Blog
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HMRC Announces Updated Approach to Clearance Process and Timeline for IHT100 forms
In its recent Trusts and Estates Newsletter for April 2022, HMRC announced some changes to the processing of IHT100 forms, which changes the timelines for when those who have submitted...
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Landlords’ Options For Dealing With Insolvent Tenants
For landlords, insolvent tenants can be a huge problem. Not only are they likely to be unable to pay their rent, but the time and cost involved in removing tenants...
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Do I Need Planning Permission to Make Changes to my Garden?
With summer just around the corner, many people are planning to make changes to their gardens. Some changes might be extensive, including decking, a garden office, fences or a total...
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The after-effects of the fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017 continue to emphasise the need for anyone thinking of buying a flat with cladding to investigate its fire safety....
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How Will the Family Court Treat my Debts in Financial Remedies Proceedings?
Upon divorce, fair division of the financial assets can provoke dispute, leading to financial remedies proceedings in the Family Court. Unfortunately, running two separate households is often much more expensive...
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Holiday Pay and Workers’ Rights
Workers’ rights to holiday pay are set out in Regulation 14 of the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR). Workers have a right to a minimum of four weeks’ paid holiday...
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Will the Family Court Recognise my Parental ‘Rights’?
The court presumes that any parent plays an important role in a child’s life. However, the Family Court prefers to talk in terms of parental ‘responsibilities’ rather than parental ‘rights’....
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How Family Business Can Avoid Family Feuds
Family businesses can be challenging to manage as the boundaries between personal and professional relationships become blurred. Michael Budd, Partner and Head of Company Commercial, explains that having the right...
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Although not harmful to humans, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a real thug. Homeowners and buyers need to be aware of this perennial weed, what it looks like, and how...
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World Intellectual Property Day – 5 key steps to protect your intellectual property
World Intellectual Property Day 2022 will be marked on 26th April and is designed to raise awareness about protecting the various types of intellectual property. Each year usually focuses on...
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Worker Status: employee or self employed?
We have seen many worker status cases over the last few years. The majority stem from the gig economy, with many cases finding that an individual described in contractual documents...
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New No Fault Divorce Law Goes Live
From the 6 April 2022 it will no longer be necessary for one party to blame the other for the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership with the...
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What Do I Do If My Ex-partner is Lying to The Family Court?
Unfortunately, it is all too common for untrue claims to be made in the Family Court. Where there is a dispute of fact, the first question for the court is...
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Having Open Workplace Conversations About Menopause
Employers must review how they support women of menopausal age as growing numbers of women take employers to court, citing their menopause as the reason for unfair dismissal or sex discrimination.
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How do I Challenge Evidence in Child Arrangements Proceedings?
What evidence will be considered by the court? The following are the most common types of evidence considered by the court in private children cases: Witness statements A report from...
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What to do about Toxic Business Debt
More than half of small businesses in the UK are loaded with debt that they may struggle to repay over the next 12 months – commonly referred to as toxic...
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Deferred Payment Agreement and Care Home Fees
What is a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA)? A Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) is an agreement between you and your local authority that you will agree to a charge being placed...
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Share Acquisitions Versus Business Acquisitions
A business sale or acquisition is likely to be a one-off or rare event for the owners. When buying or selling a company or its assets, the owners and the...
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The Importance of Reviewing your Will
The recent decision in the case of the Skillett v Skillett demonstrates the importance of reviewing your will on a regular basis. In 2011, the late Charles Skillett divided his...
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Why Employers Should be Aware of Discrimination Legislation
Richard Gvero, Joint Senior Partner and Head of Employment, answers some basic questions about discrimination legislation and pandemic related issues. What is the discrimination legislation which applies to employment? As...
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Are Ground Rents a Thing of The Past?
The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 received Royal Assent on 8 February 2022, effectively outlawing ground rents in residential leases in England and Wales once the legislation comes into...
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What Happens When a Right to Manage Company Takes Over the Management of a Building?
I look at the recent case of FirstPort vs Settlers Court Ruling and what it means for Right to Manage companies When a Right to Manage company takes over the...
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Rewilding – the shape of things to come?
Rewilding has been in the news recently for two main reasons. The first reason being because Ed Sheeran announced that he wanted to buy up land and rewild it in...
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Back to Work: keeping the workplace Covid-safe
The annual report from the Health and Safety Executive is a reminder to employers to ensure health and safety continues to take account of the risk of Covid-19 transmission and the impact on mental health.
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Mistakes to Avoid When Negotiating a Separation Agreement
A separation agreement is a document that sets out the terms of your separation, addressing matters such as those listed above. However, negotiating a separation agreement can be challenging, particularly...
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National Security and Investment Act 2021
What is the National Security and Investment Act? The National Security and Investment Act 2021 (the Act) is a new UK law that came into force on 4 January 2022....
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Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney for Business Owners
Charles Fraser H answers some typical questions about Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney for business owners. Including, if you need a will, leaving assets to a business or giving them to a spouse or child, running payroll and finally shareholder agreement.
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Changes to Inheritance Tax Reporting
From the start of 2022, HM Revenue & Customs have changed their requirements for reporting the value of what is known as an “Excepted Estate”. Before we look at the...
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The Importance Of Commercial Confidentiality
Breach of confidence has been in the headlines with the recent case brought by the Duchess of Sussex against the press for making use of a private letter she had written to her father, but it is equally valuable in preventing misuse of intellectual property by commercial competitors.
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Mandatory Arbitration Process Unveiled for Commercial Rent Arrears
The Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill will set out a mandatory arbitration process for unpaid rent arrears relating to the pandemic, with a code of conduct prefacing in place in the meantime.
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When Should Child Contact be Supervised?
What is supervised contact? In proceedings relating to child arrangements the welfare of the child must be the court’s paramount consideration. It is presumed that a relationship with each parent...
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Will The Family Court Order My Opponent To Pay My Legal Costs?
In private family proceedings it is usual for each party to pay their own legal costs. Private family proceedings are disputes between two individuals, usually divorcing spouses or separating parents....
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What Support Can The Family Court Order To Promote Contact Arrangements?
There are a variety of ways in which the Family Court can support contact arrangements between a child and a parent. Orders will , if necessary be made on the...
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What Happens To My Pension On Divorce?
When you divorce, you usually need to divide the financial assets shared between you. Sometimes, this will be a straightforward process which you can agree on. Unfortunately, in other cases,...
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Accessing Medical Records and Lasting Powers of Attorney
This article covers the changes to the Office of the Public Guardian and what they mean for assessing medical records and lasting powers of attorney.
