Maddie Dunn

In Uddin v Uddin [2026] EWHC 150 (Ch), the High Court overturned the County Court’s previous decision on beneficial property ownership in a lengthy property dispute. The decision of the High Court is important – it confirms that an oral agreement to change beneficial interests within an established constructive trust cannot be enforced in equity unless the benefiting party can show significant detriment due to their reliance on the agreement.

Family farming disputes are fertile ground for proprietary estoppel claims. However, the High Court’s recent decision in Conway v Conway [2025] EWHC 33314 (Ch), on appeal following a first instance decision in the County Court, provides a timely reminder that, as powerful a remedy as proprietary estoppel can be it isn’t a panacea. The law remains sceptical of informal promises, particularly where they collide with statutory formalities governing land transactions.

The agricultural sector had a very busy 2025 in terms of legislation and exciting new case law, as well as in terms of policy developments and government announcements (which were addressed in more detail in part 1 of our review last week).