Legal
Vatican arrests London property middleman over Sloane Avenue deal
Gianluigi Torzi is being held on suspicion of extortion, embezzlement, aggravated fraud and money laundering, in relation to the multi-million pound acquisition of 60 Sloane Avenue.
Westferry planning drama escalates
The Met Police are looking into the Housing Secretary's apparent bias in favour of the developer, and the Prime Minister has been quizzed by Labour MPs over his involvement.
On the technicalities of getting deals done in lockdown & beyond
Property lawyers are having to adapt fast to the consequences of coronavirus, whilst making sure they transact within the law and protect buyers, sellers and funders from fraudulent activity.
Historic urn ruling questions whether artefacts are part of listed buildings
A Supreme Court decision on the sale of a pair of historic C18th urns could have important consequences for listed property owners.
Required Reading: Coronavirus & property taxes
Some pretty significant changes have been happening to the property tax regime of late, and with transaction timescales now all over the place, Fiona Poole & Dominic Condé-Cole condense the issues and …
‘Epic change’ for lawyers as the Land Registry relaxes its rules
"It’s rare that the Land Registry does anything which anyone outside the world of property law might want to read about," says top property lawyer Nicky Richmond, "but today, May 4th, is that day."
High-street law firms under ‘immediate threat’ as housing market grinds to a halt
71% of high-street firms believe they may have to close their doors in the next six months as result of the current crisis, warns the Law Society
Former RIBA president’s practice sued over swimming pool design
Jane Duncan Architects is reported to have admitted that it "fell below the standard of a reasonably competent architect" on a private residential project in Hertfordshire, but is contesting the extent …
Muve plans ‘aggressive’ expansion into UK’s £1.75bn conveyancing market
Fledgling law firm defies dire market conditions to complete £1.1m equity funding round
One Blackfriars trial to go ahead despite lockdown
High Court Judge rules that Coronavirus restrictions should not delay a high-stakes property hearing.
High Court quashes Crime Agency’s super-prime Unexplained Wealth Orders
The NCA says it will appeal the decision, as it continues to go after Kazakh-owned luxury properties in Hampstead, Highgate and Chelsea.
Developer loses £600k legal battle with law firm over ‘lost’ opportunity
Breach of care and lost opportunity examined in the case of Taray Investments Ltd & Anor v Gateley Heritage LLP