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How Does Having Children Impact Divorce Financial Remedies Proceedings?
When a couple divorces, they must decide how to divide their financial assets. If they are not able to agree this division between themselves, Family Court input may be required.
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How to Deal With a Boundary Dispute
Most people assume that the boundary of their land or property ends at their fence, hedge or wall, but this is not necessarily the case. Boundaries are invisible and, to...
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What Happens If My Ex-partner Ignores An Order Made By The Family Court?
At the end of family court proceedings, a final order will be made by the court. This order may reflect agreement reached between the parties, known as a “consent order”,...
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Since the summer, the government has been encouraging workers to return to the office, although at the time of writing this article it remains to be seen whether the Omicron...
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The COVID-19 pandemic hit businesses hard, but retailers have faced one of the hardest recoveries. Nearly two years on from the first lockdown, which forced many businesses into financial difficulty...
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What Is the Definition of a Worker?
There have been a number of gig economy cases examining whether individuals satisfy the definition of ‘worker’ under s230(3)(b) of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The latest case in front...
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Force Majeure Clauses in Commercial Contracts – how do they work and when do they apply?
The basic concept of a commercial contract is a simple one: two parties agree to perform certain obligations which are enforceable. Failure to perform the contract results in a breach...
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Who Owns the IP to AI Created Works?
From Ada Lovelace to Alan Turing, the UK has long been a trailblazer in the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI). Nowadays, people interact with AI on a daily...
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Parental alienation is a hotly contested concept which is frequently raised in Family Court proceedings concerning child arrangements. In summary, it refers to one parent encouraging a child to hold...
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Making Flexible Working the Default?
The government has published a consultation document – Making flexible working the default – which proposes various changes to the existing rights for employees to request flexible working. This consultation...
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Talk Money Week: talking to your family about your wishes for the future
Nobody likes to think about a time when they are no longer around and talking to loved ones about what you would like to happen after you pass away may...
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Court Hearings In Family Cases: what is ‘the new normal’?
The format of court hearings changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast majority of court hearings began to be held remotely. This means that they are held via...
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Protecting Your Child If They Become Physically or Mentally Vulnerable
Victoria Wood of Longmores Solicitors in Hertford outlines five ways a solicitor can help protect a child if they will be physically or mentally unable to look after themselves in adulthood.
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Home Security Devices and Privacy: a 21st century problem
Longmores recently acted for the successful claimant in the ‘Ring Doorbell’ court case, obtaining injunctions and damages against her neighbour.
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Could Lasting Powers of Attorney Go Digital?
A more straightforward digital system to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) could come into play, but experts say that it is vital that sufficient safeguards are in...
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When it comes to starting a business, one of the most challenging but interesting tasks you must carry out is finding the right name. However, many people do not realise that there are restrictions on what you can name your business.
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Notice Periods Revert for Residential Landlords Seeking Possession
Residential landlords will be able to seek possession on pre-pandemic notice periods from 1 October 2021, but need to keep alert to changes as economic or public health challenges may see timelines extended once again to protect tenants.
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Does the Court Consider Bad Behaviour in Family Finance Proceedings?
A case recently hit the headlines about a husband found guilty in the Criminal Court of controlling and coercive behaviour during divorce proceedings. The behaviour included setting rules that his...
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In a startling U turn on government policy, four years after abandoning their cap on care costs, the Prime Minister has announced “from October 2023 no one starting care will...
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What is the Domestic Abuse Act 2021?
Unfortunately, allegations of domestic abuse are common in family proceedings. Any such allegations should be taken seriously, particularly in cases concerning children. The new Domestic Abuse Act 2021 provides further...
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Possession Proceedings: not over yet
Residential tenancies and possession proceedings On 8 September 2021, the Government laid before parliament the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Residential Tenancies and Notices) (Amendment and Suspension) (England) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/994)...
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Rural Land Sales – the growth of ‘lifestyle’ buyers
The farming sector is facing some challenges at the moment, and in particular the planned phase out of the Basic Payment Scheme is causing some farmers to consider options including...
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What Are Covid Clauses and Will They Become Standard in New Leases?
Government restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 have resulted in many tenants being unable to utilise their premises while remaining liable to pay rent. This is an unprecedented situation....
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Are the UK’s Unloved Shopping Centres Ripe for Redevelopment?
The shift to online shopping was placing a growing strain on bricks and mortar retailers even before the pandemic hit and most of them were forced to shut their doors...
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Deposits for Shared Houses – landlords beware the dangers of tenant ‘churn’
A recurring issue for landlords renting residential properties to multiple unrelated tenants is what happens when one tenant wants to leave but the rest want to stay? A common solution...
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Could My Health Impact My Divorce Settlement?
Is health considered in financial remedies proceedings? Among divorcing couples, it is not unusual for one party to have a disability or health problem. A difficult but common question on...
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Inheritance Tax and Gifting Explained
As part of inheritance tax planning, or simply as part of passing on wealth to the next generation, you may consider gifting money or property to family or friends. However,...
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Lease Q and A: landlords and tenants
The implications of COVID-19 on commercial property continue to evolve. Helen Bunting, Associate Solicitor Specialising in Commercial Property, answers some common lease questions still faced by both landlords and tenants....
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Inheritance Tax on the Increase
At the end of July HM Revenue & Customs and the Office of National Statistics released the latest information about the amount of Inheritance Tax (IHT) received in the tax...
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How Does the Family Court Approach Controlling Behaviour?
Following a Court of Appeal judgment earlier this year on the topic, there has been an increase in allegations of controlling behaviour in family proceedings. But what is controlling behaviour?...
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Can You Make a Lasting Power of Attorney Online?
It is possible to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) online, but whether you should is an entirely different matter. The process of making a LPA seems straightforward, but...
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Should I Use a Solicitor to Write My Will?
If you are thinking about writing a Will, you may have considered doing it yourself. There are many templates and tools available online, along with vast amounts of information about...
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The Aftermath of the SDLT Holiday for the Residential Property Market
The recent Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday ended on 30 June 2021, with a tapered decrease in the threshold below which no Stamp Duty needs to be paid on property purchases. On 8...
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Are Turnover Rents a Good Option for Commercial Buildings?
Turnover-based rents have been prevalent in the retail and restaurant sector for many years. However, there is increasing interest in the concept, in large part driven by the impact of...
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Commercial Tenancy Forfeiture Moratorium Extended – a guide for landlords
The UK government has announced another extension to the moratorium on forfeiture of commercial tenancies for non-payment of rent. The moratorium will now last until 25 March 2022, having previously been due...
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What If My Partner Objects to Our Child Receiving the Covid-19 Vaccine?
