Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Completion definition

What does Completion mean? In legal practice, Completion is the point at which a transaction is finally effected, sometimes called 'closing' in cross‑border deals: consideration is paid and title, assets or rights are transferred after all conditions precedent are satisfied or waived and the required completion documents are delivered. Not generally defined by legislation, it is a contractual expression used across conveyancing, corporate/M&A and finance, informed by common law. Key features include a completion date/time; completion mechanics (agenda or checklist); execution and delivery of transfers and ancillary documents; release of funds (often against undertakings); and, where relevant, escrow or virtual completion. Completion usually fixes when...

Death between exchange and completion: estates' obligations, co-ownership (joint tenants/tenants in common), overreaching, grants of representation, notices to complete and HM Land Registry requirements (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Property expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note outlines the legal position if a buyer or seller of residential property in question dies after exchange of contracts but before Completion. It identifies the steps that should be taken, and what occurs where the buyer/seller comprises two or more persons and only one of them dies. It proceeds on the assumption that the contract for sale incorporates the Standard Conditions of Sale (Fifth Edition—2018 Revision) (SCS). See Practice Note: Standard Conditions of Sale (Fifth Edition—2018 Revision)—a guide to the main provisions. It addresses scenarios where the parties are co-owners acting for themselves when buying or selling, but it does not address the position for other trusts of land. For guidance on trusts of land, see: Trusts of land for property lawyers—overview.

Devolution of title—vesting in Personal representatives

Following the death of a sole buyer or a sole seller, the deceased’s interest in the property passes to their personal representatives (PRs) (for example, the executor(s) or administrator(s)). Where there is a Will, that interest vests in the executors immediately on the relevant party’s death (although, in practice, an executor can only demonstrate entitlement by obtaining a grant of probate). If the party died Intestate, or there are...

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Russell Hewitson

Northumbria University

Russell Hewitson is a solicitor and associate professor of law at Northumbria University. He is Law Society Council member for commercial property and a member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing and Land Law Committee. Russell is the Consultant Editor of Halsbury’s Laws of England Volume 23 - Conveyancing. He is general editor of Precedents for the Conveyancer, Practical Lease Precedents, and Practical Conveyancing Precedents, consultant editor of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Handbook and has written a number of other books including Conveyancing Searches and Enquiries, Licensing Law Handbook, Residential Conveyancing Practice and Business Tenancies. He is also the Practice and Precedents Editor of The Conveyancer and Property Lawyer. ...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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