James Gooch

Partner

James Gooch

Partner

Email James

+44 (0)121 312 2589

Birmingham

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Services

Sectors

James is a real estate partner based in Birmingham with a diverse practice. He advises investors, developers and occupiers across the industrial, residential, and retail sectors throughout the Midlands. His work spans the full lifecycle of property transactions, with particular expertise in residential-led development projects.

He regularly acts for developers and land promoters. James has extensive experience in acquisitions and disposals, and in drafting and negotiating complex documents including build leases, development management agreements, golden brick developments, promotion agreements (including hybrid option agreements), conditional sale contracts, overage and option agreements, strategic land issues, collaboration agreements, and affordable housing disposals.

I drive successful property outcomes for investors, developers, and occupiers. Clients value my pragmatic and business-focused approach in complex, multi-party transactions and appreciate my ability to pull things together and make things happen.

James Gooch, Partner

With a strong reputation in the regional market for his practical and commercial approach to deal making, James has advised on several high-profile, multi-party transactions. Clients regularly praise his commitment and dedication to delivering results and his ability to engage all stakeholders to drive projects to completion. James is ranked as a key partner for real estate in the West Midlands by Chambers UK, reflecting his strong reputation in the regional market and the quality of his client service.

Recent work highlights

Strategic land promotion for major residential scheme

Advising a landed estate on a long-term hybrid option and promotion agreement for the development of a 4,000+ home scheme, including complex arrangements for infrastructure provision, overage and pre-emption, and tax suspension mechanisms.

Unlocking development value

Acting for a landowner in the release of restrictive covenants, negotiation of overage payments, and securing vacant possession from farming tenants. This was followed by disposal to a national housebuilder with deferred consideration arrangements in place.

Sale and leaseback of distribution centre

Advising a national retailer in the strategic sale and leaseback of a main distribution centre, supporting long-term operational and financial objectives.

Phased disposals to national housebuilders

Representing a strategic landowner in multiple phase disposals to national plc housebuilders involving c200+ units. The transactions included provision for infrastructure and protections for future sales parcels.

Garden village acquisition

Advising a land promoter on the acquisition of the first phase of a new garden village site. The deal included complex negotiations around mines and minerals, overage and ransom provisions.

External recognition
Rankings from respected legal directories reflect the reputation our lawyers have earned across their key sectors and areas of practice.

What our clients are saying

James consistently delivers service of the highest standard, always balancing expert legal knowledge and advice with astute commercial awareness and understanding.

Property director

Delivery and a high level of service appears to be in James’ DNA.

Chambers UK