With the COVID-19 vaccine being quickly rolled out across the UK, there are concerns among some about the long-term impact and side effects of the vaccine. As a result, some...
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Who Owns the Copyright? It’s not always as obvious as you might think
Copyright is a very important and commonly misunderstood form of legal protection for different types of creative works. Whether you are a creator of works eligible for copyright or have...
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Search Orders – an introduction
What is a search order? Search orders are a powerful tool that may be used when you suspect your business has been a victim of fraud or another crime, such...
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One issue facing any company is how to retain existing employees and how to keep them motivated. It is great to find someone who has the right skills, drive and...
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What Are a Director’s Duties to a Company?
The duties being discussed in this article concern directors’ general duties and the company of which they are a director. There are numerous additional specific duties of directors contained throughout...
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Should Employers Be Allowed to Fire and Rehire?
Should employers be allowed to fire and rehire? In economically hard times, or when a business is restructuring, the ability to change employment terms can be an essential tool. The...
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No Fault Divorce Delayed until April 2022
It’s official – the introduction of no fault divorce to England and Wales has been delayed until April 2022, a government minister has confirmed. Originally, the government had said that...
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Get to know the Longmores Property team
Downton Abbey or a Disney castle – can you guess who in the Longmores Property team would pick these as their dream homes? The property market has been riding the...
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How Unspent Income from Lockdown Could Cut Future Tax Bills
Unspent income from lockdown means those with spare money have an opportunity to make the most of inheritance tax reliefs on gifts.
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Wishing my Will would do the right thing
So, you have decided that it is time to prepare your Will. However, there are still many life events that could arise which could lead to you needing to change...
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Mental Health: protection through Lasting Power of Attorney
As Mental Health Awareness Week draws to a close, the Older and Vulnerable Client team at Longmores have been considering how to support clients and enhance their mental health. Traditionally...
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We are currently seeing an increasing amount of land being sold subject to overage. Victoria Sandberg, Partner and Head of Rural Land answers some key questions about this complex agreement....
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Getting Your Rural Land Ready for a Sale – a COVID Update
This time last year, we had just cancelled our annual rural land seminar that was due to take place at Knebworth House. At that time, we were hoping this was...
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Coping with Lockdown Lifting and Support for the Vulnerable
Living under lockdown has been nothing short of an endurance test for many as we have been forced to stay inside and reduce social contact. We have longed for the...
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The 5 Most Commonly Asked Questions about IP
1. How do I protect my ideas? It is extremely difficult to prevent someone from copying an idea or a concept – unless you protect certain aspects of it in...
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Protecting Family Businesses: what every shareholder needs to know
Michael Budd, Partner and Head of Company Commercial, answers the key questions that every shareholder of a family owned and run company should know.
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How to Get the Balance Right for Investors and Shareholders
One issue we often face is when a company has identified an investor but the existing shareholders agree excessively generous terms with the investor resulting in those shareholders giving away...
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Estate Planning: why cohabiting couples should consider it
Millions of couples across the UK are choosing to forego marriage and live as cohabitees. However, without proper estate planning, they could be putting their finances at risk. Unlike their...
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Health and Safety Dismissal in Covid Times
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, employers have had to grapple with the health and safety risks to employees and customers. Jobs where employees have contact with the public are particularly exposing...
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How to Document an Investment in a Company
Attracting the right investors is often critical to the success of a company, both when starting up and during growth and development. Any investment you bring in will need to...
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GDPR Transitional Arrangements
Under the terms of the post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU, data can continue to flow freely between the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA) until...
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The Process of Selling Shares in a Company
There are various reasons for selling shares in a company, including to raise additional investment, realise the value of your investment or transfer ownership to someone else. There are different...
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The Importance of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)
Kate Garraway’s heart-breaking story of her husband Derek’s year-long battle with Covid has been made even more complicated by the lack of legal protection she and Derek had in place....
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New Law could Ban Blanket No Pet Policies
‘No pets’. Just those two tiny words in a tenancy or long lease can cause so much heartache for people across England and Wales. But this could soon change. A...
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Repurposing Retail Space – is this a golden opportunity for property investors?
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK had more retail space than it needed. Now with a huge rise in buying online during the pandemic and a number of high...
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Family Charters – what are they and is it worth making one for your family business?
A family charter is a document used to record agreements made between family members, usually in relation to how a family business is to be run. Family charters are not...
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Forthcoming Changes to EU Websites
UK businesses who have or intend to operate an EU website ending with the domain .eu should be warned. Now that the UK is no longer part of the EU,...
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Do I Need a Cohabitation Agreement?
With more and more couples choosing to live together before they get married or indeed, choosing not to get married, it is important to consider what rights and protections you...
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Succession Planning for your Farming Estate
Succession planning is an essential part of running a family farm business. Effectively planning for the future allows you to protect your assets, safeguard your business, ensure continuity and provide...
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With the coronavirus vaccination programme well underway in the UK, many employers are considering what vaccination might mean for their business. Some companies are announcing that they will dismiss or...
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Proposed Implementation of Cap on Lifetime Care Costs
Care costs are the latest aspect of social care to be put under the spotlight with the publishing of the government’s Health and Social Care Committee report on Adult Social...
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Brexit and Intellectual Property Disputes: key changes
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. The withdrawal agreement included a transition period to allow time to adjust to the differences in the legal regimes that would...
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Every Company Director Needs to Know This (Director’s Duties Part 1)
There are many reasons that entrepreneurs become company director: potential tax advantages, limited liability, and perceived prestige may be some reasons. Or it may be because other similar businesses have...
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Planning a Romantic Valentine’s Day Proposal? Think pre-nup
If you are planning on making a marriage proposal this Valentine's then you also need to be thinking about another proposal – a pre-nup.
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Recent updates have been made to the furlough scheme guidance. Richard Gvero discusses how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme can help those who care for others. The government has updated...
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Getting Physical with the Digital
As the shift towards digital increases, the value of our online lives is becoming immeasurable. Yet few people are recording or protecting their digital assets, Bernard Flanagan discusses how you...
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Supporting Older and Vulnerable Clients Through the Pandemic
The first month of 2021 may have brought another lockdown, but this time, it is accompanied by the good news that the COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out across the...
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Pandemic Insurance Claims Set For Settlement Following Ruling
As coronavirus continues its freeze on normal life, with strict lockdown measures back in place, many businesses will have breathed a sigh of relief following a Supreme Court ruling (on...
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The Return of Turnover Rent Leases: can market risk be shared between landlords and tenants?
