Emma Buchanan
Special Counsel
+61 3 9962 0408
ebuchanan@aitken.com.au
Emma Buchanan
Areas of Law: Property Law, Commercial Law
Qualifications: Bachelor of Laws | Bachelor of Arts | Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
Office Location: Melbourne
Experience
Emma is a Special Counsel at Aitken Partners and an experienced property lawyer with almost 20 years' experience advising individuals, businesses, developers, government authorities and not-for-profit organisations across a broad range of property matters.
Emma provides practical, commercially focused advice across all aspects of property transactions and ownership, including acquisitions and disposals, leasing, subdivisions, retirement villages, compulsory acquisitions and complex title matters. She is known for her ability to navigate technical property issues and deliver clear, strategic solutions that align with her clients' commercial objectives.
With extensive experience acting for private clients, developers, councils and government bodies, Emma has advised on a diverse range of property projects throughout Victoria and interstate. She takes a collaborative approach, working closely with clients to identify risks, resolve challenges and achieve successful outcomes.
Emma also has significant experience in specialised areas of property law, including carbon and forestry rights transactions, wind farm and battery project leases and licences, retirement village matters, compulsory acquisition claims and complex land title issues.
In addition, her background in precedents and knowledge management has seen her develop and maintain legal documentation and resources across a wide range of property and leasing matters.
Property Law Services
Emma advises clients across a broad range of property, leasing and land related matters.
Property Transactions
• Industrial property sales and purchases
• Residential property transactions
• Farming and rural property transactions
• Freehold acquisitions and disposals
• Long-term leasehold sales and acquisitions
• Due diligence and transaction support
• Commercial property sales and purchases
Property Development & Subdivisions
• Leasehold subdivisions
• Land development projects
• Property structuring advice
• Development transactions
• Freehold subdivisions
Leasing
• Retail leasing
• Shopping centre leases
• Office leases
• Farm leases
• Alpine leases
• Leasing negotiations and documentation
• Landlord and tenant advice
• Commercial leases
Property Advisory & Land Title Matters
• General law title conversions
• NICO transfers
• Roads and access advice
• Complex title investigations
• Property risk assessments
• Technical property advice
• Adverse possession claims
Industries & Clients
Emma advises a broad range of clients, including:
• Individuals and families
• Property owners
• Property developers
• Commercial landlords
• Commercial tenants
• Retail landlords and tenants
• Farming and rural landowners
• Retirement village operators
• Prospective retirement village residents
• Local councils
• State government authorities
• Environmental organisations
• Not-for-profit organisations
• Corporate entities
• Renewable energy developers
• Landowners participating in renewable energy projects
Experience Highlights
Property Developer · Subdivision Project
Acted for developers and landowners in relation to freehold and long-term leasehold subdivision projects, advising on property structuring, documentation and sales processes.
Commercial Property Investor · Acquisition & Disposal
Advised vendors and purchasers on a wide range of commercial, industrial and rural property transactions, including freehold acquisitions and long-term leasehold interests.
Council & Government Authorities · Land Transactions
Acted for councils and Victorian government organisations in relation to acquisitions, disposals, leasing, licensing and other complex property and land title matters.
Landowners · Compulsory Acquisition Matters
Advised and represented landowners in negotiations relating to compulsory acquisitions and acquisition by agreement with government authorities and acquiring bodies.
Environmental Organisations · Carbon Rights Transactions
Acted for environmental organisations and landowners in relation to the acquisition and disposal of forest carbon rights, forestry rights and carbon sequestration rights across Victoria and New South Wales.
Landowners & Businesses · Complex Title Issues
Advised on a range of complex and technical property matters, including adverse possession claims, NICO transfers, general law title conversions, roads advice and title rectification issues.
Retirement Village Operators & Residents · Property Advisory
Provided advice to retirement village owners and prospective residents regarding retirement village contracts, documentation and regulatory requirements.
Knowledge Management & Precedents · Property Law
Developed and maintained precedents, templates and legal resources for property and leasing matters, supporting consistency, efficiency and best practice across legal service delivery.
Renewable Energy Projects · Wind Farm & Battery Infrastructure
Advised landowners and project stakeholders in relation to wind farm leases, battery project licences and associated land use arrangements, providing practical advice on land access, tenure and long-term project requirements.