Blogs
Are commercial tenants responsible for replacing crumbly concrete?
In recent weeks, news has broken that hundreds of schools and other public buildings across the UK, which were built using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), are now unsafe. As this lightweight, ‘bubbly’ concrete (most widely used during a 40-year period between 1950 and 1990) has r....
Parental alienation – a “handy tool for abusers”?
A study from the University of Manchester, published recently by the BBC, has revealed that dozens of children have been forced into contact with fathers accused of abuse. In all the cases, the fathers deflected accusations of abuse in the family courts using the controversial legal concept known a....
Why you need a Finance Remedy Consent Order
When you’re going through a divorce, it is often an extremely sad and very stressful time. In their eagerness to simply ‘get it over with’, some spouses may miss out some crucial legal steps that could have a significant impact on their financial security in the future. Say that and your e....
No-fault divorce – one year (and a bit!) on
On 6 April 2022, one of the most anticipated pieces of legislation in recent years came into force: the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act, more commonly known as ‘no-fault’ divorce. It had long been felt by legal professionals and the general population that the UK’s divorce law was ser....
Could the end of Inheritance Tax be imminent?
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax levied on the estates of people who have died, normally at a rate of 40%. Whilst just one in 20 estates are subject to IHT, this number actually used to be far lower. The threshold for the tax has been frozen at £325,000 since the 2009/10 financial year; in the subse....
What happens if my mortgage offer expires?
On 22 June, the Bank of England increased the base rate to 5% - the highest level in 15 years – in an attempt to combat the UK’s stubbornly high inflation rate. Raising interest rates is a common method used to tackle inflation, as it decreases the spending power of mortgage holders and encoura....
Preparing your commercial property for new energy efficiency laws
Upcoming changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) mean that the owners of commercial buildings must be prepared or face harsh penalties. Currently it is a requirement to let any commercial property that they have an EPC rating of D as a minimum – but by 2030, the minimum ratin....
Protecting your family’s wealth and assets with pre-nuptial agreements
Summer is well underway, meaning that wedding season is at its peak. In the leadup to the big day, we’re here to highlight the importance of pre-nuptial agreements and their role in keeping your wealth and assets safe. What is a pre-nuptial agreement? Pre-nuptial agreements are used to ....
Why you need a cohabitation agreement
The number of couples who are living together without being married or entering into a civil partnership has massively increased in recent decades. According to a Commons Library briefing paper, the number of cohabiting couples rose from around 1.5 million in 1996 to around 3.6 million in 2021 – ....
Renters Reform Bill enters parliament
Since our previous update on imminent reforms to the private rented sector, events have moved apace. The Renters Reform Bill – touted by the government as the biggest shakeup of renters’ rights in a generation – has now been introduced to parliament. It has now been through its first reading ....
Assured shorthold tenancies – what’s changing?
In June 2022, the government announced the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill, which would result in sweeping changes across the private rented sector to level the long-perceived power imbalance between landlords and tenants. The bill is finally due to be published and introduced into Parli....
Family business succession – what you need to know
Passing a family business onto the next generation is a proud and satisfying achievement. After years of hard work building or maintaining your reputation and traditions, family succession is a highly significant moment – and one that you want to get right. Alongside the pride, there is inevit....
