• Office
  • Faviell House
  • 1 Coval Wells
  • Chelmsford
  • Essex
  • CM1 1WZ
  • Tel: 01245 453800

David Rayner

Partner & Head of Environment and Energy Team

I am in the Agriculture and Estates Estate team. I also lead the Environment and Energy Group. I bring commerciality and clarity to complex matters, combined with exemplary technical expertise. I am highly experienced, which is widely recognised by clients and local professionals and I am a recommended lawyer by the Legal 500 directory and have previously been a leading individual for both Commercial Real Estate and Environment in both Legal 500 and Chambers directories. I tackle the difficult and important issues early on, offer proactive solutions and always take a commercial approach.  I’m based in our Chelmsford office, and am available for a free 15 minute chat over the phone on 01245 453826.

I am experienced in all commercial real estate matters with particular emphasis on development and construction work (including options, conditional contracts, promotion agreements and collaboration agreements). This often involves me working closely with the business team on corporate finance matters. I also deal with high value or complex investment and secured lending.  

I specialise in environmental and energy matters which includes green leases, sustainable energy, contamination and liability, solar panel leases, power supply agreements and environmental warranties and guarantees. I represent a broad range of commercial clients including private and publicly quoted companies and national and multi-national organisations, both locally and internationally, and within a variety of sectors.

I am also a member of the development team, I have worked for developers - national, regional and local – and landowners for over 35 years on all aspects of development work, including Promotion and Option Agreements, overage arrangements, acquisition and site assembly and disposals, as well as everything needed to facilitate development such as financing and security documentation and planning, utilities, highways and other negotiations and documents.

My key responsibilities are delivering first class advice in a timely and cost-effective manner and representing the team at marketing events (including presenting seminars and workshops). I am a member of the firm’s strategic board, Chair of the Chelmsford Business Board, Chair of the Essex Business Board, a member of the strategic board South East LEP and a director of Maldon Mud Race Limited. I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing a job has been done well, and find my work intellectually stimulating and challenging.

In my spare time I enjoy hill walking, amateur operatics (performing and directing) and most sports, including cricket, rugby and rowing. 

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS:

  • Qualified as a Solicitor in 1983

The Legal 500 – The Clients Guide to Law Firms The Legal 500 – The Clients Guide to Law Firms

Our Commercial Real Estate Team

Commercial Real Estate is a large team with significant experience in dealing with all aspects of commercial property. Our individual members also have their own sector expertise, including environment & energy, health and social care, education and charity. The team has long standing relationships with clients and business partners, and we provide a tailored service to each client. We deal with each matter efficiently to ensure that deadlines and objectives are achieved. Our advice is commercial and practical, offering positive solutions.

What our clients say

  • Thank you for your amazing continued support of W & S and especially our tea room group, we trust you completely and it is great working with you.
  • David Rayner always aims to implement the objectives of his clients, without trying to score points or being uncommercial.Mr Peter Benson
  • David, you are a true star!
  • We are always grateful for the care and attention to detail you consistently deliver for us
  • Thank you, David [Rayner], for your excellent work on our lease
  • Thank you David for your excellent service as always.
  • Thank you for all your work and expertise
  • David Rayner was very good to work with. He was patient and explained things we did not understand. He was receptive to ideas and good to brainstorm with. He interacted well with our land agent and the solicitor for the other party. Professional with a sense of humour to take the edge off a prolonged and difficult and complex negotiation. Legal 500, 2023
  • Thank you David, excellent service as ever!