In Part 1 Natasha Dzameh and Jack Pankhurst of our Commercial and Chancery Team share tips on instructing counsel, in particular deciding who to instruct, when to instruct and how to prepare instructions to counsel in respect of written work.

The Supreme Court has handed down judgment in the case of Davies v Bridgend County Borough Council [2023] UKSC 16. They have overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal, and have found that where Japanese knotweed spread to the claimant’s land before breach of duty, the defendant is not responsible for the cost of treating knotweed on the claimant’s land or the residual diminution in value after treatment.

Matthew White, Head of Chambers, represented the defendant in the Supreme Court and has recorded this short podcast which explains the outcome of the case.

St John’s Chambers Real Estate team have created a compelling channel for property lawyers which will provide news, insights, and some personality to complex legal cases.

Our podcasts will convey thought leadership throughout our episodes as well as simplify and discuss implications of key cases in property law. We will also aim to save solicitors some time in summarising and explaining developments.

Episode 4: Caveat emptor! Misrepresentation claims in residential property conveyancing

In this episode, Brittany Pearce and Joss Knight, consider misrepresentation claims following the sale of residential property. They discuss the basics of misrepresentation generally, specific features relating to conveyancing claims, recent cases they have bee involved in and some reported cases, including:

• Thorp v Abbotts [2015] EWHC 2142 (Ch)
• William Sindall plc v Cambridgeshire County Council [1993] EWCA Civ 14
• Morgan v Pooley [2010] EWHC 2447 (QB)
• Rosser v Pacifico Ltd [2023] EWHC 1018 (Ch)

Finally, they finish with some advice and tips for litigators.