Q&As

Can a pre-emption agreement of a beneficial interest in property be enforceable?

Produced in partnership with Chris Bryden of 4 King’s Bench Walk

Published on: 02 July 2024

A pre-emption agreement is a right to purchase something (usually land or shares) before the asset is sold to a third party. The right is contractual and is conditional upon a contemplated sale—if the owner of the asset chooses not to sell, the pre-emption right does not arise. In respect of land a right of pre-emption in respect of a legal estate can be (and should

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Chris Bryden

Barrister, 4 King’s Bench Walk

Chris was called to the Bar in 2003 and since that time has built a busy practice across a range of areas, with an emphasis on Chancery practice. He enjoys a well-deserved reputation for his knowledge and expertise in each area. He appears regularly in the County Court, Family Court and the High Court as well as various specialist Tribunals, and has been involved in cases up to and including the Supreme Court. He regularly is instructed at Appellate level. He has extensive and wide-ranging experience particularly in the areas of wills, probate and inheritance disputes; property including adverse possession, boundary disputes and issues arising out of trusts of land; company and commercial work and financial remedies. Chris is head of the Family Group and head of the Property Team at 4KBW.

Chris is the author of numerous articles in publications such as the New Law Journal, Counsel and Family Law, amongst many other titles, and is the co-author of Social Media in the Workplace: A Handbook (2015, Jordan Publishing).