Assets of Community Value Disputes
We give comprehensive advice on all matters relating to assets of community value (ACV). Whether you need help resisting an ACV nomination, reviewing a decision to list an asset, making a compensation claim or pursuing planning goals despite ACV restrictions, our team of expert assets of community value solicitors can support you every step of the way.
- Legal specialists in property, planning, hospitality and leisure sectors
- Services tailored to your commercial goals
- Leading, full-service law firm ranked highly in The Legal 500
- Voted Law Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2024
Experts in assets of community value legislation
Our team has expert knowledge of the assets of community value legislation of the Localism Act 2011 that governs how land and property can be nominated, listed, sold and redeveloped. We combine our specialist knowledge of assets of community value case law with practical, commercial advice to help clients navigate a range of restrictions and protect property value.
Our specialist ACV lawyers can offer full legal expertise, whatever your requirements, ensuring your property interests are protected and your development goals remain on track.
Key contacts
Why choose our assets of community value solicitors?
Our expert ACV lawyers can help and advise on assets of community value case law, planning and property regulation issues. This expertise means we can offer clear, commercial advice to help you navigate the often complex and frustrating ACV regime. From pubs and bars to investment property, we provide guidance tailored to your unique goals.
- We are experts: Pubs and bars are the most common targets of ACV nominations, and our years of experience in the drinks, hospitality and leisure sector have allowed us to develop a market-leading specialism in this niche area of law
- We achieve results: Our success rate speaks for itself. We have successfully resisted over 60% of the ACV nominations and reviews we have been instructed on
- We think differently: Where a property is ACV listed, we use our expertise in assets of community value case law, commercial property and planning law to help you overcome the negative effects of a listing and achieve your goals
- We speak your language: Our industry knowledge means that we understand the wider issues around ACV listing and your concerns as a property owner. Our assets of community value solicitors provide practical, commercial solutions at every stage
How we can help you
We provide practical, commercial advice and support at every stage of the ACV process:
- Advising on the ACV regime, Community Right to Bid, the Localism Act 2011, and the Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012
- Resisting ACV nominations
- Conducting ACV listing reviews and appeals
- Pursuing compensation for ACV listings
- Representing clients in the First Tier Tribunal and above
- Supporting planning applications and unlocking development potential
"We have successfully resisted over 60% of the ACV nominations and reviews we've been instructed on, thanks to our deep understanding of the process and how it affects property owners. We use our expertise in ACV, commercial property and planning law to lessen the negative effects of an ACV listing and to help you achieve your goals."
Mark Brown
Partner
Our specialist team also focuses on:
Our experience
We assisted a Pubco client in resisting an ACV nomination for a property due to be sold. By submitting detailed representations to the local authority, we prevented the listing and enabled the sale to proceed without delay.
Acting for a private client, we conducted a review of an ACV listing, identifying errors of fact and law in the local authority’s decision. Our representations were successful, and the property was removed from the ACV list, safeguarding its value.
We advised a PubCo client on the implications of selling ACV-listed properties and the statutory moratorium, ensuring all sales complied with asset of community value legislation and avoiding potential legal risk.
For an investor client, we pursued a compensation claim and worked with planning advisors to address concerns about community space for an ACV-listed property. The compensation claim was pursued to the First Tier Tribunal, and alongside a revised planning application, the property’s development value was ultimately unlocked despite the ACV listing.
Assets of cummunity value legislation FAQs
An asset of community value is land or property that a local authority has decided furthers the social well-being or interests of the community. This could be a shop, library, pub, playing field or other types of property where people in the community gather. If listed, strict restrictions apply on sale and redevelopment.
The Localism Act 2011 and related regulations may require you to observe a moratorium period of up to six months before selling, giving community groups the right to raise funds and bid on the open market. During the moratorium, the ACV owner cannot agree to sell to another potential buyer. ACV listing can also complicate planning applications or redevelopment strategies.
Yes. If you are the owner of the property, then you can request a review of the local authority’s ACV listing decision. If this is unsuccessful, then you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Our experienced assets of community value solicitors can advise and represent you throughout this process.
If an ACV listing causes loss or delay in the disposal of your property, you may be entitled to compensation. You could be entitled to recover reasonable legal costs if you successfully challenge the ACV listing of the property when appealing to the First-tier Tribunal. Our ACV lawyers can help prepare and pursue claims.
Testimonials
MA
“Leo and his team at Freeths act for The Big Table Group. I have had a longstanding relationship with Leo including my present role as Director of...
Matt Ainger, Property Director
Big Table Group
MG
“Freeths LLP have been our long term legal partner providing expertise and professionalism in handling both our everyday needs as well as supportin...
Mark Grunnell, Co-founder and Chief Executive
Red Oak Taverns
KA
“I have worked with Leo since April 2021 and he has provided me with inciteful and commercial support which can only come from someone who understa...
Kamran Aziz, Managing Director
RedCat Pub Company
HS
"Peach Pubs grew through acquiring freeholds and leaseholds (both private and pubco) over 20 years. Freeths became part of our success in the la...
Hamish Stoddart, Co-founder
Peach Pub Company
PD
“Leo and all of the team at Freeths are undoubted leisure sector specialists and are both commercial and pragmatic in their advice. They are able...
Phil Derbyshire, Group Property Director
The Restaurant Group Plc
RM
“Partnering with Freeths has provided us with invaluable support for our property activities. Their expert guidance and seamless service have prove...
Richard Maslin, Property Director
The Liberation Group
JD
“We have worked with Freeths for well over a decade for matters concerning our wine business and wine bars and restaurants, and are consistently im...
James Davy, Chairman
Davy’s
DN
"Freeths’ work advising on and responding to ACV nominations has been excellent. They have achieved some great results for us and I would certainly...
David Nathan, WH Brakspear & Sons Ltd
GB
"I have worked with Freeths for over two decades, firstly as an advisor alongside them when acting for a client, and more recently as the principal...
Graeme Bunn, Property & Acquisitions Director
Red Oak Taverns
TD
“Leo and his team at Freeths act for BKUK Group Limited and have done so since the inception of the business in its current form in 2017. I have ha...
Tim Doubleday, CFO
BKUK Group Limited
DB
"We needed a professional approach from an experienced practice to defend us against an application to make our pub into an Asset of Community Valu...
David Brown
NB
“Freeths has provided unrivalled legal advice to our portfolio businesses in the pubs sector for many years. Their team regularly goes above and be...
Noah Bulkin, Managing Partner
May Capital
JL
“I have used Freeths for many years now, both on property and transactional matters. There are many reasons that I have used them so much, but top...
John Leslie, Chairman
Oakman Inns
PM
"The Late-Night sector has had some particularly difficult trading conditions over the last year, which meant unfortunately we had to take on board...
Peter Marks, Chairman
Neos Hospitality
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Meet our team
Contact our assets of community value solicitors today
Our wide-ranging expertise in property, planning and assets of community value legislation enables us to deliver practical solutions, protect your property value and secure the best outcomes. To discuss your situation with an expert ACV lawyer, call us today.
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