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Conveyancing Searches

Conveyancing searches: what are they, and do you need them?

Buying a property is a large financial commitment which most people will make, and much of the work that protects that commitment happens out of sight. Among the least understood parts of the process are "searches". The results of a search can determine whether a purchase proceeds. This article explains what conveyancing searches are, what they cover, and whether you really need them. It applies to property in England and Wales. What are searches? Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of property from seller to buyer. As part…

Corporate Crime

SMEs urged to review risks as liability rules expand

Businesses face wider accountability under new criminal liability rules The government’s drive to make companies more accountable for wrongdoing is moving beyond large corporates and into the SME sector. New rules taking effect this month will make it easier to prosecute all sizes of companies and partnerships where senior managers commit criminal offences while carrying out their duties on the organisation’s behalf. It means small and medium-sized businesses could find themselves on the front line for corporate criminal liability. From 29 June 2026, Section 250 of the Crime and Policing…

EPC

EPC reform: what landlords and homeowners need to know about the changes ahead

Energy Performance Certificates have been a familiar feature of buying, selling and letting property in England and Wales for over fifteen years. Following the publication of the Warm Homes Plan on 21 January 2026, the rules governing EPCs and the minimum energy-efficiency standards that accompany them are set for their most significant overhaul in more than a decade. This article examines what is being proposed, where things currently stand in law, and what the changes are likely to mean for landlords, homeowners and prospective buyers. Where things stand today The…

High Court Decision on Overseas Surrogacy and Trust Beneficiaries: A Legal Perspective

The recent High Court decision concerning the inclusion of a child born through an overseas surrogacy arrangement as a beneficiary of family trusts represents a significant development in the evolving relationship between trust law, succession planning, and modern methods of family formation. The case arose from an application by Ceawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess of Bath, and his wife, Emma Thynn, seeking the court’s approval for their son, Henry, to be included within the beneficial class of three family trusts. Although Henry was genetically the child of the couple, he…

For Sale

Homeowners urged to get ‘move ready’ as pressure grows

In a housing market where mortgage rates can shift on global headlines and property chains remain painfully fragile, homeowners are being urged to get “move ready” before putting their property on the market or starting their property search. The call comes as the property sector pushes for faster and more streamlined conveyancing amid wider economic uncertainty. Major lenders and property businesses are investing in digital systems designed to reduce delays, cut fall-through rates and speed up transactions. A government-backed open property coalition is working to accelerate the digitisation of homebuying,…

Mixed-Use Property and the Renters

Mixed-Use Property and the Renters’ Rights Act

Mixed-use properties (buildings that combine commercial premises with residential accommodation) are a familiar feature of the UK’s towns and high streets. The flat above the shop, the office with a caretaker’s dwelling, the converted warehouse with a ground-floor retail unit: these are common arrangements, and they attract buyers ranging from small investors to established property businesses. From 1 May 2026, anyone owning or acquiring such a property needs to understand that the residential element will be governed by a significantly reformed legal framework. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces the…

Renters’ Rights Act 2025

Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – Key Points for Landlords

From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (the “Act”) introduces significant changes to the law governing assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) in England. These changes do not apply to common law tenancies or genuine licences. This summary reflects the law as understood on 2 April 2026. Further secondary legislation or guidance may alter some details. Changes from 1 May 2026 Existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) All existing ASTs will automatically become assured periodic tenancies (APTs). These will no longer have a fixed term and will instead…

Pension Death Benefits: What Happens to Your Pension When You Die?

For many people, a pension represents one of the most significant assets they will accumulate during their lifetime. Yet its treatment on death — who receives it, how, and what tax is payable — is often poorly understood. With important changes on the horizon, it is worth taking stock of where the rules currently stand and what is set to change from April 2027. The Current Position: Income Tax and the Age 75 Threshold Under current rules, the tax treatment of pension death benefits depends primarily on whether the pension…

Selling a Business: The Key Legal Stages

Deciding to sell your business is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. Getting the process right requires careful planning, the right professional team, and a clear understanding of what lies ahead. From the first preparations to the final handover, the journey typically takes between three  and six months, and the legal process is central to every stage. The preparations may take longer especially if a pre-sale reorganisation is required to hive-out the business and assets into an SPV whose shares are then to be sold. This…

Due Diligence

Due Diligence: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know

Whether you are acquiring a business, entering into a partnership, taking on an investor, or signing a significant commercial contract, due diligence is the process that safeguards you making an uninformed decision. In simple terms, it is the comprehensive research, audit and analysis you undertake before committing to a significant transaction. When done well, it confirms what you have been given, uncovers risks that may not be immediately apparent, and equips you to negotiate from a position of strength. In England and Wales, the principle of caveat emptor (buyer beware)…

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