SO Legal scores successful completion for Ringmer AFC

Following the successful merger of local sides Ringmer FC and AFC Ringmer, newly-formed Ringmer AFC has kicked-off the new season at a new home.

Acting on behalf of the club, SO Legal completed the sale of the old Caburn Ground for residential property development – and secured the club a new lease at a state-of-the-art development at nearby Kings Academy.

SO Legal’s commercial property and development team ensured the client received expert advice throughout the process, in a deal which involved significant documentation relating to multiple parties – including the solicitors acting for the developer, the Local Authority, Education England, the FA, and Lewes District Council.

The club’s new ground boasts a floodlit 3G pitch providing year-round training and match facilities, supported by a clubhouse and bar, which will become an important social hub for the local community.

Hamed Ovaisi, director at SO Legal, said:

“It was a pleasure to be able to assist the club in completing this deal. The Caburn Ground is somewhere where a lot of us locally played football of the years, and while it will be missed, the club is now able to look to a bright future at Kings Academy.

“The transaction was challenging and involved several solicitors and intense negotiation over the terms of all of the documentation. The sheer level of paperwork for such a transaction meant that our expert team were needed to ensure that everything was correct.”

He added:

“We have a brilliant development team here and one that regularly advises developers and sellers of land for development on the legal implications. I would like to personally thank David Platt for his expert assistance in this matter.”

Gary Holder, a member of the board at Ringmer AFC, commented:

“I would like to thank SO Legal for their assistance in this transaction. Their expertise in ensuring that the documentation was in place and that strict deadlines were met really assisted the club in getting the transaction through. The club now has an opportunity to move up and to progress, and the new pitch and lease for the site will be able to have state of the art facilities for both players, youth and supporters alike.

He added:

“I strongly recommend SO Legal in any work their clients need for development or property as they have the expertise and the team that can assist.”

Gavin May of Shelley Estates, who put the deal together, commented:

“The deal was secured for the future of the club, and I would like to thank SO Legal for pushing the matter forward when often it looked like it was going to fall apart. The development transactions are notoriously complicated, but their team assisted us in explaining things in a simple and efficient manner.”

SO Legal’s commercial property, development and planning solicitors can provide practical legal advice, guiding you through the process of sales, purchases and development projects.