Simon Robinson is a Partner within the Commercial Property team at Swinburne Maddison LLP. He joined the firm in August 2014, having previously been a Partner and Head of Commercial Property at another North East law firm for almost 18 years. He began his legal career in the City of London and worked in Leeds before returning to the North East. Simon retired in March 2025 as a Partner and now provides consultancy to the Commercial Property team.
Simon is also heavily involved in mentoring and supervising junior members team, ensuring the department’s continued development and success.
- High-value Land Sales and Acquisitions
- Residential and Commercial Development
- Strategic Land Transactions
- Infrastructure and Energy Projects
With over 30 years of experience in commercial property, Simon has developed extensive expertise in a wide range of real estate matters, including high-value land sales and acquisitions for development and investment, commercial landlord and tenant matters, property finance, and corporate support. He has played a key role in the development of several sites of strategic importance in the North East and has cultivated longstanding relationships with developer clients who have followed him throughout his career.
Simon has played a pivotal role in several significant property transactions, including:
- Acting for a Promoter in connection with negotiations for the sale of two parcels of development land comprising approximately 200 housing units at the Lambton Park development. This is of historic significance and is designed to create a high-quality, unique residential community.
- Leading negotiations for a Development Agreement with Teesside International Airport Limited for a Business and Logistics Manufacturing Park on 270 acres of land. The project is supported by infrastructure funding from the Tees Valley Combined Authority and represents a key development in the region’s economic growth.
Simon is highly regarded for his technical expertise and commercial acumen, regularly advising on complex property transactions. His strategic insights have contributed significantly to the firm’s reputation and its ability to secure and manage high-value, high-profile deals.
In the 2026 edition of the Legal 500, Simon was named as a Key Lawyer, demonstrating his expertise within Commercial Property law.

News & Insights
News
Ramside Estates acquires Newcastle telecoms company
County Durham hospitality group Ramside Estates has strengthened its future growth plans with the acquisition of telecommunications business Select Telecom Limited. Based in Brunswick Village, Newcastle, Select Telecom has been a long-standing supplier to Ramside, providing critical support across the group’s operations, including Wi-Fi, connectivity and communications infrastructure. Its services support everything from guest Wi-Fi […]
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Could an Outdated Trust Put Your Family’s Inheritance at Risk?
A recent High Court decision has highlighted how historic trust arrangements can create unexpected challenges when applied to modern family life. In Cator v Thynn, the trustees of the Longleat family trusts requested the court’s approval before taking a significant step, which could ultimately allow a child born through surrogacy to benefit from family trusts […]
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Sending GIFs at Work – Lessons for Employers from a recent Tribunal Decision
A recent Employment Tribunal decision is a useful reminder that informal workplace messaging can carry serious consequences. What may be intended as humour or banter can still amount to unlawful harassment, particularly where the effect on the recipient is degrading, humiliating or offensive. The case concerned Georgiana Ursuleanu and Vicars Cross Healthcare Ltd. The claimant, a Romanian national, […]
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