More Than Law - The Forsters Podcast

Returning to the familiar ground of sustainability in commercial real estate, podcast host Miri Stickland chats with Senior Associate Ed Glass and Senior Knowledge Development Lawyer Louise Irvine about forthcoming energy efficiency regulatory changes taking effect on 1 April 2023. We discuss the impact of the changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regime, the key issues landlords, buyers and sellers need to be aware of to avoid acting unlawfully and how landlords can best future-proof their leases.

. In this episode, Charles Cochrane of Cochrane Adams Fine Art Agents and Jo Thompson, part of the Art & Cultural Property team at Forsters, joined host Robert Linden Laird Craig to talk about the, often very subjective, features of the art market. In particular, the discussion covered how buyers can approach becoming successful collectors in the face of pressure from the many people and organisations, all with very different objectives, vying for attention. You can get in touch with Charles for help starting your journey as an art collector by visiting the Cochrane Adams website here (https://www.cochrane-adams.com/). To read Jo's comprehensive guide to owning art that she put together with Sotheby's, follow the link here (https://www.forsters.co.uk/news/blog/sothebys-and-forsters-owners-guide-art-part-1).

Chris Armstrong of McDonald's Restaurants and Commercial Real Estate partner Vicki Towers join podcast host Miri Stickland to talk through Chris's experiences managing the roll out of rapid EVCPs across McDonald's UK drive-through restaurant portfolio.

Counsel Bryan Shacklady, senior associate Ashleigh Carr and trainee Joe May join podcast host Miri Stickland to give insight into the Dispute Resolution team at Forsters. They explain how no two days are the same and highlight the personal and professional skills needed to be part of this collaborative department. The team also stress the importance of attention to detail within their work, and provide examples of the unexpected topics they have had to become experts on.

Historic England's General Counsel, Andrew Wiseman and Commercial Real Estate partner Vicki Towers join host Miri Stickland to unpick what a historic building is and how can they be developed and adapted for future generations, with a particular eye on the challenges around introducing energy efficiency measures into historic buildings.

Partner Anthony Goodmaker, associate Anna Penn and trainee Cameron Turnbull join podcast host Miri Stickland to explain why Forsters' Commercial Real Estate department is more than just easements and covenants. The team run through an average day, give insight into the firm's culture and identify key skills. They also share their own motivations for qualifying into CRE, and highlight the importance of keeping an open mind throughout your training contract as you may be surprised by the seat you enjoy the most.

Senior Associates Daniel Burr and Dan Cudlipp and Associate Lauren Hepburn join podcast host Miri Stickland to shed some light on the Construction team at Forsters. They discuss the best and worst parts of being a construction lawyer, exciting clients, and an average day in the life. The team also highlight the differences between contentious and non-contentious work and the key skills needed for success in each side of the team.

This episode was recorded at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) headquarters with Dr Alexander Pearce, the modelling lead in the UKAEA Power Plant Technology Group, and senior associate Laura Haworth. Alex and Laura joined podcast host Robert Linden Laird Craig to talk about fusion energy; what it is and how it might one day be used to put power on the grid.

Dr Hannah Wakeford, lecturer in Astrophysics in the School of Physics at the University of Bristol, and senior associate Laura Haworth join podcast host Miri Stickland to talk about the issue of space junk in Earth's increasingly crowded orbit, its potential impact on planetary environments and shared lessons for sustainability in space and in our built environment.

Podcast hosts Miri Stickland and Robert Linden Laird Craig are joined by partner Amy France and counsel Mike Armstrong to talk about the advantages of forward planning for later life, the importance of having difficult conversations at the right time and the evolution of later living homes in the UK.

Managing Director of sustainability consultants Element Four, Georgia Elliott-Smith, and Commercial Real Estate Partner, Vicki Towers, join podcast host, Miri Stickland, to discuss the advantages of strategic sustainability planning within the real estate sector, the concept of Net Zero, why you shouldn't assume that a BREEAM excellent rating necessarily means a high EPC rating and the direction of travel for the energy rating of buildings.

