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CASE STUDY
“A lot of the work that I do is historic-the maximum sentences change at different points of time. It's really complicated and people get it wrong all the time. That's when having a timeline is really useful.”
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Sensitivity Analysis meaning
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What does Sensitivity Analysis mean?
In legal practice, sensitivity analysis is the structured testing of how changes to key assumptions in an appraisal or financial model affect the outcome. It is not defined in legislation or case law; it is a descriptive technique used across planning and development, valuation, project finance, corporate transactions and litigation.
Lawyers commonly encounter it in viability assessments and scheme appraisals to test the robustness of residual land value (RLV) or developer return (profit on cost/GDV or IRR) against variations in inputs such as build costs, sales values, yields, rents, absorption rates, financing costs, programme and contingencies. It is also used in damages quantification and expert evidence to show how alternative assumptions influence loss.
Sensitivity analysis supports risk allocation, covenants, pricing and adjustment mechanisms (for example, overage, earn‑outs and termination triggers), and informs negotiations on planning obligations and funding terms. While terminology and approach are broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, practitioners often align with professional guidance (for example, RICS guidance on viability and valuation, HM Treasury’s Green Book in the UK, and Ireland’s Public Spending Code).
Its practical significance lies in evidencing the credibility of an appraisal and transparently demonstrating how land value or profit may move...
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NEWS
UK General Election 2024: parliamentary timeline, wash-up outcomes, pre-election guidance, and sector-by-sector legal and manifesto implications
Parliamentary process On 22 May 2024, the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, asked the King to dissolve Parliament so a general election could take place on 4 July 2024, and the King consented. As a result, Parliament was prorogued on 24 May 2024 and formally dissolved on 30 May 2024. The parliamentary timetable is set out below: 22 May: The Prime Minister asked the King to use the prerogative to dissolve Parliament 22 May: King Charles approved the request and a general election was announced nationwide 23 May: ‘Wash-up’ period begins 24 May: Parliament is prorogued 25 May: Pre-election period of sensitivity begins (previously known as ‘purdah’) 30 May: Parliament is dissolved 30 May: Pre-election period starts 4 July: General election 17 July: State Opening of Parliament For an explanation of the ‘wash-up’ period and the period of sensitivity, see News Analysis: General election announced for 4 July 2024. What does ‘wash-up’ mean? Wash-up...
03 July
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PRACTICE NOTES
General Election 2024: Employment law pledges—topic-by-topic policy tracker for Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats (Archived)
This archived Practice Note summarises the employment law pledges and policy statements of the Labour Party, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats ahead of the General Election on 4 July 2024. Employment-related commitments are arranged by topic in tables. For reference, links to other parties’ manifestos are also included—see: Other parties’ manifestos, below. Parliamentary process Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sought, and obtained, the King’s approval to dissolve Parliament and announced a general election for 4 July 2024. Parliament was prorogued on 24 May 2024 and dissolved on 30 May 2024. The timeline is: 22 May: PM asked the King to exercise the prerogative to dissolve Parliament 22 May: King Charles agreed and the general election was announced 23 May: ‘Wash-up’ period begins 24 May: Parliament is prorogued 25 May: Pre-election period of sensitivity begins (formerly ‘purdah’) 30 May: Parliament is dissolved 30 May: Pre-election period begins 4 July: General election For an explanation of...
21 May
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PRECEDENTS
Internal Contract Summary and Risk Analysis Template (Parties, Key Terms, Approvals and Handover)
[ Insert commercial sensitivity status, eg ‘ confidential ’, ‘ privileged and confidential ’, ‘ restricted ’, etc ] For internal use only: do not circulate externally. This document provides a concise overview of the principal terms of the contract for quick reference. Do not rely on it for commercial or legal decisions without first reviewing in full the underlying contract terms and seeking appropriate advice from [ insert contract owner or relevant team, eg Legal Department ]...
26 May
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