Time To Explore Retail-To-Resi Conversions

The Law Commission's second consultation paper examines whether the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954's security of tenure regime remains fit for purpose in today's commercial property market. With proposals ranging from streamlined contracting-out procedures to expanded redevelopment grounds that accommodate modern retrofit work, the consultation tests whether Part 2 of the Act has become too burdensome...

Boundary disputes are among the most common cases encountered by agricultural litigation teams. A boundary is a line separating property. It doesn’t always physically exist, yet disagreements over its position can turn neighbours against each other, and the cost of resolving such disputes can quickly exceed the value of the land itself.

The first reported decision on the 2018 reforms to Scotland's prescription rules has produced a surprising result for the construction industry and those dealing with latent defects claims.

The UK Government has announced the second phase of the Renters' Rights Act, introducing a mandatory Private Rented Sector Database that will roll out region-by-region starting in the West Midlands in December 2026. Landlords across England will face registration requirements, annual fees of £65 per property, and potential penalties of up to £40,000 for non-compliance, fundamentally changing how the private rental sector operates.

The decision by the Court of Appeal in Baqir Al-Chaalan & Anor v Abri Group Ltd [2026] EWCA Civ 946 has provided clarity on whether a landlord has validly served a residential tenant with notice of legal proceedings seeking vacant possession. In this blog, Katy Corteel discusses the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

The UK government has unveiled its comprehensive 10-year infrastructure strategy, setting out ambitious plans to transform the nation's critical infrastructure landscape. This strategic framework addresses key challenges in power supply, construction, and public-private partnerships, with particular focus on emerging sectors like data centres and modernising existing PFI contracts.

The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, Gillian Martin MSP, has written to the Rural Affairs Committee, providing an update on the phased implementation of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 (“the Act") and setting out indicative timescales for the next stages of the process.

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has significantly increased local housing authorities’ powers relating to enforcement. There is no longer a discretion but a newfound duty on local housing authorities to actively enforce housing legislation in their area. A local housing authority may also take enforcement action in respect of offences which occur outside of its area, extending their powers beyond their own boundaries. This blog explores the key changes in local housing authorities’ powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

The Court of Appeal's recent decision in Thomas v. Nicholas provides critical guidance on how the locality principle operates within the tort of private nuisance under English law. This analysis examines the implications for real estate finance transactions, where a borrower's use of financed assets may be disrupted by neighbouring landowners or where the borrower's own activities create liability risks that affect asset value, liquidity, and lender security.

The UK government has released a substantially revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that introduces significant changes for infrastructure development, including expanded definitions of renewable energy, more permissive approaches for essential infrastructure in Green Belts, and new strategic planning requirements. The framework now expressly includes nuclear power, hydrogen, and even heat recovery from data centres within its renewable energy definition, while clarifying that wider environment

Charities managing multiple restricted funds face administrative challenges and underutilized resources when fund purposes become outdated or inflexible. This analysis explores how trustees can use statutory powers under the Charities Act 2011 to rationalize funds, modernize purposes, and unlock charitable assets for more effective use while respecting donor intentions.

Charities continue to operate against a backdrop of financial pressure, increasing regulation and evolving risks. This edition explores practical issues including how philanthropy can support long-term resilience, the effective use of restricted funds, governance policies and managing personal data breaches.

Recent changes to inheritance tax rules have narrowed the charity exemption, potentially affecting charitable gifts in Wills made for "general charitable purposes." Donor-advised funds offer a flexible, tax-efficient alternative that allows individuals to maintain philanthropic intent while adapting to evolving circumstances and involving future generations in charitable giving.

As overlapping crises from climate events to geopolitical conflicts increasingly strain communities and institutions, the traditional model of crisis response is proving inadequate. This analysis examines how philanthropy can shift from reactive emergency funding to proactive investment in community resilience, exploring the tension between immediate relief and long-term preparedness in building a more robust civil society infrastructure.

With significant inheritance tax changes for pensions taking effect in April 2027, this comprehensive guide examines five essential areas of estate planning that families should review this autumn. From pension arrangements and regular gifting strategies to education funding, lasting powers of attorney, and digital asset management, discover practical steps to ensure your financial affairs remain aligned with your objectives and compliant with evolving tax legislation.

One of the most talked about changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025 is the new statutory right of access for trade unions, expected to take effect in October 2026. But despite the headlines, it’s fair to say that there is still plenty of confusion.

A new transparency regime will require certain land development agreements to be registered with HM Land Registry from April 2027, fundamentally changing how landowners, estates and charities structure private development arrangements. The regulations target contractual control rights including options, conditional sales and promotion agreements, with strict reporting deadlines and potential criminal penalties for non-compliance.

Explore how wealth extends beyond financial metrics to encompass values, culture, possessions, and philanthropy. This collection examines the broader dimensions of legacy planning, from values-led investing and cultural perspectives on succession to the emotional significance of heirlooms and passion assets, offering insights into creating meaningful and lasting legacies.

High net worth individuals are increasingly investing in art, watches, wine, classic cars and other collectibles as passion assets. These assets combine personal enjoyment with financial value, requiring careful legal and practical consideration across acquisition, lending, financing and succession planning to protect both their emotional significance and long-term worth.

Resolution Together offers separating couples in England and Wales a constructive alternative to traditional divorce litigation by allowing them to jointly instruct one specially trained family lawyer. This one-lawyer model provides shared legal advice on finances, children and divorce arrangements, helping suitable couples resolve their separation with clarity and dignity while minimising conflict and legal costs.