Sonali Shah

Some landowners may still be liable for repairing the chancel of a parish church, a historic legal obligation dating back to the feudal system. In this article, Partner, Saskia Arthur and Senior Associate, Kate Symons look at the Law Commission’s consultation on reforms to the Land Registration Act 2002 (LRA), which seeks to clarify how chancel repair liability should be recorded and enforced, not to abolish it, but to ensure the relevant provisions of the LRA operate as originally intended.

The Government recently published the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which proposes banning upwards-only rent reviews in commercial leases. The change is still subject to Parliamentary approval. Under the current system, rent on review can only increase or stay the same and cannot drop below the current rent, even if market rates fall. Partners, David Rawlence and Sophie Henwood, and Associate Kate Symons, outline the key aspects of the proposed ban.

Managed offices are becoming a core part of landlord strategy, especially for spaces under 10,000 sq. ft. In a report recently produced by managed office operator, Kitt, and featured in Estates Gazette, Partner, David Rawlence highlights how legal frameworks are evolving to simplify and streamline leases to balance the interests of landlords, tenants, and operators together under one agreement.

The UK continues to be a key destination for Middle Eastern investors, drawn by its legal certainty, stable economy, and strong education system. In London Arabia Magazine, Partners, Shaima Jillood and Reem Al-Jumaily explore how Middle Eastern investors are moving beyond real estate into technology, hospitality, and F&B – shaping multigenerational legacies.