Manchester Airport looks to DLA, DWF

DLA and North West firm DWF Solicitors have both secured places on a newly-formed real estate panel for the Manchester Airport Group (MAG).

The two firms will undertake real estate development and landlord and tenant work for MAG in a move that changes the working style of the company. Previously, MAG instructed a range of firms on an informal basis.

The company’s in-house legal team will continue to handle the majority of MAG’s transactional real estate work.

Both DWF and DLA have been working for the group for a number of years.

DLA’s Manchester and Sheffield offices have advised MAG over the last decade on projects involving the Nottingham East Midlands Airport, including the DHL and Pegasus Business Park schemes.

DLA construction partner Bruce Bentley said: “We expect our share of the work MAG hands out to increase.”

DWF’s relationship with MAG goes back eight years. The firm has handled a range of work for the company, such as the £3.2m 60,000sq ft letting to freight forwarding companies last year.

Ross Wellman, a real estate partner at DWF, commented: “It’s a fantastic coup as far as we’re concerned. We’re just lucky to have impressed the people who are part of the decision-making process.”

DLA real estate partner Nigel Howard said the firm’s growing reputation for airport work helped it win the panel place.