News and Articles

The draft Building Safety Bill and its implications for Northern Ireland

14 July 2021 Whilst developers of residential buildings in 2021 are basking in the sunshine of increased residential sales arising out of the stamp duty holiday, many are also nursing a hangover from lockdown construction delays, costs... READ

COVID-19 pandemic raising thorny issues in commercial property transactions

21 October 2020 If you are involved in any aspect of the commercial property industry it is unlikely that you have so far managed to avoid having to grapple with the numerous practical issues that lockdowns, staff... READ

Keeping your planning permission alive

30 April 2020 A developer, even of a small project like an extension to a property, has five years from the grant of planning permission to commence either the operational development or the material change of use.... READ

Act introduces protection for business tenants

21 April 2020 The Coronavirus Act 2020 has introduced protections for business tenants in Northern Ireland who are struggling to cover rent charges on their commercial leases due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The lockdown introduced by government... READ

A Sign of the Times!

04 December 2019 A tenant of commercial premises will normally expect to display signs at or near his premises indicating the name and nature of his business and any promotional events.  In the unusual event that the... READ

Break options in leases – avoid ‘breaking bad’ by ensuring they are properly drafted.

24 October 2019 A break clause in a commercial lease allows either a Tenant or a Landlord to terminate a lease early i.e.. before expiry of the Term. Whilst tenant-only break clauses are more common in commercial... READ

Drink up! The current state of liquor licensing laws for Northern Ireland.

18 September 2019 There are thousands of Irish Pubs across the world from ‘The Dublin’ in Ushuaia, Argentina to Tir Na Nog in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia with many Irish tourists seeking refuge from local beers with an... READ

GIFTED DEPOSIT? – OR IS IT A LOAN?

27 August 2019 As part of your purchase transaction your solicitor will ask you to confirm how you are funding the purchase, usually by way of completing some sort of money laundering form.  For first time buyers,... READ

The changing world of retail leases.

31 July 2019 You could be forgiven for thinking that it’s all gloom and doom on the high street and the list of retailer casualties in the last year or so is certainly long and getting longer.... READ

The key differences between a lease and a licence…

29 May 2019 Do you have a lease or a licence? Why is it important? A licence (in respect of land or property) is permission to do something with that land which would otherwise be deemed trespass.... READ