Estates Gazette Property Podcasts

On the Case: The expert view on Canary Wharf v EMA

Two of the leading barristers in property law, Joanne Wicks QC and Jonathan Seitler QC (both of Wilberforce Chambers), discuss the recent high-profile case in which they went head-to-head - Canary Wharf (BP4) T1 Ltd v European Medicines Agency [2019] EWHC 335 Ch; [2019] PLSCS 37.

Earlier this year, the High Court ruled in favour of landlord Canary Wharf that Brexit will not "frustrate" the EMA's £13m-a-year lease of extensive premises at Canary Wharf, which runs until 2039 with no break clause.

With permission granted for a possible appeal by the EMA, Wicks (who acted for Canary Wharf) and Seitler (who represented the EMA) discuss the issues raised by the case, the arguments advanced by themselves and their teams, and the details of the judge's decision.

In addition, they share their contrasting thoughts on the industry reaction to the dispute, and its possible implications for property.

The leasehold pledge explained

What does the the government announcement of an industry pledge on leasehold deals mean in practice?

As part of its commitment to reform the leasehold system, the government has announced an industry pledge to "crack down on toxic leasehold deals". Over 40 developers have already signed up to the initiative, along with a number of managing agents.

James Duncan, head of alternative real estate investments at law firm Winckworth Sherwood, discusses what this means for the industry - particularly in relation to ground rents - and what we can expect to see next as part of the evolving leasehold picture.

Bricks & Mortar: An introduction to the key concepts involved in the conveyancing process

The conveyancing process involves many concepts and key steps. In the first of a three-part series, professional support lawyer, Katharine Fenn, joins EG's professional and legal editor, Sarah Jackman, to discuss the basic first steps in the process.

In this episode, Katharine talks listeners through the key terminology, who's involved in a conveyancing transaction and the key legal principles that underpin the process.

 

Committed sellers and invested buyers: reflecting the market at auctions

When it comes to understanding the real estate market there is no better place to learn than at an auction sale. In this EG Property Podcast we talk to  Oliver Childs, head of commercial auctions at BidX1, George Walker, partner and auctioneer at Allsop and Max Mason, associate director at 574, the online auctions business of Lambert Smith Hampton, about what is selling at auction and what isn’t, managing expectations on pricing, the responsibility auctioneers have not just to clients but buyers in the room and much, much more.

The aftermath of quarterly rent day

In this podcast, EG discusses what has been happening in the retail occupier space in the run-up to the latest quarterly rent day, and how these decisions are affecting real estate.

Future of Real Estate: From here to philanthropy

In the latest Future of Real Estate podcast, we cast an eye over MIPIM. Meanwhile Tyler Goodwin explains how Seaforth Land is focusing on social mobility by offering internships to sixth formers from diverse backgrounds. Plus Cushman & Wakefield global president John Forrester tells us how he sees the future of real estate.

Law Commissioners offer update on leasehold reform project

The project

The Law Commission has been tasked by the government with providing proposals for leasehold reform, with the aim of improving consumer choice, and providing greater fairness and transparency for leaseholders. Its ongoing project currently addresses three issues:

• leasehold enfranchisement
• the right to manage
• commonhold, which provides an alternative form of ownership to residential leasehold

Last week, law commissioners Professor Nick Hopkins and Stephen Lewis met with EG's deputy legal & professional editor, Jess Harrold, to discuss the overall ambit of the project and offer an update on the individual consultations on the three key areas.

How Pathways to Property is increasing diversity in the profession

Promoting diversity and raising awareness of a career in real estate are fundamental aims of Pathways to Property – an initiative run by the University of Reading for year 12 students in UK state schools and colleges who would like to find out more about a career in the industry.

Alan Froggatt – former CEO of CBRE and one of the original founders of the scheme – is passionate about the initiative. He joins EG’s Professional & Legal Editor, Sarah Jackman, to discuss the opportunities that it affords and the way it has opened the eyes of many pupils – who wouldn’t ordinarily have heard of the industry – to the possibilities available within it.

He is conscious that there is still a long way to go in fully realising the aims of the scheme, but believes that it plays a very positive part in the effort to promote diversity among future generations.

On the Case: A lifeline for empty property owners from the 'tax on failure'

Roger Cohen, real estate disputes partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, analyses the Court of Appeal decision in Rossendale Borough Council v Hurstwood Properties (A) Ltd; Wigan Council v Property Alliance Group Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 364; [2019] PLSCS 49 - and reveals why he sees it as a "lifeline" for property owners in the controversial area of empty property business rates.

Cohen summarises the court's findings and explains what the decision means for property owners seeking to employ rates mitigation schemes in future.

 

Collaboration is key: BPF President and tech consultant Dan Hughes on the need for a gov-backed digital forum

The results of The Liquid Report: Leading the Digital Transformation of Global Real Estate were published this week based on research carried out by proptech consultant Dan Hughes.

It calls for the creation of a government-backed digital real estate forum to connect proptech initiatives, for new strategies to unlock R&D spending and for real estate to put digitalisation at the heart of business strategy.

In terms of how the UK’s expertise in and around tech compared with that of other countries, the report reveals that it is a front-runner regarding capacity for innovation, data infrastructure, market transparency and quality of education, but falls behind other nations in terms of venture capital investment and technology infrastructure. 

Hughes and BPF President Melanie Leech join EG for a podcast on the report findings and key next steps.