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08 May 2026 / Fern Schofield , Gwyneth Everson
Issue: 8160 / Categories: Features , Property , Landlord&tenant , Housing
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Property law brief: quarterly review (May 2026)

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Fern Schofield & Gwyneth Everson provide a round-up of recent decisions, offering practical guidance on possession claims, statutory interpretation & evidential pitfalls

  • Recent decisions clarify key aspects of property law, including the status of mixed-use premises as ‘dwellings’, the limits of digital communications in transferring interests, and the interpretation of telecoms Code agreements.
  • The courts also reinforce proper procedure and evidential requirements in possession and ownership disputes.

For the first quarterly update of 2026, we consider a selection of significant decisions in property law from December 2025 through to February 2026. These cases highlight important developments in substantive law, clarify some key issues in possession claims, and provide valuable guidance on procedure and evidence.

Developments in substantive law

Cloisters Business Centre Management Company Ltd v Anvari [2026] EWCA Civ 17

The Court of Appeal determined that mixed-use premises are capable of constituting a ‘dwelling’ within the meaning of s 38 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (LTA 1985), such that they

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys further bolsters Private Equity expertise with the appointment of James Paterson

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons strengthens Rural Affairs team with senior appointment

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley adds insurance mergers and acquisitions partner to London office

NEWS
Consultant-led law firms should prepare for closer regulatory attention as oversight evolves
Artificial intelligence may draft workplace grievances, but employers cannot treat them any differently from conventional complaints
From dishonest claimants to judicial promotions and procedural skirmishes, the latest legal developments offer plenty for litigators to digest
Fresh guidance is set to influence how courts decide whether hearings take place online or in person
County Court judges remain divided over whether landlords can lawfully force entry to carry out essential safety inspections after tenants ignore access injunctions
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