A Seat in Commercial Real Estate: An Overview

Following my third seat in Real Estate, I decided to remain in the department for my fourth and final seat. Real Estate is a fast‑paced and transactional area of law, and this blog provides an overview of the day‑to‑day tasks that typically form part of a trainee’s role in the Commercial Real Estate team at Gilson Gray.

A natural starting point is title review work. At first, titles can seem like a foreign language, but over time you become more confident in understanding how property descriptions are structured, where real burdens usually appear, and how to identify points in the title sheet that may require clarification. Working with plans develops in a similar way: comparing different plans, checking boundaries, and ensuring documents are suitable for registration quickly becomes a routine aspect of the seat.

Drafting is another key part of the role. Preparing advance notices, LBTT returns, security documents, reports on title and lease reports soon become second nature. As you gain experience, you become more aware of common issues or clauses to look out for, and you naturally build confidence in producing these documents more independently.

A significant element of work in Commercial Real Estate is organisational. Transactions often involve a number of moving parts, and a trainee’s role is not insignificant in ensuring they progress smoothly. This can include ordering searches, coordinating signatures, keeping trackers and checklists updated, and liaising with various parties involved in the transaction. While some tasks may appear administrative at first, they are essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring matters complete timeously.

One of the advantages of a Commercial Real Estate seat is the visibility it gives you over an entire transaction. You have the opportunity to see matters progress from initial instruction through to completion and registration, which helps in understanding how each stage fits into the broader landscape of a transaction. It is also a seat in which you are likely to have direct communication with clients, often providing updates or requesting information.

The learning curve in real estate can be steep at the outset, but it becomes increasingly rewarding as the various elements begin to connect. You start to recognise recurring issues, develop an understanding of how transactions are structured, and contribute meaningfully to the work of the team. By the end of a Commercial Real Estate seat, it’s not unusual to find you have developed a strong foundation in practical legal skills that will be beneficial regardless of the area that a trainee ultimately qualifies into.

The information and opinions contained in this blog are for information only.  They are not intended to constitute advice and should not be relied upon or considered as a replacement for advice.  Before acting on any information contained in this blog, please seek solicitor’s advice from Gilson Gray.