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03 June 2022 / Stephen Gold
Issue: 7981 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice , Civil way
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Civil way: 3 June 2022

Defendants trapped on portal; Peppercorn menu; More abuse; The danger of trusting relatives

ELECROMONIA SPREADS

The damages claims portal marches on. As from 2 June 2022, the portal must be used by defendants who are legally represented for claims within its scope. That’s CPR Update 145 for you which also requires representatives to register with MyHMCTS so that they can do the business and access the portal and receive notifications of claim.



PEPPERCORNS BACK

Ground rents above a peppercorn (and they are pretty valueless, even when organically cultivated) are outlawed under residential leases at a premium for plus 21 years in England and Wales by dint of the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 which is intended to be commenced on 30 June 2022. Leases escape when granted before the commencement date or contracted for before that date, but the legislation will apply to a grant pursuant to a pre-commencement option or right of first refusal. For existing leaseholders entering into voluntary lease extensions after commencement, the extended portion of their lease will be reduced to a peppercorn.

Leases of retirement

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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