The landlord and tenant relationship is under immense pressure. They both face a rapidly changing economy and a cultural earthquake of how commercial property is utilised. The risk of vacant...
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Probate, Estate Administration and Beyond: 5 reasons why you should use the solicitor
Until fairly recently, if you needed to deal with the administration of an estate following somebody’s death, there were two basic choices; you could deal with it yourself or you...
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Should I Continue With My Lease Extension?
The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced earlier this month that the government will proceed with the reform of the leasehold housing sector by implementing the recommendations of the Law Commission’s...
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Why Sellers Should Get Involved In The Business Sales Process
Michael Budd, Partner and Head of Company Commercial, explains why sellers should get involved in the transaction process and that you cannot leave it all to the lawyers. How can...
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Different Resolutions For a Different New Year?
Richard Horwood considers, that in this ever changing time of uncertainty, even our New Year resolutions will be different. January 2021 is upon us. The third national lockdown has been...
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Possession Proceedings: here we go again
It is impossible to say when the last of these updates on the changes to possession rules will be. Our last one wasn’t and this one won’t be. This one...
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Restrictive Covenants: Consideration by the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has considered the Upper Tribunal’s power to discharge or modify restrictive covenants affecting land under section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925. The Supreme Court’s...
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Possession Proceedings: the end of year roundup
After numerous updates throughout the year on how rules under the Coronavirus Act 2020 have affected possession proceedings, this latest roundup will take us through to the end of the...
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Can I Get a Divorce From My Business Partnership?
Not all relationships work out, whether personal or in business. Not all business partners plan for a long-term arrangement: they may expect that their business will be sold to someone...
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Is Your Business Ready for Trading Post Brexit?
Brexit has been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic this year, but as 2021 draws closer, it is vital for businesses to be prepared for the changes that will arrive at...
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5 Steps to Selling Your Business: How sellers can influence the sale
During Covid-19 when selling your business the bargaining position of buyers and sellers has shifted from pro-sellers to pro-buyers.
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Religion and Belief: Employment Article About Higgs v Farmor’s School
An individual is protected from discrimination based on their religion or belief. A philosophical belief can be protected if: it is genuinely held; it is a belief not just an...
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Not All Disabilities Are Visible
Not all Disabilities are Visible is this year’s theme for The International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
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Should I Stay or Should I Go? Will Leaving the Family Home Affect my Claim?
Family lawyers are regularly asked if moving out of the family home will affect how the court deals with the property when parties divorce.
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Christmas, Coronavirus and Separation: what are the rules around taking children away from home?
For many parents, the issue of spending time with children at Christmas can be tense. Both parents want to spend Christmas day with their loved ones and their children, but...
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Income and Capital Gains Tax and Estates: A Short Reminder
A recent report commissioned by the Government has recommended that the Chancellor overhauls Capital Gains Tax for individuals and what this will bring is the subject of much speculation. Whilst...
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World Children’s Day: Protecting My Children For The Future
20 November is World Children’s Day, traditionally celebrated each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. It highlights the responsibilities we, as adults, bear...
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How To Buy Your House Before The Stamp Duty Holiday Deadline
This article, by Chris Pease, Head of Residential Conveyancing, discusses how the stamp duty holiday has affected the housing market and what you can do to ensure you take advantage...
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British Airways and Marriott Fined for Data Breaches
This article by Rina Sond looks at how significant GDPR rules and data breaches can affect global organisations. British Airways The ICO has fined British Airways £20m for a lack...
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Can a Commercial Lease Be Terminated Before the End of the Term?
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on almost every business in the UK. For many businesses, it means they no longer require their business premises, or can no longer afford...
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Child Contact Conundrums During the Covid Pandemic
The family law landscape is becoming ever more confusing with parents (and even Boris Johnson), seeming to be unsure whether continuing child contact arrangements in accordance with a court order...
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The Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) launched an investigation into four of the UK’s biggest house builders, Barrett, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Countryside Properties following undercovering evidence that leasehold flats...
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Proprietary Estoppel: Case Update
Proprietary estoppel allows the court to remedy behaviour that it considers is unfair, or unjust. In order to bring a claim based on proprietary estoppel, there has to be: a...
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Selling a Business: Legal Matters Q&A
Michael Budd answers the typical questions that owners have when they are considering selling a business. Should I sell the shares in my business or the assets? There are two...
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Possession Proceedings: where are we now?
Since March 2020 we have been reporting on the frequently changing rules on obtaining possession of property. It’s been something of a roller coaster for observers of this area of...
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The Treasury has issued a direction which confirms the eligibility criteria for the Job Retention Bonus. This is very much as anticipated and I set out the main details below:...
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10 October is World Mental Health Day. Whilst one in four of us will experience issues relating to mental health, it is not a subject that is easy to raise...
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Time To Review Your Tax Planning?
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that there will not be a Budget this Autumn. There had been a lot of speculation about what may, or may not, have...
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How the Court Approaches Interim Maintenance During Divorce Proceedings
The court is regularly asked to consider the needs of parties in the short term before divorce proceedings are finalised. It is always key to consider the financial position you...
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Contract Terms To Help Your Business Get Paid
In order to survive in business, it is vital to get your customers to pay you, and this is even more critical during a recession. In this blog, Rina Sond...
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Forceful Parenting: do I have to force my child to go to contact with the other parent?
One of the most common questions we are asked is whether, if a child does not want to have contact with a parent, you have to “force them.” Whilst in...
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As the world celebrated Fight Procrastination Day on 6th September, I took time to reflect on the impact of clients delaying giving clear instructions. The most common areas that clients...
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The re-opening of the housing market by the government in May, and then the stamp duty holiday announced at the start of July has, by all accounts, helped to ‘rescue’...
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Legal Matters Q&A: Commercial Leases
In these difficult times, many tenants will be considering ways of being released from their obligations under the lease or asking their landlords for a form of rent concession. Rachael...
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Lights, Camera, Action… signing a will goes live
Experts are warning against self-directed videos following the announcement by the Government that legislation is to be introduced in September to allow signing a will remotely using a live video...
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Checking All Your Ts and Cs Match Up to the New Normal
Companies should prioritise risk management in their approach to business and review their third-party relationships and contracts as the coronavirus pandemic continues. While the degree of disruption to supplies and...
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Businesses Need To Be Paid – even during a pandemic
No matter how big or small your business is, managing cash flow can be challenging. That is even more so during a period of uncertainty like the one we are...
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(Yet Another) Update on Possession Proceedings
As we have previously reported, no claims by landlords for possession of their properties against tenants have been able to proceed through the courts since 27 March 2020. After two...
