Charles Russell Speechlys Podcast Channel

Property Patter: Life Sciences

Life Sciences is one of the most talked about real estate asset classes. Louise Ward, Head of Real Estate Life Sciences, is joined by Orestis Tzortzoglou, Vice President for Development at BioMed Realty and Matt Smith, Head of Life Science Agency at DTRE to look back at what happened in the market last year, and to look ahead what is coming up for this exciting asset class in 2023. 

Property Patter: Damages

How are damages assessed by the Courts? 

Remedies are perhaps the main thing on a client’s mind when they start the process of litigation. In this episode of Property Patter, Emma Humphreys is joined by Sam Lear of our Real Estate Disputes team and Hannah Gornall of our Commercial Dispute Resolution team to discuss the remedy of damages. 

What’s new in employment law podcast: Innovative reward schemes

As employers compete for the best talent, looking at new ways to reward staff is a key driver for recruitment and retention.

In this episode of our "What’s new in employment law" podcast Employment Partner, Mike Powner, and Senior Associate Clare Davis share their thoughts and experiences of innovative reward schemes. 

Property Patter: Break options in renewal leases

How break rights work for business tenancies protected by the 1954 Act

What grounds does a landlord need to satisfy in order to terminate this type of lease? And when can a landlord or a tenant seek to insert a break option into a renewal lease? Richard Flenley and Emma Preece join Emma Humphreys takes a closer look.

Cases referred to during this podcast are listed below:

• O’May v City of London Real Property Ltd [1982] 261 EG 1185
• HPUT Trustee No 1 Limited & HPUT Trustee No 2 Limited v Boots UK Limited (County Court at Central London, Unreported, 24 May 2021)
• Reohorn v Barry Corporation [1956] 1 WLR 845
• Adams v Green [1978] 2 E.G.L.R. 46
• National Car Parks Ltd v The Paternoster Consortium Ltd [1990] 1 EGLR 99

Property Patter: The Notorious ESG?

ESG is everywhere.  But what is it about and what is its potential impact on the property sector? Emma Humphreys is joined by David Tonks, Head of Repurposing at Cushman & Wakefield) and Kerry Stares, our Responsible Business Partner, to discuss these issues and the implications of the increasing prominence of ESG.

N.B. Please note that this episode was recorded in Spring 2022

Property Patter: Mythbusters

Common misconceptions around property disputes 

To ease you gently into the summer, the Real Estate Disputes Team takes a look at some common myths or misunderstandings when it comes to property. For example, what’s wrong with a landlord changing the locks on a defaulting residential tenant and why is it that an email alone may not be enough to terminate a tenancy?  

Property Patter: Reasonable Endeavours

In this episode of Property Patter, Samuel Lear is joined by Julie Sharpe and Celine Jones in the Real Estate team to discuss the thorny issue of ‘reasonable endeavours’ to supplement their recent article - Top 10 Tips: Using Best, All and Reasonable Endeavours. Endeavours clauses are used in contracts when a party is obliged to try to fulfil an obligation rather than satisfy it absolutely.  Following a recent landmark case, we discuss the differing degrees of effort required depending on the wording used. What does it mean to use ‘best’, ‘all’ or ‘reasonable’ endeavours?

Property Patter: what’s been happening in the world of Essential Residential?

Members of our Real Estate Disputes Team discuss recent cases of interest to those dealing with residential property, including on service charge demands, statutory consultations and RTMs.  We also review some of the significant changes which the government has in mind for residential tenancies, as well as the recent introduction of the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022.

Cases covered include:

• Aviva Investors Ground Rent GP Limited & Anr v Williams and Ors
• Kensquare Limited v Boakye
• Aster Communities v Chapman
• No. 1 West India Quay (Residential) Limited v East Tower Apartments Limited
• Wynne v. Yates & Anr.
• Firstport Property Services Ltd v Settlers Court RTM Company Limited

Property Patter: Spring Budget 2022

Emma Humphreys is joined again by Harman Bains from our Tax Team to look at the Chancellor's recent Spring Statement and the key points which those with property interests will want to know about - whether as property owners, employers or as private individuals who will be affected by some of the changes.

For further information on the Spring Budget, please head to: Spring Statement: Act now before it's too late

Property Patter: the new arbitration system for covid rent arrears

The Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act received Royal Assent on 24 March 2022.  This Act introduces a new arbitration process to resolve certain outstanding commercial rent arrears related to the pandemic. But how will the process work and how can landlords and tenants prepare for it?  Natalie Deuchar, Hope Wilson and Emma Humphreys explore the new scheme.

Please note: This podcast was recorded shortly before the Act received Royal Assent.  No significant details were changed, but there is now a list of approved arbitrators available here.

Further information can be found at:

• The government’s Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill and revised Code of Practice | Charles Russell Speechlys
• New law to resolve remaining Covid-19 commercial rent debts now in place