How COVID-19 is affecting developers liable to pay the Community Infrastructure Levy In the ten years since the Community Infrastructure Levy (“CIL”) was introduced, it has largely achieved its aim of making infrastructure contributions from new developments more transparent and predictable, as opposed to the rather more opaque process involved in negotiating the terms of … Continued
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In Duval (Respondent) v 11-13 Randolph Crescent Ltd (Appellant) [2020] UKSC 18 the Supreme Court has ruled unanimously in favour of a lessee’s challenge to a freeholder looking to grant a licence for structural alterations carried out by another flat owner. Many residential leasehold properties up and down the country contain similar clauses prohibiting structural … Continued
Landlords will breathe a sigh of relief following a Supreme Court decision. The court ruled that it was not appropriate to imply a term into a lease that entitled a tenant to a refund of the rent, car parking licence fee and insurance charges that it had paid in advance in accordance with the express … Continued
What is parental alienation? Parental alienation is a term which arises frequently in the context of child contact disputes. But what does it mean? And how do the courts deal with it? Sometimes during the course of a child contact dispute, a child expresses strong negative views about one of their parents (usually, but not … Continued
Our specialist enfranchisement paralegal Jaime Burgess has given an expert insight for the News on the Block Q&A, answering the vital question “Do I need a lease extension?” In this article, Jaime explains when and why obtaining a lease extension is advisable, and provides a useful explanation of the costs involved. Read the full article … Continued
The answer to this question is a frustrating one for many clients, because the short answer is: “it depends!” Provided that you can satisfy the court that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, the process of obtaining a divorce is usually quite straightforward. In theory, a simple divorce could take just a couple of months. … Continued
We’re pleased to announce that Piers King, one of our property solicitors, is now writing a weekly column for the Evening Standard, answering readers’ questions about property law issues. Piers’s first Q&A instalment can be found here. Piers would be happy to advise and assist you with any property law transactions or issues that you … Continued
Spanish speaking family lawyers Alicia Cenizo, Partner and head of our Family Department speaks Spanish fluently and is able to assist Spanish speaking clients with their matrimonial, financial and children related issues. Her father is Spanish, from Zamora in Castilla Leon, Spain and so Alicia grew up with and has been immersed in the Spanish … Continued
Whilst I am sure every child is excited for their forthcoming summer break, filled with the prospects of activities, sunshine, late nights and lack of homework….for many parents the feeling is more one of apprehension and, sometimes, dread as to how they are going to arrange child care, juggle their time with the children and … Continued
The last major reforms in UK divorce law took place almost 50 years ago, with the passing of the Matrimonial causes Act 1973. The slow pace of reform in the matrimonial sector has long been bemoaned by family solicitors, who are generally quick to point out that whilst divorce law has barely changed in the … Continued