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Real Estate and ConstructionFrom office leases to property sales and construction contracts, our attorneys sort out your contracts and negotiations based on the facts on the ground.

Free consultation Why LegalAgent
Response time
1 business day*
First consultation
30 min free
Scope
Leases · Sales · Construction · Design and supervision

* As a rule, for contract reviews and routine legal questions. For complex or urgent matters we propose a schedule that fits the matter.

Client companies served*

150+

Selected clients shown, in no particular order. * Clients and partners. Not limited to Real Estate and Construction matters.

KADOKAWA FRONTEO YAMAP ACROVE LAPRAS AVA Intelligence OPTIEUM Biotechnologies ReDelta Concrew LINEA Innovations TECHSUITE YStory

Checking contracts against the facts on the ground to back your negotiations

In discussions over restoration to original condition under a lease, non-conformity in a sale, or additional costs and delays in construction work, the material for judgment includes not only the contract clauses but also how the property has been used, the history of the work and records of instructions. We check the contract against the facts on the ground and set out the basis and strategy for negotiation, whether you are the lessor or lessee, the owner or the contractor.

  • Your office lease contains an unexpected special provision on restoration
  • You cannot judge whether a restoration cost estimate is reasonable
  • Design changes went ahead verbally, leaving no record to support additional costs
  • You do not know the notice deadline for defects in a property you bought

Why LegalAgent

With LegalAgent, you can show the basis for negotiation from on-site records

We move lease, sale and construction discussions forward in three ways: fast answers, fees you know before we start, and coordination with judicial scriveners, architects and other professionals.

  1. 01Speed

    Typical law firms3–5 business days

    LegalAgent1 business day, as a rule

    We set the order from notice deadlines and relocation dates

    We answer contract reviews and routine legal questions within one business day as a rule. We review time-bound issues first, such as the notice deadline for non-conformity and the relocation date.

  2. 02Fees

    Hourly billingTotal unknown at the start

    LegalAgentScope and fee set before we start

    We estimate from the contract and current-condition materials

    We ask about the type and length of the contract, the volume of materials such as photos of current condition and construction records, and the expected number of discussion rounds, and give you an estimate before we start. Matter-based work is generally on a fixed fee.

  3. 03Coordination

    • Judicial scriveners
    • Architects
    • Real estate appraisers

    We work with other professionals on registration and building issues

    For issues that require non-legal expertise, such as registration, building confirmation and real estate appraisal, we coordinate with judicial scriveners, architects, real estate appraisers and others as needed, and handle the legal analysis.

* Response times are for contract reviews and routine legal questions; they vary by matter.

How it works

The AI Agent organizes the records; attorneys judge the basis for negotiation

The AI Agent organizes contracts, construction records and estimates and spots the issues; attorneys judge which clauses apply and how far you can claim or rebut.

AI Agentdoes the work

  • Puts the history in chronological order from contracts, estimates and construction records
  • Spots issues clause by clause and refers to past analyses
  • Drafts notices and proposed revisions

Attorneysmake the judgment

  • Judge how the clauses apply and the issues for each position
  • Assess whether and when to move to litigation
  • Take responsibility for the final draft notices and negotiation strategy
ConsultationDraft notices and revisions delivered
  1. STEP 01Confirming the property, contract type and current situation

    Confirm the contract type (lease, sale or contract for work), the parties' positions and the current issues

    A list of points to confirm and an initial view of the response strategy

  2. STEP 02Reviewing the facts on the ground and related materials

    Compare the contract clauses with the facts on the ground and organize the facts that support claims and negotiations

    Factual analysis for each issue

  3. STEP 03Setting the negotiation and response strategy

    Consider the negotiation strategy and notice content for the counterparty (lessor, lessee, seller, buyer, owner or contractor)

    Negotiation strategy memo, draft notice or response to the counterparty

  4. STEP 04Contract revisions and preparation of deliverables

    Prepare proposed contract revisions, draft notices or internal explanatory materials

    Proposed contract revisions, draft notices, internal explanatory materials

  • Attorneys make the final callAn attorney checks every deliverable and takes responsibility for it.
  • Your inputs are not used to train AIOn top of attorneys' statutory duty of confidentiality, we work in an environment where your inputs are not used to train AI.
  • An AI Agent built in-houseOur own engineers develop it. Information Security Policy

Use cases

Common requests and what you receive

Office relocations, real estate sales, additional construction costs, defects: the typical consultations that arise at each stage are shown here as five matter types.

