Comment & Opinion

“Geopolitical uncertainty and global trade disruption are impacting UK manufacturers and logistics operators. But tech and supply chain innovation, along with governmental focus on infrastructure and investment, are helping the sector to meet and overcome challenges.”

“This decision is a stark reminder: if you’re a building owner / landlord subject to a Remediation Order, the clock is ticking — and the Tribunal expects visible progress, not excuses”

“This judgment has wide-reaching implications for developers, landlords and building owners in two regards.  First, historic remedial costs can be significant, and the decision confirms that remediation contribution orders can be used not only to fund future works but also to impose retrospective financial accountability on those responsible for unsafe buildings.  Secondly, how wide will the Tribunal apply the just and equitable test; very widely”

“The Tribunal decision in Empire Square to make a remediation contribution order for litigation costs, to make an order where the developer had signed up to the Self Remediation Terms and to make a suspended remediation order increases the pressure further on developers to remediate buildings that suffer with fire safety defects. Those that don’t may face incurring further liabilities.”

“The Groceries Supply Code of Practice forms a handrail from which retailers and suppliers can forge respectful relationships, whilst being afforded adequate protections. Its application isn’t always smooth sailing though, with terms such as ‘reasonable notice’ making way for conflict in certain circumstances.”

“This week’s announcement of upcoming reforms by the UK Government will hopefully mark a turning point and bring about the change called for, with these changes presenting an opportunity for developers in the sector to now press on with schemes in the comfort that welcome change in the application process is on its way.”

“A key takeaway from this Upper Tribunal decision is that, if a tenant has paid service charges without challenge, then that, on its own, does not mean the tenant has admitted the reasonableness of the charges.”

“With the Food Standards Agency’s and Food Standards Scotland’s plans to modernise the market authorisation process for food and animal feed on hold due to the announcement of negotiation of a new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, it’s important to position your business for a variety of possible changes.”

“This month we’re focusing on data: the long-awaited passing of new data legislation, a £2 million+ fine from the data regulator, and the launch of an AI and biometrics strategy as we see an uptick in regulator activity on AI. We also look at the 10-year plan for the tech and digital sector as the government launches the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.”