Insights : service - Osborne Clarke

Real estate

Real estate ownership, management or maintenance is an activity that affects many businesses, not only those involved in the real estate sector. Our highly experienced team provides a comprehensive ‘lifecycle’ service to clients across a wide range of industry sectors.

Our experience in the real estate sector helps us to understand our clients' business challenges, spot opportunities or angles, make connections between clients and help clients remain competitive.

Find out more >

Article list

Real estate

What does the second half of 2025 offer the commercial real estate sector in England?

As mid-year approaches, there are a number of significant legal changes expected, with consultations heralding further reform

20/06/2025

Read time 8m

Real estate

FTT calls again for proportionate and reasonable cost claims in the negotiation of UK Code agreements

Tribunal decision is another clear victory for operators in their battle with site providers over unconstructive costs

19/06/2025

Read time 2m

The Building Safety Act

Recent case highlights need for further guidance on what constitutes a high-rise building in England

Court that decided that a roof-top garden was a 'storey' for building safety purposes exceeded its jurisdiction

19/06/2025

Read time 2m

Real estate

English High Court scrutinises landlord's insurance commissions in blockbuster Trocadero case

Landlord's commission practices may end up on the cutting room floor in significant case involving insurance premiums

19/06/2025

Read time 6m

Commercial

Contract formation in the digital age: English High Court finds binding agreement formed via WhatsApp messages

The case is a cautionary tale about the use of informal communication channels when negotiating agreements

13/06/2025

Read time 4m

The Built Environment

WhatsApp construction contract held to be binding in English law

Case acts as a reminder of the importance of formalising contracts and actively managing them

13/06/2025

Read time 4m

The Built Environment

Boost for housing and infrastructure in UK government spending review

Significant cash injection allocated, with more detail for the built environment sector expected in the forthcoming infrastructure and industrial strategies

13/06/2025

Read time 6m

Real estate

UK Supreme Court rules against landowners seeking to restrict campers' rights on Dartmoor

Ruling held that 'open-air recreation' included camping in areas not designated as campsites

12/06/2025

Read time 5m

Energy and Energy Transition

Government proposes mandatory community benefit and shared ownership schemes to support its clean energy goals in Great Britain

Working paper seeks views on scope and approaches to take to support low carbon energy infrastructure and renewable energy generation...

30/05/2025

Read time 4m

Regulatory and compliance

European Commission publishes new single market strategy to further develop the European market

Proposal to ease burdens on smaller businesses and lift barriers to trade and investment likely to have positive impact on...

29/05/2025

Read time 9m

The Building Safety Act

UK Supreme Court decides landmark Building Safety Act case

Judgment has wide-ranging ramifications for developers, builders, architects, designers and consultants

23/05/2025

Read time 6m

Real estate

First-Tier Tribunal addresses disproportionate legal and professional costs in UK Code litigation

The decision highlights the increasing costs sought by site providers and the need for sensible expense management

15/05/2025

Read time 2m

Real estate

UK Upper Tribunal dismisses appeal of Covent Garden and rules in favour of Cornerstone

Ruling reinforces established practice that nominal consideration is appropriate for multi-skilled visit agreements

07/05/2025

Read time 3m

Infrastructure

UK Planning and Infrastructure Bill amendments and policy updates to further streamline consenting process

Developers will welcome the removal of consultation and authorisation rules but will need to ensure community engagement

02/05/2025

Read time 3m

The Built Environment

UK sanctions regime puts property sector under scrutiny as letting agents face new obligations

New rules and OFSI concerns mean firms will need to take steps to improve compliance and avoid the risk of...

02/05/2025

Read time 7m

View all insights

Real estate

What does the second half of 2025 offer the commercial real estate sector in England?

As mid-year approaches, there are a number of significant legal changes expected, with consultations heralding further reform

20/06/2025

Read time 8m

Real estate

FTT calls again for proportionate and reasonable cost claims in the negotiation of UK Code agreements

Tribunal decision is another clear victory for operators in their battle with site providers over unconstructive costs

19/06/2025

Read time 2m

The Building Safety Act

Recent case highlights need for further guidance on what constitutes a high-rise building in England

Court that decided that a roof-top garden was a 'storey' for building safety purposes exceeded its jurisdiction

19/06/2025

Read time 2m

Real estate

English High Court scrutinises landlord's insurance commissions in blockbuster Trocadero case

Landlord's commission practices may end up on the cutting room floor in significant case involving insurance premiums

19/06/2025

Read time 6m

Commercial

Contract formation in the digital age: English High Court finds binding agreement formed via WhatsApp messages

The case is a cautionary tale about the use of informal communication channels when negotiating agreements

13/06/2025

Read time 4m

The Built Environment

WhatsApp construction contract held to be binding in English law

Case acts as a reminder of the importance of formalising contracts and actively managing them

13/06/2025

Read time 4m

The Built Environment

Boost for housing and infrastructure in UK government spending review

Significant cash injection allocated, with more detail for the built environment sector expected in the forthcoming infrastructure and industrial strategies

13/06/2025

Read time 6m

Real estate

UK Supreme Court rules against landowners seeking to restrict campers' rights on Dartmoor

Ruling held that 'open-air recreation' included camping in areas not designated as campsites

12/06/2025

Read time 5m

Energy and Energy Transition

Government proposes mandatory community benefit and shared ownership schemes to support its clean energy goals in Great Britain

Working paper seeks views on scope and approaches to take to support low carbon energy infrastructure and renewable energy generation...

30/05/2025

Read time 4m

Regulatory and compliance

European Commission publishes new single market strategy to further develop the European market

Proposal to ease burdens on smaller businesses and lift barriers to trade and investment likely to have positive impact on...

29/05/2025

Read time 9m

The Building Safety Act

UK Supreme Court decides landmark Building Safety Act case

Judgment has wide-ranging ramifications for developers, builders, architects, designers and consultants

23/05/2025

Read time 6m

Real estate

First-Tier Tribunal addresses disproportionate legal and professional costs in UK Code litigation

The decision highlights the increasing costs sought by site providers and the need for sensible expense management

15/05/2025

Read time 2m

Real estate

UK Upper Tribunal dismisses appeal of Covent Garden and rules in favour of Cornerstone

Ruling reinforces established practice that nominal consideration is appropriate for multi-skilled visit agreements

07/05/2025

Read time 3m

Infrastructure

UK Planning and Infrastructure Bill amendments and policy updates to further streamline consenting process

Developers will welcome the removal of consultation and authorisation rules but will need to ensure community engagement

02/05/2025

Read time 3m

The Built Environment

UK sanctions regime puts property sector under scrutiny as letting agents face new obligations

New rules and OFSI concerns mean firms will need to take steps to improve compliance and avoid the risk of...

02/05/2025

Read time 7m

View all insights

Belgium

China

France

Germany

India

Italy

Poland

Singapore

Spain

Sweden

The Netherlands

UK

USA

Insights

Real estate

Article list

Sign up for our newsletter

Legal Notice