  1. 01

    We are relocating our head office and want to review the special provisions in the proposed office lease

    If left aloneSigning without noticing the scope of restoration or the early termination clause, leading to unexpected costs or penalties on move-out

    What we doReview the special provisions, the scope of restoration, early termination and renewal terms and use restrictions against the post-relocation business plan

    What you receive
    • Contract review comments
    • List of clauses to negotiate
    • Internal explanatory materials

  2. 02

    We are in dispute with the lessor over restoration costs for premises we lease

    If left aloneBeing charged even for ordinary wear over time and agreeing without being able to challenge the basis for the amount, or delayed surrender leaving the company paying the equivalent of rent

    What we doReview the lease's restoration clause, the reasonableness of the itemized claim and the distinction from ordinary wear and tear, and set out a negotiation strategy

    What you receive
    • Memo rebutting the restoration claim
    • Draft notice to the lessor
    • Negotiation strategy

  3. 03

    We need to negotiate with the contractor over who bears additional construction costs

    If left aloneWork proceeds while the instructions for design changes and what was agreed remain unclear, making it impossible to prove later who should bear the cost

    What we doReview the construction contract, the history of design changes and instruction records, and set out the basis for the additional cost claim and the allocation of the burden

    What you receive
    • Issue analysis for the additional cost claim
    • Draft notice or response to the contractor
    • Internal explanatory materials

  4. 04

    A non-conformity (defect) has been found in real estate we purchased

    If left aloneMissing the notice deadline or using the wrong method of claim, losing the ability to pursue non-conformity liability, or prolonged negotiations with the seller

    What we doReview the non-conformity liability clause and notice deadline in the sale agreement, and set out a strategy for claims for repair, price reduction or damages

    What you receive
    • Issue analysis on non-conformity liability
    • Draft notice to the seller
    • Claim strategy memo

  5. 05

    Following a business transfer, we need to take over the leases for stores and warehouses currently leased

    If left aloneTransferring the lessee's position without the lessor's consent, leading to termination of the lease or disputes over the return of the security deposit

    What we doReview the lease clauses on assignment of the lessee's position and the prohibition on subleasing, as well as the lessor's consent procedure, and set out the steps needed for the transfer

    What you receive
    • Issue analysis on assignment of the lessee's position
    • Draft consent request to the lessor
    • Draft procedural timeline

Scope of our real estate and construction legal support

From lease review to non-conformity handling and negotiations over additional construction costs, the points we review and the deliverables are set out by stage.

Commercial real estate leases
For leases of offices, stores, warehouses and similar premises, we review special provisions, restoration to original condition and handling at the end of the lease.
  • Lease agreement review
  • Handling restoration and surrender disputes
  • Renewal, early termination and assignment of the lessee's position
Real estate sales
For real estate sale agreements, we focus on delivery terms and non-conformity liability.
  • Sale agreement review
  • Handling non-conformity (defects)
Construction contracts and design and supervision
For construction contracts and design and supervision agreements, we review the construction period, inspections, design changes and the handling of defects and delays.
  • Review of construction contracts and design and supervision agreements
  • Handling additional construction costs and design changes
  • Handling construction delays and non-conformity (defects)

Our approach

What we focus on in Real Estate and Construction

This section explains how we think through the issues that commonly arise across leases, sales and construction work.

  1. 01

    We check the facts on the ground, not just the contract wording

    We confirm facts that the contract alone cannot tell us, such as how the leased premises are used, the progress of the work and the status of restoration, and then work out how the clauses apply.

  2. 02

    We adjust our perspective depending on whether you are lessor or lessee, owner or contractor

    Even under the same lease or construction contract, the clauses to prioritize and the negotiation points differ depending on whether you are the lessor or the lessee, the owner or the contractor, so we review with your position in mind.

