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...
With my Back to Basics series, I aim to demystify areas of family law that are often confusing and misunderstood. Having already explored divorce and finance, and child law, I now turn my attention to an area that raises just as many questions: unmarried...
With fuel prices remaining volatile, many organisations are facing sharply increased operational costs. For businesses operating under long‑term or volume‑based commercial contracts, one question comes up repeatedly: “Can we increase...
Many landlords may be aware of the Renters Rights’ Act 2026 that achieved Royal Assent on 27th October 2025, and which becomes law on 1st May 2026. With the implementation date coming round the corner fast, this note sets out the two key mandatory...
The short answer is no, not automatically. A Sikh marriage, known as an “ Anand Karaj ” , translates to “ act towards happiness ” and is often interpreted by scholars as a “ blissful union .” It is a spiritual...
Articles of Association are at the core of every company, and all too often their importance can be overlooked. They form the company’s internal rulebook: they govern how the company functions in day-to-day life. Typically, the articles set out...
When buying your first home , one of the first legal distinctions encountered is determining the property’s tenure, specifically whether the property is a freehold or leasehold. In this blog, I'm going to explain the differences in simple terms...
April is on the horizon, and this year, it’s bringing more than lighter evenings and a hopeful glance at the weather forecast. From next month, a fresh wave of reform under the Employment Rights Act 2025 is set to start to ripple across workplaces and...
If you have an upcoming hearing at Nottingham Family Court, it is completely natural to feel anxious. For many people, this will be their first time attending court. You may be worrying about where to park, whether you will arrive on time, what security...
Providing accommodation is still an important part of attracting and retaining staff in many farm businesses. But with major changes arriving on 1 May 2026 , particularly the end of Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), it’s crucial that employers...
As has been widely reported in the press, there is an ongoing legal dispute involving the fortune of motor racing legend, Sir Stirling Moss, who died in 2020. Most of his £27m fortune passed to his widow, Lady Susie Moss, who sadly died in 2023. The...
Following on from my recent blog, Why Trusts Are Still One of the Smartest Estate Planning Tools , I'm now diving deeper into the questions clients ask most often about how trusts actually work. Whether you’re considering setting...
Business Property Relief (or Business Relief) (‘BPR’) reduces the rate at which inheritance tax (‘IHT’) is payable, but changes on 6 th April 2026 will affect how much relief is available. We are now in the window for strategic...
A Sharia council is a voluntary, faith-based advisory body comprised typically of Imams and Islamic scholars. These councils provide religious guidance and arbitration on personal, family, and financial matters based on Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). The word...
News 📰 Updated timetable and fire and rehire consultation The Government has released an updated timetable for implementing the various reforms contained in the Employment Rights Act 2025. Most measures remain on track with the dates announced in...
The High Court has granted an urgent order for a two‑day rolled‑up hearing to consider a judicial review challenge against the Government’s proposed reforms to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) announced...
An Islamic marriage, known as a “Nikah”, is a religious contract between a man and a woman under Islamic law. The core features are: Contractual Nature Marriage in Islam is a legal and spiritual contract, not just a social ceremony Both...
In December 2025, the long-awaited amendments to the rules on livestock worrying by dogs were passed by Parliament under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, with the amendments coming fully into force in mid-March 2026. The Act expands...
In England & Wales we have “testamentary freedom”, which means that people can leave everything to whoever they want and cut out anyone, including close family members. Noone has a right to inherit on anyone’s death. There are many...
I became involved in a recent High Court application concerning the correct approach for an executor to take when serving notice of power reserved. It is a relatively discrete and technical point, and one which the law has not really ever addressed (as...
Business Property Relief (or Business Relief) (‘BPR’) reduces the rate at which inheritance tax (‘IHT’) is payable, but changes on 6 th April 2026 will affect how much relief is available. The proposed £1m relief cap was, after...
When love crosses borders, the law often follows, but not always in the way you expect. In this blog, I break down the key issues surrounding overseas marriage and cross‑border divorce, answering five of the questions I’m most...
In Part 1, we covered some of the most common questions about child law and what parents need to know. In this second part, we’re continuing with more essential FAQs to help you understand the basics. Whether you’re dealing with everyday...
Since the Autumn Budget 2024, private client advisers and business owners have been navigating a whirlwind of uncertainty. Some rushed to act, others waited for clarity, but now, with the rules confirmed (or as clear as they are likely to get), the countdown...
You may have seen headlines like “Putting our home in a trust was a legal nightmare” and wondered, are trusts more hassle than they’re worth? The truth is, when set up and managed correctly, trusts remain one of the most powerful tools...
Let's set the scene; it’s January, the weather is iffy, the roof isn’t on and industrial action has brought your project to a standstill. Aside from a lot of emails, phone calls and *animated* conversations with the team, what do you do?...
As the new year begins, many newly engaged couples will be thinking about their future together, from planning their wedding to exploring their shared finances and everything in between! So, we’ve prepared some key questions for you to think...
If an individual is unable to make decisions about their money or property because they have lost mental capacity, the Court of Protection can appoint someone to assist. Usually, this is a family member or a close friend. However, what happens when there is...
News 📰 Proposed increases to Statutory Sick Pay and family-related payments (2026-27) The Government has published proposed increases to statutory pay rates for sickness absence and family-related leave, which are due to take effect from 6 April...
For many people, the festive period is about getting through Christmas with as little disruption as possible and having a lovely time with family and friends. When relationships are under strain or finances feel uncertain, it’s common to put difficult...
