Legal wrap: Second staircases, Landlord and Tenant Act and ‘Green Day’

This week, we tackle the hot topic of second staircases for tall buildings, the subject of a government consultation that may well make them a necessity for residential buildings over 30 metres tall – with that threshold perhaps ending up as low as 18m. This poses considerable challenges for developers, and for owners of existing single-staircase buildings. In addition, our regular “View from the Bar” column tackles reform of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, and the changes our barristers would like to see. We also cover what the government’s “Green Day” announcements mean for real estate, and other matters. Legal features The debate over second staircases Olivia Barton addresses the practical implications of the new second staircase requirement View from the bar: Sprucing up the 1954 Act Guy Fetherstonhaugh KC and James Tipler share their views on the strategic reform of the legislation that could make it fit for the modern world Net zero and the push for a greener tomorrow Laura Haworth and Louise Irvine take a look at the government’s “Green Day” announcements and their implications for real estate A new chapter in the CLLS Certificate of Title Jackie Newstead and Warren Gordon offer an update on the latest changes to the City of London Law Society Land Law Committee Certificate of Title Seed your knowledge of Local Nature Recovery Strategies Caroline Stares rounds up key points for landowners regarding the strategies established in the Environment Act 2021 Legal note: Circumventing the right of first refusal Elizabeth Dwomoh covers an interesting case arising from a breach of the right of first refusal under the LTA 1987 Practice points Basement development – high level of recklessness cannot be an accident Gueterbock and another v MacPhail and others Misrepresentation in property sale – seller liable for damages Rosser v Pacifico Ltd Public Order Act – proportionality plays no part in conviction under section 14 Director of Public Prosecutions v Eastburn Dispute resolution mechanism precludes reference to court unless deadline met University of the Arts London v Legal & General Pensions Ltd and another Restrictive covenants: Tribunal has no jurisdiction to discharge covenant affecting disposal of land Re Cammiade: 1 Acacia Grove Case summaries Pretoria Energy Company (Chittering) Ltd v Blankney Estates Ltd Contract – Repudiation – Preliminary issue Transport for London v Persons Unknown and others Practice and procedure – Trespass – Injunction R (on the application of Devonhurst Investments Ltd) v Luton Borough Council Town and country planning – Enforcement notice – Validity Peterson and another v Howard de Walden Estates Ltd Practice and procedure – Court fee – Procedural error Law report Barton and others v Morris and others Restitution – Unjust enrichment – Introduction fee 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