News for Jonathan Pennington Legh

Jonathan Pennington Legh acted recently in a case concerning Japanese knotweed. As Japanese knotweed seems to be becoming more prevalent, he considers how the related legislation impacts landowners particularly local authorities or other bodies (eg railway companies) and practical steps for them to take.

The stay on residential evictions came to an end yesterday (31 May 2021). From today (1 June), notice periods previously set at 6 months, are now reduced to 4 months.

In Taylor & Longfield Real Estate Ltd v Burton [2021] EWHC 1454 (Admin) the High Court has summarised the principles that magistrates should adopt when considering what compensation to award the tenant who has successfully established a statutory nuisance for bringing the case.

Jonathan successfully represented the claimant in the case of Gurung v Gurung in the Oxford County Court. The trial was heard over three days by remote CVP (Cloud Video Platform). It involved cross examination of various witnesses giving evidence through remote interpreters and one giving evidence by link from Nepal.

The latest news in this ongoing and controversial problem is yesterday’s Government announcement of a £3.5bn fund towards the repair/removal of dangerous cladding on high-rise buildings in England.

From today, the ban on residential evictions has been extended in England and in Wales.

When a tenant dies, the contractual tenancy survives, meaning possession of the property cannot be obtained from the (non-succeeding) current residents until that tenancy is terminated by notice to quit. But how is that process carried out if probate (or letters of administration) have not yet been granted?

The UK government has extended various schemes to protect commercial tenants as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect the economy.

There is to be an amendment to the CPR to set out how possession cases (and proceedings for enforcement by writ or warrant of possession) are to proceed when they resume. Also 10 temporary “Nightingale Courts” will be opened to start to alleviate the pressure on full-time courts.