Westminster Legal Policy Forum

IN PRODUCTION

This conference focuses on the reform of property law in England and Wales - including wide-ranging changes to leasehold and commonhold.

The discussion takes place at a key stage for policy in this area, and will be an opportunity to discuss the likely impact of the Law Commission’s recently published report on leasehold enfranchisement.

It also comes as:

• the Commission prepares to conclude its reports on right to manage, and commonhold; and
• the CMA publishes the findings of its investigation into the leasehold market, with evidence that buyers have been unfairly treated and misled - and as it prepares to take action against companies it believes have broken consumer protection law.

Delegates will also discuss the next steps for leasehold reform as outlined in the Queen’s Speech, and government plans to take forward its programme of reform, including:

• protection of tenants;
• removing ground rents on new leases; and
• giving leaseholders new rights to challenge charges.

Speakers

There will be keynote contributions from:

• Professor Nicholas Hopkins, Commissioner, Property, Family and Trust Law, Law Commission;
• Judge Siobhan McGrath, President, First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), Courts and Tribunals Judiciary; and
• Simon Jones, Director, Consumer Protection, CMA

Further speakers include: Jonathan Achampong, Wedlake Bell; Dr Jane Ball, Newcastle University School of Law; Mark Chick, Bishop & Sewell; Mark Cunningham, Anthony James Estate Agents; Dr Nigel Glen, ARMA; Matthew Jupp, UK Finance; Sebastian O’Kelly, Leasehold Knowledge Partnership; Shula Rich, Leasehold Campaigner and RTM Consultant and Michael Voges, Associated Retirement Community Operators.

The chair for the second half of the seminar is Sir Peter Bottomley MP.

 

The agenda

• The Law Commission’s report on leasehold and right to manage - key recommendations;
• Consumer protection - redress, regulation of property agents, and the Housing Court;
• Reforms to property rights - enfranchisement, right to manage, and the implications of market trends;
• Commonhold reform - consumer choice and understanding, converting to commonhold, and developing a culture change; and
• CMA Investigation - reforming plans for the leaseholder market.

Engagement with policy officials at this conference

Westminster Legal Policy Forum conferences typically attract strong interest from policymakers. This seminar will be an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with officials who have reserved places representing: the Law Commission; BEIS; MHCLG;the Cabinet Office; the NAO; the Valuation Office Agency; Office for National Statistics; ; DIT and the Welsh Government.

Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF

Order publication

Shortly after every Westminster Legal Policy Forum seminar, a briefing document is produced. This is distributed to all delegates on the day as well as to our policymaker contacts in government, and to stakeholders more widely.

A seminar publication provides a timely record of proceedings, and acts as a guide to the latest thinking on current policy issues for those unable to be at the event.