On 18 December 2024, the Supreme Court handed down its hotly awaited judgment in Hirachand v Hirachand. The key question before the Supreme Court was whether the Court of Appeal was wrong in law to decide that a conditional fee agreement (“CFA”) success fee is a debt. If classified as a debt, the Court considered…
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Families in England & Wales are being urged to take action to safeguard their financial future ahead of upcoming changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules. The latest budget announced a freeze on the IHT nil rate band and residence nil rate band thresholds until 2030, meaning more families are likely to be impacted as property…
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Historically, the path to becoming a lawyer was clear: attend university, complete a Law Degree, and then take the Legal Practice Course (LPC) to qualify as a solicitor. However, times are changing, and so is the route to legal qualification. There are now additional paths to becoming a lawyer: Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) Law graduates…
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Christmas can be a tricky time when you’re a separated parent. So how can you make the festive season go more smoothly for you: Plan ahead Consider early on what arrangements might work for you all. Will the children alternate Christmas Days each year, or maybe have a set pattern of two ‘Christmas Days’, one…
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The Guardian has reported that the High Court has found a will, prepared on two separate cardboard food packages, to be valid. Malcolm Chenery died in 2021. Shortly before his death he made a will, his neighbours witnessing only the signing of the second ‘page’. He left his estate (which included a house, cash and…
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Reflecting on my 25 years in the field of personal injury, I have witnessed a huge range of cases and situations that underscore the complexities of law, human nature, and resilience. Here are some of my observations about the impact on road traffic accident victims and their families: The Emotional Weight of Trauma Clients come…
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The death of a loved one is a really devastating thing to process. In additional to the emotional turmoil that ensues, sometimes you are then required to attend to the property and financial affairs of your loved one. In most cases where a house or a certain type of assets involved you will need what…
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In this article we visit the employment changes that have been made because of last week’s Autumn budget, delivered by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves. The main changes are: Increases to the National Living Wage; and Increases to employer National Insurance contributions. The National Living Wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour…
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On 30 October 2024, Rachel Reeves, Britain’s first female chancellor, delivered Labour’s first Budget in 14 years. Here is a quick summary of how her budget will affect your personal finance and tax: Inheritance Tax The inheritance tax (IHT) nil rate band will remain at £325,000 and the residence nil rate band will remain at…
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Yesterday Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered Labour’s first budget since being elected to government. Reeves announced that there would be an increase in Stamp Duty Land Tax ( SDLT) for second homes. The government also confirmed the position on first time buyer reliefs due to come to an end in March 2025. Second-home buyers now face…
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