In Joyce v Epsom & Ewell BC [2012] EWCA Civ 1398, the Couty of Appeal dealt with a claim for an easement by way of proprietary estoppel. Mr Joyce’s predecessor in title, a Mr Holborn, lived next door to two properties which Sainsburys included in a planning application to build to…

...improve the way it lends money and collects debts, or face fines or closures, says the BBC News today The Office of Fair Trading (OFT), in an interim report, says most of the 50 big firms it has been inspecting do not operate fully by its rules. The OFT says…

With the recent, much publicised accident involving Bradley Wiggins, there has been great debate in the media surrounding the number of cyclists injured on our roads, and what can be done to reduce the number of casualities. When a cyclist is injured, are they confident that the criminal justice system…

The case of Pankhania v Chandegra [2012] EWCA Civ 1438 has recently been before the Court of Appeal on a point that I thought was well understood law. I am surprised therefore that the High Court could get such a point wrong. In 1989, C and P purchased a property.…

Nearly 1,500 social homes have been sold under the Government's relaunched Right to Buy scheme since the beginning of April this year, according to figures released on 15 November 2012 by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Discounts of up to 60% for a house and 70% for a…

From Spring 2013 certain buyers will be eligible for 95% on new-build homes in Wales. http://cymru.gov.uk/newsroom/housingandcommunity/2012/121113ms/;jsessionid=5D0DE6FB088E0E0BFEC7466269497A62?lang=en The scheme is similar to the New Build initiative launched in England in February 2012, and should be a terrific boost for the housing market in Wales, helping both developers and house buyers. Abacus…

A woman who shattered her arms after tripping over a supermarket trolley as she reached for a pork pie, has been awarded £44,000, it was reported today. The 79-year-old called out to her husband that she had found the pies as she stepped forward to reach them, but then fell…

Two recent Court of Appeal judgements only serve to illustrate the inconsistent approach that the courts adopt towards resolving the financial issues of any divorce. Only a few days ago Lord Justice Thorpe in Davies v Davies was reported as saying that the days of wives receiving multi million pound…

Demand has never been higher for residential ground rents, but the drafting of the leases can make a difference of tens of thousands to a portfolio. Abacus Solicitors specialise in residential ground rents, acting for developers, buyers and sellers.  We have perfected leases which will maximise the value of the…

as featured in the Telegraph View, 6th November 2012 An obsession with inquiries is in danger of turning a scandal into a circus Since the allegations against Jimmy Savile surfaced, at least half a dozen inquiries have been set up to ascertain who knew what the late BBC presenter was…