Julian De Giovanni
Head of Property Development & Commercial Property
I am a solicitor, partner and Head of Property Development and Commercial Property at Downie & Gadban, with over 20 years’ experience in a wide range of property transactions. I previously worked for a substantial regional law firm and later became Head of the Property Development and Commercial Property team at a Legal 500 firm.
I act for a variety of clients, including developers, landowners, landlords and tenants, looking after their business and personal property interests. The majority of my work is in London, Surrey and Hampshire and focuses on commercial property, including property development, acquisitions and disposals, and landlord and tenant matters.
Areas of Expertise
- DEVELOPMENT (RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL)
- COMMERCIAL CONVEYANCING
- LANDLORD AND TENANT PLOT SALES
- PLANNING OBLIGATIONS
- PROPERTY FINANCE
- RESIDENTIAL CONVEYANCING
Julian is a highly experienced, hardworking and dedicated property lawyer, who goes above and beyond to achieve his clients’ goals. His expertise ranges from routine residential property work to highly complex commercial property transactions and substantial development projects. Julian has extensive experience in buying buildings in London, the South and elsewhere from entities such as charities, housing associations, local authorities, receivers, companies and individuals for conversion into residential dwellings or for mixed residential and commercial use.
Julian has built up a strong reputation and a loyal client base and, having acted for a number of clients for many years, he has become a key advisor on their property portfolios and strategy. He is regularly instructed through client recommendations and referrals from professional contacts in the industry. The majority of his work is in London, Surrey and Hampshire and he regularly deals with national law firms.
Julian is highly regarded for his technical knowledge, commercial acumen, and pragmatic approach. He is a seasoned problem-solver and lateral thinker, finding creative ways to unlock complex issues to ensure transactions are successful.
RECENT WORK
Property Development
- Purchase of building in London for development. Subsequently dealing with sale of eight flats, sale of part (for development) and sale of freehold reversion.
- Purchase of a site for development in Hampshire.
- Purchase of buildings in London for development and additional neighbouring land. Subsequently dealing with sale of 10 flats (including Help to Buy) and freehold reversion.
- Purchase of site for development in London. Subsequently dealing with deed of grant, Section 106 Agreement, sale of part, sale of four houses and subsequent transfer of common parts to residents’ management company.
- Purchase of buildings in London for development for a Dutch BV company. Subsequently dealing with financing, planning obligations, sale of nine flats and freehold reversions.
- Purchase of a mixed-use building in London. Subsequently concluding planning obligations and lease of office.
- Purchase of buildings in London for development together with separate garages and plot of bare land. Subsequently concluding planning obligation in relation to the buildings and sale of the garages by auction and the plot of land by private sale.
- Purchase of building in London for development. Subsequently dealing with planning obligations and financing.
- Purchase of building in London for development. Subsequent sale of three flats and freehold reversion.
Sale of a site for development in Hampshire with planning permission for a scheme of 45 units (to include related deed of release and grant of rights and Section 106 Agreement). - Acting for landowners on the grant of options for the sale of land in Hampshire.
Commercial Property / Landlord and Tenant
- Purchase of a mixed-use building in Hampshire to include long lease back of one unit.
- Acting for the landlord on the sale of commercial units in a building by way of long leases.
- Acting for the landlord on leases of commercial units in a building in Surrey.
- Acting for the landlord on the surrender of a lease of a unit in Hampshire.
- Acting for the tenant on the surrender of a lease of a unit in Hampshire.
Residential Property
- Purchase of a residential house on a private estate in Surrey.
- Purchase of a residential house in London.
- Purchase of a residential house in Hampshire.
- Sale of a residential flat in London.
- Sale of a residential house in Hampshire.
Miscellaneous
- Acting for the trustees of a SIPP in connection with sale of part of a property and lease of the remainder.
- First registration of parcels of land in Hampshire. Subsequently concluding land swap with neighbouring landowner.
- Restructure of criss-cross flat scheme to include acquisition of freehold from absent freeholder. Surrender of leases, merger of freehold titles and grant of new leases to create traditional flat scheme.
- Lease extension on a flat in London using the statutory procedure.
- Transfer of management of an estate in Berkshire to residents’ management company.
BIOGRAPHY
Julian qualified in 2001, having trained at Pearson Maddin Solicitors in New Malden and Surbiton, where he was retained upon qualification and worked as a conveyancing solicitor.
In 2002, Julian joined Laytons Solicitors, working in the Plot Sales department in the Guildford office of this national firm, acting on behalf of local and national housebuilder clients in connection with the sale of new freehold and leasehold residential properties and associated part exchange transactions.
In 2008, Julian joined Downie & Gadban Solicitors in Alton, where he carried out both commercial and residential property work in Surrey, Hampshire and London. Julian developed a thriving residential development practice through the recession acting on behalf of smaller bespoke developers.
In 2014, Julian joined Verisona Law in Portsmouth, where he rose first to the position of Head of Property Development, then to Head of Property Development and Commercial Property. He handled a wide range of property transactions primarily in Hampshire and London for clients including commercial and private landowners, developers, landlords and tenants.
In 2018, Julian rejoined Downie & Gadban Solicitors in Alton (and now Petersfield) as a partner.
“Thorough on acquisitions and smooth on sales. Proactive and commercially astute. Not fazed by dealing with large London or regional firms. Good sense of humour and remains calm under pressure. Gets the job done time and time again.”
“…I particularly wish to thank you for all your hard work, advice and support throughout, which has been a significant factor in enabling us to get to goal. I know that you have often spent a lot of time on this matter after normal office hours to ensure progress of the sale was maintained – all very much appreciated.”
“We use Julian De Giovanni because we have found him adept at identifying problems early on and then either resolving them or advising us of our position. He always has in mind the importance to us of being able to sell on completed units quickly and cleanly once we have concluded a project.
Julian puts in the extra effort that is required to get the job done. He is contactable, answers the phone and replies to messages. He meets and exceeds our expectations whilst remaining a pleasant person to deal with! I have had no hesitation in recommending him to others.”
