
Don’t get burnt with service charge disputes
It is a common term in a lease that a certified service charge sum demanded by the landlord is ‘conclusive’. But what should you do if the service charge is…

Key things to consider before helping a friend or family member’s start up business
Is a family member or close friend looking to start a business? Are you thinking about helping them out with some funding? Here are some crucial points you need to…

Landlords: Are you fire safety ready?
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into effect on 23 January this year. These regulations will materially impact landlords, managers and operators of buildings in England that contain two…

New UK data protection regime – what to expect
Less paperwork for organisations, fewer data collection pop-ups for the wider public, and more than £4 billion saved over next 10 years – these are just a few outcomes that…

Can a letter marked ‘without prejudice’ amount to effective communication of dismissal?
Mr Meaker was a data centre operations technician who suffered from back injuries that resulted in prolonged periods of sick leave and permanent “limitations on his ability”. On 5 February…

No-fault divorce: A Q&A one year on
The no-fault divorce provisions have been in place for a year, but for separating couples this simplified process can still feel unfamiliar and daunting. We answer some common questions about…

Fire & rehire: Government consultation underway
The government has published a draft Code of Practice on fire and rehire, and a 12-week consultation period has commenced. Our employment law experts provide the latest updates. The draft code…

Flexible working is becoming the default
Offering staff flexibility is a perk that appeals to many and helps maintain a happy, motivated workforce. Our employment law team introduce the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill, confirming that flexible…

The modern way of registering lasting powers of attorney
Many people today understand the benefit of having a lasting power of attorney (LPA), whereby someone nominates an individual to be their attorney in respect of their health and welfare…

Why business owners should think twice before disposing of assets
When looking to the future, or going through a change in circumstances, it’s likely that business owners will wonder whether selling or disposing of assets and interests is the right…

Quit drafting the notice to quit
The Court of Appeal has recently deemed a notice to quit invalid as it was addressed incorrectly, highlighting the importance of accuracy when preparing and serving notices. The court considered…

Break clauses: A case for careful drafting
The Capitol Park Leeds Plc v Global Radio Services Ltd case has further highlighted the importance of the careful drafting of break options in commercial leases. The break clause in…

Grazing licence or Farm Business Tenancy: Which is right for you?
Grazing licences and Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs) are both occupational arrangements available to landowners – but which is right for you? This will largely depend on the activities to be…

Hold your horses: The dangers of a grazing licence gone wrong
If not in writing or drafted carefully, a grazing agreement may inadvertently create a tenancy rather than a licence, giving the grazier far greater rights than the parties intended. A…

Property protocol forms updated to reflect building safety legislation
The Law Society protocol forms provide guidance in respect of sale and purchase transactions, designed to assist with making the conveyancing process transparent and effective. Recently, key property protocol forms…

Lawyer up for the updated act that could affect you!
On 1 December 2022, the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 came into force. This brought about sweeping changes to housing law in Wales, such that there is now a large…

Improving transparency in UK real estate investment: An overview of the new Register of Overseas Entities before January deadline
The UK government has introduced a new register that requires overseas owners of UK real estate to reveal their identity before the deadline on 31 January. This is part of…

Sponsor licence holders: The latest changes you should know for your business
The Home Office has published some important changes to its guidance for sponsor licence holders. Some of the reforms will be welcomed by sponsors. Exemption from immigration skills charge Subject…

COVID-19: Is long covid a disability?
Our expert employment law team discuss the first case dealing with the status of long covid and what it means for employers. In Burke v Turning Point Scotland, the employment…

New register for overseas owners of UK property
For a more recent article covering the Register of Overseas Entities by our corporate & commercial team, please view here. One of our real estate experts explains the new register…

Advice for landowners – the advantages and traps of promotion agreements
What are the benefits of land promotion agreements and when should landowners be wary? One of our experienced agriculture & estates lawyers shares their insight. Promotion agreements are joint venture…

Articles of association update: Does this impact your business?
Our corporate & commercial team shares the latest update for small and sole director companies on reviewing articles of association. In this year’s summer edition of Law News, we reported…

New rules for energy performance in non-residential buildings
April 2023 sees the introduction of new EPC regulations for commercial properties. We discuss the potential implications for landlords. There can be no more pressing issue for both domestic and…

Zero hours contracts: How will the ban on exclusivity clauses affect lower income workers?
Following a government decision to extend the ban on exclusivity clauses to lower income workers, our employment law team shares the latest information. In 2015, regulations were introduced to prevent…

A guide to the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021
Buying a company? One of our corporate & commercial experts introduces the National Security and Investment Act, which transactions could be affected and when you should be mindful of it.…

The plight of unmarried cohabiting couples: government rejects MP calls for reform
A group of MPs recently published a report calling for “urgent” reforms in legislation, which currently leave unmarried, cohabiting couples with “inferior” protections. Some key recommendations made for consideration were…

From neverland to never ever – disputing ‘the King of Pop’s’ estate
Michael Jackson, known by many as the ‘King of Pop,’ passed away on 25 June 2009. When preparing his will, he had plenty to consider, including his many assets and…

Why you can’t list a Ford Focus as a Porsche 911
Vehicle misrepresentation – a statement made from one person to another, which is later found to be untrue or inaccurate – is a common issue and can lead to drastic…

First-time buyer? Stamp duty tax cuts revealed
In the government’s recent growth plan, announced by the former chancellor on Friday 23 September, it was revealed that first-time buyers will only pay stamp duty land tax on homes…

Government u-turns on off-payroll working rules
Today (17 October 2022), the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has announced that the government’s plan to scrap the IR35/off payroll working rules (as detailed just three weeks ago in September’s…

A guide to agricultural property and business property relief
Agricultural property relief allows land and farm buildings to be passed free from inheritance tax either during a lifetime or after a death. This is subject to certain conditions being…

IDTA: New UK standard contractual clauses for international transfers
New standard clauses mean organisations will need to incorporate either the International Data Transfer Agreement or the UK Addendum in all contracts concluded on or after 22 September 2022. This…

Queen's funeral bank holiday - what are employers' obligations?
It was announced over the weekend that Monday 19 September will be an additional public holiday to mark the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Since this has, understandably,…

New global business mobility route streamlines UK worker visas
2022 has been a year of exciting developments in the business immigration world. So far, the biggest news is UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) opening the new global business mobility…

A new gateway for pay equality
A recent case has paved the way for employers to be more transparent in identifying equal work and pay. For the first time, a tribunal has ordered a company to…

Why sole director companies should check articles of association
A recent case has highlighted the importance of ensuring a company is incorporated with carefully drafted articles of association, if there is only one director. All limited companies must have…