Riskaware

At Semple Fraser we have always taken a proactive approach to protecting our clients' interests.  We take action when we identify threats to those interests.  In this context we have pioneered a service which is called Riskaware.

What is Riskaware?

Riskaware is an environment and pollution assessment service.  It addresses the most basic need of the UK property industry – to know in advance whether a commercial proposition for investment in or funding, development or occupation of property carries with it a risk which must be addressed.

What will you get?

A simple and concise report for a single fixed fee, regardless of transaction value.

Each report identifies potential or actual environment and pollution liability risks and provides investors, funders, developers and occupiers with clear and concise practical recommendations that fit with the commercial objectives of the deal.  It delivers this very quickly, with an average turnaround of just 5 working days.

Next stage

Riskaware is an innovative first stage in the process of risk management, and a stage that is often omitted.  Actually dealing with the risk is the next stage, and requires further technical and legal due diligence, a highly specialist area that the team at Semple Fraser are equipped to provide as an additional service.

Who can benefit?

• Investors in commercial property – you may not be the polluter, but ultimately you could pay the price of contamination and asset devaluation.
• Developers of commercial property – consistently you are in the most vulnerable group to inherit somebody else’s historical pollution.
• Banks and other funders of property acquisition, development and related corporate deals – it’s your money which may be hijacked for clean up, your security asset devalued and ultimately your exit jeopardised.
• Tenants of commercial property – the FRI lease can mean serious liability including retail shut-down, even on short term lettings.
• Corporate investors (M&A, MBO, MBI) – in any investment transacting indirectly with property assets there is a serious risk of buying the polluter.
• Builders – when taking on tenders without the proper legal risk analysis you invariably assume contaminatuion risk.
• Company directors – even if your company is not the original pollutant it may still have clean-up liability, behind which there is still the risk of personal liability.
• Accountants (especially insolvency practitioners and other “turnaround” consultants) – without proper legal risk analysis statutory personal liability is a danger.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: VINCENT BROWN