Latest commentary
-
Analysis
Restrictive covenants – what is reasonable?
Kate Andrews looks at the recent decision of HHJ Jackson in Davies-Gilbert v Goacher & another [2022] EWHC 969 (Ch), which considers restrictive covenants and the requirement for a reasonable process to be followed.
-
Feature
Digital 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.
-
Feature
Coping with professional indemnity insurance renewal
Ryan Senior, Senior Vice President at Paragon, gives his advice on how to manage your professional indemnity insurance renewal when your firm is high risk
-
Feature
Generating work
Michael Connelly explores the importance of referrals for generating more conveyancing work and outlines how to ensure your firm is getting the most from your relationships and partnerships.
-
Analysis
Recreational 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.
-
Feature
Commercial rent relief - the new Bill
Rachel McCahill considers the new Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill enabling relief from payment of certain rent debts under business tenancies adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
-
Analysis
Commercial 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.
-
Analysis
Expert evidence – a cautionary tale?
Jennifer Meech considers the recent Court of Appeal decision in Peter Griffiths v TUI (UK) Limited [2021] EWCA Civ 1442 and the implications that it has for all litigation that involves expert evidence.
-
Feature
Hybrid 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.
-
Feature
Digital 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.
-
Feature
Changing rooms
With many landlords considering converting commercial premises to residential ones, Nathan Robinson highlights the importance of capital allowances and why both clients and owners of law firm premises should identify any unclaimed expenditure before it’s too late.
-
Analysis
Rent 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.
-
Analysis
Challenging 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).
-
Feature
Is your firm operating digitally?
With most firms moving to some form of agile working, Bronwyn Townsend, Senior Marketing Manager at InfoTrack, looks at the spectrum of technology solutions that can help firms to operate digitally.
-
Feature
Cloud 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
-
Analysis
Disrepair or structural defect - what if works address both?
Jennifer Meech considers the recent Court of Appeal decision in The Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London v Various Leaseholders of Great Arthur House [2021] EWCA Civ 431 and the implications that it may have for landlords and tenants of ex-local authority housing.
-
Analysis
Service 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
-
Feature
A 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
-
Feature
Managing client expectations around the stamp duty holiday deadline
The SDLT holiday has boosted the housing market, but increased pressure on solicitors to complete transactions before the deadline in March 2021. Peter Rodd and Sarah Dwight share advice on what you can do now to manage clients’ expectations
-
Analysis
Friends 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.