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 overhanging branches from a neighbour’s trees, even when they extend over a boundary. And where trees are in a...
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 on leasehold...
The pros and cons of buying a commercial property If you are looking to move your business, there is an important decision to be made around whether you should buy or rent premises. There are several factors you should consider and making the right decision can be challenging. Potential investment opportunity Firstly, like with any...
There is no denying that 2020 is a year which will go down in history – for many reasons. The global pandemic, Brexit, and the fallout from these events has had a significant impact on many areas of our lives. These events may have far-reaching implications for your finances, your relationships and your business interests....
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on almost every business in the UK. For many businesses, it means they no longer require their business premises, or can no longer afford it. There are many other reasons, not directly related to COVID-19, that you may wish to exit a commercial lease. Maybe your operations have downsized...
The law of wills in England and Wales is to be amended to allow the remote electronic witnessing of wills under certain conditions. The change is to be backdated to 31 January 2020, in order to reassure the public regarding any wills that may have been remotely attested during the coronavirus epidemic The existing law...
The Notarial profession is the oldest branch of the legal profession. As the world of business continues to shrink, Notaries are perhaps more relevant now than ever. Julian Alahakoon and Ingrid Hindle shed some light on this ancient, yet essential role. Notary Publics assist businesses and companies whose activities stretch abroad. They continue to be...
Remember a Charity Week aims to encourage people to leave money to charity in their will as even a small donation can have a massive impact. The organisation www.rememberacharity.org.uk was formed in 2000 as a consortium of charities working to encourage more people to leave a legacy donation in their Will. The campaign works with...
Recently, representatives for singer / songwriter Adele, confirmed that she and her husband, Simon Konecki, have separated after three years of marriage. Adele and Simon had been together for eight years and media speculation has been rife about their upcoming divorce proceedings. Away from the media coverage, one key part of the announcement is that...
The news that no-fault divorce is likely to become law has been welcomed, but while the legislation waits for its place in the parliamentary calendar, families must continue to deal with one party being ‘blamed’ for the breakup or wait for the change in the law. And with the parliamentary calendar full of another divorce...
In February, the proposal to change the fees charged by the Probate Registry when applying for a Grant of Probate (or equivalent) to an estate when someone has died went before the Delegated Legislation Committee and were narrowly approved. The increased charges are likely to come into effect in April 2019 and will result in the...
Sally Runnacles and Val King both Senior Chartered Legal Executives and SFE Members are urging people to check their eligibility for a lasting power of attorney (LPA) fee refund, after almost two million people were overcharged by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) between 2013 and 2017. Claimants can expect to receive a refund...
Controversial court fees which have been branded a stealth tax on bereaved families are expected to prompt a surge in probate applications before the hike hits. The new banded fee structure will see the cost of probate soar by thousands of pounds for higher value estates. The current flat fee is £215 for a personal...
Rule changes on short term lets could see part-time landlords hit by a new tax bill from next year if they let out their whole property. Homeowners can earn up to £7,500 per year tax free by renting a room to a lodger, but the rise of the sharing economy and sites like Airbnb has...
Saturday 18 August has been reported as the most common day in 2018 to tie the knot in the UK. However, since the early 1970s, the number of people actually getting married has steadily decreased, dropping a further 3.4% last year. There have been many theories about why marriage rates are falling, but regardless the...
If you have debts owing from either a business or an individual, it is worth noting that there are various ways in which you may be able to charge interest. If your terms and conditions allow for reasonable interest to accrue on outstanding amounts, you can, of course, rely upon your terms and conditions providing...
Debt Recovery- The “how to” guide Unpaid debts? From time to time, you will encounter customers who sometimes fail to pay for the goods and/or services that you provide. This can be very frustrating and can impact the cash-flow of your business. It is, therefore, important to ensure that your debts are monitored closely and...
From the 1st October 2017 the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims came into effect. Who does it apply to? The Protocol applies to businesses (including sole traders and public bodies) claiming money from an individual (including sole traders). What is the purpose of it? This Protocol’s aims include:– encouraging early engagement and communication between the...
