In this report, the Law Commission makes recommendations to simplify, modernise and enhance the law of easements, covenants and profits á prendre. These rights are essential to the effective use of land and are relied upon by a significant proportion of property owners in England and Wales. Parts of the current law are ancient, contradictory and unfit for modern society. The report recommends reform where it is needed, while preserving those aspects of the law that function as they should. The recommendations would not affect the validity and enforceability of existing rights. The reforms would: make it possible for the benefit and burden of positive obligations to be enforced by and against subsequent owners; simplify and make clearer the rules relating to the acquisition of easements by prescription (or long use of land) and implication, as well as the termination of easements by abandonment; give greater flexibility to developers to establish the webs of rights and obligations that allow modern estates to function; facilitate the creation of easements that allow a substantial use of land by the benefiting owner (for example, rights to park a car); expand the jurisdiction of the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal to allow for the discharge and modification of easements and profits created post-reform.

In the second edition of this highly regarded text, the authors show how and why traditional legal language has developed the peculiar characteristics that make legal documents inaccessible to the end users. Incorporating recent research and case law, the book provides a critical examination of case law and the rules of interpretation. Detailed case studies illustrate how obtuse or outdated words, phrases and concepts can be rewritten, reworked or removed altogether. Particularly useful is the step-by-step guide to drafting in the modern style, using examples from four types of common legal documents: leases, company constitutions, wills and conveyances. Readers will gain an appreciation of the historical influences on drafting practice and the use of legal terminology. They will learn about the current moves to reform legal language, and receive clear instruction on how to make their writing clearer and their legal documents more useful.

Jointly issued by Law Commission & H.M. Land Registry