FEATURED AUTHOR

V. Charles Ward

Solicitor
Freelance

I am a UK registered lawyer specializing in residential and commercial property and work freelance. I am also a legal writer and author of several books including Residential Leaseholders' Handbook; Housing Regeneration: a Plan for Implementation (published February 2018); and Fire Safety Law: A Practical Guide, published September 2022.

Subjects: Built Environment, Law, Urban Planning

Biography

I am a UK lawyer specializing in residential and commercial conveyancing as well as estate development and urban regeneration. I work freelance but am attached to HB Public Law, which is a shared legal service acting for the public sector. I am also corporate counsel with The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management, a national trade association representing the cemetery and crematorium industries across the UK. I am an established legal writer and the author of several books on legal subjects. I began writing for publication in 1991 with a series of articles for Legal Executive Journal. From 1994 to 2001 I wrote a weekly law page for Local Government Chronicle and also contributed frequently to Estates Gazette. Most of my work is written from my own professional experience and expertise. I write about what I do day-to-day. My books include Residential Leaseholders Handbook (2006); Housing Regeneration: a Plan for Implementation; and, most recently; Fire Safety Law: A Practical Guide for Leaseholders, Building-Owners and Conveyancers (2022). I am also following new fire-safety law as it comes on stream and will include legal developments in a series of published updates. I enjoy public speaking.

Education

College of Law - Lancaster Gate

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Personal Interests

Websites

Books

Fire Safety Law - Ward - 1st Edition book cover

Housing Regeneration - WARD - 1st Edition book cover

Featured Title

Articles

Leaseholder Deeds of Certificate

Published: Feb 05, 2023 by Today's Conveyancer
Authors: V.Charles Ward
Subjects: Built Environment, Law

Explains why it is important for high-rise residential leaseholders to provide their landlords with Leaseholder Deeds of Certificate to ensure that they received the statutory protections against cladding remediation costs contained in Schedule 8 of the Building Safety Act 2022. Also explains Landlord Certificates.

Law Books for Residential Leaseholders UK

Published: Feb 05, 2023 by Shepherd
Authors: V.Charles Ward
Subjects: Built Environment, Law

I was asked to provide a list of books to help residential leaseholders in the UK understand their legal rights, particularly when it comes to service charge and block management issues. Here is my selection.

The Legal profession as a Career Option

Published: Feb 05, 2023 by Shepherd
Authors: V.Charles Ward
Subjects: Law

I have been asked to provide book recommendations for anyone considering the UK legal profession as a career option. Including practical tips for anyone who has already made the leap.

Freehold Enfranchisement and Local Authorities

Published: Aug 28, 2020 by Local Government Lawyer
Authors: V.Charles Ward
Subjects: Law

Explains the Law Commission's proposed reforms on enfranchisement law as it affects local authorities

Case of Moldy Ginger Cake

Published: Jul 14, 2018 by The Toastmaster
Authors: V.Charles Ward
Subjects: Economics, Finance, Business & Industry, Law, Communications Studies

How Toastmasters made me a better lawyer

News

Leaseholder Deeds of Certificate - Editorial Feedback

By: V. Charles Ward
Subjects: Built Environment, Law

Here is the editorial feedback which I received on January 24th, 2023 from Jamie Lennox, Editor of Today's Conveyancer in relation to an article on Leaseholder Deeds of Certificates..

"Dear Viv

I hope you’re well. Just wanted to drop you a note regarding your recently published piece on Leaseholder Deeds of Certificate. It’s been incredibly popular with our readership: the data shows it’s been read more than any other piece over the last 7 days, and we’ve heard it’s been shared on social media and Rob Hailstone’s Bold Legal Forum too. Thus, a big thank you is in order from me!

I think it’s particularly relevant with the current discourse surrounding the ever-increasing complexity of conveyancing… I’ve heard one conveyancer suggest a separate law degree is required for the BSA 2022 alone! With climate change guidance just around the corner from the Law Soc, I imagine a similar conversation will take place.

Should you want to follow up this piece with any more guidance/best practice, we’d bite your hand off. Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you

Jamie Lennox

Editor"