Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Law definition

What does Law mean? In legal practice, Law describes the body of binding rules governing parties’ rights and obligations in the relevant jurisdiction(s). It is not a single statutory or case-law definition; in contracts it is a descriptive catch‑all used to capture all sources of applicable law. Law includes: (a) any primary or secondary legislation (including regulations, statutory instruments and byelaws) in force from time to time that applies to a party or to the place the Services are provided; (b) the common law and, where applicable, equity; (c) any binding court order, judgment or decree; (d) any applicable industry code,

Seller’s solicitor checklist for selling a registered freehold residential property—vacant possession or subject to tenancies (England and Wales): from initial instructions to post-completion

Published by a LexisNexis Property expert

Checklists

Use this checklist when representing the seller in the disposal of a registered freehold residential property, whether offered with vacant possession or burdened by a lease or multiple leases. It is not comprehensive and will not address every eventuality in every transaction. You should always consider if there are additional matters that require attention. It does not purport to be a complete guide for every case.

Preliminary matters

Have you taken instructions from the client?

Robust due diligence and effective transaction management depend on a clear grasp of the seller’s objectives and the proposed sale terms. Obtain full instructions, and clarify any elements of your brief that are unclear or out of the ordinary. Consider whether further specialist input is required; for example, planning advice where completion is conditional upon planning permission being secured. The table below sets out some of the principal points on which instructions should be obtained at the outset. This list is not comprehensive, and you may need to request information about additional issues at this stage...

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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 20/05/2026

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