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Since extending restrictions on Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) and commercial evictions last month, the government has released a call for evidence on the latest commercial rent measures from landlords, tenants and all relevant stakeholders Read more…
The UK Government have announced further measures to protect businesses from insolvency and eviction up until 30 June 2021. The measures that have been extended include: Winding-Up Petitions: Temporary changes to the Corporate Insolvency and Read more…
From 1 April 2021 it will be a statutory requirement for all landlords to carry out electrical safety tests and issue electrical safety reports to tenants for all private tenancies in England. The Electrical Safety Read more…
Following its official departure from the EU on 1 January 2021, the UK is now classified as a ‘third country’ for data protection purposes. This means that the European Commission has until 30 June 2021 Read more…
During last week’s budget we heard that the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday would be extended until 30 June for residential properties with values up to £500,000, with a final deadline of 30 September Read more…
Yesterday’s Budget announcement from Chancellor Rishi Sunak brought some promising news for many employers, employees and organisations across the UK. We’ve summed up some of the key developments that employers need to prepare for going Read more…
Over the last several years we have become increasingly more reliant on digital platforms to manage our finances, investments and many other valuable assets. We are used to accounting for physical property in our Wills, Read more…
Remember back in 2018 when all anyone talked about was the looming enactment date of the GDPR, and the 25 May deadline was etched in your brain for months? Now, this seems like a distant Read more…
On 6 April 2021 significant changes to the government’s IR35 regime will come into effect. The IR35, also known as the off-payroll working rules (the “Rules”), govern the national insurance contributions (NIC) and income tax contributions of Read more…
Almost four years following the Grenfell Tower tragedy on 14 June 2017, the UK Government has finally announced a plan to tackle unsafe cladding in residential buildings across the UK. The obvious question is why has it Read more…
2021 will be the last year we see the LIBOR rate used in the global financial markets as we transition to the SONIA rate. But what does this mean for the syndicated and bilateral loan Read more…
What is your new year’s resolution? Being more active? Starting a new hobby? Finding a new job? Whatever it is, one New Year’s resolution we all should have in the forefront of our minds for Read more…
As we approach the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday deadline on 31 March, many buyers and sellers are feeling the pressure to get their property transactions over the line to make significant tax savings Read more…
The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association released its latest Quarterly Review last week and despite the uncertain macro-economic conditions across Europe, the Report outlines that the UK is leading European venture capital transactions Read more…
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is just as important as making a Will if not more; it is an essential legal mechanism which makes sure that your assets are handled by someone you trust Read more…
On 7 January 2021 the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, announced revisions to leasehold enfranchisement laws, which come as part of the biggest proposed reforms to English Property Law in 40 years. Lease Extensions Under the Read more…
First-time buyers are able to apply for an equity loan with the new Help to Buy: Equity Loan (2021-2023) scheme from 16 December 2020. The new scheme replaces the current Help to Buy: Equity Loan Read more…
On 1st December 2020, the Insolvency Act 1986 (HMRC Debts: Priority on Insolvency) Regulations came into force. Under the Regulations, HMRC will be a secondary preferential creditor in all insolvencies commenced on or after this Read more…
This month, the High Court has looked at the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 and their relevance in internal disciplinary proceedings. In Kathryn Hopkins v HMRC, the employee was Read more…
As some of you may be aware, last week was Stress Awareness Week in the UK, and it could not have arrived at a more crucial time. Amidst the reintroduction of tighter lockdown measures, it Read more…
The decision to end employment The decision to make redundancies is never one that is taken lightly, though the chance of us seeing further redundancies in the coming months seems increasingly likely. We have covered Read more…
Following our previous article on this topic, the government has extended the protections available to commercial and residential tenants. This article also outlines the remedies available for landlords. FORFEITURE Section 82 of the Coronavirus Act Read more…
Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day, and thanks to the ongoing pandemic, this year could be the most important one yet. In the space of just six months, we’ve experienced a national lockdown, a huge shift Read more…
On the 31st October, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will come to an end, placing millions of UK jobs at risk. Most businesses have faced unprecedented challenges and financial hardships during the pandemic and are Read more…
Bitcoin (BTC) was born 11 years ago, and ever since, there has been much hype over this killer technology and the ways it can revolutionise various aspects of our lives. So far, we’ve seen people Read more…
Over the few months, businesses across the country have been navigating the reality of operating their businesses amidst a global pandemic. Despite the efforts made to smooth the transition and encourage workers back into the Read more…
From 8 June 2020, Government Regulations (the “Regulations”) require most people travelling to the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) to quarantine for 14 days. What does this Read more…
The Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been a lifeline to many businesses, with 1.2 million employers claiming for employees’ wages. As the scheme begins to wind down, we go through what employers need to Read more…
COVID-19 has thrown up a whole host of problems for businesses. Government schemes – such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the “Scheme”) – have provided some relief to employers, allowing them to continue operating Read more…
As the pandemic continues to affect the economy and businesses, the government has introduced a number of measures for commercial and residential tenants. Forfeiture Section 82 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (‘the Act’) is intended Read more…
In what is being described as the “biggest change to law in 200 years,” the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has this week announced that people will be able to sign wills with a witness only Read more…
The government has this week announced further changes to planning laws, this time revamping the current Use Classes order. Currently planning permission is required where there is a change of use of a property and Read more…
The new version of the CLC’s Site Operating Procedures reflected the governments easing of its guidance on lockdown which will apply from the 4 July 2020. The main change which contractors have been looking for Read more…
New Regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every 5 years. Landlords have to provide a copy of Read more…
Making a will is an important part of insuring your family’s financial future. Wills are legally-binding documents which provide an essential guide as to how your estate and assets should be distributed after death. This Read more…
