Sales of property with an unwell Trustee – Part 1
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When a property is held under a life interest trust it usually means one person (the life tenant) has the right to live in or benefit from the property during their lifetime. After they die, the property passes to other people (the remaindermen). Often, the life tenant is also named as one of the trustees […]
What are LPAs and is this Something I Should Have?
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A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people (known as your ‘Attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf. This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make […]
Parental Leave: Rebalancing the Scales
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The UK’s parental leave system is under increasing scrutiny. A recent House of Commons report, “Equality at work: Paternity and shared parental leave,” argues that the current system is unfair, outdated, and hinders gender equality in the workplace and at home. While mothers can take up to 52 weeks of maternity leave, fathers (and co-parents) are […]
The Importance of Lawyer Advice in Commercial Lease Agreements
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Safeguarding interests for both landlords and tenants A commercial lease is often one of the most significant and complex contracts that a landlord or tenant will enter into. Whether leasing a small retail space or a vast industrial unit, the terms and conditions embedded in a commercial lease have lasting implications for both parties. Engaging […]
The Employment Rights Bill 2025 – What’s New?
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On October 10th 2024, the Government published its much anticipated Employment Rights Bill (the Bill). The Bill has gone through its 1st and 2nd reading in the House of Commons, and the Committee stage at the House of Lords. The Government have now released an implementation roadmap setting out the proposed dates for the changes. […]
The Arbitration Act 2025: A New Era for UK Arbitration Law
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The Arbitration Act 2025 (the 2025 Act) marks a significant milestone in the evolution of arbitration law in the United Kingdom. Building upon the foundation of the Arbitration Act 1996, the new legislation seeks to make arbitration a more robust and effective way for parties to resolve disputes without formal court proceedings. The main focus […]
I’m Married/ in a Civil Partnership, Do I Need a Will?
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The short answer is yes, everyone who has assets needs a Will to ensure your wishes are carried out. If you are married or in a civil partnership and have joint assets with your spouse/civil partner, these assets will automatically pass to them by survivorship. Assets in your sole name or held as tenants in […]
Commercial Leases: The Importance of Break Clauses
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A break clause is a provision in a lease that allows either the landlord, the tenant, or both to terminate the lease early on specified terms and dates. Its inclusion can have a substantial impact on the long-term viability and adaptability of a business. When entering into a long lease for commercial property, both landlords […]
Executors Beware! A Pensions and Inheritance Tax Update
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We have just had the government’s response to the October 2024 consultation process, arising out of the changes to the Inheritance Tax (“IHT”) status of pensions announced in the Autumn Statement. The consultation process triggered strong opposition from the pension industry, and this has resulted in some changes – although not the rollback of the […]
Do Listed Buildings Require an Energy Performance Certificate?
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Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) assess a building’s energy efficiency and are generally required when properties are built, sold, or rented. However, whether an EPC is needed for a listed building is a complex question. The crux of the issue lies in whether listed buildings are exempt from EPC obligations. The answer is not entirely straightforward, […]