Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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...

Property Completion in England and Wales: Contract Terms, Pre-Completion Requisitions, Law Society Code by Post, Undertakings and Alternative Arrangements

Published by a LexisNexis Property expert

Practice notes

Introduction

This Practice Note considers the process for bringing a property sale and purchase to completion. In the past, completion was effected by the buyer’s solicitor attending in person at the offices of the seller’s solicitor or the seller’s lender’s solicitor. The completion money would be provided by banker’s draft, exchanged for the duly executed conveyance and the relevant title documents. Today, personal completions are unusual, with the majority concluded by post. Rather than a banker’s draft, funds are transmitted by direct bank transfer, and the seller’s solicitor acts as the buyer’s solicitor’s agent for handling the completion formalities and, following completion, for forwarding the completed transfer and other title papers to the buyer’s solicitor.

Contractual terms relating to completion

The sale and purchase contract will set out the completion date and time, together with any other completion arrangements expressly agreed between the parties. Provisions dealing with completion are contained in condition 9 of the Standard Commercial Property Conditions (Third Edition—2018 Revision) (SCPC) and in condition 6 of the Standard Conditions of Sale (5th Edn—2018 revision): Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents [74] (Fifth Edition) (SCS)...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...