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Dealing With an Estate As an Executor During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Adjusting to the challenges caused by coronavirus has been difficult for all of us. However, for those dealing with the death of a loved one, the onerous obligations placed on...
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Have Courts Fallen Out of Love With the Expert Witness?
This year has seen some extraordinary court decisions about expert witnesses. Courts rely heavily on experts and, in the past, courts have always been deferential towards them. Even when they...
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New Protection for Innovators: Digital Fingerprinting
A new online digital fingerprinting service has been launched to help protect designs and innovations from copycat misuse. The World Intellectual Property Organisation’s new online business platform – known as...
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Discrimination in the Workplace
Richard Gvero, Head of the Employment Law team, addresses some issues that may arise from discrimination in the workplace in regards to marriage and gender. Marriage Discrimination in the Workplace...
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Negotiating a Commercial Lease Renewal
Most lease renewals are governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, and the rules can be complicated and confusing. However, if your commercial lease is up for renewal, you...
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A constructive dismissal takes place when an employee resigns in response to a fundamental breach of contract on the part of the employer. Richard Gvero, Head of the Employment Law...
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Intellectual Property Rights for Authors: What you Need to Know
You are just about to publish your first book. How exciting! As an author it is important to make sure that you understand the intellectual property rights around the work...
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Continuous Service of Employment
Only employees with two years’ continuous service have the right not to be unfairly dismissed. This qualifying period is measured to the day – so it is important to be...
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TUPE: Terms and Conditions for the Transfer
The Transfer of Undertakings Regulations (known as TUPE) provide that an employee’s terms and conditions cannot be changed because of the transfer of their employment from one employer to another....
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An employee dismissed without notice will often claim both unfair and wrongful dismissal. These are two distinct claims.
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Who Legally Owns Your Marital Home?
Often when families separate it is not just a separating of the finances of husbands and wives that have become entangled.
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Selecting Employees for Redundancy Based on Interviews
Selecting employees for redundancy based on their performance at an interview is now common practice for employers
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Reform of Leasehold Enfranchisement Law
On 21 July 2020, the Law Commission released a new report on the reform of leasehold enfranchisement law aiming to simplify the legislation in this country.
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The flexible furlough scheme is now in operation. The new scheme allows for a furlough of any period and for employees to work part-time.
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Government Measures to Ban Evicting Tenants of Residential and Commercial Property
The Government has announced several new measures under emergency legislation aimed at protecting tenants of both residential and commercial property from being evicted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
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As an employment lawyer, I am now being called upon to advise on workplace issues I’ve not encountered in 30 years of practice.
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No Fault Divorce and the End of the Blame Game
There has been a lot in the papers about the progress of The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill and "no fault divorce" which has finally, after many years of campaigning by Family Law groups amongst others, been given Royal Assent on 25th June 2020.
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Furlough Scheme Changes: A Helpful Guide
The government has announced a number of changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – more commonly referred to as ‘furlough’. The furlough scheme changes take effect from 1 July 2020.
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Legal Matters Q&A: Homeworking and a Cautious Return to Work
As the lockdown is gradually lifted, some knotty employment law questions are posed by Richard Gvero as we embark upon the journey to normal working.
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Should Landlords Give Their Consent to Leaseholders?
Landlords are often asked to give their consent for a leaseholder to do something in their flat which the lease otherwise prohibits.
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Possession Proceedings During the Coronavirus Pandemic
In the light of the Coronavirus pandemic, on 27 March 2020 the Court imposed a stay on all possession proceedings until 25 June 2020.
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Applying For a Grant of Probate: It’s All Change
Changes are happening all around us and several have filtered through to the process of applying for a Grant of Probate.
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Employers’ Considerations for the Return to Work (Part 2 of 2)
As businesses prepare to reopen and employees are encouraged to return to work, Richard Gvero shares some more employers' considerations including: employees who need to self isolate, employees who refuse to return to work, health and safety claims and equality issues.
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Company Directors Liable for Not Telling Shareholders ‘The Full Story’
When directors (who run the company) have a different agenda from shareholders (who own it) problems are inevitable.
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Helpful Guide to the Coronavirus Government Support Schemes for Businesses
To help businesses understand the support available to them, we have created a handy guide for businesses of all sizes.
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Employers’ Considerations for the Return to Work (Part 1 of 2)
This month we are looking at the things that employers need to think about from an employment law perspective when starting on the journey to normal working.
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Many people are aware of the ability to prepare a Deed of Variation following the death of an individual. However, their use can be wider than initially imagined.
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Landlord Tenant Collaboration for the Return to Work
Managing the return and preparing the building for what is being called the ‘new normal’ will demand collaboration and co-operation between landlords and tenants, staff and visitors.
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Making Staff Redundant: 7 Things to Think About (4-7)
As many employers are forced to consider staff cutbacks due to financial difficulties caused by the pandemic, Richard Gvero has summarised seven points that an employer needs to consider when making staff redundant.
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Company Responsibilities During Lockdown: Delayed Not Cancelled
Company directors will be focused on the bottom line and corporate governance as they continue to navigate their way through the pandemic lockdown and the Government’s route map towards business as usual.
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Mental Health Awareness Week: Kindness Matters
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Longmores would like to publicise the particular difficulties encountered by many of our older and vulnerable clients.
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Making Staff Redundant: 7 Things to Think About (1-3)
We are probably going to be experiencing difficult economic times for a considerable period to come and many employers will be forced to make cutbacks in their staff. We have summarised into seven points the issues that an employer needs to consider when making staff redundant.
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How Covid-secure Is Your Workplace?
With the government introducing measures to gradually ease the lockdown many employers are now concerned about how Covid-secure the workplace is and what steps they should be taking to limit the spread of the virus in the workplace and protect staff when they return.
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Virtual Family Hearings: Tips for Attending a Hearing from Home
Here is a summary about how virtual family hearings are being heard in Hertfordshire and some tips for to prepare yourself for them.
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Emergence Checklist – 4. Marketing & Communications
In the final blog of this series of four blogs, we focus on your marketing and communications.
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Getting Your Rural Land Ready for a Sale – Part 7: Heads of Terms
This is the seventh and final blog in a series about preparing your rural land ready for a possible future sale.
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Doors Open on the Housing Market
The Government took everyone by surprise last night by announcing the “re-opening” of the housing market in England.
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Emergence Checklist – 2. Finance and Resourcing
Managing your cashflow will be vital if you are to exit the lockdown successfully.
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Settling Cases in Unsettling Times
In these unprecedented times the need for the certainty in any divorce settlement is key.
