This month the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published an analysis of ‘ethnicity pay gaps’ in Great Britain. The analysis looks at the difference between the median hourly earnings of White workers and other ethnic groups, using data from 2012 to 2019. This year’s analysis includes a greater number of ethnic groups, with a […]
Residential From 21 September 2020, the rules changed yet again for residential evictions under the Housing Act 1988. If you would like to serve notice on your tenant using the Section 21 procedure (i.e. the ‘no fault’ procedure), you must give your tenant at least 6 months’ notice. If you would like to serve notice […]
In the real estate sector, it has been a rollercoaster of a ride in 2020. The proverbial ‘famine to feast’ doesn’t emphasise strongly enough how chaotic the year has been. When Covid gripped the nation in March, and a national lockdown was imposed, property sales and purchases ground to a halt. The housing market was […]
In certain circumstances, it might be appropriate for an independent administrator to be appointed to deal with the administration of the estate of a deceased person. An independent administrator might be appointed in the following circumstances: When there is a Will When the executor named in a Will is unwilling or unable to act, or […]
As the world attempts will find its ‘new normal’, the English Courts have been increasing their use of technology, effecting changes to continue the administration of justice during the pandemic. The Courts had previously used electronic methods, including electronic filing of documents (which is now being extended) and further steps under the electronic working pilot […]
The Government has passed legislation this month known as The Wills Act 1837 (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020, which is due to come into force on 28 September 2020. The main amendment introduced by the Order is to the meaning of “presence” when witnessing a Will. It is now permissible for those witnessing a […]
The 16th March feels like forever ago now but, in terms of days to remember, it was a game changer for so many of us. It was the evening that Matt Hancock told the Commons that “all unnecessary social contact should cease”, which was ramped up by Boris Johnson a week later when he said […]
The pandemic has undoubtedly had a significant impact on workplaces across the UK. What is becoming increasingly clear from the cases we are seeing at Bolt Burdon is the disproportionate impact on working mums. Statistics Studies carried out by the Institute for Fiscal Studies demonstrate that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on sectors […]
Company directors owe a number of duties to the company and Companies House must be notified whenever a director is appointed. It is a misconception that these responsibilities can be avoided simply by not formally appointing a director. Under long established law, ‘de facto’ directors have the same duties as validly appointed directors – even […]
The Help to Buy equity loan scheme introduced in 2013 has enabled people to buy new build homes with only a small deposit (as little as 5%) with up to 20% (or 40% in London) of the property’s sale price backed by a Government equity loan. The scheme is due to become more restricted next […]
What are the options if a person does not have the mental capacity to manage their property and financial affairs? In our previous blog, we explored what you can do if you suspect a loved one is becoming unable to manage their financial affairs. If this is established, it will be necessary to find […]
What are the options if a person does not have the mental capacity to manage their property and financial affairs? In our previous blog, we explored what you can do if you suspect a loved one is becoming unable to manage their financial affairs. If this is established, it will be necessary to find […]
The Court of Appeal has recently held that failure to provide a gas safety certificate prior to a tenant’s occupation does not prevent a landlord serving a section 21 notice, as long as the relevant certificate has been given before service of the section 21 notice. The law surrounding the service of gas safety certificates […]
The Government has just announced that it will pass legislation in England and Wales in September this year, which will allow people to witness a Will remotely. The Government has also announced that the legislation will apply to Wills that have been executed from 31 January 2020, and that the legislation will remain in force […]
The Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges for the legal sector, particularly real estate lawyers, who have been working from home and contending with printing, posting and scanning original documents. It is has become clear that the process is still too paper-based and that there needs to be a ‘digital dawn’. The Land Registry (LR) has […]
A female solicitor dubbed “overly dominant” and “pushy” suffered sex discrimination by her employer, the Employment Tribunal has decided. The case: Ms HE Biggs v A Bilborough & Company Ltd and others: 3201280/2017 and 3200123/2018 Solicitor Helena Biggs successfully brought claims for unfair dismissal, direct sex discrimination, victimisation and harassment under the Equality Act 2010 […]
We have acted for clients over the years where, part way through a divorce, one spouse unexpectedly dies. Many separated couples do not realise that, until the Court has issued a decree absolute, they are still legally married. Separation and a decree nisi are not a final divorce but the divorce proceedings cannot continue after […]
Whether you are seeking to expand your network or exploring new avenues for your business, electronic platforms (such as websites and social media) are being utilised to increase commercial opportunities. It is increasingly important to maintain an online image that is truly reflective of you and/or your company; however, this also opens up the possibility […]
Boris Johnson has this week announced radical reforms to our planning system together with a new £5billion recovery plan for the UK property market. The objective here is not only to help boost the economy but also to make it easier to build better homes where people want to live. What planning changes are proposed? […]
If you own shares in a private company, you probably have a reasonable idea of what would happen to those shares on your death. It may be covered in your Will or your Shareholders’ Agreement. But do those documents provide a solution that can really be relied on to work in practice? Will they really […]
With the recent government announcement of “business as usual” for the residential property sector, it appears to be all systems go. Many properties are being sold with astonishing speed, reflecting the “pent up demand” in the market place. Once a sale has been agreed in principle, the legal work needs to be progressed. This includes […]
Since March 2016, if you buy a new home without selling your current home, you are usually liable to pay a higher rate of SDLT via a 3% surcharge that could be reclaimed if the existing ‘main residence’ is sold within three years. As a result of Covid-19, the Government imposed stringent lockdown measures effectively […]
Consider, for a moment, what would happen to your business if you were unable to work for one month or for one year, or if you were never able to work again. Would your business survive? Who would make decisions? How would this affect your family and their future? What would happen to your employees? […]
As we move into the second phase of lockdown with schools partially re-opening, the relaxation of the rules around social contact and the re-opening of some previously closed sectors of the economy, many businesses and employees are starting to look ahead to plan a return to the workplace, un-Furloughing staff and how their business will […]
In the March 2020 budget, the government announced that it will provide £1 billion in 2020-2021 to support the remediation of unsafe non-ACM cladding system</s on residential buildings 18 metres and over in both the private and social housing sectors. The online registration process opens up today, 1 June 2020, and will close on 31 […]
The Supreme Court has handed down its decision in the case of Duval v 11-13 Randolph Crescent Limited this month (May 2020), which will have far reaching practical implications for landlords when dealing with requests for consent by leaseholders. By way of background, Dr Duval is a leaseholder in a block of residential flats of […]
Mental capacity regarding financial affairs relates to the ability to make a decision that may have a financial consequence. This could include, for example, buying or selling property, seeking a divorce, obtaining a loan, entering into a contract, or entering into legal proceedings. Capacity is decision-specific so, whilst someone may have the capacity to make […]
Lord Templeman was a renowned former High Court Judge and Law Lord, who is known for his significant contribution to English Law, but perhaps most notably for his judgment in the landmark case of Kenwood v Adams (1975) where he established the ‘Golden Rule’: “In the case of an aged testator or a testator who […]
The Secretary of State for Housing has announced a ‘restart’ of the housing market and has provided detailed guidance not only to support the industry, but boost the economy as whole. What does this mean for those wanting to move home… can it be done? In a word… yes! The revised guidance provides advice and […]
From 1 April 2020, all occupiers of retail, leisure and hospitality properties are automatically exempt from paying business rates for 12 months as a result of closures in response to the Covid-19 global pandemic. Generally, business rates are charged on most non-domestic properties like shops, offices, pubs, warehouses, factories, holiday rental homes, guesthouses etc. Your […]
