Insights: December 2013

In previous articles we have addressed the thorny issue of empty rates and schemes that have been devised and considered by tribunals and courts to assist landlords in avoiding liability for rates on vacant properties. The Government has now stepped in and introduced the Empty Rates Temporary Relief Scheme which took effect on 1 October […]

Fladgate LLP advised Alpha UK Multi Property Trust Plc and its subsidiaries on the financing aspects of the £65m refinancing of a portfolio of commercial properties. The transaction involved senior debt provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, mezzanine debt provided by Europa Mezzanine Finance SaRL and a subordinated loan provided by Alpha Real […]

When the National Fraud Authority published its Annual Fraud Indicator in June 2013 it estimated that the annual cost of fraud to the UK economy is £52bn. Whilst this might be a huge amount, more recent reports estimate the actual cost is over £85bn (nearly 5.5% of the GDP) of which between 21% and 25% […]

Legal updates for all those involved in the real estate sector.

The Court of Appeal has decided that, when basing jurisdiction on the Brussels Regulation, it is not possible to deem agreement or consent to jurisdiction from the factual circumstances. In Antonio Gramsci Shipping v Aivars Lembergs [2013] EWCA Civ 730, the claimant was the owner of vessels chartered to companies controlled by the defendant, who […]

Fladgate LLP has advised footballer Wojciech Sczcesny on his contract negotiations with Arsenal Football Club. Sczcesny extended his contract with the Premier League club until the end of the 2017/2018 season. Fladgate sports partners Grant Gordon and Alan Wetterhahn advised Sczcesny.

Some of my clients have definite views as to how they would like to be cared for or treated in the event that they lack capacity to explain their wishes in future. Knowing that your wishes will be respected brings peace of mind. English law provides individuals with two key choices – a Health & […]

Fladgate LLP has advised AIM listed LiteBulb Group (LiteBulb) on the acquisition of Meld Group Limited (Meld). Meld has developed a portfolio of brands and products supplied to major retailers in the UK including Marks and Spencer and Sainsburys. As well as developing its own brands, Meld works alongside renowned brands such as Peppa Pig […]

Sending the bailiffs in (or “distraining” as it is officially known) is often an effective way of recovering rent arrears. It has been used for centuries. Landlords will therefore be disappointed to learn that things are changing from 6 April next year. It will still be possible to seize the tenant’s goods but the procedure […]

Over the past three years, the EU has sought to respond to the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis in a number of ways. In terms of financial support, it has established various funds, culminating in the European Stability Mechanism. It has also strengthened the Stability and Growth Pact, and Eurozone members have signed a Treaty on […]

Fladgate LLP is delighted to announce the appointments of corporate partner Ian Brent and corporate senior associate Melissa Needham from DAC Beachcroft. Ian was previously head of corporate at Davies Arnold Cooper and head of London corporate at Halliwells. Ian specialises in M&A, investments, shareholder agreements and fundraisings. In his 20 years as a lawyer, […]

In the early 1990s recession we called a tenant “someone who paid the rates”. They clearly couldn’t afford the rent, but often met their rates liability. In the last few years rates, again, have become a key issue, particularly where premises become vacant following the termination of a lease via insolvency action or otherwise. Liability […]