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Examines the question of liability for rates on empty premises in the light of an increasing number of property vacancies in the United Kingdom. Discusses the general principle of rate liability, classes of property liable to empty rates, ownership, mortgagee′s right to possession, avoiding liability, liquidation, and minimizing the empty rate. Concludes that the potentially onerous liability of empty rate has to be weighed against the loss of control by the mortgagee, for example, through a receiver.

Despite the increasingly sophisticated fire precautions required by legislation, and a heightened public awareness of its dangers, fire remains one of the main causes of death and serious injury in the community. Since the majority of these accidents occur in the home, fire service information concentrates very much on the domestic aspect of fire.

Before 1948, a landowner could, in broad terms, do as he pleased with his land and buildings. Obviously where land was leased, the lessee could only act within the covenants contained in his lease or, where there were no covenants, within the bounds of the law of waste. Admittedly, even before 1948 there were such matters as building control and building regulations, but compared to the town and country planning regime, the limitations imposed by these were comparatively minor.

Shows that rent review clauses offer a great deal of scope for interpretation. Discusses the basic terms associated with rent review clauses. Reviews recent cases taken to the Court of Appeal and the court′s decisions. Concludes that the landlord usually benefits from the strict literal interpretation, but with a swing towards a more liberal reading of the document the tenant can often benefit.

Assesses the implications of the Uniform Business Rate (UBR) on rent review. Summarises the phasing provisions, entitlement to phasing‐in and phasing and examines the legal issues surrounding the new commercial lease rate.

Considers the likely effects of EMU and the introduction of the euro on the “fragmented” European banking industry. Recognizes that transition to the euro will be expensive in terms of equipment, training, customer care etc.; and that some new products and services will be demanded (e.g. cross‐border cash management systems, euro‐denominated bonds etc.) while others will decline (e.g. foreign exchange hedging, commercial loans etc.). Refers to US experience to identify growth opportunities and discusses the current and future impact of increased competitition in the new market; and strategies for surviving it.

Reflecting on recent questions concerning the meaning and implications of food “re-localization”, in this chapter we utilize the concept of “embeddedness” as an analytical tool to deepen and broaden the investigation of the relationships between food and territory. After pointing to some limitations inherent in the conventional use of the concept of the embeddedness, in the first part of the chapter we suggest a more holistic approach that takes into consideration its implications in the wider political, natural and socio-economic environments in which food networks develop and operate. In the second part of the chapter, we apply this holistic approach to the analysis of three alternative food networks in the South West of England: Cornish clotted cream, Steve Turton meats and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese. By focusing on the different dimensions of the territorial embeddedness of these networks, we attempt to show that their real distinctiveness comes from their variable ability to reconfigure (“re-localize”) the time-space and the spatial relations around them. Through this actively constructed process of re-localization, we argue, alternative food networks in the South West are signalling the emergence of a new agrarian eco-economy that is vertically (i.e., politically and institutionally) disembedded and horizontally (i.e., spatially and ecologically) embedded. As we discuss in the conclusions, this further complicates the competitive relationships between the alternative and the conventional food sectors, while also providing new insights into the likely sustainability of these networks and their contribution to rural development.

Participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) have been increasingly employed for decision-making in planning, environmental conservation, zoning, and development. This research explores the use of PGIS and its significant role for environmental zoning plans (EZP). PGIS methodology intends to incorporate local knowledge, increase data access, multiple realities, and bottom-up decision-making in EZP in a very sensitive water body in Southern Sri Lanka.

This research presents the lessons learned from a case study of Madu Ganga estuary in Galle District, Sri Lanka. Madu Ganga is an extraordinarily stretch of water body (an estuary) with abundant natural resources and beauty. In recent years, Madu Ganga has faced serious environmental threats due to increase in human activities leading to overexploitation of natural resources. To protect and manage this valuable environment, a team of geographers from the Center for Environmental Studies, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka was invited by the Coastal Resource Management Project to undertake the zoning study. Various participatory methods including PGIS applications were adopted and affected communities were also involved in developing a zoning plan. The study illustrates that the use of PGIS approach is effective in incorporating local people into environmental planning, and it also supports affected people to be actively involved in development activities in their own communities.

To discuss and analyze the facts and circumstances of the October 11, 2019 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York temporary restraining order halting the distribution of cryptocurrency tokens in SEC v. Telegram Group Inc.

Provides an overview of the case, an analysis of the Court’s ruling, details on the final resolutions, and some key takeaways.

Given the lack of judicial precedent in this area, as well as the size and profile of the Telegram project, the Telegram case was closely watched by blockchain industry participants and represents a significant development for this emerging market. The Telegram court’s approach, if broadly adopted, could prove very challenging for those attempting to launch decentralized networks involving blockchain-based tokens.

The Telegram case represents just one court’s view and is based on a very fact-specific inquiry. However, given the Court’s apparent deference to the SEC’s positions on the facts at hand, and the lack of judicial precedent in this area, the blockchain industry should pay close attention to this decision.

Expert guidance from lawyers with extensive experience in blockchain technologies, digital currencies, securities offerings and litigation, investment funds and financial services.