header-logo header-logo

22 April 2010 / James Naylor
Issue: 7414 / Categories: Opinion , Property
printer mail-detail

Hot property

David Cameron describes the forthcoming election as: “The most important election for a generation.” But, how important is it for property professionals?

David Cameron describes the forthcoming election as: “The most important election for a generation.” But, how important is it for property professionals? Tory policy is mostly contained in two documents: the Conservative Manifesto (April 13 2010) and a Green Paper, Open Source Planning (February 22 2010). The key policies are as follows.

Housing

The Conservatives would increase the stamp duty threshold for first time buyers to £250,000 on a permanent basis. They would also strengthen shared ownership schemes to allow those on low-to-middle incomes to own or part-own their home. Home Information Packs would be abolished.
Council tenants with a record of five years’ good behaviour would be offered a 10% equity share in their social rented property, which could then be cashed in when they wanted to move up the housing ladder. Mr Cameron also wants to introduce a Right to Move scheme to allow every family in social housing the chance to

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

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Workplace law firm expands commercial disputes team with senior consultant hire

EIP—Rob Barker

EIP—Rob Barker

IP firm promotes patent attorney to partner

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Banking and restructuring team bolstered by insolvency specialist

NEWS
The Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling on termination under the JCT Design & Build form. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Singer KC and Jonathan Ward, of Kings Chambers, analyse Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association [2026] UKSC 1, which restores the first-instance decision and curbs contractors’ termination rights for repeated late payment
Secondments, disciplinary procedures and appeal chaos all feature in a quartet of recent rulings. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, examines how established principles are being tested in modern disputes
The AI revolution is no longer a distant murmur—it’s at the client’s desk. Writing in NLJ this week, Peter Ambrose, CEO of The Partnership and Legalito, warns that the ‘AI chickens’ have ‘come home to roost’, transforming not just legal practice but the lawyer–client relationship itself
A High Court ruling involving the Longleat estate has exposed the fault line between modern family building and historic trust drafting. Writing in NLJ this week, Charlotte Coyle, director and family law expert at Freeths, examines Cator v Thynn [2026] EWHC 209 (Ch), where trustees sought approval to modernise trusts that retain pre-1970 definitions of ‘child’, ‘grandchild’ and ‘issue’
Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
back-to-top-scroll