  3. 03

    We work on the assumption of coordinating with other professionals

    For issues that require non-legal expertise, such as registration, building confirmation and real estate appraisal, we handle the legal analysis on the assumption of coordinating with judicial scriveners, architects, real estate appraisers and others.

  4. 04

    We prioritize resolution at the negotiation and contract stage and assess whether litigation is needed

    While aiming for resolution through notices and negotiation, we set the response strategy from an early stage with an eye on whether, and when, to move to litigation if negotiations fail.

Pricing

Real estate and construction legal fees

For real estate and construction matters, we provide an estimate after hearing about the property or the construction work involved.

How fees are set

Scope and fee agreed before we start

Matter-based work is generally on a fixed fee. For complex or urgent matters, we propose a schedule and an estimate that fit the matter.

First consultation

A free 30-minute online meeting.

You can come to us before your documents are in order. Tell us what you know so far.

Free consultation

What we check before quoting

  • Type of contract (lease, sale, contract for work, design and supervision) and its length
  • Volume of related materials needed to confirm the facts on the ground
  • Expected number of negotiation or discussion rounds with the counterparty
  • Whether there is a possibility of litigation
  • Whether coordination with other professionals such as judicial scriveners or architects is needed

For leases, sales and contracts for work alike, the scope of review varies with the property or construction work involved, so we provide an estimate after reviewing the contract and materials on the current condition.

Team & Record

Attorneys who know business practice handle your matters

Contract reviews and drafts
2,000+
Client companies
150+
Legal and investment DD
20+
M&A and capital transactions
20+

* Approximate figures based on matters handled by our firm; actual figures vary by matter.

Engineers

Shinya Makita and Sota Miya build our product on the same team as the attorneys.

Practical guides to real estate and construction contracts

TerminationWhat to Check When Reviewing Termination for Cause and Termination for Convenience Clauses

Whether you can terminate for a breach and whether you can terminate for convenience when business policy changes should be checked separately. We look at the conditions for demand and statutory termination, termination costs, and settlement and data handling at the end of the contract.

Related practice areas

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can we engage you just for a lease agreement?

Yes. We accept engagements starting from a one-off review of a single lease agreement. You can also engage us only for a specific dispute over restoration or early termination.

Can you act for either the owner or the contractor?

We act for either the owner or the contractor. If you tell us your position when you engage us, we review from that standpoint.

Can we consult you before we have the contract or the explanation of important matters, or when construction is already under way?

Even before you have obtained the contract or other documents, you can consult us; we will hear an overview of the property or work and the history so far and start by setting out the points to confirm. For matters where construction is already in progress, please also share any materials showing the history of design changes and instructions.

If negotiations fail and the matter goes to litigation, can you still help?

While we aim for resolution through negotiation and discussion, if moving to litigation is judged necessary, we proceed in coordination with the support described on the Litigation and Dispute Resolution page.

What about matters that require non-legal expertise, such as registration or building confirmation?

For registration, building confirmation, real estate appraisal and similar matters, we handle the legal analysis while coordinating with judicial scriveners, architects, real estate appraisers and others as needed.

Can we consult you about developing renewable energy facilities such as solar power?

For consultations centered on issues specific to environmental regulation or renewable energy facility development, please see the Environment and Energy page. This page focuses on leases, sales and construction work involving commercial real estate.

Do you handle matters involving public land or public facilities owned by local governments?

Matters involving local government public land or public facilities are handled on the Public Sector and Government Services page. Real estate transactions and construction work between private businesses can be discussed through this page.

Can we ask you to review a general contract rather than a lease or construction contract?

This page focuses on contracts for leases and sales of commercial real estate and for construction work. You are welcome to send inquiries about service agreements, NDAs and similar contracts as well; we will review the content and handle it in the appropriate practice area.

Contact

Tell us about your property or construction work

Please share the lease, sale agreement or construction contract along with an overview of the property or construction work. We also accept consultations at the stage where you have only an overview of the property or work, before obtaining the contract.

  • A free 30-minute online first meeting
  • You can consult us with just an overview of the property or work, before you have the contract
  • We act for lessors and lessees, owners and contractors alike