ILKLEY-based commercial property law firm Claire Murphy Legal (CML), is looking forward to a busy 2018 with three new clients.

UK food retailer Lidl, construction and property services company Strategic Team Group Limited and Dalehead Properties, a client of Leeds-based surveyors Brackenridge Hanson Tate, are the latest editions to the legal practice’s already substantial client portfolio.

CML has been appointed to the property panel for retail giant Lidl and is now working on new store acquisitions. For Dalehead Properties Ltd, CML will be working on a development in the Yorkshire town of Haworth, and with Strategic Team Group, CML will primarily deal with all aspects of the acquisition and disposal of development sites for social and affordable housing.

Stuart Jardine, Head of Property for the North West at Lidl said: "It’s unusual for small law firms to bring the level of expertise that Claire Murphy has and her practice is both heavyweight and fleet of foot which is a perfect fit for us. Claire knows the property sector inside out; her knowledge of property law is second to none and she is a trusted and valued name and we’re really looking forward to working with her on more projects.”

Established in 2013 by director Claire Murphy, who has 24 years’ experience as a specialist commercial property solicitor, CML focuses solely on commercial property. Claire trained in London at global legal giant Clifford Chance, and then spent 13 years working in Leeds at Yorkshire firms including Addleshaw Goddard, Lupton Fawcett and Gordons. She founded CML in 2013 to provide bespoke property solutions to businesses, organisations and other boutique law firms who seek the benefit of her specialist skills in all legal aspects of commercial property. Claire said: "Most solicitors are naturally conservative and would never choose to move away from the security of working for large legal practices and to set up their own law firms, but it’s a business decision that has paid off well for me. Positioning my firm as a niche player in such a specialist and complex area of the law means that each client benefits directly from my legal knowledge and commercial business skills. I’m thrilled to have added three significant new clients to the CML portfolio in 2017; it’s another step towards cementing the practice as the number one “go to” Yorkshire law firm for commercial property.”

Claire is also Chair Elect of Bradford Interact. Part of a network of construction and property business clubs throughout the UK, Bradford Interact aims to bring likeminded experts together with a view to generating business opportunities in a social environment. Claire will become Chair in January 2019.

CML is also advising Leeds based developer, City Fusion Limited on the newly announced major mixed-use development scheme for Kirkgate, one of Leeds city centre’s oldest streets. The plans for the 100,000 sq ft scheme include 80 new build apartments, a new public square between the Corn Exchange and First White Cloth Hall, and a new pedestrianised street.