Blogs

Lifetime gifting and the ‘presumption against double portions’

The rules around inheritance are highly complex, as many of those who have had to go through probate or deal with Inheritance Tax issues know all too well. Because so few people fully understand them, however, they may risk unintentionally jeopardising the inheritance they leave behind for their be....

The return to work: your questions answered

Rising cases and the transmissibility of the ‘Delta variant’ of COVID-19 may delay the UK’s ‘freedom day’ of 21 June; even so, increasing numbers of people are either making or soon expect to make the transition back to the office. If you have any questions about the return to office life....

Pensions on divorce

When a relationship sadly breaks down, the primary concern for both parties will be the issue of where they (and any children) will live and how they will afford their daily living expenses. During such a challenging and emotional time, it is common for one of the couple’s largest assets to be ov....

I’m buying my first home, when should I give notice on my rented property?

Once you’ve had your offer accepted on the property you’re planning to buy, it can be tempting to think about giving notice to your landlord. However, as you’re probably aware, things don’t always go as smoothly as we’d all like when it comes to buying and selling properties. Once you’ve....

New planning rules will help high streets “bounce back”

A relaxation of planning laws will “revitalise England’s cherished high streets and town centres”, the government has said. Conversion of commercial premises The new rules, introduced on 31 March and effected on 21 April 2021, will allow commercial premises to be converted into resi....

Guidance for employers: facilitating employees’ access to coronavirus tests

While the vast majority of international travel to and from the UK is currently prohibited in order to protect the country from the spread of coronavirus, employees working in certain jobs may qualify for travel exemptions. This includes those whose work regularly takes them abroad, elite sportsper....

Employment tribunal payouts to increase

On 6 April 2021, the statutory limits on certain employment tribunal awards and other amounts payable under employment legislation will increase according to the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2021. The two main points of note are: The limit on compensatory awards for ‘ordinar....

Kate Garraway stuck in a ‘legal rabbit hole’ without LPA

Over the past year, we have watched the figures mount to shocking levels as increasing numbers of people have lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus. We have previously spoken about the importance of making a Will, to ensure your loved ones are protected should the worst happen. However, television....

How walking can keep our heritage alive during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen hundreds of heritage sites, including stately homes across the country, close their doors to the public. With successive lockdowns attempting to stem the spread of the disease, these houses – which serve as such important reminders of our country’s ....

Budget 2021: What employers need to know

In his Budget on Wednesday 3 March – probably one of the most eagerly awaited in many years – Chancellor Rishi Sunak stood before the House of Commons to outline the government’s spending plans for the year ahead. Despite the government’s towering debt – a result of its heavy borrowing in....

Home working won’t end with COVID

Many businesses preparing for the end of lockdown say they won’t end flexible and remote working practices, with firms such as John Lewis Partnership and Metro Bank planning to introduce ‘blended’ and ‘hybrid’ models of working going forwards. A spokesperson for John Lewis said its new wo....

Legal advice for employers as redundancies soar

Recent UK labour market data has revealed that redundancies reached record levels between September and November 2020 – the largest annual decrease in a decade. Meanwhile, February figures show there are now 726,000 less employees on UK payrolls than in February 2020 (although the larger falls oc....