Moorcrofts LLP

19/10/2026

Moorcrofts continues to be recognised in the prestigious Chambers and Partners UK guide for 2027, retaining its established recognition for expertise in Corporate/M&A, Technology and Intellectual Property (IP).

This year’s results also mark an important milestone for the firm’s Commercial Property practice, which has been recognised in the Real Estate rankings, reinforcing its position as a top-tier legal practice in the Thames Valley region.

In addition, Teri Hunter, Managing Partner; William Pearce, Corporate Partner; and Julia Ferguson, Commercial Property Partner were recognised as leading individuals in their fields.

Chambers and Partners conducts independent research with clients and peers to identify leading law firms and lawyers across the UK. Its rankings recognise legal expertise, commercial understanding and the quality of client service.

Read the full story here ⬇️

https://moorcrofts.com/moorcrofts-maintains-strong-rankings-in-chambers-and-partners-2027/

16/10/2026

The end of upwards-only rent reviews: the new position!

In July 2025, the Government introduced proposals to prohibit upwards-only rent reviews in commercial leases, with the measures included in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (the Act) subsequently received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 with the provisions in relation to rent reviews added as new Schedules to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.

Although the Act is effective these Schedules are not yet in force. Once they are, they will fundamentally alter how rent reviews operate.

Subject to some qualifications

- upwards-only features within rent reviews will become unenforceable;
- rent reviews will operate on both an upward and downward basis; and
- “higher of” provisions will be ineffective and must be disregarded

For example, where a lease provides for rent to be reviewed to the higher of open market rent and the passing rent and at review the market rent is £30,000 per annum whilst the passing rent is £35,000 per annum, the revised rent would be £30,000 per annum.

Tenants will also be given the right to trigger a rent review where these rights are not included in the lease. This will prevent landlords trying to circumvent the ban by refusing to review the rent where the rent is likely to decrease.

Read the full article for the detail on how the new position will operate 👇

https://moorcrofts.com/the-end-of-upwards-only-rent-reviews/

The Government’s ban on upwards-only rent reviews represents a significant shift in the commercial leasing landscape.

14/10/2026

Our latest episode of the Moorcrofts Means Business Podcast is now live!

In this episode, Corporate Partner Will Pearce and Employment Partner Lindsey Abbott discuss the role of employment due diligence in a business sale, exploring the key employment risks buyers and sellers need to consider and how businesses can prepare their employment affairs well in advance of a transaction.

They cover:

🎙 Why employment due diligence is an important part of a business sale and how employment issues can affect the value, structure and success of a transaction
🎙 The key employment risks buyers and sellers should consider, including tribunal claims, grievances, discrimination and whistleblowing allegations, senior employee disputes and holiday pay liabilities
🎙 Common red flags that can arise during due diligence, including minimum wage issues, missing employment contracts and contractors or consultants who may be incorrectly classified as self-employed
🎙 Why sellers should prepare early by reviewing employment contracts, handbooks, benefits and other employment documentation, and identifying and addressing potential liabilities before going to market
🎙 The importance of considering how employment arrangements may appear to a potential buyer and ensuring key documentation is up to date and properly recorded
🎙 How buyers may seek to retain key employees following completion and the employment terms that may be particularly important for senior executives, including notice periods, bonuses, benefits and restrictive covenants
🎙What TUPE is and when it can apply in a business sale, including the distinction between share sales and asset sales and the impact this can have on transaction planning
🎙 How employment issues identified during due diligence can be managed through warranties, indemnities and other protections in the transaction documents
🎙 The importance of managing confidentiality and agreeing a clear communication strategy when informing employees about a transaction
🎙 Why employment due diligence should not be treated as a box-ticking exercise and why understanding the people risks is essential to a successful transaction
🎙 Why early preparation, transparency and legal advice can help sellers manage potential issues and support a smoother sale process

Tune in to gain practical insight into the employment aspects of due diligence and how early preparation and effective legal advice can help businesses identify and manage employment risks, protect value and support a smoother and more successful sale process.

🎧 Listen here 👇

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1189538/episodes/19635675

09/10/2026

The end of upwards-only rent reviews: the current position!

Rent review provisions in commercial leases are typically structured to favour income security and growth for landlords.

