Overview
The legal structure of a development project determines how capital can be raised, how risk is shared between landowner, developer, investors and contractors, and how the finished asset can be sold or refinanced. We design that structure at the start of the project, when choices are still open.
What the work covers
- Project company (SPV) and its shareholders
- Land: ownership, lease or development rights, and their transfer to the project company
- Equity structure: developer, investors, landowner, capital partner
- Joint venture terms where the project is shared
- Financing structure and lender requirements
- The contractual chain: development management, design, construction and consultants
- Project governance: budget control, changes, approvals and reporting
- Exit options: forward sale, forward funding, sale of the asset or the SPV
How the work is organised
- Project review — site, programme, budget, parties and capital plan.
- Structure design — project company, equity and contractual chain, with options compared.
- Documentation — shareholders' or JV agreement, investor documents, key project contracts.
- Support through delivery — governance, changes, additional capital and preparation for exit.
What you receive
- A project structure paper with ownership and contract diagrams
- A capital and decision-making matrix for the project
- A document plan with priorities and responsibilities
- Draft key agreements, as agreed in scope
Good to know
Planning, permitting and construction law are local. For projects outside our home jurisdiction we structure the investor side and coordinate qualified local counsel on land, permits and registrations.