An overseas company sought to provide funds for a property purchase in London, and RSL Law faced several challenges due to foreign documentation and UK regulatory compliance. The company’s corporate documents were complex so an international law expert was brought in to verify them. Conducting Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks on all directors was critical, which the legal team handled
using third-party databases.

The company’s financial statements, prepared under foreign accounting
standards, needed to be converted to UK standards by a financial expert to assess profitability. Additionally, the legal team reviewed dividend payments and company resolutions to confirm financial stability and compliance with local laws. After these steps, the overseas lender was found to be financially stable, AML compliant, and legally sound, allowing the property transaction to move forward without issue.

This case highlights the importance of careful legal and compliance review in
cross-border transactions to ensure compliance and smooth execution.

Our client needed to complete a property exchange within a tight 10-day deadline, presenting a challenge due to their complex Source of Funds (SoF). The pressure increased as the developer’s required confirmation of the client (SoF), adding to our workload. 

Given the limited time, we had to expedite the Local Authority search, a step that typically takes longer and is often not feasible to rush. However, by coordinating with the authorities and leveraging our network, we were able to speed up the process.

To ensure a smooth exchange, we planned ahead and took proactive measures such as requesting funds early and pre-defining the contract signing process. These actions allowed us to meet the deadline without sacrificing due diligence. Most important exchange was successfully completed within the required timeframe.

An international client with a complex background sought to purchase a new build, having already paid the reservation fee. The developers legal team raised numerous questions regarding the clients Source of Funds (SoF). Given the complexity, RSL Law drafted an in-depth compliance report to address these concerns comprehensively.

With an exchange deadline of 28 days from the reservation fee payment, we navigated the complexities efficiently and ensured all legitimacies were satisfied. The contract exchange was completed on time, ensuring a smooth and successful completion of the purchase.

Overview:
Our client sought a lease extension to secure their property rights for the long term. The process involved strategic negotiations to ensure a favorable outcome.

Challenge:
The client needed to agree on a premium with the landlord to extend their lease, a critical step for their property investment.

Solution:

1. Engaged a Surveyor: We recommended the client hire a qualified surveyor to assess the property and propose a fair premium.
2. Served Section 42 Notice: We promptly drafted and delivered a Section 42 Notice to initiate the extension process.
3. Collaborative Negotiation: After receiving the landlord’s counter notice, we negotiated constructively to agree on the premium, with both surveyors ready to assist if necessary.
4. Completion and Registration: Once settled, we finalized the lease extension and registered it with the Land Registry.

Result:
The client successfully secured a lease extension at a favourable premium, strengthening their investment and providing peace of mind for the future.

Overview:
Our client aimed to establish a lease option agreement to gain future purchasing flexibility. This required careful negotiation and clear terms.

Challenge:
Negotiating a lease option agreement covering purchase price and responsibilities before completion was essential for the client.

Solution:

1. Heads of Terms Agreement: We facilitated discussions with the landlord to outline the purchase price and option fee.
2. Clarified Assignment Clause: We established whether the agreement could be assigned to a third party before completion.
3. Defined Financial Responsibilities: We determined who would handle mortgage and building insurance payments until the purchase was completed.
4. Finalisation: After drafting the agreement, we collaborated with the landlord’s solicitors to finalize it and registered a restriction at the Land Registry for protection.

Result:
The lease option agreement was successfully executed, providing the client with flexibility for future property purchases while safeguarding their interests.