DLA Piper has acted for arts charity Community Focus on a pro bono basis, providing advice that has helped secure the long-term future for the charity.

Community Focus is an inclusive multi-arts centre based in Barnet. The charity works to encourage members of the community to participate in the arts, to gain confidence and to challenge barriers through integration and innovation.

The DLA Piper team was led by Ben Barrison and Ben Battell, both in the Real Estate team in London. Ben Barrison advised the charity about opposed lease renewal proceedings, and helped secure sufficient time for Community Focus to find new premises, while Ben Battell advised on the negotiations and documentation for the charity's new premises at Friary House in Friary Park, Barnet under a new 20 year lease, thereby securing the charity's home for the foreseeable future. .

Tim Balogun, Director of Community Focus, said: "Without DLA Piper's intervention and support we would have closed down as a charity. Our centre is of the utmost importance to over 1,500 disadvantaged clients every year, and plays a central role plays in many of their lives. This only emphasises the importance of DLA Piper's involvement in the case as this is a very importance asset to the community."

Ben Barrison added: "We are very pleased to have helped secure the future of a much loved local charity, which provides an essential community outlet for so many of its users."