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Emergence Checklist – 1. Operations and Technology
We are still in lockdown but are about to move to the emergence stage, when lockdown restrictions are relaxed, and we slowly emerge back into offices and ordinary lives.
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Getting Your Rural Land Ready for a Sale – Part 6: unregistered land
If your land is unregistered, I would urge you to consider voluntarily registering it.
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More FAQs: Employment Law and the Coronavirus
More frequently asked questions and their answers about the employment of staff during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017 and the widespread reports that the severity of the fire was increased by the cladding on the building continue to pose major issues for those who own flats in buildings with cladding installed and for those who want to buy the flats.
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FAQs: Employment Law and the Coronavirus
The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has certainly thrown up a lot of employment law related questions, not least about the government's new furlough scheme.
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Legal Matters Q&A: The Effect of Coronavirus on Contracts
Nathanael Young, a specialist litigation and insolvency lawyer, answers questions about the effect of the coronavirus on contracts.
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Getting Your Rural Land Ready for a Sale – Part 5: practical issues
This is the fifth in a series of blogs about preparing your rural land ready for a possible future sale.
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Getting Your Rural Land Ready for a Sale – Part 4: standard enquiries
Anyone who has dealt with a sale of land recently will be aware that you usually have to answer pages and pages of standard enquiries that the buyer’s solicitor will require you to answer.
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Spike in Demand for Will Writing
NHS workers fighting Covid-19 on the front line, together with the elderly and vulnerable, lie behind a huge spike in demand for will writing over recent weeks, according to the professional body for solicitors.
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Trustee Self-Dealing: A Trap for the Unwary
A recent case has highlighted the dangers associated with trustees who purchase assets belonging to the trust they administer.
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Getting Your Rural Land Ready for a Sale – Part 3: avoiding issues
This is the third in a series of blogs about preparing your rural land ready for a possible future sale.
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The Rise of Private Financial Dispute Resolution Hearings
Whilst some hearings in the Family Courts are able to proceed remotely due to the Covid 19 outbreak it is unsurprising that it is not possible for most if not all, non-urgent hearings to be heard.
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Getting Your Rural Land Ready for a Sale – Part 2: deeds and documents
This is the second in a series of blogs about preparing your rural land ready for a possible future sale.
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Brand Protection Strategy: points to consider
Why did the comedian change his name? Rather than attempt humour, this article examines the reasons behind the comedian Joe Lycett’s recent name change by deed poll to Hugo Boss.
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Parkinson’s Awareness Week 2020
It is difficult to turn on any news program, or read any newspaper whether in paper or online format and not see headlines about Coronavirus or Covid-19.
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Corporate Transactions During the Covid-19 Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a reduction in economic activity and will inevitably lead to some buying and selling of businesses being put on hold.
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Coronavirus: To Move or Not to Move?
The government’s announcement on Monday 23 March, placing the country in a lock-down, raised a lot of questions and concerns over conveyancing transactions. The question on my lips was, well, what happens now?
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World Autism Awareness Week – 30 March to 5 April
This week is World Autism Awareness Week with lots of organisations worldwide spreading awareness and trying to increase acceptance for autistic people and their families.
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Getting Your Rural Land Ready for a Sale – Part 1 of 7
In the midst of the Coronavirus lock-down, very few people are realistically looking to buy (although we are still working on those that are able and willing to proceed where possible).
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A World at War: Contracts and Coronavirus
If your contracts have been disrupted as a result of the coronavirus, the first step is to look at any written contractual terms.
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COVID-19 and Event Cancellation
The unprecedented situation currently affecting the UK and wider world as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having a huge impact on the global economy. The leisure and...
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In January, an employment tribunal found that a vegan was protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010.
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By Tracey Dargan, Partner and Head of Divorce and Family As the world gets to grips with the COVID-19 pandemic many will be wondering about the impact of the outbreak...
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By Kerrie Hall, Senior Solicitor specialising in Family Law. When will the courts add – back money into the matrimonial pot if recklessly spent by another? An ‘Add back’ is...
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By John Wiblin, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution More and more children are challenging their parents’ wills High property prices have led to an increase in court claims over...
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Legal Matters Q&A: Family Business
John Wiblin, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, talks about some of the legal issues that can arise within family businesses and how to avoid them.
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Will It All Be OK For My Family If I Die Without a Will?
By Bernard Flanagan, Solicitor specialising in Wills, Trusts, Probate and Powers of Attorney Maybe not. Although, it may be £20,000 better than it was yesterday for a surviving spouse or...
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A New Type of Royalty Lined Up by Royal Couple
By Rina Sond, Partner specialising in Company Commercial and Intellectual Property Prince Harry and Meghan are stepping back from royal duties, but it may be royalties that see them through...
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By Richard Horwood, Partner and Head of Private Client. As the New Year begins and everybody starts talking about “2020 vision” and how it can be used as a “strapline”...
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Legal Matters Q&A: Corporate Governance
Daniel Burns, Partner and Head of Company Commercial, answers some common questions about Corporate Governance that all business leaders should know.
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Divorce D-Day: fact or fiction?
By Tracey Dargan, Partner and Head of Family and Divorce. For many years there has been suggestion by the media that there is an official ‘Divorce D-Day’. There have even...
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Legal Considerations for Start-up
Those involved in a start-up or early stage business may find it is easy to overlook or become overwhelmed by the legal aspects of their business.
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Time Limits for Claims under the Inheritance Act 1975
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 allows certain close relatives to bring a claim against a deceased person’s estate if they believe that the deceased did not...
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Protecting yourself with a Lasting Power of Attorney
By Charles Fraser, Senior Solicitor and Head of the Older and Vulnerable Client team. Clients often want to ensure that in the event that they are no longer able to...
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By Chris Pease, Joint Senior Partner, Head of the Private Team and Head of Residential Property With house prices at the level they are, buying a property on your own...
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Clarifying maternity and paternity rights
By Miranda Mulligan, Solicitor specialising in Employment Law Qualifying employees and workers benefit from certain rights in relation to maternity and paternity leave which are explored below. There are also...
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Challenging a Will: assessing a claim for insufficient provision
By Lauren Mackenzie, Senior solicitor specialising in Dispute Resolution and Mediation. Following on from the last article, it is important to consider the criteria that the Court will need to take into...
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First Time Buyer? What do you need to think about?
By Chris Pease, Joint Senior Partner, Head of the Private Team and Head of Residential Property. First of all, make sure that you can afford it! Planning your budget is...
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By Richard Gvero, Joint Senior Partner, Head of Commercial and Head of Employment The festive season is fast approaching and many businesses will be arranging Christmas parties for staff. These...