Is there a 'right' answer to the questions you are asked at interview? Partner, Katherine Ekers, and trainees, Tatiana Kinsky and Oliver James, join podcast host, Miri Stickland, to give their insights.

Is only work experience in law firms relevant to a training contract application? Graduate Recruitment partner Emily Holdstock and trainees Ellen Jones, Candice Johnson and Joe May join podcast host Miri Stickland to discuss how work and volunteering experience in other sectors can also be a huge asset.

Senior Partner Smita Edwards, Graduate Recruitment partner Emily Holdstock and Graduate Recruitment officer Emma Cooper join Miri Stickland to discuss why diversity and inclusion is so important to Forsters, the preconceptions that applicants may have about the firm and why they should look past them, our ED&I strategy and initiatives the Graduate Recruitment team are taking to promote diversity.

Does showing commercial awareness really mean faithfully memorising the contents of the Economist each week? Podcast host Miri Stickland is joined by partner Katherine Ekers and trainees Phoebe Jackson and Annalisa Gardner to discuss the tricky issue of how to show commercial awareness.

Are there unwritten rules you need to follow in training contract interviews? Partner Katherine Ekers and trainees Ellen Jones and Cameron Turnbull join podcast host Miri Stickland to discuss what to wear and whether to eat the biscuits offered!

The Covid-19 pandemic created a perfect storm for the hotels sector and, despite ever improving signs of recovery, the resulting devastation will take time and innovation to repair. Unprecedented economic life-support provided by the UK government over the last two years has kept the gathering clouds at bay, but there could well be casualties in 2022 and beyond. This was the conclusion of a roundtable discussion hosted by Forsters on 10 November 2021. Learn more at: https://www.forsters.co.uk/news/blog/weathering-the-storm-the-future-for-hotels

Do you need to start off knowing exactly which practice area you want to qualify into? Graduate Recruitment partner Emily Holdstock, newly qualified solicitor Tamsin Collingridge and trainee Molly Haynes join podcast host Miri Stickland to discuss whether it is OK to be undecided.

Graduate Recruitment partner, Emily Holdstock, and Graduate Recruitment officer, Emma Cooper, join podcast host Miri Stickland to talk about the key dates and events coming up in the graduate recruitment calendar, key points for candidates to note and some top tips for navigating the application process.

Private Wealth partners Charles Mieville, Emma Gillies and Rosie Schumm join podcast host, Miri Stickland, to talk about the tax and legal implications for US connected persons considering acquiring a residential property in the UK. Charles shares his thoughts on the outlook for the residential market in the UK, as well as recent changes to the property tax regime, Emma explains some of the key cross-border issues at play and the estate planning options available, and Rosie gives her insights on what to consider in terms of protecting assets for the future in light of the changing shape of relationships.

Partners Vicki Towers and Emily Holdstock along with Graduate Recruitment manager Holly Meldrum join host Miri Stickland for our latest podcast focusing on Graduate Recruitment at Forsters. The team talk through how this year’s training contract process differs from previous years, the key dates and deadlines and offer some more top tips for candidates. As Vicki hands over as lead Graduate Recruitment partner to Emily later this year, they also reflect on Vicki’s legacy and what the future will bring.

The two leading authorities on residential leasehold reform, and co-authors of Hague on Leasehold Enfranchisement, Damian Greenish, Senior Consultant at Forsters and Tony Radevsky, Barrister at Falcon Chambers, join podcast host Miri Stickland to provide a short history of enfranchisement rights and their views on the need for modernisation in light of the Government’s recent announcement proposing wide-sweeping residential leasehold reforms.

Partners Lucy Barber and Charles Miéville from our Residential Property team join More Than Law podcast host, Miri Stickland, to discuss the impact of recent case law on residential leaseholders carrying out alterations to their premises and provide practical advice on the other issues leaseholders need to be mindful of before commencing works.

Our latest More Than Law podcast features our cross-departmental strategic land team, with host Miri Stickland talking to partners Christopher Findley and Henry Cecil from the Rural Property team, Commercial Real Estate partner Ben Brayford and Planning partner Victoria Du Croz. Discussion points include what we mean by “strategic land”, who are the key parties and their particular drivers and concerns, and the key components needed for a successful strategic land development.

