Ravinder Singh Johal

Ravinder Singh Johal is an experienced legal professional with over 20 years of post-qualification experience. He is a Partner at Ballantines LLP and Co-Founder of Dream Homes Investment, a global real estate consultancy. 
 

He has extensive expertise in real estate redevelopment, planning, construction, procurement, and commercial contracts.  He has a proven track record in managing large-scale real estate redevelopment projects, including compulsory purchase orders, development agreements with national developers, and the regeneration of residential estates with mixed-use developments. 
 

He has also played a key role in advising on funding agreements with public bodies to facilitate redevelopment and the disposal of school playing fields for residential development.
 

Ravinder has held senior legal roles at several councils, including Liverpool City Council and Dartford Borough Council. He has also provided legal services in local government, assisting with the procurement of goods and services for high-profile capital projects.
 

He has also worked in senior legal positions for Basildon Borough Council, London Borough of Hackney, Essex County Council, Dartford Borough Council and Liverpool City Council, handling property, regeneration, and planning matters.

Ravinder Singh Johal has dedicated his professional life to the legal field, specialising in real estate, planning, procurement, commercial contracts, and construction with over 20 years of experience, building a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors.
 

In 1997, Ravinder began his higher education at Middlesex University, where he pursued a degree in Law & Management Joint BA Hons. He graduated in 2000, laying the foundation for his legal career. After completing his studies, Ravinder quickly entered the legal profession, starting his career at Thurrock Council in 2005. During his time there, Ravinder worked as a property lawyer, focusing on commercial and residential leases, acquisitions, and disposals. His work involved drafting various legal documents, including agreements for lease and licences to occupy, as well as advising on property rights under the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954.
 

Ravinder's career advanced when he moved to London Borough of Camden in 2007 as a locum property lawyer. Here, he gained further experience in property law, including working on complex leasehold issues and statutory undertaker agreements. His work in Camden helped develop his expertise in handling intricate property matters, such as right-to-buy transactions and drafting necessary documentation for lease terminations and renewals.
 

From 2007 to 2014, Ravinder worked at London Borough of Tower Hamlets, first as a Senior Property & Regeneration Solicitor and later as the team leader for regeneration and property. His work involved dealing with regeneration projects, including sale and purchase development agreements, compulsory purchase orders, and landlord-tenant matters. Ravinder’s contributions were key to completing complex regeneration projects in the borough, often involving the redevelopment of public spaces and private properties.
 

In 2014, Ravinder joined Basildon Borough Council as the Senior Regeneration and Planning Solicitor. In this role, he led efforts related to regeneration projects in Basildon, including advising on property, planning, and contractual matters. His work included advising on regeneration projects that required the development of new housing estates and the renewal of commercial properties.
 

Ravinder's extensive experience in public-sector legal services led him to work at Essex County Council in 2019. As a solicitor, Ravinder advised on various commercial property and construction matters, which involved liaising with various stakeholders, including public bodies and developers. He also worked at Lycatel as an In-House Commercial Property & Construction Solicitor, where he was responsible for overseeing the legal aspects of property development and construction contracts.

In 2020, Ravinder joined London Borough of Redbridge as the Chief Legal Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer. He was responsible for overseeing all legal aspects of the borough's operations, including the management of regeneration projects and compliance with planning regulations.

Ravinder’s career took another significant step in 2021 when he moved to Milton Keynes Council as Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer. His role included managing the legal team and overseeing major legal projects for the council, ensuring that all projects adhered to relevant legal frameworks and guidelines. His expertise in legal matters related to procurement, planning, and construction was critical in ensuring the council's large-scale projects moved forward smoothly.
 

From 2022 to 2023, Ravinder worked at Liverpool City Council as the Head of Law for Property and Redevelopment. His role involved advising on high-profile development projects, particularly those related to property redevelopment and urban regeneration. He led legal efforts on significant projects that aimed to revitalise parts of the city, working closely with private developers and public bodies to ensure successful project delivery.
 

In 2023, Ravinder moved to Dartford Borough Council as the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer, overseeing legal operations for the council. During this period, he was instrumental in managing legal matters concerning local governance and planning regulations, ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements.
 

Alongside his public-sector roles, Ravinder became a Co-Founder of Dream Homes Investment in 2024. This global real estate consultancy offers due diligence services to buyers on real estate projects around the world. The firm helps clients achieve successful wealth management, tax efficiencies, and lifestyle changes. Ravinder’s extensive legal expertise in property redevelopment and planning has been central to the consultancy's success, offering clients sound legal advice and strategic insights into the real estate market.
 

In February 2023, Ravinder became the Managing Partner at Ballantines LLP, a law firm where he leads a team focused on providing legal services for real estate development, procurement, and construction projects. His role involves managing complex legal matters related to property, planning, and commercial contracts, and advising high-profile clients on large-scale development projects.
 

Ravinder is an entrepreneurial lawyer with a strong track record of helping clients save time and money while ensuring that projects are delivered on time. He is focused on providing efficient legal solutions, whether it is in public procurement, real estate development, or construction. He has worked on various high-profile projects, including compulsory purchase orders for local authorities, development agreements with national developers, funding agreements for redevelopment, and the regeneration of urban estates.
 

Currently, Ravinder continues to serve as the Managing Partner at Ballantines LLP and as the Co-Founder of Dream Homes Investment. He is still actively involved in advising on large-scale regeneration projects and real estate development both in the UK and internationally. His extensive career in legal services, particularly in real estate and public-sector planning, has made him a respected figure in the legal and real estate sectors.

Ravinder Singh Johal envisions creating a future where legal services in real estate, planning, and construction are efficient, transparent, and accessible. He aims to help clients achieve successful outcomes by providing clear, practical, and cost-effective legal solutions. Through his work, Ravinder strives to make complex processes simpler and faster, ensuring that projects, from land acquisition to construction, are completed smoothly and on time. His goal is to continue supporting real estate development and urban regeneration while upholding legal integrity and promoting sustainable growth in communities.

Ravinder Singh Johal has received widespread recognition for his work in real estate, planning, and construction law. Over his career, he has earned a reputation for delivering successful legal solutions on large-scale projects, particularly in urban regeneration and public-sector developments. His ability to manage complex legal matters has earned him respect in both the public and private sectors. He has been acknowledged for his contributions to improving legal processes in real estate and procurement and for his commitment to helping clients navigate legal challenges efficiently.