Property Law Handbook 2010-2011

The Property Law Handbook is the ideal companion to guide you through the intracies of the conveyancing process. Drawing on the authors' considerable experience of legal practice, and suitable for use on courses with either a residential or a commercial conveyancing focus, the book combines lively and accessible explanations of often complex processes with highly practical guidance on how to approach each stage of a conveyancing transaction in practice. The pragmatic nature of the book is enhanced through the use of realistic case studies throughout, fully supported by online sample documentation, introducing the reader to the forms and documents likely to be encountered in practice and encouraging students to develop the essential practical skills they will rely on throughout their legal career. Diagrams, flowcharts and examples are used throughout to clearly highlight and explain complex legal processes while summaries of key points, located at the end of chapters, provide a useful checklist of the salient points covered in each topic. Professional conduct points are highlighted throughout equipping the reader with a sound understanding of the common pitfalls which should be avoided in practice. Additional study support is also provided by self-test and short revision questions, located at the end of chapters and clearly divided into residential and commercial conveyancing, offering the reader the perfect opportunity to test their understanding of a topic and identify any gaps in learning where further study is required. Lists of further reading and links to other sources of further information available online is also contained at the end of chapters enabling further independent exploration of the subject area.1. Introduction; 2. Important principles of land law; 3. An outline of a conveyancing transaction; 4. Taking instructions and other initial matters; 5. The draft contract; 6. Pre-contract searches and enquiries; 7. Town and country planning; 8. Deducing and investigating title; 9. Mortgages; 10. Exchange of contracts; 11. The purchase deed; 12. Pre-completion procedures; 13. Completion; 14. Post-completion procedures; 15. Delays and remedies; 16. Leaseholds; 17. New properties; 18. Commercial conveyancing; 19. Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, Pt II; 20. Assessment guidance; Appendix 1: Specimen Land Registry Official Copy Entries and the Title Plan; Appendix 2: Standard Conditions of Sale (4th edition) (National Conditions of Sale, 24th edition, Law Society's Conditions of Sale 2003); Appendix 3: Example Contract for Sale of Residential Property incorporating Standard Conditions of Sale (4th edition); Appendix 4:Standard Commercial Property Conditions (2nd edition); Appendix 5: Example Contract for Sale of Commercial Property incorporating Standard Commercial Property Conditions (2nd edition); Appendix 6: Property Information Form: replies to Part I; Appendix 7: National Conveyancing Protocol (5th edition) for Domestic Freehold and Leasehold Property; Appendix 8: The CML Lenders' Handbook for England and Wales: Part 1; Appendix 9: Law Society's Formulae for exchanging contracts by telephone; Appendix 10: Law Society's Code for Completion by Post (1998 edition)