For many people, writing a will online or using a DIY template seems like a sensible way to save money. However, what appears to be a cheap and simple solution can often create significant unintended problems for the people left behind.
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Whether you are dreaming of a new extension, converting your loft, or simply updating the front of your property, one of the first questions you should ask is: “Do I need planning permission?” The answer is not always straightforward and getting it wrong can be both costly and stressful. It pays to understand the basics before you pick up the phone to a builder.
Finding yourself involved in a claim against a relative’s estate can be costly and distressing, especially if the claim is weak from the start. Legal proceedings (and significant costs) can often be avoided if an individual discusses matters with an expert before embarking upon legal action.
From 1 May 2026, anyone owning or acquiring mixed-use property needs to understand that the residential element will be governed by a significantly reformed legal framework. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces the most fundamental changes to residential tenancy law in England in almost 40 years.
Significant new rights came into force on 6 April 2026, entitling all employed Fathers to paternity leave from day one – in the same way Mothers can take maternity leave.
Contractual disagreements in business are not uncommon, but they can interrupt the smooth running of your commercial operations and divert resources in unhelpful ways. It is better that disputes are avoided in the first place, which can often be achieved with careful and precise drafting of business contracts.
A significant shift from private control of land agreements to a public register of strategic land control has begun. Developers are urged to take into account the upcoming Contractual Controls of Land Regulations.
The need to understand the limits to which an attorney can give gifts on behalf of someone who lacks capacity (the donor) has never been so important given the risks of being accused of financial abuse.
Before a patient undergoes a medical procedure or treatment, they should be given sufficient information about the risks involved before they sign a form consenting to the treatment.
Developments around building safety and remediation work continue to impact the commercial property sector, driving forward fire and structural safety in residential buildings and tower blocks.
Most businesses that are involved in processing personal data will be aware of the rights of individuals to make Data Subject Access Requests to obtain copies of the personal information the business holds about them.
Hidden digital assets and mounting interest on inheritance tax bills are creating a costly double risk for families dealing with estates following the death of a loved one, as probate delays continue to impact thousands across England and Wales.
Businesses who suffer from late payments from the customers, or who are in the habit of making late payments to their suppliers, need to be aware of big changes the government intends to make to the law.
With the US–Iran conflict continuing to disrupt the Gulf region, employers are having to manage not just immediate disruption but prolonged uncertainty - bringing workforce, legal and operational risks into sharper focus.
A sensitive issue clients increasingly ask our advice on is whether the Will of a loved one who had dementia is valid. The short answer is - it depends.
We know that dealing with practical matters immediately after a loved one’s death can be bewildering and distressing. You may never been in this position before. To help you, we have set out the steps to be done as early as possible.
Common land and grazier rights can be crucial to agricultural livelihood and to sustainability of the land. But where the rights of a landowner and the grazier rights of a third party clash, a disagreement can quickly arise.
Now that at least one local authority begun to pilot compulsory high street rental auctions under radical reforms, commercial landlords need to understand the circumstances in which their properties could be within scope.
The Renters’ Rights Act has now passed into law. Most of the new measures will take effect in May 2026, with a national landlord database to follow later in the year.
Whether you are a farmer looking to expand an existing holding or someone considering agricultural land as an investment or lifestyle purchase, buying rural land is rarely straightforward.
When someone makes a will, they place a great deal of trust in the people they appoint to carry out their wishes. Two of the most important roles in this process are those of executor and trustee.
One practical way to reduce the risk of disputes is to use a well-thought-out Letter of Wishes. This article explains how the 1975 Act works, who can bring a claim, and how Letters of Wishes can help provide clarity and context after death.
Among several key forthcoming developments in commercial property is the Building Safety Levy, applicable to new building control applications from October this year.
If you are a builder involved in a serious disagreement with a client, we can help you navigate the issues and negotiate an early resolution.
Industrial sites and factories are inherently dangerous workplaces. Even so, workers should expect to head to work and perform their duties safely without worrying about the risk of injury.
