Bella Preece awarded first prize in the PLA's Alan Langleben Memorial Blog Competition 2025

To celebrate its 30th birthday, the Property Litigation Association (PLA) posed its 1,700+ members the challenge of answering the following question in up to 500 words for its 2025 blog competition.

"The PLA celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The world of property litigation has changed hugely during that time but if you could pick one legal development (whether case law, legislation or something else) from the last 30 years which has most impacted property law, what would it be and why?"

Bella Preece, Associate in our Real Estate Disputes team, was awarded first prize for her submission.

Read her full blog below.

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“I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation,” said the Land Registration Act 2002. “I mean, I entirely modernised title registration, limited overriding interests and fundamentally restructured adverse possession for registered land.”

TOLATA 1996 sighed. “So, just because your work has resulted in fewer successful adverse possession claims, you think you’re the most significant legal development in property law? Unbelievable.”

“As if you have a leg to stand on,” retorted LRA.

“Thanks to me, there is now a platform for cohabitation disputes, making everyone’s life easier,” TOLATA quipped.

“Too right!” exclaimed Stack v Dowden.

“Well, not exactly—” began LRA, when another interjected.

“You’re all forgetting about me,” chimed in the Human Rights Act 1998. “I am an act of the people! I am indisputably significant to all.”

“We’re not arguing with that, HRA, but this debate is about property law.” The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 had been holding her tongue until now. “Ok, you may have introduced Articles 8 and A1P1 into the possession sphere, but the bottom line is that, where proper process is followed, arrears are significant or persistent anti-social behaviour is proven, courts generally find eviction proportionate anyway. So in reality, how much impact did you have?” HRA sat back down, looking sheepish.

“What about me, CLRA 2002? Right to manage, enfranchisement: I’m a treasure trove—"

“You’ve had some impact, but don’t flatter yourself,” replied S Franses.

The table shook as another member stood up, all 18 metres of him.

“Ah, look who it is, the Building Safety Act 2022. Please refer to the footnotes for the definitions of ‘Building’, ‘Safety’ and ‘Act’. I wondered when we’d be hearing from you,” said the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, drily.

“I deserve the floor as much as anyone,” BSA hissed. “I make buildings inherently safer. What is more important than that?”

“Buildings safer but practitioners’ work more…” RRA trailed off, provocatively. “Well, I am kind of a big deal; literally no one can stop talking about me right now,” remarked RRA sassily. “I am the most significant thing to happen to the private rented sector in over 30 years.” Fearn v Tate rolled his eyes.

“Guys! Can’t we just all agree that we have each had a part in changing the landscape of property law? And don’t be so naïve to think that in another 30 years’ time we’ll all still be so important; some of us will be obsolete, repealed, cast aside. Well, some of us.” Silence.

“I am clearly the front-runner here. I am pervasive. I shape property disputes. I tell everyone what to do, when to do it, and how to do it (usually). You want to settle? Go to trial? Get expert evidence? Enforce your possession order? I can help you. I’m so versatile. Name a more iconic development. I’ll wait…”

The Civil Procedure Rules dropped the mic and the room fell silent. Then, applause. Not everyone at first, but slowly, each member stood up, nodding and cheering in agreement.

Read more about the competition and the top-performing pieces in Estates Gazette here (page 32 - subscription required).