Insights & News

It takes two to make a thing go right...! The two-part possession hearing

Inbrief

09 November 2020

On 27 March 2020, all possession claims and evictions (save for a few exemptions) were stayed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Fast forward to 20 September 2020, and the stay has been lifted, but there are new arrangements released by the Master of the Rolls “The Overall Arrangements” which deal with how the Court intends to return to hearing possession claims and the challenges it faces. Most important to note is the introduction of a “Review Hearing”.

Lewis Silkin wins Real Estate Team of the Year Award 2020

Press Release

06 November 2020

Lewis Silkin has won the accolade of Real Estate Team of the Year award at The Lawyer Awards 2020 for their work on Earl’s Court Regeneration.

Supreme Court housing case could increase scope for positive action in employment

20 October 2020

Social housing places can be reserved exclusively for Orthodox Jews, according to the Supreme Court in a case which may have longer-term implications for employers considering taking positive action as part of their diversity initiatives.

Lewis Silkin shortlisted for Real Estate Team of the Year Award 2020

28 September 2020

Lewis Silkin has been shortlisted for the Real Estate Team of the Year award at The Lawyer Awards 2020 for their work on Earl’s Court Regeneration.

FAQS on Covid-19 planning reforms

14 August 2020

Just before the pandemic outbreak, the Government issued the trailer ‘Planning for the Future’ announcing various proposed reforms to the planning system. This was to be followed by a White Paper in the spring but following lock-down the Paper was postponed. Instead, the Government concentrated on emergency measures to alleviate the crisis. As lock down eased, Boris Johnson launched ‘Project Speed’ aimed at getting Britain building again including a radical reform of the planning system. This has resulted in a flurry of legislation with more to come.

RE: Occupy Survey

30 July 2020

Many businesses have made adjustments to allow a steady return of staff to office premises. As Boris encourages people back into the office, and it becomes increasingly clear that things will not return to ‘normal’ for some time, thoughts are turning to the medium to long term vision. We conducted a survey for business decision makers to investigate their plans for their offices, providing some clear trends which we hope will benefit you as we look to a ‘new normal’.

Lewis Silkin heads legal think tank on planning changes

Press Release

17 June 2020

Following the COVID19 outbreak, The Law Society wrote to the Minister of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with a list of proposed recommendations to assist with planning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Temporary use of vacant land offers chance for collaboration: Anthony van Hoffen writes for Property Week

Press

12 May 2020

Covid-19 space requirements present an unusual opportunity for the property sector to make a difference. Nicola Mathers, Chief Executive of Future of London and development partner Anthony Hoffen discuss the potential temporary use of vacant land during the pandemic and the opportunities for collaboration.

How franchisors and franchisees can work together to combat the impact of Covid-19

29 April 2020

The coronavirus pandemic is a truly universal crisis, with no regard for borders or socio-economic systems. In just a few short weeks, it has caused havoc for businesses around the world, making casualties of household names and showing us that size doesn’t matter after all. For businesses large and small, online and on the high street, swift action is required to limit the potential long-term damage. For franchise businesses, meaningful – and perhaps unprecedented – cooperation between franchisor and franchisee is also vital.

How legal changes can keep planning and development open during the coronavirus epidemic: Sara Hanrahan writes for The Planner

Press

24 April 2020

The Law Society has requested a slew of changes to the English planning system to enable planning and development to continue during the coronavirus epidemic and the post-lockdown period, as Sara Hanrahan explains in this article for The Planner.

The Law Society calls for urgent planning fixes: Sara Hanrahan writes for Estates Gazette

Press

21 April 2020

The planning committee for the City of London and the wider national planning committee joined forces to consider the legislative changes introduced since the outbreak of Covid-19. Sara Hanrahan, our Head of Planning discusses the current legislation and how it could provide the building blocks for the future.

Electrical Safety in the Residential Private Rented Sector

01 April 2020

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (the “Regulations”) are coming into force on 1 June 2020 and will apply to all new specified tenancies commencing on or after 1 July 2020 and all existing specified tenancies from 1 April 2021 in England.

Covid-19 relief for financially troubled suppliers with public contracts

01 April 2020

On 20 March 2020 the Cabinet Office published guidance designed to ensure that all public bodies provide support under existing contracts to suppliers of “goods, services and works” who are financially “at risk” as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Covid-19 – Legislation now passed for new PD rights

25 March 2020

The Government is responding quickly to the current crisis with new legislation. On the 21 March, The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Business Closure) (England) Regulations 2020 were issued requiring the immediate closure of businesses selling food or drink for consumption on the premises including all restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs.

COVID-19 and protection from eviction of residential tenants

25 March 2020

COVID-19 and tech solutions for planning

24 March 2020

The industry appears to be split about the use of technology in the decision making process. Last week, the Planning Inspectorate issued guidance that confirmed all site visits would be cancelled and two local plan examinations due to take place were postponed.

Coronavirus – landlord's obligations to carry out annual gas safety inspections

24 March 2020

In these unprecedented times we have advised a number of landlords about their obligations to tenants and particularly in respect of the obligation on all residential landlords to carry out annual gas safety inspections in accordance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 when we should all be social distancing.

Government urged to relax planning regulations

23 March 2020

The RTPI, RICS and RIBA have written to the Prime Minister offering to assist “in this time of national emergency" and "seek Government support for the UK’s construction and infrastructure sectors which are worth over £100 billion to the UK economy".

Lewis Silkin supports Ladies Professional Golf Association on creation of joint venture that will enable “women’s golf to reach new heights”

Deal

31 January 2020

Lewis Silkin LLP has advised the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) on the establishment of a joint venture with the Ladies European Tour (LET), which is set to provide a major boost to women’s golf.

2020 Tech Predictions

08 January 2020

Well, it’s that time of the year where we use our 20/20 vision to see what exciting technology changes lie ahead in the next year and beyond. As it’s 2020, we couldn’t resist the urge to treat you to 20 of our best tech predictions, which build on the themes from our Tech Predictions for 2019.