The most common approach is the upwards-only rent review, under which rent is reviewed periodically, often by reference to open market rent, but cannot fall below the passing rent/a specified rent at the review date.

The practical effect is that, even where market conditions decline, tenants do not benefit from any rent reduction. Rent will either remain unchanged or increase.

In July 2025, the Government introduced proposals to prohibit upwards-only rent reviews in commercial leases, with the measures included in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which received royal assent on 29 April 2026 as The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.

Read the full article to understand the changes to commercial rent reviews 👇

https://moorcrofts.com/the-end-of-upwards-only-rent-reviews/

The Government’s ban on upwards-only rent reviews represents a significant shift in the commercial leasing landscape.

08/10/2026

HALFWAY THERE - 100KM OF 200KM COMPLETE!! 🚴

The Moorcrofts cyclists have hit the halfway mark, with 100km on the clock and 100km still to go.

Throughout the morning, our team have been taking turns to ride their part as we work together towards our 200km target.

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated and supported us so far.

If you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time to get behind the team.

Donate here 👇

https://www.justgiving.com/page/moorcrofts-charity

08/10/2026

AND WE’RE OFF! 🚴💨

The Moorcrofts team is officially underway with our 200km cycling challenge in support of our Charity of the Year, Kidney Research UK, with a particular focus on IgA nephropathy.

Supporting Kidney Research UK is particularly personal to our team. The daughter of our colleague, Mercedes Misquitta, was diagnosed last year with IgA nephropathy, a chronic kidney disease, and is currently receiving treatment and dialysis. Next week, Mercedes will undergo surgery to donate a kidney to her daughter, Lucia.

Today, more than 20 members of our team will take turns on the bikes as we work together to complete 200km, matching the approximately 200 litres of blood our kidneys filter every day.

It’s going to be a big day, and every donation will help support our challenge.

To make a donation, visit our Just Giving page 👇

https://www.justgiving.com/page/moorcrofts-charity

08/10/2026

Preparing your property affairs early can make a real difference when planning for a business sale.

Our latest Moorcrofts Means Business Podcast explores the role of property due diligence, the key issues buyers and sellers need to consider and how good organisation and early legal advice can help support a smoother transaction.

🎧 Listen here 👇

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1189538/episodes/19635459

07/10/2026

🚴 Tomorrow is the day!

The suits are staying in the wardrobe as more than 20 members of the Moorcrofts team take on our 200km cycling challenge in support of Kidney Research UK.

Throughout the day, our team will take turns on an exercise bike in the office, each completing a section as we work together to reach our 200km target.

Inspired by the fact that our kidneys filter around 200 litres of blood every day, we're putting our legs to the test to raise funds and awareness for kidney disease, with a particular focus on IgA nephropathy.

There may be some tired legs by the end of the day, but we're ready for the challenge!

If you would like to support our team, you can donate here ⬇️

https://www.justgiving.com/page/moorcrofts-charity

06/10/2026

We’re delighted to share that Moorcrofts has once again been recognised for our strong performance in the Legal 500 UK 2027 rankings, retaining our Tier 1 ranking for Corporate and Commercial in the South East and securing recognition across all our other practice areas, including Technology, Employment and Commercial Property.

Read the full story on our website ⬇️

https://moorcrofts.com/moorcrofts-retains-tier-1-ranking-in-legal-500-uk-2027/

05/10/2026

Our 200km cycling challenge is nearly here! 🚴

Taking place on Thursday 8 October 2026, the challenge has been inspired by something our kidneys do every single day.

Healthy kidneys filter around 200 litres of blood each day , so we’re taking that figure and putting it into action as we work towards our own 200km target.

The challenge is particularly meaningful to the Moorcrofts team because the daughter of one of our colleagues was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy last year and is currently receiving treatment and dialysis.

More than 20 members of the Moorcrofts team will take turns on an exercise bike in the office, each completing a section of the challenge.

It’s a physical challenge for our team, but most importantly, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness and vital funds for Kidney Research UK, with a particular focus on IgA nephropathy. 💙

Please support our challenge and help us reach our fundraising goal ⬇️

https://www.justgiving.com/page/moorcrofts-charity