If you are planning to sell your farm, you need to consider legal, practical and financial issues from the outset to prevent surprises that could lead to unnecessary delays.
Child Focused Courts are being rolled out across England and Wales and are a “game-changer”. At least, that’s how the top family judge Sir Andrew McFarlane has reassuringly described it.
The legal landscape for contesting Wills is set to change following significant Law Commission recommendations for change to the Wills Act.
Pre Nuptial Agreements are increasingly favoured by couples planning to marry or enter civil partnerships, but want to decide themselves how their finances and assets should be dealt with on separation.
Tenants’ rights are about to be significantly strengthened with new laws that will end ‘no fault’ evictions; and prevent landlords from requiring substantial up-front payments before a tenancy begins.
For many commercial tenants, a lease that once suited the business can become a burden. Various changes often prompt tenants to seek ways to terminate a lease early or reduce ongoing costs.
An artificial intelligence system designed to recommend music tracks based on their emotional qualities has triggered a landmark ruling from the UK Supreme Court that could make it easier to patent AI-driven inventions.
The Farm Tenancy Forum has published new guidance highlighting the benefits of long term Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs) for both tenants and landlords across the agricultural sector.
A shareholders’ agreement may seem unnecessary at first, but it’s one of the most important documents a company can have. It sets clear rules for governance, decision-making, and handling future changes.
The UK government is looking to address issues with the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill which is a piece of legislation that promises to make big changes to the leasehold system.
The Chancellor delivered a punchy Spring Statement, flagging the importance of stability at home amidst growing global uncertainty.
NHS waiting lists are rarely out of the headlines; and one of the biggest fears for many patients awaiting a referral is having cancer diagnosed too late to have effective life-saving treatment.
New legislation aims to propel housing and infrastructure construction at a faster pace with the consolidation and simplification of planning rules.
Shareholder disputes are rarely about technical breaches alone. In most cases, they arise from a breakdown in trust.
Purchasing or selling a home in England and Wales involves far more than agreeing on a price and collecting keys.
Employers are being urged to review their recruitment procedures after new figures revealed that immigration enforcement raids have reached record levels across the UK.
Tenant farmers and stakeholders have been invited to contribute to a short but important survey on the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for England.
The presumption of parental involvement in a child’s life is to be withdrawn, the government has announced. This significant shift in approach is intended to increase protection for children where domestic abuse is a factor in issued Court proceedings.
Companies and other organisations should be aware that the recent criminal offence of ‘failure to prevent fraud’ is in force.
A major review of agricultural tenancies could lead to significant modernisation of the current legal framework.
The recent case of Marcus v Marcus [2025] EWHC 1695 perfectly illustrates the potential for costly disagreement concerning who is considered a ‘child’ in the context of a trust.
Calling all owners of mixed use commercial property – legal updates are on the horizon that may well affect the plans that you have for your property, so the time to act is now.
Pre-nuptial agreements are increasingly important for many couples, and it’s not just the very wealthy who enter into them.
I have been asked a few times recently by businesses to review their terms of sale and advise on whether they are enforceable. It is a good question which has lead me to set out these brief general observations on the subject.
It’s unsurprising that farming and agricultural estates across the region are usually handed down through generations, but the expectations of some family members may need be managed.
The National Security and Investments Act 2021 (“NSIA”) was introduced to give the UK government the right to block transactions which may result in the transfer of rights to control assets or technology considered important for the UK’ s national security and infrastructure into foreign hands, thereby potentially jeopardising UK security.
If recent proposals are put into effect, by 2030 every commercial building across England and Wales will be expected to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least B, otherwise it cannot be legally rented out.
Serious accidents in the workplace are happening too frequently, causing devastating injuries and potentially long-term difficulties for the victims.
If you’re considering a claim against a deceased estate, it is important to take early expert advice to avoid the danger of pursuing a hopeless claim.
The courts are increasingly willing to allow financial claims by adult children against a parent’s estate. However, this trend undermines the long-standing principle that a testator is free to leave their estate to whoever they choose.
