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  • How to address allegations of discrimination: Karen Baxter and Lucy Hendley write for EG

    02 September 2021

    Karen Baxter and Lucy Hendley set out the steps to take if your business is accused of being a toxic workplace.

  • Commercial rent — COVID-19 - tenants’ defences fail at first hurdle

    09 July 2021

    Commercial tenants and landlords alike have been eagerly awaiting the outcome of two landmark cases (Commerz Real Investmentgesellschaft mbH v TFS Stores Limited and Bank of New York Mellon (International) Ltd & Others v Cine-UK Ltd & Others) where a number of tenants challenged their liability to pay the rent and other sums under their respective leases based on arguments related to the effects of Covid-19.

  • Coronavirus Act 2020 and forfeiture of leases

    16 June 2021

    The government has protected tenants’ interests, with the Coronavirus Act 2020 coming into force on 26 March 2020.

  • COVID-19 advice for corporate occupiers

    16 June 2021

    Commercial tenants – whether occupying offices, retail premises, industrial units or other property - face potentially existential questions arising out of their landlord and tenant relations, how to manage cashflow and outgoings as revenues dry up, premises shut down and uncertainty reigns.

  • Sports Q&A - I want to make alterations to my sports venue due to Covid-19 – do I need any third-party consent(s) for this?

    15 June 2021

    The answer is, maybe! This depends on a few factors, which are set out below.

  • What we know about the government's proposed changes to developer contributions: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Magazine

    21 May 2021

    In this article for Planning Magazine, Sara Hanrahan comments on whether the government will stick to previous proposals for a flat-rate charge and postponement of payment to project completion through which developers contribute to the cost of mitigating the impacts of their schemes.

  • Government imposes moratorium on statutory demands and winding up petitions

    07 January 2021

    The government has introduced a temporary ban on commercial property landlords from issuing statutory demands and winding-up petitions against tenant companies unable to pay amounts owed under their lease due to coronavirus.

  • Business Rates Relief for those in the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality sector and for nurseries

    14 December 2020

    From 1 April 2020 all retail, leisure and hospitality firms will be exempt from paying business rates for 12 months to help limit any further financial and economic damage that this pandemic is causing.

  • A change in the high street - the hub and spoke approach?

    23 November 2020

    One of the upsides of lockdown has been the wealth of information available through webinars, when experts in their relevant fields, who are usually too busy to disseminate their expansive knowledge, are able to share their views.

  • RE:Occupy - Managing the reoccupation of your premises

    18 November 2020

    With a fresh lockdown in place until early December – at least – corporate occupiers are once again faced with considering how best to manage their return to offices. Occupiers have already briefly experienced life back in premises under Covid-measures, including ensuring they, and their landlords, comply with health and safety guidelines, protect against possible contractual or negligence claims from their employees So, who is liable for what?

  • 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’.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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