When enough is too much already
The withdrawal of public funding for financial claims in divorce cases was clearly demonstrated earlier this month in the case of Welch and Welch. The divorced couple had been involved...
‘Tis the season to give lolly
Christmas is the season for giving so why not splash out this festive season, spoil your loved ones and get the added benefit of sorting out some inheritance tax planning...
The pitfalls of DIY Wills
With the cost of living increasing, it is not surprising that people want to save money where they can. When faced with the cost of preparing a Will, is ‘doing...
Susan Glenholme receives private wealth accolade
Susan Glenholme, private wealth partner at Debenhams Ottaway, has recently received ‘lawyers beyond London’ recognition in the latest Spear’s 500 guide to advisers to the wealthy. Published by Spear’s magazine, the Spear’s...
St Albans is the place for young professionals
A networking group for young professionals in St Albans has been launched by the City of Expertise, with local entrepreneur, Zoë Jackson MBE, as guest speaker drawing in the crowds. The...
Small employers – are you aware of the risks?
People who employ domestic staff such as nannies, housekeepers or gardeners often do not consider themselves as employers and may be unaware of their minimum obligations towards their staff. Recent...
Major charities involved win legacy dispute
Four charities, Marie Curie Cancer Care, the RNIB, Action on Hearing Loss and the Royal Institute of Cancer Research won a recent High Court legacy dispute over a £1.8m inheritance,...
Is it fair to dismiss an employee for a Facebook status posted years ago?
The recent trend in the courts seems to support aggressive pursuit of misconduct on social media by employers and the latest example involving the British Waterways Board is no exception....
How to be a good attorney
Attorneys for property and financial affairs lasting powers of attorney (LPA) may be unsure which way to turn when they start using the document. Typically LPAs are created by people looking ahead...
Energy efficiency – the new regime
On 1 April 2016 the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 will come into force. They introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard for all property as...
Give the landlord a break?
Although not as common as a tenant requesting an option to break, a landlord may also want a new lease to include an option to end the tenancy early. This...
Debenhams Ottaway makes the UK top 200
Debenhams Ottaway has been listed in The Lawyer top 200 UK law firms for 2015, the only St Albans firm and one of only two Hertfordshire firms recognised. This comes...
Cutting costs with contractual clarity
For every business, it remains important to consider and draft commercial agreements carefully. A coherent and precise contract results in all parties involved knowing the intentions of the agreement. If...
Costs of bankruptcy or winding-up petitions to increase
The Government has made its ninth amendment to insolvency fees under the Insolvency Proceedings (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2015 (SI 2015/1819). The costs of presenting a bankruptcy or winding-up petition will increase for...
Cohabitation and the demise of marriage
The latest research by the Marriage Foundation confirms that the “middle classes” are turning their back on marriage. The past 18 years has seen marriage rates fall by 25% in...
Are your attempts to limit your liability ‘reasonable’?
It is common practice for most businesses to include various limitation clauses in their standard terms and conditions with the hope that, in the event of a fault in the...
Why does it take so long to buy my house?
You’ve found your perfect home, your offer has been accepted and you’re ready to move in – so what’s the hold up? You’ve done what you need to – instructed...
Whose art is it anyway?
The art and legal worlds crossed this month when the Creative Foundation and Dreamland Leisure Limited clashed over who owned a mural attributed to the street artist Banksy. The case,...
Sotheby’s comes to town
Have you ever wondered about the value of a family heirloom? Are you thinking of selling some jewellery? Now you have the perfect opportunity as world famous Sotheby’s is coming...
Should the divorces of the rich and famous be kept secret?
When is it appropriate for the media to report financial details of a divorce? This question was addressed by Mr Justice Mostyn of the High Court recently in relation to...