Probate is one of those terms that is often mentioned without any real context or explanation as to what it really means. It is often used generally when discussing the need to administer an Estate after someone dies. This blog aims to answer those initial...
In commercial disputes, the contract is everything. When a dispute lands in court, the first question is: what did the parties actually agree to? If key terms were not properly incorporated, even the strongest position can quickly unravel. So what does...
It’s something to celebrate that more people enjoy longer lives these days, but it also brings with it the challenge of planning for future care needs. Advance care planning is about preparing for the possibility that you or your loved ones may need...
Over one million Powers of Attorney are registered in England & Wales every year, with the most significant asset attorneys need to deal with often being the donor’s home. However, many attorneys may not fully understand what is required of them...
A family court has denied permission for a mother to relocate her child to Dubai, citing the child’s welfare and the importance of maintaining his relationship with his father. His Honour Judge Willans made the ruling in the case of SA v JR...
The Government have today, 22 October 2025, announced their plans to reform the Children Act 1989 and to remove the Presumption of Parental Involvement. The Effect of the Presumption of Parental Involvement The Presumption of Parental Involvement guided...
If you’re a trustee of a trust with any connection to Ireland, you may be legally required to register that trust with the Central Register of Beneficial Ownership of Trusts (CRBOT) . This obligation is part of Ireland’s anti-money laundering...
A ‘no contest’ clause is a clause which is commonly found in Wills, also known as a ‘forfeiture’ clause. What does a no contest clause do? A no contest clause aims to discourage disputes over the estate. It typically reads...
Recent high-profile cyber incidents demonstrate how attacks on businesses can seriously disrupt operations and damage profitability and reputation. The government has recently written to all FTSE companies as well as a number of other leading UK firms with a...
Couples “tying the knot” are to have more freedom over how/where they say “I do”, with reforms allowing them to get married on beaches and at heritage sites. Under the reforms, couples will be able to marry in a wider range of...
On 1 October 2023 the changes to Part 2A of the Building Regulations came into force, yet every week I come across developers, contractors, consultants and sub-contractors who have no idea that the not-very-new duties even exist, much less what it means to...
In earlier blogs in this series, we have detailed the general duty of care all parties handling waste need to comply with and what information needs to be included in a waste transfer note. Here we look specifically at what you need to do if you are a...
I am part of the debt recovery team at Roythornes. Outside of work, I play bowls at a competitive level and have been fortunate to win national and international titles -including the national singles in 2016, world mixed pairs in 2017 and a gold medal at...
The most vital piece of paperwork in any waste transaction is the description of waste transfer note. It is a criminal offence to not produce a valid and accurate transfer note, to not ensure there is one (if you are not the one producing it) and to not keep...
In the second installment of 'cementing the basics' I am going to be looking at the other two factors that need to be considered for the successful procurement of a project: understanding the parties; and attention to detail. ...
Disagreements in construction projects can quickly become costly, stressful, and time-consuming. By taking proactive steps at the outset, parties can minimise risk, protect relationships, and keep projects running smoothly. Pre-qualify before...
Family Investment Companies (FICs) have been in use since 2006 as a tool for tax planning among high-net-worth individuals. With upcoming changes to pension legislation and proposed reforms to inheritance tax, FICs are experiencing renewed interest....
Successful procurement is mostly about three things: understanding the deal; understanding the parties; and attention to detail. Here I am looking at the first one, as it is the first issue to consider, and sets the project up for success. Understanding...
You’ve read our last three blogs on waste and have determined that the material you want to dispose of, move or use is likely to be classified as waste and you know you have a duty of care to ensure that the waste is dealt with in accordance with...
Unlike many areas of regulatory law, where each person is only responsible for their own small section of the chain and only need have knowledge of the person who gave them a product and the person they sold it to, waste law is different and far more...
The legal definition of waste is at first blush simple, a material which the current holder has discarded is waste. However, this apparent simplicity is deceptive. When determining whether a material has been discarded and is therefore legally...
Following a successful pilot scheme, Martha’s Rule has been extended across all of England’s acute NHS hospitals as of the 4 th of September 2025. The Success of Martha’s Rule and extension of the Scheme After extensive campaigning by...
The law on waste is quite frankly a minefield of utter nonsense drafted originally by the EU and further refined, and complicated, by the UK parliament and the Environment Agency. Sometimes, waste is exactly what you think it is - a load of...
James Dinsdale, an accountant, died in 2020 leaving behind an estate worth £1.8 million. James was survived by his legal wife, Dr Victoria Fowell, and his partner Margaret Dinsdale. James had married Victoria in Las Vegas in 2012. They later separated...
In a press release dated 30 June 2025, the Environment Agency announced that they are doubling the funding for inspections of farms “as part of a wider drive to help farmers slash agricultural pollution”. But what will that mean practically for...
Being a trustee of any type of trust (and there are many!) is a serious responsibility. Whilst the word “discretion” might suggest freedom to make decisions, trustees are bound by a framework of legal duties, designed to protect beneficiaries and...
As a popular baking show returns to our screens, its blend of precision, patience, and occasional drama offers a surprisingly apt parallel to the world of debt recovery . Just like baking a flawless Victoria sponge, collecting outstanding debts requires the...
Passwords and passkeys go hand in hand with sensitive and confidential information - emails, bank accounts, digital assets, and data stored on the cloud. From having one password for everything (definitely not recommended!), to separate passwords for...
October 2024’s Budget announced a raft of changes to Inheritance Tax (“ IHT ”) which have been extensively covered in the press and by this Firm. To summarise (very briefly!): Agricultural Property Relief (“ APR ”) and...
A recent High Court ruling has demonstrated the critical need for transparency within financial remedy proceedings upon divorce . Mr Mario Michael, a successful property developer in London with an interest in 200 properties, was ordered to pay his ex-wife...
