header-logo header-logo

09 July 2020 / Philip Sissons
Issue: 7894 / Categories: Features , Covid-19 , Property , Landlord&tenant
printer mail-detail

Property law & the COVID-19 pandemic

23963
Will the easing of lockdown restrictions also unleash a wave of property related litigation? Phil Sissons, Falcon Chambers

Introduction

At this stage of the pandemic, it feels trite to say that the impact upon property law has been both profound and unprecedented. Even the devastating financial crash of 2008 did not have the same all-encompassing impact on the day-to-day use of property of all types. Faced with this crisis, the immediate focus has, of necessity, been on the rapidly implemented procedural restrictions (to say nothing of the practical problems of conducting litigation in lockdown). The general stay on possession proceedings implemented via PD 51Z has already been considered three times by the Court of Appeal: (London Borough of Hackney v Okoro [2020] EWCA Civ 681, [2020] All ER (D) 154 (May); Arkin v Marshall [2020] EWCA Civ 620, [2020] All ER (D) 65 (May); TFS Stores Limited v The Designer Retail Outlet Centres (Mansfield) General Partner Limited [2020] EWCA Civ 833). The moratorium on forfeiture for

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Church Court Chambers—Maryam Syed KC

Church Court Chambers—Maryam Syed KC

Church Court Chambers welcomes Maryam Syed KC

Devonshires—Sean Garbutt

Devonshires—Sean Garbutt

Devonshires strengthens construction team with appointment of partner Sean Garbutt

Thackray Williams—Alexandra Hubbard

Thackray Williams—Alexandra Hubbard

Thackray Williams strengthens employment team with dual-qualified solicitor

NEWS
Judges and lawyers reviewing the rules of disclosure have ruled out a return to the old system of CPR Part 31, and will consult on proposals to simplify the Practice Direction (PD) 57AD regime by early next year
A consumer organisation has hit back at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for encouraging motor finance compensation claimants to steer clear of law firms and claims management companies
A fast, free and anonymous piece of software has been launched to help law practices comply with their regulatory duty to guard against an increasing onslaught of cyberattacks
A mood of cautious optimism has enveloped the criminal law sector following indications the prime minister may abandon planned jury reforms
The Court of Appeal has held user damages are recoverable in a competition claim, in Meta Platforms Inc and other companies v Gormsen [2026] EWCA Civ 993
back-to-top-scroll