Golding v Martin (2022) EW Misc 2 (CC)
James Ballance has produced a short report on the case of Golding v Martin (2022) EW Misc 2 (CC). This case would be of particular interest to property litigators. The article was first produced for Property Law UK and can be viewed here.
This article was originally published by Property Law UK.
Revisiting the Illegality Defence: When will the ex turpi causa doctrine shield conveyancing solicitors from liability for professional negligence?
James Ballance has produced an article for Property Law UK, named ‘Revisiting the Illegality Defence: When will the ex turpi causa doctrine shield conveyancing solicitors from liability for professional negligence?’. The article can be viewed here.
This article was originally published by Property Law UK.
The Lehman administrations—are we coming to the end? (Re Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (in administration))
In this article, Rosanna Foskett analyses the background, court decision and practical implications of the case Re Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (in administration) and other companies [2022] EWHC 2995 (Ch).
This article was first published by Lexis®PSL on 9 January 2023, and can also be found on their website here (subscription required).
No implied limit on a contractual right to terminate co-production agreement (Portobello Productions v SunnyMarch)
Narinder Jhittay has recently written an article for LexisPSL titled ‘No implied limit on a contractual right to terminate co-production agreement (Portobello Productions v SunnyMarch)'. The article looks at the background and practical implications of Portobello Productions v SunnyMarch, as well as what the court decided.
Edmund Cullen KC acted for the Claimant (which was successful in its application).
This article was first published by LexisPSL on 3 January 2023.
The immovables rule vs modified universalism (Kireeva (as bankruptcy trustee of Bedzhamov) v Bedzamov)
The Court of Appeal has recently considered the relationship between the Immoveables Rule and Modified Universalism in the context of common law recognition of a foreign insolvency.
Rowena Page summarises the key points in an article which can be downloaded from our website and found here (subscription required). This analysis was first published on Lexis®PSL on 27 January 2022.
Rowland v Blades [2021] EWHC 2928 (Ch)
In an article for Property Law UK, James Ballance provides a short summary on the case of Rowland v Blades [2021] EWHC 2928 (Ch). James looks at the facts, issues and the court decision regarding the case. The article can be viewed here.
This article was originally published by Property Law UK.
How will the judicial approach to forfeiture change once the temporary Coronavirus moratorium measure is lifted?
Andrew Walker QC considers the courts’ approach to waiver of the right to forfeit, and how the approach to forfeiture might change after the lifting of coronavirus property measures.
This was delivered as a Seminar for White Paper's Annual Commercial Property Leases Conference in March 2021, and does not take into account subsequent statutory interventions.
Disputed winding-up petitions—bare assertion will not suffice (Fenton Whelan Ltd v Swan Campden Hill Ltd)
Rowena Page has recently written an article for LexisPSL titled ‘Disputed winding-up petitions—bare assertion will not suffice (Fenton Whelan Ltd v Swan Campden Hill Ltd)’. The article looks at the background and practical implications of Fenton Whelan Ltd v Swan Campden Hill Ltd, as well as what the court decided.
This article was first published by Lexis®PSL on 15 September 2021.
Alteration or Rectification: The “Malory 2” Conundrum Revisited In Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) Plc v Leatham Estates Limited (REF 2019/0649 (FTT))
James Hanham considers the question of whether or not a claim to alter the Register on the grounds of mistake qualifies as one for “alteration” or for “rectification” by reference to current case law.
Proposals for reform of dealing with charity land
Maxim Cardew analyses the background and the implications of the report.
On 22 March 2021 the government responded to the Law Commission’s report on Technical Issues in Charity Law. It agreed to most of the recommendations, including those which are designed to reduce some of the administrative burdens associated with dealing with charity land. Maxim Cardew analyses the background and the implications of the report.
Maxim Cardew analyses the background and the implications of the report.
This analysis was first published on Lexis®PSL on 01/04/2021 and can be found here (subscription required).
Source: Lexis®PSL
The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Extension of the Relevant Period) Regulations 2021 – continuing a false sense of security for directors and companies alike?
In this article, Catherine Addy QC, Rebecca Page, Rosanna Foskett and Rowena Page examine the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Extension of the Relevant Period) Regulations 2021 (“CIGA Extension Regulations 2021”) which come into force on 26 March 2021, and further extend the suspension of wrongful trading liability - almost a year since the Government announced, on 28 March 2020, the range of measures aimed at protecting companies affected by COVID-19 and their directors, as they tried to steer businesses through the choppy waters which were then anticipated to last only a few months.