In our latest podcast, host Miri Stickland is joined by Residential Property Partner, Helen Marsh, and Tax Associate, Oliver Claridge, to discuss the impact of the last year on the high value residential property market and our ever-evolving property tax regime. Join us to hear how we are helping clients achieve speedy completions and for a discussion of potential tax reliefs that purchasers should be alive to. Helen and Oliver also reflect on the trends which are currently emerging in the market and potential taxation changes that may be on the horizon.

On our latest More Than Law podcast, host Miri Stickland is joined by three members of our Build To Rent group who provide their insights into the sector. Commercial Real Estate Partner Helen Streeton talks through the types of sites being acquired for BTR schemes, who the key players are as the project progresses and how the funding risk profile differs on a BTR development scheme. Partner Elizabeth Small from our Tax team discusses the importance of focusing on tax structuring at the outset of a BTR development and the potential longer term tax implications when the scheme is operational and Matt Evans, Counsel in our Planning team, walks us through the planning complexities of BTR schemes, including delivery of affordable housing.

Podcast host, Miri Stickland, talks to Construction partner Andrew Parker, associate Dan Cudlipp and Property Litigation associate Sarah Heatley, about the findings and recommendations so far from the ongoing Grenfell inquiry, new legislation coming forward in the form of the Building Safety Bill, practical issues being encountered on sales and refinancings of high-rise residential units and what options may be available to cover the costs of any remediation works required. “Phase 2 of the Grenfell Inquiry is going to be particularly important for the construction industry by shining a light on how materials are tested, what design choices should be made and identifying where there are flaws in the current regulations.” “The Building Safety Bill will be a significant piece of statutory reform, with the current legislation no longer fit for purpose, especially in respect of residential occupants. Leaseholders and occupants of residential blocks are the primary focus of the Bill, which introduces the new role of an Accountable Person, clarifies that cladding and wall systems do form part of the common parts of the building and introduces a new category of service charge with the concept of building safety charges. Overall, the Bill makes it much clearer as to what owners need to do to keep residents safe and easier for occupiers to compel owners to investigate and fix cladding.” “Sometimes there is no obvious recourse for cost recovery from third parties and there are areas which the Government funding doesn’t cover, for example, where a waking watch is required to be put in place to ensure residents’ safety. Building owners will need to think carefully about whether these costs are recoverable from leaseholders and be mindful of the residential service charge consultation requirements.”

Podcast host, Miri Stickland, is joined by Head of Planning, Partner Victoria Du Croz, and senior associate, Laura Parrish, to discuss the impact of recent changes to the Use Classes Order and Permitted Development Rights as well as further planning reforms which are still to come. “Some clients are really happy with the increased flexibility the new Use Class E offers in terms of how they can use their space. Other landlord clients have been concerned that tenants are able to change the use of their properties without the need for formal planning permission or prior approval from the planning authority. For example, there is now far less control over change of use from retail to restaurant use, which we anticipate could lead to a rise in nuisance claims.” “One of the key industry concerns in respect of the new Permitted Development Rights is that it will allow housing to be brought forward without mitigation of the impact of the change of use of those buildings. Local Authorities will be very limited in respect of the conditions that they can require, in particular in terms of not being able to impose affordable housing quotas, section 106 or CIL payments.”

Podcast host Miri Stickland is joined in our latest podcast by Jeff Wilson, Director at property investment and development company Wrenbridge, and Commercial Real Estate partner Vicki Towers to talk about the evolution of Wrenbridge’s business and how their schemes are designed with the logistics occupiers of the future in mind.

In our latest podcast, host Miri Stickland is joined by Glencar Construction’s Managing Director, Eddie McGillycuddy and Director Chris Gleave, alongside Construction Partner Emily Holdstock, to talk through the current logistics market, some of the key challenges faced by contractors and the impact of tenants’ increasingly sophisticated technology requirements on the build process.

Podcast host, Knowledge Development Lawyer Miri Stickland, is joined by a trio of partners, Magnus Hassett from Commercial Real Estate, Ben Barrison from Property Litigation and Emily Holdstock from our Construction team, to discuss some of the issues we have seen affecting the real estate market as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prior to lockdown, podcast host Miri Stickland chatted to fellow Knowledge Development Lawyer, Louise Irvine and Senior Associate, Anna Mullins about the impact in practice of the controversial Electronic Communications Code.

