For parents, one of the biggest reasons for making or amending a Will is putting in place provisions for how your children are to be looked after following your death. However, despite the many advantages, many people still do nothing to cater for their children in this way. A parent who has parental responsibility for […]
NHS England has been heavily reprimanded in a recent report published by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee. The scathing report described the NHS’s outsourcing of primary care support services to Capita Business Services Ltd as a ‘shambles’ and a ‘short-sighted rush to achieve savings’. In August 2015, NHS England outsourced its primary care […]
On Monday the Supreme Court ruled that an application to the Court may no longer be needed for an order to withdraw life-sustaining treatment for a person with a ‘prolonged disorder of consciousness’ (for example where the patient is in a post-vegetative state). What happened? Mr Y – who was apparently in good health and […]
Getting permission to position a telecommunications mast on a property was, until fairly recently, straightforward. Planning permission was rarely required as masts and other apparatus fell within what was called “permitted development”. In December 2017 a new Code became law. The Electronic Communications Code was designed to make it easier for network operators to install […]
Many of you will be aware of the phrase ‘contempt of court’ and know that it can have serious repercussions for the offender, including in some extreme cases a spell in prison. A recent case in the Oxford County Court has not only highlighted the personal perils but also serves as a warning that breaching […]
Mr JR Gee (JR), now in his eighties, owned considerable land and a farming business valued at £8million. His son Mr JM Gee (JM) had worked on the farm since 1970. JR had a second son called Robert. In November 2014, JR transferred all of his property and land holdings to Robert, including his shareholding […]
Although, by virtue of S.5 of the County Courts Act 1983, all First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (“FTT”) judges are deemed to be County Court Judges there are numerous occasions during which a claim may be transferred between the two jurisdictions. A good example of this is when you require a money judgment in a service […]
Nowadays, many people buying a property, especially first time buyers trying to get on the property ladder, rely on a gift of cash from a family member towards part or all of the deposit. If you are receiving a gift, you should make your solicitor aware as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary delays […]
Assisted suicide is illegal in the UK. Under the Suicide Act 1961 (‘the 1961 Act’), encouraging or assisting a suicide or attempted suicide of another person is a crime and is punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment. By contrast, assisted suicide has been legal in Switzerland since 1942 and, so far, approximately 400 Britons […]
Hot on the heels of April’s announcement that new government funding is available for investment in the creative industries (please click here to see our previous blog), it is now the turn of the scientific research and innovation sector to benefit from the government’s ‘Industrial Strategy’. Last week, Greg Clark, the Business Secretary, announced a […]
Are you purchasing a flat or leasehold property with the intention to make alterations or do you already own a leasehold property and are considering a refurbishment? Whether the proposed alterations are structural or non-structural, major or minor, it is essential that you ensure what you plan is allowed before you start work. Your lease […]
It was estimated that during the last World Cup held in South Africa, British productivity suffered to the tune of £7.2 billion! The FIFA World Cup isn’t the only sporting spectacle this summer which attracts a crowd; Wimbledon and the Tour-de-France are both on the horizon. Often employers are unsure about how to respond to […]
It is a concerning reality that financial abuse of the elderly is happening on a large scale. It is often someone close to the elderly person who carries out the abuse and quite often the abuser is actually appointed by the elderly person as their attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney (“LPA”). The Care […]
Earlier this year the Government announced its intention to stop the sale of new leasehold houses. This has certainly seen an increased interest in how, if you currently own a leasehold house, you can obtain its freehold. Which route? There are essentially two ways this can be done: The voluntary route – by “simply” negotiating […]
Dress codes have gained widespread media coverage over the last 18 months. We started with the case of Nicola Thorp, a corporate receptionist at Portico, sacked for refusing to wear high heels. Ms Thorp was sent home on her first day at work for refusing to wear shoes with a “2 inch to 4inch heel”. […]
On 9 May 2014 Mr Chu, a retired City banker signed a new Will, leaving almost half of his £1 million estate to his carer Mrs Henderson, who had cared for Mr Chu in the final year of his life, and her children. Two days after signing the Will and whilst in hospital, Mr Chu […]
If your inbox is anything like mine, you would have recently been inundated with emails about the imminent arrival of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and attempts to entice you into ‘clicking here’ so we can still contact you, but have you been wondering why? Are you in the blissful group who don’t know […]
Creating a valid Will is one of the most important things you will ever do to ensure your family and loved ones are provided for once you are gone. With something this important the advice must be to get professional and qualified help, after all you wouldn’t ask a passer-by to carry out a root […]
The tabloids have been reporting that George Michael’s partner, Fadi Fawaz, 43, has put a hold on the administration of George Michael’s estate as provided for in his Will. The superstar, who passed away on Christmas Day last year aged 53, left behind an estate worth £105 million. George left a Will but the contents are unknown although […]
The law around direct marketing seems to be an issue that our clients seek clarification on. We will deal with some of the main issues arising from direct marketing practices below. The main sources of regulation are the GDPR but also the less well known Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR). Please note that […]
This month a quiet revolution was ushered into the English courts. The courts have (for some types of cases) now replaced an outdated Victorian procedure and embraced modern technology with the mandatory use of “electronic bills of costs”. In an immediate and very narrow sense this development will have very little impact on clients or […]
Fraudulent calumny, also sometimes known as ‘the poisoning of the mind’, is the name for a specific type of Will fraud. It has similarities to undue influence but there are subtle differences to note. A claim of undue influence requires behaviour which is threatening, or coerces the person making their Will to write their Will […]
The additional 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge payable on all ‘second homes’ came in to force on 1 April 2016. The surcharge is payable where you are an individual purchasing a property for more than £40,000 and you or your spouse/civil partner already have an interest in another property (anywhere in the world). Exceptions […]
On the 1st April 2018 the government announced new proposals to introduce stronger protections for leaseholders and tenants against letting and managing agents. It will also look at any unfair costs involved in the property management process. Background Behind the Proposals Historically, property managers and letting agents have faced significant criticism that leaseholders are being […]
Last week, the Government and the Creative Industries Council (CIC) announced a new funding package aimed at strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in the creative industries. The deal includes joint investment of £150 million from the Government and industry, targeted at creative business in the UK, and a £20 million fund to […]