Legal wrap: ESG, climate transparency and the Renters Reform Bill

Welcome to your weekly round-up of the pick of the content published on EG Legal. This week, we have a wealth of topics for your reading (and listening) pleasure – with a heavy accent on ESG, and particularly the environmental side. They include a refresher on the green belt, an update on biodiversity net gain and a look at the way that courts internationally are being used to hold governments to their climate targets. In addition, our latest On the Case podcast considers the recent Supreme Court planning case, Hillside Parks Ltd v Snowdonia National Park Authority [2022] UKSC 30; [2022] PLSCS 177. Other areas covered include the Renters Reform Bill, vendor surveys and wider use of litigation funding in property disputes. Legal news Libyan sovereign wealth fund fights court battle over hotel development The case relates to plans to build a flagship Crowne Plaza hotel near Potters Bar On the Case: Running up that Hillside LISTEN Eversheds Sutherland partner Stuart Andrews on the implications of the recent Hillside ruling High Court gives go-ahead for 170-home Buckinghamshire development Judge rules against a local action group that had been opposing the development Legal features The interplay of statute and proprietary estoppel A review of the interplay between proprietary estoppel and the Law of Property Act 1989 Understanding the risk and cost of ESG COMMENT “For many businesses, a change in narrative is needed,” says DWF’s Melanie Williams The case for climate transparency Using the courts to hold governments and corporates to account on their net zero ambitions Access to justice: an evolving picture Why wider use of litigation funding could be a boon for property companies Green belt – friend or foe? A refresher on the green belt, misconceptions around it and the protections that apply to it Renters Reform Bill: will there be unintended consequences? Balraj Birdi reflects on proposals for the biggest changes to PRS regulation in 30 years Why vendor surveys add value in a downturn Buyers carrying out due diligence want all the necessary data, fast For and against biodiversity net gain and nutrient neutrality COMMENT Only a bold government would renege on environmental protections Practice points Unjust enrichment requires enrichment at the expense of the defendant which is unjust Chowdhury v Ali Lease renewal: 25% reduction in rent due to coronavirus and deteriorating economy Old Street Retail Trustee (Jersey) 1 Ltd and another v GB Healthcare Ltd Case summaries Octagon Overseas Ltd and others v Circus Apartments Ltd Practice and procedure – First-tier Tribunal – “Without prejudice” rule Lambeth London Borough Council v Kelly and others Landlord and tenant – Service charges – Consultation Old Street Retail Trustee (Jersey) 1 Ltd and another v GB Healthcare Ltd Landlord and tenant – Renewal of lease – Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Law report Hamilton v Her Majesty’s Attorney-General and others; Walton Properties Ltd v Her Majesty’s Attorney-General Freehold property – Vesting order – Legal title   For more legal articles and to search our extensive archive, visit EG Legal  To send feedback, e-mail jess.harrold@eg.co.uk or tweet @EGPropertyNews