Preparing for and Attending Virtual Mediation
Associate Member Beverley Vara looks at what needs to be considered before and during a virtual mediation and how to get the best out of the day.
One thing the pandemic has done is accelerate change in business practices. All those tasks which we thought had to be done face to face, now seem so much more possible online. Even mediation, which seems so dependent on relationships and face to face meetings, has moved online. For certain mediations, for example where the parties are based internationally and for whatever reason travel is difficult, virtual mediation is likely to continue even after face to face mediation becomes possible again. This article sets out some things to consider both before and during a virtual mediation to get the best out of the mediation day.
How safe is the pound in your phone? Lessons from Wirecard
In June 2020, Wirecard AG, the substantial German fintech company, collapsed into insolvency. One consequence was that the payment processing services offered by its UK subsidiary were disrupted, exposing consumers (including vulnerable ones) to difficulties and delays in accessing their funds.
Richard Fowler considers how robust the regulation of payment processors and e-money institutions currently is in England and Wales and addresses possible reforms. He examines the FCA's new safeguarding guidance, identifying its strengths and weaknesses, and also asks what part the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and general insolvency law do (and should) play in protecting users of these services.
This article first appeared in the November 2020 issue of Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, (2020) 10 JIBFL 676.
Code operators as occupiers under the Electronic Communications Code
Solving the conundrum of Compton Beauchamp
The decision of the Court of Appeal in Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure v Compton Beauchamp Estates (2019) has met with a sustained challenge by some code operators. That may in part have been aimed at securing wider rights than were intended, but at least in some circumstances it seems to lead to a genuine ‘black hole’ for sitting operators. With the case now heading to the Supreme Court, Andrew Walker QC considers whether there is a sensible solution.
Break Clauses – Grey Areas and Unresolved Arguments
In this Seminar Paper (delivered in November 2019), Andrew Walker QC discusses problems with break clauses as regards vacant possession, reinstatement obligations, and the removal of tenant’s chattels and fixtures, and comments on the potential impact of the forthcoming RICS Code for Leasing Business Premises.
Liability under GAGAs clarified (EMI Group v Prudential Assurance)
In this article, Maxim Cardew analyses the recent decision in EMI Group Ltd v Prudential Assurance Co Ltd [2020] EWHC 2061 (Ch) in which he and John McGhee QC appeared successfully on behalf of Prudential (the landlord) against EMI (the guarantor). The court held that a guarantee (GAGA) of an authorised guarantee agreement (AGA) was valid and enforceable, despite the dissolution of the original tenant that had provided the AGA, and clarified the principles of severance applicable in the context of guarantees that would otherwise fail to comply with the Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995 (LT(C)A 1995) as a result of either purporting to guarantee the liabilities of subsequent tenants or allowing such a liability to revive at some point in the future after a first assignment (eg on an assignment back). The court also considered what conditions needed to be satisfied for a guarantor to be released from its obligations ‘to the same extent’ as a tenant, as required by LT(C)A 1995.
This article was first published by Lexis®PSL on 10/08/2020.
Source: Lexis®PSL
Commercial property valuations and rental values after Covid-19 - challenges and opportunities
Following publication of new RICS Covid-19 valuation assistance to surveyors, Andrew Walker QC considers the current difficulties for commercial property valuations, and landlords’ prospects of maintaining rental values for commercial properties in badly hit sectors of the economy.
Beyond wrongful trading: remaining risks and responsibilities
Although the initial three-month suspension of wrongful trading provisions from 1 March 2020 was welcomed as introducing breathing space for boards of directors facing unprecedented uncertainty arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of the insolvency legislation remains in force and unchanged.
While the government referred to the provisions relating to fraudulent trading and to disqualification orders as providing continuing checks and balances, neither is very likely to be at the forefront of the minds of directors or those advising them. By contrast, the need to consider creditors under s 172 of the 2006 Act gives rise to a duty of much broader and more uncertain parameters and represents a real and remaining risk of personal liability, particularly given the current financial climate.
Gabriella McNicholas discusses the uncertainties and remaining risks facing company directors in the June edition of Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law.
Source: Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law
The Ides of July (15th) – now or never to avoid commercial real estate insolvencies?
There may now be little time for the voluntary re-scheduling of lease payments due on and after the June 2020 quarter day. Andrew Walker QC explores the reasons why.
Dreams analysis; sale contracts, completion and vacant possession
Andrew Walker QC analyses the recent decision in Dreams v Pavilion Property Trustees, and considers the nature of obligations to be complied with on completion of a contract of sale and purchase.