Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant: what you need to know
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant is coming to an end. Find out how you can claim the final installment here.
Homebuyers’ sentiments in India have changed since COVID-19
Our client Anarock Property Consultants has recently published the results of their Pan India survey that provides a longitudinal view of consumer sentiments about the residential market and about changing consumer consumption attitudes since the outbreak of COVID-19. Industry body CII and property consultant Anarock conducted the online survey during January-June this year with a sample size of 4,965 participants. In the report, CII and Anarock say that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered homebuyers' preferences significantly, with the second wave being a significant change catalyst. I would love to hear…
Leaving a gift in your Will to charity
Leaving a gift in your Will to a UK charity is free of inheritance tax and can help make a difference with the work they do. Find out more.
Back to school: coronavirus rules, measures, and restrictions in schools
With pupils returning to school, and many coronavirus restrictions now lifted, we understand that both parents and pupils will have questions about what to expect. In this article, we look at the rules around wearing masks, self-isolating, and testing in relation to school pupils. Will children need to self-isolate if they are in contact with a pupil who has tested positive? The rules changed on 16th August with children aged under 18 no longer required to self-isolate if they have come into close contact with a person who has tested…
Divorce and grandparents’ rights
When a couple makes the decision to divorce, the breakdown of the relationship can have far-reaching consequences. Unfortunately, grandparents of any children of the relationship can suffer and even be prevented from seeing their grandchildren as often as they would like. However, there are certain actions grandparents can take to secure child arrangements with their grandchildren and in this article, we look at some of the solutions to a very sensitive legal problem. Do grandparents have any legal rights? Under UK law, grandparents do not have an automatic right through…
ISO 9001 LawNet Quality Standard accreditation
We are proud to announce that once again we have retained our ISO 9001 LawNet Quality Standard accreditation for another year following an outstanding audit. Earlier this month we were audited against the internationally renowned ISO-9001 quality mark standard, which is a requirement of our membership of LawNet (a mutual and member-owned organisation of approximately 70 law firms ranging in size from six to 50+ partners with a network of over 2,000 solicitors). This accreditation comprises the ISO standard interpreted for the law firm environment by LawNet and takes account of the Solicitors…
Property boundary disputes – getting to the root of the problem
Property boundary disputes are increasing as householders spend more time at home and in their gardens due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is fuelling a rise in boundary disputes as infrequent niggles have translated into nagging complaints, with overhanging branches, encroaching tree roots and towering hedges proving to be a major source of disagreement. But when it comes to overhanging branches, and fruit falling into a neighbour’s garden, there’s not always a clear-cut answer, even where it poses a health threat. Various protections may impact the right to trim back…
Travel operators and hope for holidaymakers when things go wrong
The dream of a tropical paradise became a nightmare, and a long-running legal battle, for one holidaymaker after she was subjected to a violent assault by a member of the hotel’s maintenance staff. But now, eleven years on, the Supreme Court has handed down its ruling, supporting the victim’s claim and clarifying the responsibilities of tour operators for the actions of an employee of a service provider, in a judgement that has far-reaching implications. Package tour operators have an obligation to make sure that the providers they use are up…
Leasehold property changes for new buyers
Change is in sight for buyers of new leasehold properties, with the passage through Parliament of a bill that will see the ending of ground rent, but it will not help existing leaseholders struggling with onerous terms. The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill applies to new, qualifying long residential leases in England and Wales and was tabled in response to one of the Law Commission’s recommendations designed to overhaul residential property in England and Wales. The recommendations address unfair practices in the leasehold system, which has already seen a ban…
Can you make a Power of Attorney online?
It is possible to make a Power of Attorney online, but whether you should is an entirely different matter. The process of making a Power of Attorney seems straightforward, but for those who are unfamiliar with the process, there are many potential pitfalls which could result in your application being rejected or your wishes not being carried out correctly. In this article, we look at some of the common difficulties we see when clients attempt to make a Power of Attorney online. How do I make a Power of Attorney…