John McLean Solicitor

22/10/2024

I'm celebrating 3 years of running my own business this October! 3 years with Nexa Law, a great platform for lawyers to run their business their way.

It's been a while since I have been active on Facebook, but with a flurry of inbox messages today on LinkedIn, I am reminded that I haven't posted on here for a while.

I'll do a proper blog post update soon. I've just been really busy doing the "doing" with lots of commercial property acquisitions, disposals, refinances and leases under my belt since the start of the year.

I'm currently trying to get three urgent deals over the line before the end of month, so don't have time for a long post today. In November I'm hoping to get a breather to sit down and do a proper blog.

Thanks to all my clients and all those who have supported me on the way, it is really appreciated.

02/01/2024

Happy New Year! I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas, and most importantly some relaxing time off.

It's the one time of year when (as a lawyer) you can really focus on family and home, and not have to think about work as you know that everyone else is off too. I've had a good 11 days off, and feeling much the better for it.

I'm still on hols for another week whilst the children are off school. I shall be getting my house in order, and doing some planning for the new year. I'll be back to work properly next week.

In the meantime, here's my January news. Wishing you health and happiness for the new year!

Commercial Property Solicitor John McLean's News For January - Commercial Property Refinancing, Legal Updates And More

06/12/2023

The Lady with the Lamp...The Bed and the Breakfast...The Covenant and the Courts.

No, it's not the cinema listing for this weekend.

It's a recent decision of the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). Interesting reading for landowners/developers seeking to modify restrictive covenants on property (yes, that's possible), or beneficiaries seeking to rely on them.

Also, if you want to stay in Florence Nightingale's childhood home, you'll be pleased to hear that you still can thanks to the Tribunal.

Check out my review of the case for some pointers.

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If you have a question about property law, drop me a DM, and we can have a (free, no obligation) chat. If you have any legal query, do the same - I can always find someone to help.

Restrictive Covenant Modification - Legal Update - Commercial Property Solicitor John McLean Reviews Recent Case Law On Modifying Covenants

01/12/2023

It's December! Lovely frosty morning today...here's hoping for some snow in the coming weeks.

Check out my December news below - lots going on!

Have a lovely run up to Christmas - tons to enjoy at this time of year - great to see my village kicking things off in style last weekend and the Christmas tree and lights are looking beautiful.

Commercial Property Solicitor John McLean's News For December - Commercial Property Work, LinkedIn Content and Website Expansion

29/11/2023

A brief intro to my “A to B” Guide - helping you take your commercial property transactions from “A” to “B” as quickly and easily as possible.

In this video I introduce Heads of Terms, what they are, and why they are important.

If you’d like to see more, please do like or follow my page.

Thanks for watching!

24/11/2023

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers".

William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 2 (1592), Act 4, Scene 2.

Happy Friday! Back to lawyer quotes. This is possibly my favourite lawyer quote of all time.

It is a call to arms from Dick the Butcher, right-hand man to Jack Cade. Jack Cade is the leader of a rebellion against King Henry, stirred up by the Duke of York.

The call to dispose of all lawyers might be read as a pithy disparagement of the legal profession. Certainly all the jokes I gathered last Friday made lawyers out to only be interested in overcharging and themselves, and this could be read in a similar vein. They are all greedy, let's get rid of them!

However, really, it is a reminder of how important lawyers are to upholding the rule of law. The quote comes after a speech by Cade as to how he will, when he is king, turn society upside down by making "seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny" and for making "the three-hooped pot...have ten hoops". He will abolish money, and make everyone wear "one livery, that they may agree like brothers, and worship me their lord". Communist dictatorship anyone?

The follow on scene makes it clear that Cade and Dick will get rid of anyone who uses writing and letters and (dare I say it), independent thought. The Clerk of Chatham is brought in and denounced for being able to read and write:

CLERK Sir, I thank God, I have been so well brought
up that I can write my name.
ALL He hath confessed. Away with him! He’s a villain
and a traitor.
CADE Away with him, I say! Hang him with his pen
and inkhorn about his neck.

Lawyers fall into the same category. They can read, write, and think. As such, they are dangerous to those who would have you follow slogans, repeat mantras and toe the line.

So I don't think Shakespeare is encouraging us to actually get rid of all the lawyers. By placing the line in the mouth of Dick the Butcher, and the surrounding context of the text, he is reminding us of how important they are.

The modern day equivalent is the trend by the government to denigrate "lefty lawyers" whenever they don't get their way on a piece of policy. The implication behind this line of reasoning is that they are a nuisance, and should be got rid of. I don't want to get into the politics of it, but just to highlight this is the same rhetorical technique that Shakespeare was demonstrating over 400 years ago.

So, whatever you think of lawyers, remember they are an important part of the thin line upholding the rule of law.

Even humble commercial property lawyers like myself are doing it, if in only small ways. I might advise a small businesses what they are giving up by accepting a "contracted out tenancy" (if you want to know that, check out my last blog post on my website). That could be the difference between that client knowing they can remain in their premises (and so run their business and feed their family) in 3 years' time, or not.

So let's perhaps not kill all the lawyers!

22/11/2023

Do your property transactions go from "A to B" in a straight line? Or do they go via C, D, E and Z?

In this regular "A to B" Series on Heads of Terms, I aim to demystify property HOT's from a legal perspective, and help speed those deals up.