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Feathering new nests for fledglings
By Karen Fletcher, Senior Solicitor specialising in Residential Property Exam results have been released and university terms have now started.It should be plain sailing from here on in for the...
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By Richard Horwood, Partner and Head of Private Client The role of an advisor to family businesses, in the context of succession planning, has a tendency to be very varied...
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Challenging a Will: when insufficient provision has been made for an individual
By Lauren Mackenzie, Senior solicitor specialising in Dispute Resolution and Mediation. As indicated in the previous blog on this topic there are two scenarios in which a Will can be...
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Debtors – to Sue or to Petition?
By Nat Young, Senior Solicitor specialising in Insolvency and Dispute Resolution If you have problem debts, the obvious solution is to sue. First, you send a letter of claim. Then...
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Challenging a Will: when it is invalid
By Lauren Mackenzie, Senior solicitor specialising in Dispute Resolution and Mediation. There is ever increasing appetite for individuals to consider challenging the terms of a Will, and at the same...
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How to Handle a Grievance: 5 Steps
By Miranda Mulligan, Solicitor specialising in Employment law Grievances are a commonplace occurrence in many businesses. Whilst many issues can be resolved informally the grievance process provides a mechanism for...
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By Nat Young, Senior Solicitor specialising in Insolvency and Dispute Resolution In business, determination is normally a virtue. However, if a company hits hard times, there are risks with just...
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Developing an IP Strategy – A Guide to the Basics
By Rina Sond, Partner specialising in Company Commercial and Intellectual Property With the average IP assets of a business being around 80%, it is vital for businesses to know and...
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Owner Managed Businesses and Corporate Governance
Corporate governance is intended to increase the accountability of a company and to help avoid disasters before they occur.There are many examples of where corporate governance has failed, a well-known...
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By Victoria Wood, Solicitor in the Older and Vulnerable Client team. ‘Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today’ said Lord Chesterfield, the eighteenth-century statesman. Wise words; and...
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Partnership Agreements: An Essential Tool for Farmers
By Rina Sond, Partner specialising in Company Commercial and Intellectual Property. There are a large number of farming partnerships in existence in England and Wales.These usually arise organically as many...
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Farming Families and Succession Disputes
Family disputes over the inheritance of farms are very much on the rise.
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IR35 changes to off pay-roll working in the private sector
By Richard Gvero, Joint Senior Partner, Head of Commercial and Head of Employment The Government has recently announced tax-related changes to off pay-roll working in the private sector, governed by...
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By Karen Fletcher, Senior Solicitor specialising in Residential Property. With the summer heatwave past us, and Selfridges having now opened up their Christmas Shop, all eyes now seem to be...
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Focus on… shareholders’ agreements
By Rina Sond, Partner specialising in Company Commercial and Intellectual Property When incorporating a company, it is easy to overlook the possible need for a shareholders’ agreement.A shareholders’ agreement can...
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Focus on…partnership agreements
By Rina Sond, Partner specialising in Company & Commercial and Intellectual Property. The term ‘partnership’ describes a relationship between parties carrying on a business in common with a view to...
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Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Part IV
By Agata Marosz, Solicitor specialising in Commercial Property. What is my status if I have remained in occupation following the expiry of a contracted-out lease? If the landlord is not...
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The duties and obligations of financial disclosure.
By Tracey Dargan, Partner and Head of Family If you are applying for a divorce or dissolution of your civil partnership, then you will also need to sort out the...
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Farming Families and Succession Part 2
By Richard Horwood, Partner and Head of Private Client. Following on from my previous article, if, as a farm business owner, your intention is to only pass on the farm...
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“It’s not personal, it’s strictly business”
By Richard Gvero, Joint Senior Partner and Head of Employment Law. Over the years, I have observed that it is very common in family businesses for family members to hold...
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Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Part III
By Agata Marosz, Solicitor specialising in Commercial Property. Option to renew a “contracted out” lease Nothing in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 states that including an option to renew...
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Inheritance Tax: New Recommendations from the Office of Tax Simplification
By Alastair Liddiard, Senior Solicitor specialising in Wills, Trusts, Probate and Powers of Attorney. Inheritance tax is, on the face of it, a fairly simple tax to apply.If the value...
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What fees can landlords and letting agents charge?
By Hayley Grantham, Solicitor specialising in Property Disputes. From the 1 June 2019, the Tenants Fees Act 2019 (“the Act”) prohibits landlords or agents charging fees to tenants in England...
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Farming Families and Succession Part 1
By Richard Horwood, Partner and Head of Private Client Many farming families find the issue of succession planning a difficult balancing act to achieve.There are often competing interests, uncertainties and...
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Longmores Rural Roundtable – Promotion Agreements
By Victoria Sandberg, Partner and Head of Rural. Rachael Spalton and Victoria Sandberg of Longmores Solicitors’ Commercial Property team recently held a “Rural Roundtable” with fellow professionals to discuss Promotion...
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Financing Your Lease Extension
Many tenants commence the process of lease extension, whether pursuant to the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 or by voluntary agreement with their landlord, without having a...
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The Top 5 Reasons to Trade Mark your Brand
By Rina Sond, Partner specialising in Company Commercial and Intellectual Property Businesses often ask why they need to bother trade marking their brand name or logo. There are a number...
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The government is running an open consultation until 5 August 2019, on reforms to Companies House and its register. The reforms will focus on limiting the risk of misuse of...
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According to current statistics over 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, and an estimated 1 million people will be living with dementia by 2028. Many people will...
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In a recent conversation with a friend she described how her uncle was suffering from depression.“But there is nothing wrong with him” had said her aunt. Clinical depression is an...
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The 5 Essential Things to Do when Naming your Business or Brand
By Rina Sond, Partner specialising in Company Commercial and Intellectual Property When thinking of a new name for your business or brand, there are a number of points to consider....
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The end of no fault evictions?
By John Wagstaffe, Partner and Head of Property Disputes. The government has just announced proposals to end the process by which residential landlords can terminate tenancies without specifying any fault...
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Parkinson’s Awareness Week 2019
As part of our commitment to helping clients who are older or vulnerable, we wanted to raise the awareness of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s was discovered in 1817 by a British...
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New divorce law to end the ‘blame game’
The Government have today announced that divorcing couples will no longer have to blame each other for the breakdown of their marriage. The move follows a public consultation where family...
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Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Part II
The procedure for “contracting out” The notice The warning notice must be in the prescribed form and served on the tenant (by the landlord or its solicitors) or in case...
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Succeed with Succession Planning
We are hosting a family business seminar on Friday 5 April 2019 in collaboration with Herts Chamber and in anticipation of that I have prepared this brief article summarising the...
