Legal wrap: Procurement, e-signatures and arbitration for pandemic rent arrears

Welcome to your weekly round-up of the pick of the content published on EG Legal over the past seven days. This week, we have the second in our three-part article series from lawyers at Charles Russell Speechlys based on their report Skyscraper vs Groundscraper – this time looking at the implications of the planning system and rights to light laws. In addition, we have a round-up of the position for landlords and tenants on pandemic rent arrears, in advance of a planned arbitration process about which little is yet known. Meanwhile, Covid-19 has only accelerated the widespread adoption of electronic signatures – but what hurdles still remain, and where will things go next? These topics and more are just a click away. Legal news Council cannot use past oversupply of housing to mitigate future undersupply Planning judge says there is no clear rule, so decision-makers should exercise their judgement Stonewater loses legal dispute over development with too much social housing The housing association claimed it was exempt from CIL Estate trustees lose out in legal battle over Welsh mudstone Welsh mudstone, says the Court of Appeal, doesn’t qualify as a stone under a 1919 agreement Legal features Skyscrapers vs groundscrapers: everything in the right place James Souter and Claire Fallows consider whether planning and rights of light laws help deliver the ideal development where it is needed Where do we stand on Covid rents? Mark Sefton QC and Anthony Tanney look at the uncertain position for landlords and tenants The unstoppable rise of the e-signature Katherine Crowley and Kathryn Oie chart the phenomenal success of electronic signatures and consider their future direction A matter of national security John Hiscock asks what is needed from the section 3 statement under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 A development in government procurement policy Procurement Policy Note 06/21 requires certain government suppliers to adopt a net-zero CRP, explains Jenny Broderick Legal notes: Credits roll on pandemic rent defences Louise Clark analyses the latest ruling in favour of landlords on unpaid rent during Covid-19 Practice points Covenant objectors can be ordered to pay costs if they run hopeless arguments Father’s Field Developments Ltd v Namulas Pension Trustees Ltd Was a duty of care owed to a trespasser? Ovu v London Underground Ltd Mines and minerals: what was intended at the date of grant? Wynne-Finch and others v Natural Resources Body for Wales Case summaries Father’s Field Developments Ltd v Namulas Pension Trustees Ltd Restrictive covenants – Costs Stonewater (2) Ltd v Wealden District Council Town and country planning – Community infrastructure levy – Social housing relief R (on the application of Hillingdon London Borough Council) v Secretary of State Town and country planning – Approval – Local authority Ovu (Administratrix of the Estate of Ovu, deceased) v London Underground Ltd Occupier’s liability – Trespasser – Duty of care Wynne-Finch and others v Natural Resources for Wales Land – Mines and minerals – Trespass Law report CPRE (Kent) v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and anr Town and country planning – Statutory review – Costs   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