It has recently been reported in the news that an inheritance dispute is currently proceeding in the High Court in London that relates to the Estates of Sir Stirling and Lady Susie Moss. This was of particular interest to me being an avid motor racing fan...
Property owners in mortgage arrears and facing repossession should be wary of entering into agreements for a fast sale.
Working at a height is inherently dangerous; and it’s only right that employers have strict legal duties to protect their workers from the risks.
The farming and agricultural community can kick off 2026 with greater reassurance and certainty, now that the government has made two material concessions to its planned restrictions on agricultural and business property relief.
Read the final part on our blog covering the key changes within the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Read part 2 of our blog on the changes to the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Love in later life and the inheritance tax trap.
After months of parliamentary debate, the Employment Rights Bill has finally cleared the House of Lords and gained Royal Assent on 18th December 2025.
No ifs – just butts and buffs cooking up branding battles
Copycat culture: why your ‘new’ ideas may land you in copyright trouble.
Unless you’re running a very large organisation, maintaining a steady cash flow may be critical to your business’ survival. When unpaid invoices mount up, the resources spent chasing delayed payments are diverted from running your operations. ...
Today sees the Acas Early Conciliation period (the EC period) extended from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. During the EC period Acas has a duty to promote settlement once a claim has been notified to it. If no settlement is achieved within the EC period Acas...
A director who deliberately deceives the board, even if they sincerely believe they are doing so in the company’s best interests, will be in breach of their fiduciary duties. The Court of Appeal has handed down a ruling involving a director who...
On 23 September 2025 the NHS introduced a new initiative for GPs in England called Jess’s Rule . Also known as the “three strikes and rethink” approach, GPs are being urged to take further action or review and rethink where a patient...
From April 2027, the inheritance tax treatment of UK registered occupational pensions will change – but not to the extent that government originally proposed. Last year, it consulted on several proposals to reform inheritance tax (IHT), including...
Sepsis can develop with little warning and the cause may never be known. Unfortunately, sepsis can also be caused by so-called ‘never events’ – serious negligent mistakes during surgery or other medical treatment. While the clue is in the...
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (the “Act”) recently came into force. The Act came about due to the tragic Manchester Arena bombings in 2017, and you may also see the Act referred to as “Martyn’s Law”,...
In August 2021, 13-year-old Martha Mills, tragically passed away after contracting sepsis at King's College Hospital, London. She had initially been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling from her bike. Despite her parents voicing concerns about...
September is Sepsis Awareness Month . To help raise awareness of this life threatening condition and the importance of spotting it early, we have prepared a Q&A to help you understand what sepsis is, the warning signs to look out for and how sepsis is...
Sepsis is causing increasing concerns, reportedly causing more deaths than cancer across the world - and not enough people know about it. Sepsis is a serious medical emergency that can quickly become fatal if untreated. It can also develop with little...
In financial proceedings on divorce, it’s not uncommon for the parties to disagree as to whether a specific asset should be included in the matrimonial ‘pot’. The landmark Supreme Court ruling in Standish has provided much-needed clarity on...
It has been the practice for many commercial landlords, when arranging block insurance, to be paid commission by insurers, but without tenants necessarily knowing about it. Alternatively, the landlord might take a share of a broker’s commission. An...
The inclusion of leaver provisions in a company’s articles of association can lead to disagreement as to how they should apply, so it’s always welcome when the court sets out guidance on such matters. The Court of Appeal recently highlighted the...
As the UK government prepares for the highly anticipated 2025 Autumn Budget, speculation is mounting about potential reforms to the country’s Inheritance Tax (IHT) system. With Rachel Reeves being constrained by her manifesto pledges to keep income...
Commercial terms can be a minefield if not carefully negotiated and drafted to reflect the parties’ clear intentions. An ‘agreement to agree’ a price for a product has led to the Court of Appeal providing guidance that businesses will find...
From April 2026, farmers and agricultural business owners will only be entitled to a £1m inheritance tax allowance, with 20% charged on assets in excess. But some MPs have recently called for implementation of the new rules to be delayed for a year. ...