Conference Agenda

Family Law Key Developments

Presented by Safda Mahmood.

Divorce, Nullity and Separation Law and Practice – Nuts and Bolts!

• Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act – The essentials
• Practical Aspects
• Nullity and Separation

Private Children Law Developments

• Section 8 Applications and Enforcement – Developments

• Procedure and Case Law Update - What has changed?

• Parental Responsibility

• Fact finding hearings – When and how?

Domestic Abuse Law and Developments

• Developments in Procedure
• Non -molestation and Occupation Orders – Developments
• Enforcement and Participation
• Personal Protection Order Developments and Pilots

Financial Remedy and Cohabitation Law Cases – Key Principles and Developments

• Use of Trusts and Estoppel

• Use of Nuptial Agreements

• Non- Disclosure

• Conduct Issues in Financial Remedy Cases

• Costs and Procedure

• Procedural Changes

• Running cases under TOLATA 1996

Wills & Probate Key Developments

Presented by Parisa Jones.

Post Budget Update

A post budget update on the changes to CGT, the impact of the freeze on IHT thresholds, unspent pension pots being subject to IHT and the restrictions on the availability of business property relief and agricultural property relief.

Will Clients: How to Protect Them and Their Wishes

This session will cover the following aims:

• To understand the importance of taking instructions and the management of your Will file to protect your clients and their wishes.
• To understand best practice in relation to capacity assessments, when to arrange an assessment and your communication with the assessor.

Estate Planning Opportunities

This session will cover understanding estate planning opportunities available to clients, factors to take into consideration and practical tips.

Tax Considerations in Estate Administration

This session will cover understanding taxation implications and considerations in estate administration.

Residential Property Update

Presented by David Keighley.

This full day seminar will provide a review of current issues impacting on Residential Property transactions.

The precise content of the session will depend on developments prior to the event but will look at recent case law and statutes and examine the implications for property law practitioners.

Issues covered may include:

• The importance of defining the “Retainer”
• The Updated formulae for Exchange of Contracts
• Law Society Consultations
• Reporting to Clients
• Reporting to Lenders
• Adverse Possession
• Leasehold Reform
• Seller beware: Rosser v Pacifico & Buyer Beware: Co Mayo Estates Limited v Hidden Gem Limited
• Miscellaneous Practice Points & Cases

Commercial Property Developments

Presented by Anna Newport.

Strategic Overview of Market and Regulatory Changes.

Macroeconomic and Legislative Influences on Commercial Property Transactions:

Impact of economic trends like inflation and interest rate changes on commercial property investments and transactional strategies.

Key legislative changes shaping the sector, such as the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, which introduces substantial adjustments to leasehold rights and ground rents.

Complexities in Lease Negotiations and Market Compliance.

Navigating Lease Break Clauses and Vacant Possession: A case analysis on recent rulings, emphasising the importance of strictly adhering to lease conditions to avoid disputes when exercising break clauses.

Compliance with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES): Strategic approaches for landlords to manage the upcoming 2027 target of achieving a minimum EPC rating of ‘C’ and subsequent targets towards ‘B’.

Case Law Review and Strategic Implications.

Cases such as Unicredit Bank GmbH v Ruschemalliance LLC stress the importance of incorporating an express governing law clause in complex commercial property agreements.

Key rulings impacting the interpretation of lease agreements, such as the implications of restructuring plans on AGAs (Authorised Guarantee Agreements) and rent obligations.

Impact of Building Safety Act 2022 Provisions: Focusing on compliance obligations post-October 2023 and the alignment of development agreements with safety requirements.

Sustainability, Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG), and Future-Proofing Commercial Properties.

The Role of Green Leases and MEES Compliance: Integrating ESG clauses into commercial leases to align with tightening MEES standards.

The Impact of Biodiversity Net Gain Requirements: How the new requirements from February 2024 will affect large development sites, and later smaller sites, as part of planning regulations.

Advanced Development Projects and Leasehold Reform.

Reforms to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954: Upcoming consultations on ground (f) (redevelopment), lease terms, and more efficient forums for lease renewal claims.

Strategic Approaches to Leasehold Reform: Implications of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 for developers, mixed-use landlords, and institutional investors.

Strategic Risk Management and Future Trends.

Mitigating Legal Risks in Complex Transactions: Identifying strategic risks related to compliance, sustainability, and lease negotiations in the evolving landscape.

Emerging Trends in Commercial Property Law: Discuss the impact of digital transformation, tech-driven leases, and evolving compliance frameworks.