Chris Freeston
National Head of Banking & Finance and Managing Partner - Nottingham
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“Chris is always available when needed.” “His level of service is exemplary.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2024)
Chris is an experienced, pragmatic lawyer with an eye for detail and a highly commercial approach.
He offers sound advice about Banking & Finance, including all areas of corporate lending, with a particular focus on property and construction finance and debt restructuring. He also has extensive experience of advising on all aspects of project finance transactions including PFI, infrastructure and energy projects.
Chris is a key partner at Freeths and is well known for showing great commitment to his clients.
Chris is ranked as a leading individual in Chambers & Partners (2024 edition) and as a Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500 (2022 edition).
Legal Services
Banking & Finance
Recent Work
- Acting for Bridges Fund Management on the £84 million acquisition of the Evans Easyspace portfolio of 50 serviced office centres from Regus Plc.
- Advising the issuer on a £100 million mortgage bond issue secured against a portfolio of commercial properties.
- Acting for the lender on a £150 million debt portfolio secured against a mixture of investment and development properties and the subsequent restructuring of the same.
- Acting for the developer on a £100 million funding and profit share arrangement with a leading property Plc. This included a mezzanine facility for the development of multiple projects.
- Advising the borrowing group on £37 million of loan facilities to refinance existing indebtedness and finance the development of a 350 bed student development.
Real Estate Finance
Chris has extensive experience advising lenders and businesses on all aspects of real estate finance matters. He can assist clients with corporate structuring, funding and loans. Chris offers a calm and commercial approach and has been praised for having a sophisticated understanding of his area.
Recent Work
- Advising a non-bank lender on its corporate structuring and funding as well as the vast majority of its loans.
- Acting for a student accommodation developer and operator on total loans in excess of £100 million including both development and investment facilities.
- Advising the borrower on a £55 million loan facility secured against a mixed use portfolio.
Latest
- Real Estate Blog: Our Economic Crime Quick Reference Guide
- Quick reference guide: Economic Crime (Transparency & Enforcement) Act 2022 (the ‘ECTEA’)
- Freeths strengthen with a new appointment set to lead a London Private Funds team
- Snakes & Ladders – strategies for the corporate ups and downs
- Snakes & Ladders – Strategies for the ups and downs
- LIBOR Replacement – Update 1
To contact Chris or for more information…
Call: 0345 634 1725
Mobile: 0776 616 6195
Or email: Send an email
“I have worked with Chris on an extremely important deal to my business where a successful outcome was crucial. The task was complex and required a sophisticated understanding of corporate and finance law but also commercial sense to engender an agreement that all parties could live with. Chris’s skills and knowledge perfectly suited the task and I would not hesitate in deciding to work with Chris again.”
(Development Director, Henry Davidson Developments Limited)
“Chris has acted for the bank on several complex transactions recently. His accessibility and experience allied to the efficient manner in which he dealt with the borrowers’ legal teams were key to getting these deals delivered to tight deadlines.”
(Property Finance Manager, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Plc (formerly Anglo Irish Bank Plc))
“He remains a very valued adviser.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2023)
“He provides a faultless service.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2023)
“… the best all round solicitor in banking, deep technical understanding with instinctive commercial acumen.”
(The Legal 500, 2022)
“He has a really deep understanding of the commercial side and he is technically competent. He is a trusted adviser.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2022)
“Chris Freeston has a perfect balance of technical expertise and commercial acumen.”
(The Legal 500, 2022)
“Chris Freeston has a strong commercial insight, a drive to get things done and a pragmatic approach to dealing with issues and finding solutions.”
(The Legal 500, 2021)
“Chris Freeston is very engaging, and has an ability to cover a wide variety of financing transactions, ranging from property finance to private equity and everything in between.”
(The Legal 500, 2020)
Chris Freeston advises fund managers, property investment groups and banks on a range of lending and borrowing activities. One impressed client reports: “Chris has a strong commercial insight, a drive to get things done and a pragmatic approach to dealing with issues and finding solutions.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2020)
Client service
‘Doing the right thing’ is at the heart of Freeths. Find out more about our excellent client service and the strong set of values that guide the way we work.
Talk to us
Freeths are a leading national law firm with 13 offices across the UK. If you have a query about our services or just want to find out more, why not give us a call?
Contact: 03301 001 014