This week I'm exploring contracting out of the 1954 Act, what that means, and why it's important.

I've talked about the topic before, but I think it is a super important one that many people taking on leases don't fully understand. Many will happily sign up to HOT's which state the lease is contracted out of the 1954 Act, without understanding what that actually means.

From a timing perspective it is also useful to know what the contracting out procedure entails, and to factor that into your timeline.

I aim in this regular series to educate, empower and energise your commercial property transactions!

If you want help with anything, for yourself or your clients, just drop me a DM and we can have a chat. In my view, it is never too early for solicitors to look at Heads of Terms with clients, so always happy to chat over those.

It makes the legal process easier further down line, and who doesn't want deals to be faster or cheaper?

Security Of Tenure - Commercial Property Solicitor John McLean's "A to B" Series On Heads of Terms Looks At Contracting Out Of The 1954 Act

21/11/2023

Thanks to those who took part in my little Children in Need fundraiser on Friday.

My favourite lawyer joke/quote of the day was this one:

How do you get a group of lawyers to smile for a photo? Say ‘Fees!’

My "ears" lasted the working day, and made it through a couple of meetings with new contacts. A good icebreaker, I think!

I've counted up, and gathered 11 quotes and jokes up all told across my social media platforms. As promised, my business is now making a modest donation to Children in Need off the back of that. Not massive, but every little helps. I'll target doubling that next year!

Thanks again for supporting.

Image from BBC Children in Need Campaign

17/11/2023

It's Children in Need 2023!

My children headed into school wearing their yellow tops and Pudsey ears today, and I thought I would join them!

Here I am, heading into the office after the school run. I’ve raised a few smiles on the walk to work this morning already.

I watched the DIY SOS Big Build Special last night for Treetops Hospice, and I felt I had to take part in some small way.

To incentivise me to keep my "ears" on all day (through my various Teams meetings today, swimming lessons, and this evening) I'd like to ask for your contributions. I'm not after your money, just raising awareness.

Recently, on a Friday over on LinkedIn, I've been doing a post with a famous quote about lawyers or the law. I've started on Facebook too, Today, I'm not though - I'm looking for contributions from YOU.

I'm looking for quotes and jokes about lawyers or the law (I know, I know, we're not that funny a bunch, but try your best). Please post them in the comments below.

For the first 50 different quotes or jokes I receive across my social media, my business will donate £1 to Children in Need. It's not much, but as a small business owner in the community, I'd like to do my bit.

Let's see what you've got! The best ones might make it into a future Friday post!

If you want to donate directly, of course, head over to the BBC's Children in Need page and you can make donations online.

If you are sitting in a bath of baked beans today, or painting your face yellow, have a great time raising money for worthy causes. Happy Friday!

06/11/2023

My "Father in Law" blog is back!

The semi-regular journal of this father balancing work as a Commercial Property Lawyer and family in the West Midlands.

This week it's all about balancing work and family, how being a Consultant Solicitor with Nexa Law helps me to achieve that, and my journey to get here.

Enjoy!

Commercial Property Solicitor John McLean Discusses Balancing Work And Family As A Consultant Solicitor And Parent In His Blog

03/11/2023

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge

St Luke ch.11, v.52

It's Friday, so it's a new lawyer quote. This is a little series I've been running on LinkedIn, but I think it could work on Facebook too, so here we are.

Here Jesus is criticising the Pharisees. To sustain power and privilege to themselves, they made a great mystery of the law. If something seems difficult, then you need an expert, right?

Does your lawyer give you the key of knowledge, or do they take it away?

I try to hand them over to my clients, as best I can. In one of my reviews, one of my longstanding clients said "[John] has also been able to distil complex legal points into real world options that are clearly explained and actioned."

Unfortunately, the law can be obtuse and difficult. This is particularly evident when you are reading a contract or a lease, and you don't know what the law may be implying (or taking away) from what you are reading.

Hopefully all lawyers aren't going to hell in a handcart by doing their job. But if your lawyer doesn't explain things to you clearly, then consider if they are doing their job, or merely creating their job like the Pharisees.

If you want straightforward, real world advice like my client quoted above, drop me a DM and let's have a chat.

Until next week, have a great weekend!

Photo from Pexels. Credit John-Mark Smith.

02/11/2023

What have you been putting off until you "have time"?

Mine was my newsletter.

The first one went out last month. The second one went out yesterday. It was a whole lot easier than the first (template, branding, techy bits all now set up).

I've put the link at the bottom of this post. I won't always do that, but to give you an idea. Soon, I intend to put some exclusive content in there (and maybe some exclusive offers...).

Thanks to those of you who have signed up this month. You know who you are, and your support is immensely appreciated.

When you sign up, you also get my free Ebook - a Guide to Selling a Commercial Property. Link to the sign up form below. Go on, you know you want to...

https://mailchi.mp/743ad1ddc5f3/october-2023-newsletter-john-mclean-consultant-solicitor-9188634?e=[UNIQID]

https://mcleanlegal.co.uk/ebook-and-newsletter/

Well, they say the hardest thing is starting something.  I managed to start my newsletter last month, after 2 years of procrastination on it.  I'm pleased to say Issue 2 has been a whole lot easier and quicker to prepare.  What are you putting off until "you have time", that you could be doing to...