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The Hargrove Matter

Client: Hargrove Bistro Ltd · Sole director: Anna Hargrove · Lease: 10-year FRI commercial lease at 32 Castle Street · Landlord: Cavendish Properties Ltd · Issue: alleged misrepresentation about premises condition; significant disrepair; threatened forfeiture for withheld rent.

Legal Research

Hargrove: Researching the Set-Off Question

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Question
Analysis
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Scenario

Mark Davenport has emailed: 'The set-off question is critical. If we can plead that the damages for misrepresentation set off against rent so that no rent was actually due, that defeats the forfeiture claim entirely. Research this. I need a research note by tomorrow covering: (1) can damages for misrepresentation against a landlord be set off against rent? (2) what are the requirements for equitable set-off in this context? (3) most relevant authorities. Keep it under 800 words.' You have access to: Westlaw, LexisNexis, Practical Law, BAILII, legislation.gov.uk, Halsbury's Laws of England, the firm's precedents database.

Where should you start your research on the set-off against rent question?

Answer options for step 1