David Formby

London  0203 7456535 · Truro 01872 672072

Profile:

David is a highly experienced Commercial Property Solicitor with two decades of specialist expertise acting for industrial businesses, commercial landlords, investors, developers, farmers, lenders and pension funds. His work covers the full spectrum of commercial property transactions, including sales, purchases, commercial leases, refinancing, development matters and strategic property advice for growing and established businesses.

David advises on all aspects of acquiring, disposing of and managing commercial property assets. His experience includes multi‑let industrial estates, logistics premises, office buildings, retail units, development land and investment portfolios. He is known for his commercially‑driven approach, early identification of risk and ability to structure transactions that support long‑term business growth and operational efficiency.

Commercial Property Work David Undertakes:

• Commercial property sales and purchases for investors, businesses and pension funds
• Asset purchases and sales for businesses
• Granting and taking commercial leases, including industrial, office and retail premises
• Lease renewals, rent reviews, licences for alterations, licences to assign
• Drafting and negotiating rent deposit deeds for landlords and tenants
• Preparing and completing deeds of surrender for early lease termination
• Secured lending and refinancing for lenders and borrowers
• Property support for corporate transactions, including asset sales, business purchases and restructuring
• Landlord & tenant advisory work, including enforcement, compliance and negotiation
• Development site acquisitions, option agreements and overage arrangements
• Portfolio management for commercial landlords and investors
• Transfers of Part for development and agricultural purposes
• Rural matters, farm business tenancies, farm sales and purchases, partnership agreements, charges over agricultural assets

David regularly acts for lenders, business owners and investors on refinancing, expansion projects and strategic property decisions. He has extensive experience guiding clients through high‑value, time‑critical transactions and is recognised for his practical, solutions‑focused advice. He also has extensive experience on the high street working with individuals and families in residential property. 

Practice Areas:

• Commercial Property Solicitor
• Commercial Property Sales & Purchases
• Industrial & Commercial Leases
• Rent Deposit Deeds
• Deed of Surrender
• Secured Lending & Refinancing
• Commercial Landlord & Tenant
• Commercial Property Transactions
• Business Premises Acquisition
• Commercial Property Legal Advice
• Deeds of Variation and Rectification
• Commercial assignments

David is a Consultant Commercial Property Solicitor with Paddle & Cocks LLP.

Examples of recent work: -

• A commercial property acquisition on a business park for a local chartered tax planning firm with commercial finance
• A mixed-use acquisition of land for holiday home lettings and residential use in a rural setting with finance with a value of over £1 million
• An acquisition of a local industrial unit for an industrial contractor
• Corporate support on an SPA for a local restaurant business and taking the matter through to completion with a deed of rectification of the lease and substitution of guarantor
• An acquisition of a Post Office Business via purchase of assets with commercial finance and taking a new lease
• An acquisition of an ice cream shop via purchase of assets and new concurrent lease
• A range of retail commercial lease matters on the high street and additionally in industrial settings for landlord & tenant. 
• A partnership agreement for a local farming partnership
• A charge over agricultural assets for a local farming partnership
• A renewal lease for a local established Estate Agent business