You may have seen in the news recently that TV Personality Anne Robinson has claimed she gifted her assets to avoid payment of Inheritance Tax. But does this form of estate planning strategy actually work? On the face of it, gifting assets can be an...
Last month saw a significant number of employment law changes come into force on 6 April. The pace of change has since continued unabated and so this month’s update covers the latest developments in case law, changes affecting the hospitality sector...
Some wills include “no-contest” or “forfeiture” clauses designed to deter beneficiaries from disputing the will, or bringing a claim against the estate. A no-contest clause generally provides that if a beneficiary brings a challenge,...
This is a common question asked of family lawyers. A ‘good divorce’ usually means a divorce without the hostility generally associated with divorce proceedings. In some cases, hostility can be pushed to one side and parties can proceed...
In my blog “ can you challenge an unfair will? ” I explained that a will that seems unfair is not necessarily invalid. Here, I look at the case of Gowing v Ward, another recent case in which a will that might seem to some to...
A will is a private document, but it is common for people to discuss their will with family members, and to seek their opinions and their help. There is nothing wrong with family members giving their opinions about what a person’s will should say, and...
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) was introduced by the Environment Act 2021 which provided for a minimum of 10% BNG requirement to ensure that developments deliver a positive benefit for nature and to mitigate the impact of the development. Developers are...
When taking on work for a new customer, it can be hard to tell whether they will develop cash flow issues and be unable to pay your invoices. When it comes to debt recovery, it is vital that that you know your customer and exactly who your customer is. You...
News 📰 There have been a number of key changes implemented in March/April 2024, including: Statutory paternity leave – 8 March 2024 Leave can now be taken in separate one week blocks. Leave can be taken any time in the 52 weeks after the...
Under Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, estate agents have a legal obligation not to omit material information from property listings. What you need to know Property agents must ensure they proactively request material...
Child Arrangements Orders were introduced in 2014 and replaced Residence Orders and Contact Orders. They regulate with whom a child is to live or spend time with. They usually arise as a result of an application to the Court under the Children Act 1989...
When a loved one dies, it is the responsibility of the executors to sort out their estate – their property, money, and other possessions. How are executors appointed? Executor(s) are generally appointed as part of the will. Often there...
Since March 2022, the Pathfinder Pilot Scheme has been trialled in the family courts in North Wales and Dorset. The scheme was implemented to trial a more problem-solving approach, which is aimed to improve the court experience and outcomes for survivors of...
Agri-tech projects can undoubtedly provide some welcome solutions to the farming industry and although many systems are in their infancy, we are seeing on-farm automation make a difference. However, that doesn’t mean to say agri-tech projects come...
Sometimes disputes can arise between family members about how a loved one should be laid to rest after they have passed away. Perhaps some family members think that the Deceased should be buried, whereas others think that they should be cremated, or perhaps...
Have you found your perfect new location for your new business? Are you looking to relocate your business into a new space whether its retail, for office use or for something different? Whether you choose to liaise with an agent or with the landlord...
Hydrogen is considered to be part of the future energy mix. However, there needs to be more clarity on the different types of hydrogen, whether that be green, low or ultra-low carbon hydrogen. What is Green Hydrogen? Green Hydrogen is made from...
When somebody dies without leaving a will they are said to have died ‘intestate’. Rule 22 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987 sets out an order of priority as to who will be entitled to obtain a grant of Letters of Administration, and to...
The prospect of physically attending Court and appearing before a Judge or Lay Magistrates for parties involved in Family Court proceedings, whether that be for dealing with children disputes or financial proceedings, can be extremely daunting, particularly...
In order to make a valid will a person must have “testamentary capacity”. The test for testamentary capacity is explained in our earlier blog “ what is testamentary capacity? ”. With an aging population, and an increase in...
The Seed Regulations 2011 make it clear that in respect of Farm Saved Seed (FSS), only the farmer who grew this seed can use it and it must not be marketed or supplied to any other person (Schedule 4, Part 1 (3)). We are aware that the winter...
Martha Mills sadly died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital. Her family had raised concerns about her deteriorating condition, but these concerns were not responded to promptly. At the inquest hearing in 2023, the coroner ruled that Martha’s...
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) replaced the already existing Child Support Act 1991 in 2012. CMS calculates how much child maintenance a parent is entitled to when the one parent does not live with the child if it cannot be agreed between the parents,...
The long-awaited Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation came into force today. BNG is now mandatory on all planning applications save for small sites and those that are exempt and will be mandatory for small sites from the 2nd of April 2024. What is BNG ...
CAFCASS, the ‘Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service’ defines the term parental alienation as ‘The unjustified resistance or hostility from a child towards one parent as a result of psychological manipulation by the other...
Breaking news 📰 From 6 April 2024, the limit to a week’s pay for the purposes of calculating statutory redundancy payments will increase from £643 to £700. The maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal claims will increase...
A recent story caught the headlines because the Employment Tribunal upheld the decision of the Financial Conduct Authority that an employee should not be allowed to work entirely from home. The employee had been working from home since the beginning of...
Following continuous reports about Amanda Abbington’s diagnosis of PTSD after her time on Strictly Come Dancing, this blog explores the condition of PTSD, how it can be caused, possible treatments, and making a claim for PTSD. Post-traumatic stress...
Mediation is a fantastic tool that serves as a shining example of conflict resolution, fostering understanding and collaboration in a world often marked by disputes. As we gear up for National Mediation Week 2024, supported by the Family Mediation Council...
From 1 January 2024, local authorities, the Food Standards Agency and other competent authorities will be able to serve Fixed Penalty Notices on individuals and businesses who contravene animal welfare law. This is a new type of enforcement available to the...
