News
Lenders increasingly control not just the terms of borrowing, but the borrower’s legal representation, often insisting on an “approved panel” solicitor and making it costly or slow to use a trusted adviser outside it. This post explains how panel requirements tend to reward volume over judgment, why the risk rationale is overstated, and what the shift means for borrowers, property owners and developers when transactions are anything but standard.
RICS has launched a consultation on the draft eighth edition of its Party Wall guidance. This is a move that is likely to influence how party wall matters are handled across residential and development projects in England and Wales.
While the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 remains unchanged, the guidance plays a critical role in shaping day to day practice. It is routinely relied upon by surveyors, advisers, and increasingly by the courts when assessing whether party wall procedures have been properly followed.
The Building Safety Act 2022 (as strengthened by the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024) has transformed the legal landscape for anyone owning, managing, or living in a residential block. It is complex, technical, and easy to get wrong — and mistakes can be extremely costly.
At Julie West Solicitors, we specialise in guiding both freeholders and leaseholders through this high risk legislation with clarity, precision, and confidence.
The sudden closure of Hunters LLP and its network of associated offices has sent shockwaves through the legal sector, leaving clients without representation, property chains disrupted, and important documents locked away. With nine offices affected and reports confirming the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has intervened, many individuals have been left unsure of their next steps.
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is shaking up the rules for renting homes in England. Starting from 1 May, 2026, the law will change how renting works, aiming to make things fairer and clearer for everyone involved - landlords, tenants, and property managers. Specialist conveyancing solicitor Talat Naveed explains what’s new.
Sometimes leaseholders buy the freehold from their landlord. We have experience of acting for both leaseholders and landlord in this situation. We have a detailed knowledge of the law as well as the ability to manage a major project.
In one case involving 6 flats built over commercial premises we got involved because the landlord wanted to dispose of the freehold and the leaseholders had a statutory right to acquire it. A landlord that disposes of the freehold must comply with a statutory procedure.
In another case a majority of leaseholders called on the landlord to sell its freehold interest to them. The leaseholders collectively engaged JWS to acquire the freehold on their behalf. This involved initial advice, preparing and serving the required notices, preparing the transfer documentation, and using an existing residents’ owned management company to buy the freehold interest.
In a third example a handful of leaseholders whose own leases derived from an intermediate head lease combined to buy the freehold reversion by private negotiation from the original builder. Leaseholders were not all in a position to participate in buying the freehold. We needed to devise a means for future leaseholders to buy into the freehold at a later date.
Whether acting for the freeholder or one of numerous leaseholders, we investigated the legal position, analysed the facts and applied the law. Paying attention to detail we identified and observed important timeframes so that no rights were lost.
Individual leaseholders that took a lead role in these procedures valued the fact that we are local, so that consultations could easily be arranged to iron out the details and ensure smooth progression.
We managed the costs, a major aspect of the job, as well as holding the leaseholders’ financial contributions in a secure client account.
Julie West
Founder, 30+ years qualified property solicitor
Freeholder complied with the procedures for notifying qualifying leaseholders of a proposed sale and completed the sale of the freehold confident in the knowledge that the transaction could be challenged. With our help the transaction was secure.
With our expert guidance leaseholders seized the opportunity presented by the freeholder giving notice of an intended sale to exercise their right to buy the freehold, thereby taking control and becoming able to manage their development themselves.
Leaseholders found themselves in a position to waive or even terminate ground rent provisions in their leases. More importantly the leaseholders acting collectively were in a position to agree to extend their leases, thereby eliminating the risk of having to shell out wads of cash in the future for a lease extension.
“Client quote...”
