header-logo header-logo

Words' worth

09 April 2009 / Mark Warwick
Issue: 7364 / Categories: Features , Property
printer mail-detail

Investing in bricks and mortar together? Get it in writing says Mark Warwick

* * * * * *

In these uncertain times, if the funds are available, there is much to be said for parties investing in bricks and mortar. Where two or more persons purchase property in their joint names there are cogent reasons why they should set out in writing their intentions regarding their interests in that property. A recent appellate decision, Chopra v Bindra (2009) EWCA Civ 203, [2009] All ER (D) 219 (Mar) shows that, if parties do execute a document recording their intentions, then the courts will strive to give effect to this document, even if the language deployed appears to contravene some settled rule of property law.

Recording interests

The importance of parties recording their agreement as to their interests in jointly owned property in documentary form is best understood by considering the position if they do not do so. At present the state of the law, where there is no trust deed regarding jointly owned property, is

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

Carey Olsen—Kim Paiva

Carey Olsen—Kim Paiva

Group partner joins Guernsey banking and finance practice

Morgan Lewis—Kat Gibson

Morgan Lewis—Kat Gibson

London labour and employment team announces partner hire

Foot Anstey McKees—Chris Milligan & Michael Kelly

Foot Anstey McKees—Chris Milligan & Michael Kelly

Double partner appointment marks Belfast expansion

NEWS
Pension sharing orders (PSOs) have quietly reached their 25th anniversary, yet remain stubbornly underused. Writing in NLJ this week, Joanna Newton of Stowe Family Law argues that this neglect risks long-term financial harm, particularly for women
A school ski trip, a confiscated phone and an unauthorised hotel-room entry culminated in a pupil’s permanent exclusion. In this week's issue of NLJ, Nicholas Dobson charts how the Court of Appeal upheld the decision despite acknowledged procedural flaws
Is a suspect’s state of mind a ‘fact’ capable of triggering adverse inferences? Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Smith of Corker Binning examines how R v Leslie reshapes the debate
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has not done enough to protect the future sustainability of the legal aid market, MPs have warned
Writing in NLJ this week, NLJ columnist Dominic Regan surveys a landscape marked by leapfrog appeals, costs skirmishes and notable retirements. With an appeal in Mazur due to be heard next month, Regan notes that uncertainties remain over who will intervene, and hopes for the involvement of the Lady Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls in deciding the all-important outcome
back-to-top-scroll