Podcast host, Miri Stickland, chats to Oliver Claridge from Forsters’ tax group and Georgina Haddon from the residential property team about the impact of recent changes to the already complex residential SDLT regime and their top tips for overseas buyers.

Miri Stickland talks to Glenn Dunn, head of Forsters’ corporate occupiers sector group, about the current central London office market, key considerations when planning an office relocation and the recent move to agile working for the Forsters’ Commercial Real Estate team in our new offices at Berkeley Square House.

Summary: With applications for 2020 vacation schemes and 2022 training contracts now open, Graduate Recruitment partner Victoria Towers and Graduate Recruitment co-ordinator Holly Meldrum join podcast host Miri Stickland to talk through some of the questions they get asked most frequently by potential candidates.

Senior Associate, Emily Holdstock, and first year Trainee, Tamsin Collingridge, talk to Miri Stickland about the “special relationship” between trainees and their supervisors, including the value that supervisors can bring in mentoring trainees, the feedback and review process and the attributes that are highly valued in Forsters' trainees.

What does the prime residential property market in London look like at the moment? Residential Property partner Helen Marsh and associate Georgina Haddon join podcast host Miri Stickland to discuss the level of activity they are seeing, drivers for overseas investment into London and challenges affecting the market, including the proposed leasehold reforms.

Construction partner Andrew Parker and associate Dan Cudlipp talk to podcast host Miri Stickland about the impact of recent regulatory changes to the use of cladding on high rise buildings and who is responsible for the cost of replacing existing combustible cladding.

Employment Senior Associate, Joe Beeston, talks to podcast host Miri Stickland about statutory Shared Parental Leave rights, with Commercial Real Estate Senior Associate, Anthony Goodmaker, sharing his recent personal experiences of taking Shared Parental Leave.

Emma Flather, partner in the restaurant and leisure agency team at Hanover Green Retail and Forsters’ Senior Associate, Jade Capper, join podcast host Miri Stickland to talk about the central London restaurant market, challenges for landlords and tenants in the sector and some particular quirks of restaurant lettings.

Partner and training principal, Helen Marsh, and second year trainee Anastasia Pejacsevich join Miri Stickland to talk about life as a trainee at Forsters, including the type of support and training our trainees can expect to receive throughout their training contracts, adapting to life as a trainee and the process on qualification.

Property Litigation partner, Ben Barrison, and senior associate, Dean Monk, talk to podcast host Miri Stickland about how to deal practically with squatters in commercial premises, which properties might be particularly vulnerable and the steps you need to go through to get them out.

Ann Marie Aguilar, Director of Operations in Europe at the International WELL Building Institute, talks to Miri Stickland and Victoria Towers about the benefits of the WELL Building Standard, a performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring features of buildings that impact human health and wellbeing. #WELLBuildingStandard #WELLinUK #WeAreWELL

In the second part of our podcast on common issues with urban developments, Katherine Ekers (partner in the Commercial Real Estate team) and Matt Evans (Senior Associate in Forsters’ planning team) provide further insight on issues which are commonly encountered with redevelopment schemes in London, rights of light, other third party rights and planning pre-commencement conditions. They also round up with their key take-aways on the topic.

Commercial Real Estate partner Victoria Towers and Residential partner Helen Marsh have completed a three day 400km cycle ride which raised £50,000 for charity Coram. The annual event called PedElle, organised by Club Peloton and sponsored by Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets, brings together women in the property industry for the networking ride.

Katherine Ekers (partner in the Commercial Real Estate team) and Matt Evans (Senior Associate in Forsters’ planning team) discuss common issues arising on urban development schemes. Part 1 looks at strategies for gaining vacant possession of the redevelopment site and how to approach the process for obtaining planning consent.

Forsters' Graduate Recruitment partner Vicki Towers gives her take on what we are looking for in our future trainees, how we go about recruiting them and what distinguishes Forsters as a place to work.