You win sum, you lose sum: Estate administration changes
A change to inheritance tax that will save beneficiaries thousands of pounds could be offset by a proposed hike in probate court fees. From 6 April 2017 the much heralded...
Beneficiary failed to vacate property left in trust by mother
The trustees of a trust set up by the 1997 Will of Jean Montgomery have succeeded in the latest round of litigation against one of the beneficiaries regarding possession of...
Top 10 reasons why Lasting Powers of Attorney are important for people of all ages
Lasting powers of attorney (LPA) are important to everyone, no matter what age you are. A Lasting Power of Attorney provides reassurance that arrangements are in place so you can...
Post-Brexit: the possible impact on family law
With the dust settling following the UK’s Brexit decision, we are still wondering what precisely this will mean for everyone, what the economic implications may be and, for the lawyers...
A guide to data protection and direct marketing
Businesses often rely on direct marketing to attract new business so it is important to understand key data protection issues before carrying out any direct marketing activities. There can be...
St Albans Cathedral awarded £3.9m Heritage Lottery grant
Debenhams Ottaway is one of the corporate sponsors of ‘Alban, Britain’s First Saint’, an exciting development project for St Albans Cathedral that has just received lottery funding. The Heritage Lottery...
Entrepreneurs’ relief
Entrepreneurs’ relief is a relief from capital gains tax that is available to individuals, and in certain cases trustees. Entrepreneurs’ relief applies a capital gains tax rate of 10% to...
Ways of protecting vulnerable adults
Some adults are less able to protect themselves than others, so good legal advice for them or their carers is essential. A vulnerable adult may have difficulty expressing their wishes...
Top tips: How to protect your Will from being challenged
Challenges to Wills are more common nowadays and likely to be increasingly so in the future. What, if anything, can be done to protect a Will from being challenged? To...
The impact of Brexit – an employment law perspective
Now that the immediate dust from the momentous decision by the UK public to leave the EU has settled, employment law specialists are surveying the horizon; what changes to the...
Lasting Powers of Attorney for peace of mind
Many people combine successful businesses and careers with active social lives, taking skiing and sailing holidays, cycling to keep fit and generally enjoying their hard earned leisure time. The problem...
Do I need to appoint a professional trustee?
A trust is a useful tool that allows you to retain some control of how your assets are allocated to your beneficiaries. They can help preserve your assets for future...
Deeds of variation: still a useful tool to reduce inheritance tax
Despite the Government reviewing deeds of variation last year to see if they were being used to avoid tax, no action was taken and for the time being, they remain...
Considerations for separated parents taking children on holiday
It’s that time of the year – schools are out for the summer and children up and down the country are looking forward to their summer holiday. For children of...
Bankruptcy and winding up petition deposits to increase from 21 July 2016
The Insolvency Proceedings (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2016 (SI 2016/692) (“Order”) will come into force on 21 July 2016, revoking The Insolvency Proceedings (Fees) Order 2004 (SI 2004/593). The Order provides...
Lorna Bowler qualifies for the National Track Omnium Final
Lorna Bowler, the young cyclist we are sponsoring through the SportsAid programme, has been juggling her training and competing with school exams. She recently qualified for the National Track Omnium Final...
Debenhams Ottaway sponsors St Albans Literary Festival 2016
Debenhams Ottaway is sponsoring one of the headline events at this year’s St Albans Literary Festival, Anthony Lester QC in conversation with Martine Croxall, on Friday 8 July. Anthony will...
Company directors imprisoned following convictions for health and safety breach
June 2016 A recent Crown Court case provides a stark reminder of the serious potential consequences for company directors who are found in breach of health and safety legislation. In...
Competition and Markets Authority guidance on online reviews and endorsements
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has recently published an open letter providing guidance to PR and marketing companies on online reviews and endorsements of consumer products and services. This...
Child maintenance: How is it decided who pays and how much?
From 2018 the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will replace the Child Support Agency (CSA). Although this is still two years away, the CMS is already starting to take over all...