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Although the General Data Protection Regulation, or “GDPR”, came into force last year (implemented by the Data Protection Act 2018) many businesses and organisations are still grappling with the implications...
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By Miranda Mulligan, Solicitor specialising in Employment Law The Government has published its “Good Work Plan” which sets out employment law reforms on the horizon. This follows Matthew Taylor’s review of...
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Are you ready to employ a carer directly? The legal issues to consider
By Richard Gvero, Joint Senior Partner, Head of Commercial and Head of Employment. Many care recipients are moving away from care agencies, and hiring carers directly to ensure consistency of...
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What is the gender pay gap? It is the difference between the average hourly earnings of men and women. Since 2017, under the gender pay gap information regulations large private...
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End of Tax Year – Inheritance Tax
The 5th April, the end of the tax year for individuals will soon be upon us.If you have not already considered reviewing your affairs with a view to utilising the...
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Completion accounts in share and asset purchase transactions
A key feature of share and asset purchase transactions is formulating a mechanism for determining the purchase price payable by the buyer for the target shares or assets.Often, the purchase...
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Local Authority funding thresholds for care remain the same for ninth consecutive year
Most people are aware that should they need care when they are older and not be in a position to fund it themselves, then the local authority are likely to...
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It is becoming increasingly common that employees want to strike the appropriate work/life balance.The law now provides that qualifying employees can ask their employers to consider a request for flexible...
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How to achieve a ‘Good Divorce’
This heading may seem a contradiction in terms, at such an emotional and difficult time, but if the parties can see their way to managing their expectations, and exiting a...
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You may remember back in 2017 that the Government suddenly dropped plans to increase Probate fees prior to the election, however, now, it appears the cost for getting Probate is...
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Business Protection Cross Option Agreements
The fallout that can result from the death of one co-owner of a business is something that all business owners should carefully consider. Such circumstances can quickly escalate into potentially...
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Disability Discrimination: A Cautionary Word
A recent case (Lamb v The Garrard Academy) reminds employers of the need to be more pro-active in assessing whether an ill employee may be disabled for the purposes of...
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This article looks at common contract terms and explains their use in many contracts. Parties One of the first things that will be on any written contract is the names...
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Things to consider if you are selling your pharmacy
Whether you are selling a pharmacy for the first time or making some changes to your existing portfolio, three key considerations before you progress. 1.NHS England and Change of Ownership...
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Giving to charities in your will
When giving to charities in your will, there are three things that are useful to know. Charles Fraser, solicitor in our Private Client team, explains the practicalities behind these points....
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The Office of Tax Simplification (“OTS”) was asked in January 2018 to review Inheritance Tax.It has now published the first part of its report and the second part is expected...
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Uninsured risks – who is to repair?
Most leases will require the landlord to insure the property with a reputable insurer to the reinstatement value of the property, together with loss of rent for, typically, three years....
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Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Part I
What does a “contracted out’ lease mean? Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (‘the 1954 Act’) applies to all commercial leases. It gives the right to commercial...
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Inheritance tax a new approach? Guidance to Attorneys in relation to lifetime gifting
Being a Deputy or Attorney can cause difficulties if you find yourself having to wear different hats: the first as the relative of the incapacitated person and the second as...
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The phrase “doing your due diligence” has become something of a well-known phrase, usually taken to mean that you should carry out investigations before taking the plunge, and due diligence...
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Inheritance tax a new approach? The impact of death on gifts
It’s a fairly well known principle that, provided you ensure that you retain no benefit in the asset you give away, after seven years the value of the gift washes...
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Codicils: What are they and when might you need one?
A Codicil is a document which amends your Will.Rather than preparing a completely new Will, you can have a Codicil prepared which will be read alongside your Will upon your...
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Inheritance tax a new approach? Discretionary trusts
In part 1 of this series, we raised the issue of Discretionary Trusts as lifetime planning instruments. Many people’s Will contain a trust of one sort to another, often in...
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Landlords consent to alterations
Landlords and management companies who are asked to consent to the alterations that a leaseholder intends to undertake must now be careful not to fall foul of the ruling of...
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Inheritance tax a new approach? Gifts from your surplus income
Following on part 1 of the series by my colleague Alastair Liddiard, this blog looks at one of the most under used gift allowances which can be one of the...
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Inheritance tax a new approach?
As a member of the Commission on Economic Justice, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury has recently been in the news discussing a report it has released which takes in...
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Key considerations when getting your business ready for sale
Whether you are looking to retire, or simply looking to sell your business and start a new venture,it is sensible to start planning well in advance of an exit. Good...
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What are company’s articles of association?
By Daniel Burns, Partner and Head of Company Commercial In England and Wales, all companies must – by law – have a set of articles of association (also known as...
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Are we finally heading for “no fault divorce?”
There has been a lot of talk lately regarding “no fault divorce”. The current law governing divorce in England and Wales is the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.The law was made...
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Supreme Court confirms Pimlico Plumber is a worker
By Miranda Mulligan, Solicitor specialising in Employment Law The judgment in the Pimlico Plumbers case in June 2018 is the first Supreme Court ruling on employment status in Britain’s growing...
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Appointing and removing a company director
By Daniel Burns, Partner and Head of Company Commercial Every limited company has a number of positions that must be filled by law. A company must have at least one...
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Over the past few years there have been a number of cases, the most recent of which is James v James, involving farming children resorting to Court action to try...
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How can businesses prepare for Brexit?
The commonly quoted “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” comes to mind when thinking about Brexit. With only 6 months to go before the UK’s official exit...
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Things you need to know about lease extensions
When it comes to extending their leases, many tenants are faced with the dilemma – accepting the landlord’s offer for a lease extension outside of the parameters of the Leasehold...
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Brexit and the impact on farm payments
Defra has just published a blog about the impact on farm payments if no Brexit deal is made. This is obviously a very unsettling time for farmers, many of whom...
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Inheritance tax reaches £5.2 billion
Figures recently released show that HMRC received a record of £5.2 Billion Inheritance Tax in the last tax year.This represents an 8% increase in comparison to the year before.This increase...
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What can you do when a loved one loses capacity?
Loss of capacity can be gradual or sudden depending on the reason for it.Your loved one could be suffering from early stage dementia and the signs might be quite clear....
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In this continuing series of blogs on IP, this blog focusses on the concept of patents. What is a Patent? A Patent is a form of intellectual property which gives...
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Gas safety certificates and section 21 notices
In the recent case of Caridon Property Ltd v Monty Shooltz the County Court has ruled that a landlord of assured shorthold tenancy who failed to provide a gas safety...