Latest commentary
-
VideosMember talk: Back-to-basics on Land Law Series
Catch up on significant topics within land law. This series of bitesize videos, exclusive to Property Section members, is delivered by experts to support you in giving the best possible legal advice to your clients.
-
AnalysisAmalgamation or merger of titles?
Adam Hookway of HM Land Registry considers applications for both amalgamation and mergers of title and explains the differences between them.
-
FeatureChecking your source
Harriet Holmes, from our partner Thirdfort, considers source of funds and source of wealth verification for property practitioners
-
AnalysisMaintaining motivation
Matt Ellis discusses how a forward-thinking approach can help you navigate the complexities of the modern conveyancing landscape and improve staff retention, wellbeing and innovation in your firm.
-
AnalysisDon't delay: avoiding a common Legal Ombudsman complaint
Almost a third of complaints made to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) are about residential conveyancing issues, such as delay. LeO’s Jason Chapman outlines a real case and explains how complaints can be avoided – saving considerable time and costs.
-
AnalysisWords matter – interpreting clauses in a lease
Andrew Francis considers the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Limited v Blacks Outdoor Retail Limited [2023] UKSC 2 (“Sara & Hossein”) on interpreting clauses in a lease concerning service charge payments
-
AnalysisProprietary estoppel – what is the proper remedy?
Jennifer Meech considers the Supreme Court decision in Guest v Guest [2022] UKSC 107 and the proper remedy for a claim in proprietary estoppel
-
FeatureBridging the digital divide
Bronwyn Townsend, Senior Marketing Manager at InfoTrack, outlines how technology can help in conveyancing practices where some processes are resistant to digitisation
-
FeatureDigital AP1s – 5 things you need to know
The registration of applications at HM Land Registry are changing. Bronwyn Townsend, Senior Marketing Manager at InfoTrack, looks at what firms will need to do before the end of the year.
-
AnalysisRecreational restrictions
Kate Andrews looks at the case of Bath Rugby Ltd v Greenwood and Others and Bath Recreation Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 1927 regarding the enforceability of an historic restrictive covenant on a recreation ground.
-
AnalysisCommercial service charges – when are they reasonable?
Kate Andrews looks at the case of Criterion Buildings Ltd v Mckinsey and Company Inc. United Kingdom and another [2021] EWHC 216 (Ch) concerning the apportionment of service charges by the landlord in relation to the Criterion Building at Piccadilly Circus.
-
FeatureHybrid client care
Nikki Shorto, licensed conveyancer at MJP Law, makes a case for hybrid client care by using law tech innovations to deliver a personalised service for clients.
-
FeatureDigital identities: is your firm ready?
As technology continues to change the way we work, Senior Marketing Manager at InfoTrack, Bronwyn Townsend, reviews how digital ID verification can be adopted in conveyancing.
-
AnalysisRent suspension clauses and business lease renewals
Ben Tarrant considers the county court decision of WH Smith Retail Holdings Limited v Commerz Real Investmentgesellshaft MBH (April 2021), the first reported case looking at pandemic rent suspension clauses and business lease renewals.
-
AnalysisChallenging claims of rent arrears post Covid-19
Kate Andrews looks at some novel defences to an application for rents payable under a lease of commercial premises in the case of Commerz Real Investmentgesellschaft mbH v TFS Stores Limited [2021] EWHC 863 (Ch).
-
FeatureCloud technology promotes more agility for conveyancing firms
Bronwyn Townsend, Senior Marketing Manager at InfoTrack, considers how technology can assist conveyancers with high volumes of work while social distancing restrictions are still in place
-
AnalysisService after death: solving a dilemma for property notices
Edward Francis looks at the Court of Appeal decision in Gateway Housing Association v Ali (deceased), which has brought welcome common sense to a common conundrum around serving property notices after the death of a landlord or tenant
-
FeatureA new lease of life: residential leasehold and commonhold reform
The Law Commission’s Professor Nick Hopkins, Oliver Hutchings and Penny Tridimas outline the commission’s proposals for reform of residential home ownership
-
AnalysisFriends with benefits? Identifying beneficial owners in complex structures
Kate Andrews considers a High Court case which involved identifying the beneficial owner of a property, so that a judgment debt could be enforced.
-
FeatureRent concessions during the pandemic: considerations for commercial landlords
Following the government’s ban on evictions of commercial tenants during the pandemic, Peter Robinson looks at what commercial landlords should consider when making concessions on rent and service charge