Nicola Crookes-West
Nicola trained with the firm and qualified as a solicitor in 1989, before becoming a Partner in 1997. With more than 35 years of legal practice, Nicola is a highly experienced commercial property solicitor. She works with business owners, investors, developers, and individuals, building long-term relationships and providing clear, practical advice tailored to their needs and objectives.
Her expertise covers a wide range of commercial property transactions, including acquisitions and sales, leases, options and land promotion agreements, development projects, property investments, and secured lending transactions. Nicola is a member of The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) and assists the enfranchisement team with collective enfranchisement, freehold acquisitions, Right to Manage (RTM) companies, residents' management companies.
Clients value Nicola's approachable manner, attention to detail, and ability to explain complex legal issues in straightforward terms. By taking the time to understand each client's circumstances and goals, she delivers commercially focused solutions that help them make informed decisions and achieve successful outcomes.
Nicola's approach is to be sympathetic to owner-managed businesses with an ability to understand the client's business needs and objectives. With her 'can do' attitude she aims to work closely with clients to understand their business and to ensure that her legal expertise contributes to the achievement of her clients' business objectives.
Outside of work, Nicola enjoys skiing, cycling and walking and is an active volunteer for Chichester Cormorants Swimming Club as an executive office and qualified official.
Areas of Expertise:
- Acquisitions involving option agreements
- Commercial property transactions
- Conditional contracts and option agreements
- Commercial lease agreements
- Land promotion agreements
- Non Contentious landlord and tenant law
- Leasehold enfranchisement for both leaseholders and landlords
- Property development transactions
- Secured lending and property finance