For many years, the concept of a “common law marriage” has been one of the most enduring myths in family law. There is a widespread misconception that couples who have lived together for a significant period, or who have children together,...
An executor (also known as a personal representative) is someone who has been appointed in a Will to deal with the administration of a person’s estate after they have died. An executor’s role involves collecting in the estate assets (e.g. closing...
Gary Pammen, a television psychic who was well known as the “Cockney Bard” has lost a legal challenge to his late father's will and has been ordered to pay £216,000 in legal costs. The case is a stark reminder that suspicion alone...
In my recent blog " what happens if you’re promised a property but left out of a will " I looked at how proprietary estoppel can apply to the family home when promises are made and later broken. A recent claim brought by Harry Lambert...
Losing a loved one is always difficult. When you also have doubts about whether their Will truly reflects their wishes, the situation can feel even more distressing. If the person who died had dementia or was showing signs of cognitive decline in the months...
Losing a loved one is one of the hardest experiences a family can face. When there’s no Will in place, that pain can be compounded by uncertainty and, in many cases, disagreement among those left behind. Without a Will, strict legal rules determine...
The decision in McDaniel v Talbot (2026) offers a useful illustration of how adult child claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 ( “the 1975 Act” ) can succeed, even where the claimant has long been excluded...
One of the questions we are frequently asked by clients is “Can I split my Land Registry title?” The short answer is no, it is not that simple! HM Land Registry will not simply divide an existing title into two or more separate titles. A new...
Discovering that a loved one’s Will doesn’t reflect what you expected, or what you believe they truly wanted, can be deeply unsettling. Whether you suspect the Will was made under pressure, that the person lacked the mental capacity to make it,...
Dealing with a loved one’s estate is rarely straightforward, and it can be deeply distressing when the executor responsible for administering it fails to keep you informed. You might be receiving no updates at all, vague answers to straightforward...
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (the “Act”) allows certain people to bring claims against estates if reasonable financial provision has not been made for them. Who can claim under the Inheritance (Provision for...
The recent reporting surrounding Liam Payne’s estate has once again demonstrated why Wills are not just for the over 50s, homeowners, or the ultra-wealthy. Court documents have revealed that the former One Direction singer died at the age of just 31...
The High Court recently examined a long-running family dispute (Teixeira v Moaven) over the true ownership of valuable London properties within a deceased’s estate and, crucially, whether last-minute “Declarations of Trust” could...
For decades, upward-only rent reviews have been a cornerstone of commercial leases, offering landlords certainty and investors predictable income. That may now be about to change. A largely unexpected provision in the English Devolution and Community...
Did you know that the beauty industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging globally each year? Most of it is plastic and most of it isn’t recyclable. From shampoo bottles to face cream tubs, plastic packaging contributes massively to...
On 10 th June 2026 the National Energy System Operator (“NESO”) published an update that 58% of connection offers for renewable energy projects in the pre-2030 pipeline (713 out of 1,223 projects) have now been issued. a { ...
I’ve recently been thinking about how many people still focus on the day-to-day but perhaps overlook the longer-term plan. When the next generation step into the day-to-day running of the family’s mixed farm, they will often think that the hard...
Recent headlines surrounding Katie Price and her reportedly missing husband have once again drawn attention to the realities behind whirlwind romances, especially those that lead to a walk down the aisle within a matter of days of meeting, as was the case...
Hot Off the Press 💥 Adding to the avalanche of changes in Employment law, new proposals have been made by the Employment Lawyers’ Association to modernise and streamline employment tribunal processes, with a focus on improving efficiency,...
For many people, their home is their largest asset. It is not unusual for people to have discussions with their children or other family members or friends about who they want to inherit their property when they die. However, difficulties can arise when...
Losing a parent is one of life’s most painful experiences. When the contents of their Will come as a surprise, or feel deeply unfair, that grief can be compounded by confusion and financial worry. Perhaps you’ve been left out entirely, received...
April 2026 brought with it further changes to the Inheritance Tax (IHT) regime, and with those changes came another layer of compliance. HMRC has now introduced Form IHT437, a new schedule to sit alongside the IHT400, and one that will be particularly...
Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things any family faces. When a dispute arises over their estate or Will, the added strain can feel immense. You might assume that resolving matters means a costly court battle, but that isn’t usually the...
Unlike some other types of claim, there is no set time limit for bringing a claim to challenge a will. However, this does not necessarily mean that claimants can take as long as they want to bring their challenge. Even if there is strong evidence to support...
Across the UK grocery sector, more supermarkets are considering or moving towards long‑term supply agreements with producers. These arrangements reflect a shift away from short‑term sourcing and annual contracts, towards greater security of...
Spring has sprung and so have wildflowers, bees and butterflies! This May we are encouraging everyone to get involved in No Mow May by letting lawns and grassy areas grow wild for nature. What is No Mow May? No Mow May is an annual event run by...
This case arises out of a tenant’s application for a new tenancy under section of The Railway Bell Public House, Southwood, London, comprising a pub on the ground floor, function/storage space and staff rooms above, and residential accommodation for...
A charitable incorporated organisation (or CIO) is a corporate structure designed specifically for charities in England and Wales. As it was only introduced in January 2013, it is still a relatively new concept and you may be considering if incorporating as...
Today is Earth Day, a chance to pause and reflect on the role each of us plays in shaping a more sustainable future. This year's Earth Day theme is 'Our Power, Our Planet' and reminds us that meaningful environmental progress isn't just...
This month’s Employment Law Bulletin will be focusing on a topic that is relevant to all. We will be discussing the great return to office recall and whether this is a constructive dismissal time bomb. For a brief time, the commute was quiet. The...
