UK law firm TLT has worked with The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) to update its precedent clauses for property reports dealing with climate change risks

The Chancery Lane Project helps organisations reduce emissions using the power of legal documents and processes. They are a charity registered in the United Kingdom, working in over 110 countries.

The update was completed to reflect new guidance published by the Law Society aimed at helping conveyancers navigate climate change in property transactions.

TLT led on the revision, embedding the Law Society’s wording to ensure conveyancers can confidently meet their obligations to consider climate change in property transactions.

Given the differing requirements of mortgage lenders and the variation between residential and commercial property guidance, TLT also created a tailored residential version. The updated clauses explain why it’s important to consider the effects of climate change in relation to property, how climate searches support due diligence, and offers flexible options depending on client instructions.

Marni‚Äôs clause (for commercial property) is available here and Isabella‚Äôs clause (for residential property) is available here.

Meena Kamath, Head of Built Environment at TCLP said: ‚ÄúWe‚Äôre grateful to TLT for their support in updating our report on title clause, Marni's clause, and for creating an equivalent clause for residential property, Isabella's clause. Their expertise has been invaluable in ensuring the clause remains practical and aligned with current legal standards, whilst also helping lawyers to take a proactive role in supporting clients on climate change issues. This sort of collaboration is essential to advancing climate-conscious drafting, and to making The Chancery Lane Project clauses both trusted and impactful.‚Äù

Commenting on the project, Alexandra Holsgrove Jones, Partner, Knowledge – ESG said:

“At TLT, we know that tackling climate change requires more than good intentions, it demands action, innovation and collaboration. That’s why our partnership with The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) is so valuable. TCLP brings together legal professionals to create practical, climate-aligned contract clauses that help reduce emissions and embed sustainability into everyday legal work. By working with them, we’re not only helping to shape the future of climate-conscious drafting, we’re also ensuring that our clients and colleagues have access to tools that are aligned with the latest guidance and regulatory expectations.”

TLT has been working with TCLP for a number of years. In 2022, the firm supported on the development on an interactive contract map identifying where net-zero drafting can be used to reduce carbon emissions, developing a built environment contract solutions tools to help those in the property industry to navigate contract aligned drafting and subsequently advising on an upgrade to the tool.

TLT has also been involved in drafting and peer reviewing a number of TCLP‚Äôs clauses. Alexandra Holsgrove Jones is part of TCLP‚Äôs Climate Clauses Working Group and has spoken at a number of events about climate conscious drafting  ‚Äì most recently at Legal ESG.

For more information about TCLP, visit: https://chancerylaneproject.org/