LEGAL ENGLISH: BOOK 3: Property & Private Client
Land, Estates, and Family Matters
From freehold to funeral, master the vocabulary of property transactions, wills, trusts, and family law. The complete private client toolkit.
WHAT'S INSIDE
Chapter 1: Real Property & Conveyancing
Freehold, leasehold, easement, covenant, completion, exchange, title, Land Registry...
Chapter 2: Landlord & Tenant
Lease, rent, forfeiture, dilapidations, break clause, service charge, quiet enjoyment...
Chapter 3: Wills & Probate
Testator, executor, beneficiary, probate, intestacy, codicil, attestation, legacy...
Chapter 4: Trusts & Estates
Trust, trustee, settlor, beneficiary, discretionary trust, bare trust, life interest...
Chapter 5: Family Law
Divorce, decree absolute, ancillary relief, custody, maintenance, prenuptial, cohabitation...
Chapter 6: Tax & Estate Planning
Inheritance tax, nil-rate band, potentially exempt transfer, taper relief, domicile...
STRONG POINTS
✓ IPA Pronunciation — Confidence with clients
✓ Dual Examples — Contract clauses + plain explanations
✓ UK/US Differences — Conveyancing vs closing
✓ Common Mistakes — Precision in deeds and wills
✓ Usage Notes — Land Registry language that works
✓ Plain English — Explain complex estates simply
WHO NEEDS THIS
- Conveyancing solicitors
- Property lawyers
- Private client practitioners
- Probate specialists
- Family lawyers
- Trust administrators
- Estate planners
- Wealth advisors
SAMPLE ENTRY
freehold /ˈfriːhəʊld/ (noun/adjective)
Definition: Absolute ownership of land and buildings for an unlimited period.
Formal: The property is held freehold and registered at HM Land Registry with title absolute.
Practical: Freehold means you own the property outright—the land and building are yours forever, no landlord, no ground rent.
Usage: Key collocations: freehold property, freehold title, freehold estate. Contrast with leasehold.
UK vs US: UK: Freehold | US: Fee simple absolute (same concept, different terminology)
Common mistake: ❌ "I bought a freehold" ✓ "I bought a freehold property" / "I bought the freehold"
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