that kicked off in the autumn.

Legal director Vivienne King (pictured) is leading the review alongside Alex Peeke, who joined the organisation in 2009 from Macfarlanes.

Firms are pitching for two separate portfolios of work across the panel – the Queen's City, midtown, Kensington and St James' properties and a regional or diversification portfolio including several retail parks and shopping centres outside London.

The Crown's coveted Regent Street portfolio, for which SJ Berwin is currently the sole legal adviser, is not up for review until April 2012, despite technically sitting within the urban portfolio.

Three firms currently sit on the urban commercial panel – Forsters, Dechert and Burges Salmon – however, the Crown has invited a wider group of firms, including Norton Rose and Hogan Lovells, to pitch for the new roster.

Those pitching have been asked to submit details including proposed secondment arrangements and existing corporate social responsibility initiatives.

One adviser to the Crown Estate commented: "The Crown is a very prestigious client so the interest in this review has been huge. The pitch process has been very work-intensive, with [the Crown Estate] placing a strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility."

The Crown is expected to make a decision mid-March. Other Crown Estate property portfolios to be reviewed next year include the residential panel, which currently comprises Trowers & Hamlins and Pemberton Greenish, as well as its energy panel. The energy panel was last reviewed in 2008, when Norton Rose, Hunton & Williams and Bond Pearce were appointed to the then newly-formed roster focusing on renewable energy work.