Case Study –Commercial Mortgage for a High-Growth London Law Firm

Loan Amount	£1,182,449.30
Property Value	£2,000,000
Loan-To-Value	59%
Rate	From 1.2%+ base / 5.51% fixed
Lender	High Street Bank

Client

A high-growth London law firm, structured via an OpCo/PropCo model, had acquired and refurbished its commercial premises using internal cash.

Referred by their accountancy firm, the partners sought clarity on borrowing capacity and funding options. Despite strong profitability, there was limited visibility on how lenders would assess partnership income and the ownership structure.

The Solution

We reframed the firm’s financial position to align with lender expectations, clearly presenting partnership income, asset strength, and the rationale for the OpCo/PropCo structure. A high street lender with a dedicated legal sector team was selected, ensuring appropriate underwriting. This enabled access to competitive terms, including margins from 1.2% over base and a 5.51% fixed rate. We managed the process end to end, engaging directly with credit and legal teams. Where issues arose late in the process, we negotiated post-completion conditions, protecting timelines. A £1.18M facility was secured against a £2M asset, alongside improved banking arrangements.

The Henry Dannell Difference

The value lay in translating a complex professional income profile into a lender-ready proposition, ensuring the firm’s strength was fully recognised. We not only secured competitive funding, but demonstrated true borrowing capacity and introduced a lender aligned to the legal sector and future growth. Our ability to manage legal and credit dynamics ensured certainty of execution, avoiding delays. Beyond the transaction, the outcome enhanced liquidity, preserved the ownership structure, and strengthened the firm’s broader banking position, positioning them for continued expansion.