As the Coronavirus crisis continues to affect businesses all over the country, the government has introduced a number of different measures to help protect the economy and businesses’ futures. One such measure, announced by the Read more…
The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill (“Bill”) was published on 20 May 2020. The Bill intends to provide businesses with the flexibility they need to continue to trade during the Covid-19 pandemic and ease the Read more…
As of the 13th May, the government has relaxed restrictions imposed on the property sector during the coronavirus lockdown period. Estate agents, removal companies, conveyancers, and surveyors can resume trading; buyers and surveyors can visit properties Read more…
The impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has raised a number of adverse challenges for families and individuals across the country. More than ever before, families may be in the position of needing to contest Read more…
Last week, the government announced its measures to help restart the property market after a period of deep freeze, following the UK’s measures taken to curb the spread of coronavirus. During this period, it has Read more…
Over the last few weeks, we have been helping clients – both employers and contractors – prepare their compliant Construction Design Management (Health and Safety) and Site Operating Procedures, which understandably involve enhanced COVID -19 Read more…
The impact of COVID-19 has been felt everywhere. Businesses across the country are feeling the strain, and many of us will have friends, family members and colleagues who have been furloughed through the Government’s Job Read more…
In this legal insight, Partner Danny Schwarz seeks to provide clarity on practical issues that building occupiers and owners have experienced, by addressing some of the most frequently asked questions he and his team have Read more…
Annual leave entitlement The Working Time Regulations 1998 (the “Regulations”) provide that workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid annual leave per year (prorated for part time employees). This is made up of a minimum Read more…
During the current COVID-19 climate with the government advising on social distancing, many people will find executing documents difficult. So, what advice should law practitioners be giving their clients to assist when executing documents? Can Read more…
Annual leave entitlement The Working Time Regulations 1998 (the “Regulations”) provide that workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid annual leave per year (pro-rated for part time employees). This is made up of a minimum Read more…
In the current lending market, many businesses are under extreme time pressure to refinance existing facilities, complete on purchases committed to before COVID-19, or secure development financing. A big proportion of these businesses are now Read more…
On 11th of March 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in his budget that from 1st April 2021, a 2% surcharge on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) would be imposed upon non-UK resident buyers of residential Read more…
The measures taken by the UK Government to contain the spread of the coronavirus have created profound complications for the UK residential property market. Legal concerns relate to drafting contracts, financing arrangements, force majeure provisions, Read more…
Start-ups: How will Coronavirus affect your business? The Coronavirus crisis has meant that many small businesses have been forced to cease trading on a record scale. My previous article (found here) outlined some of the Read more…
Last month, businesses across the country adapted to new measures designed to curb the spread of COVID-19. Due to the continually evolving nature of the crisis, this has raised a number of questions related to employment. To offer Read more…
With businesses across the country forced to close at an alarming rate, the Government has introduced a number of emergency measures to help try to keep the UK economy afloat. The newly proposed Coronavirus Job Read more…
As more and more companies announce the closure of their construction sites, the government’ guidance remains that construction sites may stay open provided the Public Health England (PHE) guidelines, including keeping two-metres from others, can Read more…
As the UK government announces new, stricter measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, businesses across the country are preparing for a vastly different economic climate when we eventually emerge from the crisis. The effects Read more…
There was an air of inevitability with the announcement, and it is hard to argue against it. The Government announced on the 23 March that given the unprecedented strain on businesses, any tenants affected by Read more…
I miss Brexit. In light of the strict lockdown on 23 March 2020, the Government have implemented further concessions to assist tenants in the short-term and announced that commercial tenants who are affected by Covid-19 Read more…
In the wake of the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, we consider the general legal principles that apply to commercial contracts and the implications for our clients (particularly those of commercial landlords and tenants). Unforeseeable circumstances Read more…
What does International Women’s Day mean to us? Sunday 8th March marked International Women’s Day, an event which recognises and celebrates the achievements of women around the world. All as part of the global efforts to Read more…
On the 19th December 2019, the Queen’s Speech – delivered at the opening of Parliament, set out the government’s proposed legislative policies for the forthcoming year. High up on the agenda was the issue of Read more…
For many, March is simply the start of spring but for those connected to the real estate sector it means much more than that. Each March, the biggest names in property flock to Cannes for MIPIM, the world’s Read more…
A vast number of people throughout London and the UK struggle to purchase a home and renting property has quickly become the norm. However, despite its prevalence, renting certainly does not come without its issues. Read more…
Anne Wright of Lawrence Stephens and barrister James Davison of 3PB provide practical guidance on selecting an expert witness, and advise witnesses how to behave once appointed. ‘The expert witness’s primary duty is to help Read more…
This week the High Court had a rare opportunity to consider some practical issues that arise when commercial leases are excluded from the Security of Tenure Provisions in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, which Read more…
From 1 June 2019 the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (“the Act”) will impose restrictions on fees that can be demanded from tenants of newly granted Tenancies (such as ASTS, student lettings and licences to occupy Read more…
A significant decision was reached today in the High Court which will allow Landlords up and down the country to breathe a huge sigh of relief. The High Court considered a claim by the European Read more…
On 12 February 2019, the Tenant Fees Bill 2017-19 received Royal Assent and became the Tenant Fees Act 2019. The Act will come into force on 1 June 2019 for new and renewal leases and Read more…
A potential way of dealing with the lack of development land space in urban areas is not to build on land but its airspace. Anne Wright and Avi Barr discuss the construction and legal implications developers should Read more…
The Ministry of Justice’s controversial proposal to radically increase fees for administering probate has hit another snag, as it has emerged that the government has not assessed the costs attached and the practical application of Read more…
The chimes at midnight this week meant more for UK non-resident investors than simply a new year – it marked the countdown to new rules coming into force on the payment of Capital Gains Tax Read more…