News & Insights

With prenuptial agreements becoming increasingly popular among a wider range of couples, conversations about financial transparency and future planning are moving further into the mainstream. Property appreciation, later marriages and intergenerational wealth transfers are all contributing to growing demand, with many couples’ seeking clarity over how assets, debts and other financial matters would be treated in the event of a separation.

In this edition, we explore the latest legal and regulatory developments affecting property owners, investors, developers and landlords across both the commercial and residential sectors. As the pace of reform continues to accelerate, the focus is increasingly on the cumulative impact of a number of overlapping legislative and policy changes.

As more families consider passing on wealth during their lifetime, striking the right balance between supporting loved ones and maintaining your own financial security is essential. In The Telegraph, Private Client & Tax Partner Clare Stirzaker discusses the importance of factoring in retirement, future care and healthcare costs, and inflation before making significant lifetime gifts.

Why more US UHNW individuals are considering relocation to the UK. As tax, political and economic considerations become increasingly important for US ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals, a growing number are exploring opportunities to live, invest and structure their affairs internationally.

Could owning a home abroad affect the SDLT payable on a UK property purchase? In recent articles for Taxation and PrimeResi, Private Wealth Associate, Will Timbrell explores how overseas property held through structures such as Delaware LLCs and French SCIs can impact whether the additional 5% SDLT surcharge applies, and why understanding how those assets are held is crucial when assessing the SDLT position before committing to a purchase.

How can art market regulations combat illicit trade without creating challenges for legitimate collectors and owners? In Antiques Trade Gazette, Partner and Arts & Culture specialist, Fred Clark examines the impact of the EU’s cultural goods import regime one year on, exploring the practical difficulties created by historic provenance requirements and whether the regulations have achieved the right balance between protecting cultural heritage and supporting lawful trade.

Private Wealth Partner, Kyra Motley comments in TheWealthNet and eprivateclient on the importance of coordinating advice for ultra-high net worth families with interests across multiple jurisdictions. The article explores how the role of family offices is evolving beyond traditional tax and investment considerations, with increasing focus on stability, cybersecurity, healthcare, education and cross-border planning.

The Cotswolds continues to attract American buyers seeking a second home, family base or long-term investment. However, purchasing rural property in England comes with its own legal, practical and tax considerations, many of which differ significantly from those in the US. With contributions from Partner, Saskia Arthur, Senior Associate, Alex Gamble and John Eric of The Luxury Collective Global Advisory, this guide provides practical insights to help buyers navigate the purchasing process and make informed decisions.

Former school sites can present rare redevelopment opportunities, but no two assets are the same. In Property Week, Real Estate Partner, Sophie Henwood outlines the key legal, planning and commercial considerations investors should assess when evaluating former school properties, from planning and heritage constraints to title, access and infrastructure issues.

While wider reforms are still months away, the transition has already begun. Employees starting work from 2 July 2026 now acquire unfair dismissal protection after the shortest qualifying period there has ever been, with further changes expected from January 2027. Senior Associate, Joanne Leach explores what these developments mean in practice and shares her insights on what employers should be doing now to prepare.

Can diversification help private schools navigate growing financial pressures and falling pupil numbers? In CoStar, Real Estate Partner, Sophie Henwood explores how schools are rethinking their estates to generate income, while highlighting the operational and legal constraints that mean diversification is far from a straightforward solution.

Independent schools considering closure or diversification following the VAT changes must navigate complex legal and commercial challenges. In Education Property Magazine, Partner, Sophie Henwood explores the challenges schools, investors and developers face – from lease restrictions and covenants to planning constraints – and why there is rarely a straightforward solution. As she notes, every property requires a bespoke approach.

Determining a building’s height under the Building Safety Act is rarely as straightforward as it seems. In their article, Partner, Sarah Rock and Trainee, Rosie Culshaw unpack the complexities of measuring height and counting storeys, highlighting the grey areas that can leave developers, landlords and asset managers uncertain about whether a building falls within scope.

The National Housing Bank is being positioned as more than a large-scale funding initiative, with real potential to reshape how SMEs access development finance. In Inside Housing, Partner, Neil Biswas explores how the NHB’s structure provides accessible, flexible finance to help smaller housebuilders overcome barriers and bring forward more sites. 

As the UK approaches a £5.5 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer, what does this really mean for families beyond financial planning? In Mayfair Times, Partners Hayden Bailey and Nicola Bushby reflect on the long-term nature of this shift and why, in practice, “the challenge is never just legal” when managing succession and disputes.