Blog
A day in my legal life: Lakshan Satheeskumar
1. Why did you decide to become a lawyer? I decided to pursue a career as a lawyer because I was drawn to the combination of analytical thinking and practical, client-focused work. I have always enjoyed problem-solving, and the legal profession offers the opportunity to apply that in a way that delivers real, tangible outcomes.…
Read MoreRethinking the Workplace: an interview with Meirion Anderson
This month we interview Meirion Anderson, who originally specialised in civil engineering, but, following his MBA at Imperial College, he turned his attention to workplace and change management, focusing on people and business within a building. What is your background and experience in the property industry? My profession is Civil Engineering with most of my…
Read MoreSorting access rights early: why developers cannot afford to leave it until later
On many developments, access appears to work until it is tested. A route exists. Vehicles can get onto the site. There is a working understanding with a neighbouring owner. On that basis, focus shifts quickly to planning, design and viability, with the expectation that any formal access arrangements can be dealt with later. It is often…
Read MoreManaging Financial Distress: An interview with David Birne
David Birne is qualified as an accountant and insolvency practitioner, and has been working in the insolvency field for over 30 years. David advises individuals and company directors on their obligations and options when their business is or is likely to become distressed. He first met Karen when she was at Boodle Hatfield, “her expertise…
Read MoreManaging residual liabilities at the end of a development
At practical completion, the last unit is handed over. The marketing suite is dismantled. The funder is repaid and attention turns, as it should, to the next acquisition. From the outside, the development is complete. I wish this was the picture for every development, but it very rarely is. Legally, however, completion and conclusion are…
Read MoreThe Renters’ Rights Act 2025: a turning point for the private rented sector
The private rented sector has been subject to sustained political and regulatory scrutiny for a number of years. Rising rents, concerns about tenancy security, and the limited ability of tenants to challenge decisions affecting their homes have all contributed to pressure for reform. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is the legislative response: a substantial overhaul…
Read MoreKaren’s trip to Cannes: MIPIM 2026 reflections
This year was my first time back in Cannes since before the pandemic, and I was curious to see how the event had evolved in that time. It was busier, broader, and if the sunshine counts for anything, brighter than ever. Cautious optimism was the sentiment I encountered across the week. There is genuine appetite…
Read MoreWhen land control becomes visible
Most developers will already have a sense of how much of a scheme’s value sits in control rather than ownership. You can spend months securing a position, negotiating terms, and taking early-stage risk before anything appears on title. During that period, timing and limited visibility tend to work in your favour. Others may suspect activity, but they…
Read MoreBuilding liability orders: What commercial developers need to know about a new era of corporate liability
Property development has always involved a careful balance between opportunity and risk. Large-scale projects require substantial capital, complex delivery structures and long timelines. For that reason, developers have long relied on well-established corporate structures to manage exposure. One of the most familiar of these is the special purpose vehicle (SPV). A dedicated company created for a single development, the…
Read MoreThe rise of mixed-use developments: What developers need to get right before the first lease is granted
Mixed-use development has become one of the defining features of the UK development market. Schemes that combine ground-floor commercial space with residential accommodation above are now central to regeneration strategies, town centre renewal and urban intensification. For developers, the appeal is real. Mixed-use spreads risk across sectors. It creates places rather than single-purpose blocks. It can produce…
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