Winds of change or merely a storm in a tea cup?
Backwards tracing added to the arsenal of civil recovery weaponry in fraud and breach of trust case On 3 August 2015 the Privy Council handed down its judgment in The Federal...
New food bank comes to St Albans
The Vineyard Christian Fellowship of St Albans has just had their planning permission approved for a new food bank in St Albans. Earlier in the year Debenhams Ottaway assisted the...
Is this the end of the deed of variation?
Following the July 2015 budget, the Government has followed through on its promise and launched a consultation on the use of deeds of variation. The current rules on deeds of...
International children cases: Which country is the appropriate forum to resolve proceedings?
The High Court has recently handed down judgement in an international children case involving bitterly contested litigation in which the judge described the parents as ‘physically exhausted by the legal process...
Charities increasingly involved in probate litigation
Legacies are a huge source of income for many charities and are heavily relied on to further charitable aims. Worryingly, charities increasingly find themselves involved in probate litigation as illustrated...
Winner takes it all?
In a recent Court of Appeal decision the court upheld an earlier ruling that awarded Mrs Aly all the marital assets amounting to £550,000 upon her divorce. This decision, at...
Three common mistakes in recruitment agreements
Disputes in the recruitment sector are common. Whether it’s a client not paying a transfer fee, a supplier poaching your staff or ex-employees taking a key client; if your business...
Seven common Wills and probate misconceptions
There are a number of misconceptions people have about probate, estates and Wills. Below are some of the most common 1. My debts will die with me Not correct. Your...
Schools out: Contact arrangements for separated parents during the holidays
With the summer holidays fast approaching, many separated parents are considering whether to allow their ex to take their children away on holiday. This is often fraught with difficulties, particularly...
Professional deputy avoids personal liability
Professional deputies have a challenging role dealing with the property and affairs of a person who lacks capacity. The deputy must act and make decisions in the person’s best interests. ...
Northern Ireland decision on calculating voluntary overtime – will England follow?
The courts in Northern Ireland have recently been hitting the headlines in England, providing food for thought for HR professionals and business owners here. Hard on the heels of the...
Mother’s Will overridden by court
A surprising decision by the Court of Appeal to award a daughter who had been deliberately excluded from her mother’s will a substantial settlement from her estate will be unwelcome news to...
“Life is Short. Have an Affair”
The hacking of the Ashley Madison website and threats to release details of potential adulterers has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The hackers, who have named themselves the...
Late notification of officer changes can be costly for your company
Recent guidance from Companies House has meant that greater prudence must be applied when informing them about changes to a limited company. Many companies do not inform Companies House of...
Divorce battle: Don’t let non payment land you in prison
The divorce of Yasmin and Michael Prest has taken yet another twist. On 7 July the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of Mr Justice Moylan in the High Court...
Debenhams Ottaway launches regulatory, compliance and professional disciplinary team
Debenhams Ottaway has launched a regulatory, compliance and professional disciplinary team acting for professionals in highly regulated sectors, including healthcare professionals, sportsmen, pilots, accountants, financial services professionals and lawyers. With...
Charities face threat to legacy income as the court says Will can be ignored
A number of charities have voiced concern following this week’s decision by the Court of Appeal, in the case of a Hertfordshire woman cut out of her mother’s Will, to...
Being neighbours from hell can be costly
It is well known that neighbour disputes can adversely affect an owner’s ability to sell their property, as they have to be declared in the Seller’s Property Information Form and...
Top 10 tips for buying a recruitment business
The recruitment sector is moving from strength to strength as confidence in the economy rallies and unemployment continues to fall year on year. A greater demand for temporary and full...
Thinking of selling this summer?
Sellers are traditionally wary of putting their homes on the market during the summer holidays, as they are concerned many buyers – particularly of family homes – will have their minds on...