Options to renew leases: time for legislative relief?

Argues that England should follow the example of Australia and New Zealand and give the courts statutory power to grant a tenant relief against forfeiture of the right to exercise an option to renew a lease by reason of the tenant being in breach of covenant. Suggests the legislative provision introducing this power should adopt wording mirroring that in the Law of Property Act 1925 s.146(2).

Forfeiture relief

Looks at the common law forfeiture rule, preventing a person who has unlawfully killed another from profiting from the death, and the granting of relief under the Forfeiture Act 1982. Reviews case law on the forfeiture rule, its modification under s.2 in the interests of justice and the provision under s.3 that the rule does not preclude an application under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Reviews the Chancery Division ruling in Land v Land (Deceased), highlighting the ability for a claimant to choose whether to seek relief from forfeiture under s.2 of the 1982 Act or pursue a claim for reasonable financial provision from a deceased's estate under s.2 of the 1975 Act.

Pre-nups: precedents in need of reform?

Traces the development of the law relating to the enforceability of pre-nuptial agreements, given the potential conflict between such an agreement and the jurisdiction of the court to determine financial provision on divorce. Sets out the 16 point checklist laid down by K v K (Ancillary Relief: Prenuptial Agreement) against which the enforceability of an agreement should be judged. Comments on the significance given to the pre-nuptial agreement in ancillary relief proceedings in Crossley (Susan) v Crossley (Stuart), where the parties were required to show why the agreement should, or should not, determine the outcome of the proceedings.

Estoppe right there

Examines the House of Lords judgment in Cobbe v Yeoman's Row Management Ltd on whether an experienced property developer was entitled to relief on the basis of proprietary estoppel for the cost of obtaining planning permission to demolish an existing property and build new houses under a non-binding oral agreement. Sets out two requisite conditions needed when deciding whether estoppel existed. Considers whether unconscionability was a separate element in making a claim for proprietary estoppel. [From Legal Journals Index]

A discussion on design exhibition "delivery to Sichuan" - interview with Tie Fan, senior architect at Foster & Partners

By the British "East Design Alliance" (West East Design Group) was launched, entitled "Sichuan Express" (Delivery to Sichuan) earthquake relief concept design exhibition in September 2008 from 1 to 5 at the Alan Baxter gallery...