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24 April 2026
Issue: 8158 / Categories: Legal News , Civil way , Procedure & practice , Landlord&tenant , Leasehold , Family
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NLJ this week: Rent reforms unleash tribunal turmoil

A wave of housing and procedural reforms is set to test the limits of tribunal capacity. In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ this week, Stephen Gold charts sweeping change as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 begins biting

New forms, fees and tribunal powers risk clogging the system, with the Property Chamber already ‘condemned’ to heavy workloads. Fee hikes and phased implementation aim to manage ‘operational risk’, but delays loom.

Meanwhile, family procedure updates, longer enforcement notice periods and a key Court of Appeal ruling on service charges reshape practice. Leaseholders scored a major win where ‘safety’ wording failed to cover structural defects.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles

Bell Yard Kysen appoints senior legal PR and ex-government communications adviser, Liz Giles

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards

Clarke Willmott boosts Southampton commercial property team with addition of partner Lee Edwards

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors—four promotions

Lime Solicitors announces four promotions

NEWS
The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, and Solicitor General, Andy Slaughter KC MP, marked the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week by joining lawyers, charities, students and parliamentarians at events celebrating voluntary legal work
Possession claims are entering a new digital era, with procedural traps awaiting practitioners who assume familiar rules still govern every step
Witness evidence can be compromised by AI before a solicitor sees the draft, leaving safeguards focused on authorship incomplete
Should a conviction stand when a later ruling reveals that the law underpinning it was wrong? The answer exposes a clash between finality and justice
The Environment Agency can prosecute offences beyond environmental legislation where proceedings support its statutory functions, the Divisional Court has confirmed
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