Insights

A law firm acting for the landowner and his company in a large-scale property development failed to include a critical clause in the joint venture agreement. The court is yet to determine the damages, but the losses claimed are in excess of $100 million. The missing clause would have made all joint venturers liable for

Every lease contains a covenant of quiet enjoyment, either in writing or implied by law. The right to quiet enjoyment refers to the tenant’s right to possess and fully use leased property without interference from the landlord during the course of the tenancy. There is a proviso, though: the use must be ordinary and lawful.

When entering into a lease, the law automatically implies an obligation on the landlord not to substantially deprive the lessee of the benefit being given under the lease. By this obligation, landlords are prevented from takes steps that derogate (ie: detract or take away from) the grant of the lease by making the property materially