020 8221 8000 Enquire now

General

Property and Wills

What Happens to a Property After Someone Dies?

Losing a loved one is difficult enough without having to navigate unfamiliar legal and administrative processes. One of the most common questions families ask is what happens to a property after someone dies and whether it can be sold or transferred immediately. The answer depends on a number of factors, including how the property was owned, whether there is a valid Will and whether probate is required. Our private client and lifetime planning team advises families across each of these stages, from applying for probate through to the sale or…

Selling a Business

Selling a Business: The Key Legal Stages

Deciding to sell your business is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. Getting the process right requires careful planning, the right professional team, and a clear understanding of what lies ahead. From the first preparations to the final handover, the journey typically takes between three and six months, and the legal process is central to every stage. The preparations may take longer especially if a pre-sale reorganisation is required to hive-out the business and assets into an SPV whose shares are then to be sold. This…

High Court Decision on Overseas Surrogacy and Trust Beneficiaries: A Legal Perspective

The recent High Court decision concerning the inclusion of a child born through an overseas surrogacy arrangement as a beneficiary of family trusts represents a significant development in the evolving relationship between trust law, succession planning, and modern methods of family formation. The case arose from an application by Ceawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess of Bath, and his wife, Emma Thynn, seeking the court’s approval for their son, Henry, to be included within the beneficial class of three family trusts. Although Henry was genetically the child of the couple, he…

Double Risk for Estates

Double risk for families dealing with estates

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, adding further stress and financial pressure. Recent figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show that more than 2,000 probate applications in England and Wales took over a year to be granted by the Ministry in the 12 months to April 2025. While the MoJ says many applications are now being…

Due Diligence

Due Diligence: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know

Whether you are acquiring a business, entering into a partnership, taking on an investor, or signing a significant commercial contract, due diligence is the process that safeguards you making an uninformed decision. In simple terms, it is the comprehensive research, audit and analysis you undertake before committing to a significant transaction. When done well, it confirms what you have been given, uncovers risks that may not be immediately apparent, and equips you to negotiate from a position of strength. In England and Wales, the principle of caveat emptor (buyer beware)…

Spring Budget

Chancellor seeks stability in turbulent times

On the stump with the Spring Statement as government chases stability and growth Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a punchy Spring Statement, flagging the importance of stability at home amidst growing global uncertainty.  Intended as an opportunity to shine a light on improved forecasts, global politics showed how it can intrude on even the most carefully framed domestic narrative, with the sudden escalation of hostilities in the Middle East over the weekend forcing a recalibration of tone. The Chancellor instead started with the turbulence of an increasingly dangerous world, thanking the…

A New Year Wills Healthcheck

Is your Will still fit for purpose?

The start of a new year is often a prompt to get things in order - reviewing finances, updating records and planning for the year ahead. One important document that is often overlooked after it’s been signed, however, is a Will. Many people assume that once a Will is in place, the job is done and it can be forgotten about. In reality, even a well-drafted Will can cause significant difficulty if it is outdated, unclear, or cannot be located when it is needed. We recently dealt with a matter…

Dilapidations Explained

Dilapidations Explained: What Commercial Tenants and Landlords Need to Know

Dilapidations are a common source of dispute at the end of a commercial lease. They can involve significant sums of money and often come as an unwelcome surprise to tenants who believed they had left a property in reasonable condition. Understanding what dilapidations cover and how claims are assessed is essential for both landlords and tenants navigating the end of a lease. At their core, dilapidations are about whether a tenant has complied with their lease obligations regarding the property's physical condition. What a landlord can legitimately claim, and what…

Leaving Charitable Gifts in Your Will

Leaving Charitable Gifts in Your Will

Leaving a charitable gift in your will is an easy, impactful way to support causes you care about. Whether it’s a fixed sum, a specific item, or a share of your residuary estate, legacy giving can create a lasting difference — and it can be tax-efficient. Gifts to UK-qualifying charities are usually exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT). Ways to leave a gift to charity Pecuniary gift: a specified sum of money to a named charity. Specific gift: a particular item (e.g. property, jewellery, artwork, shares). Residuary gift: all or a…

NDAs

NDAs – an overview

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), also referred to as a Confidentiality Agreement, is a legal mechanism used primarily in employment or business contexts to safeguard confidential information. NDAs are versatile instruments applicable across various scenarios, but their core principle remains the same: one or both parties agree not to disclose specified confidential information. NDAs can either be standalone documents or be incorporated into broader agreements. For example, there may be non-disclosure clauses in an employment contract or a Settlement Agreement, to ensure that proprietary or sensitive information remains confidential. Types of…

Back To Top
Search

Powered by How to backup and restore wordpress site

error: Content is protected !!