Do you have these important documents in place?
With busy work and family lives, many of us put off reviewing important policies and documents, which can help avoid complications in the future. Your Pension Nomination If you are...
Debenhams Ottaway strengthens its probate offering
With the rising number of families contesting a relative’s Will and major cases regularly making the headlines, contested probate is becoming an increasingly important area of law. To meet the...
Another success for Debenhams Ottaway’s planning team
Debenhams Ottaway’s planning team has been advising long term client, the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance, on a project to build 5,000 homes and a distribution centre in Houghton...
A better way to manage long term ill health?
A new, state-funded occupational health assessment service is now operational. The so far under-publicised service, branded ‘Fit for Work’, aims to provide a simple and cost effective way for employees,...
Whistleblowing – What is in the public interest?
HR Directors and CEOs will be aware that it is no longer so easy for an employee to use whistleblowing legislation, which was originally intended to protect those who were...
When should bad behaviour influence the financial division on divorce?
The question of when wasteful spending and ‘bad behaviour’ of one party during a marriage should be reflected in how finances are divided in a divorce arose in a recent case in...
The small business, enterprise and employment act 2015: How changes can affect your business
The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, which came in to force earlier this year, made a number of company law changes, some of which are highlighted below. The...
Talks on taking the Dragons’ Apprentice national
Debenhams Ottaway hosted a meeting of leading local business professionals to brainstorm the next steps for taking the very successful St Albans Dragons’ Apprentice nationwide. The session was attended by...
Preventing rights being acquired over your land – A recent case brings good news for landowners
Most landowners will be familiar with stories in the press of squatters’ rights or adverse possession. Fewer will be aware that neighbouring landowners can acquire other rights to use or...
Nuptial agreements: Don’t be pressured into signing an unfair agreement
An ex-wife of a property tycoon has warned women in a similar position against signing post-nuptial agreements after she has been stung by her own. Mr and Mrs Hopkins married...
Make sure you can always pay the school fees
Getting your children into the right independent school is one of the key milestones in their life as well as your own. It is the beginning of a whole new...
Is the future secure for deeds of variation?
Deeds of variation are coming under scrutiny as a tax-avoidance measure, so is the clock ticking for this useful retrospective estate planning tool? The Chancellor in the last budget stated...
Director/Shareholders: How to protect your interest with a cross-option agreement
The untimely death or critical illness of an owner-manager of a private company is a traumatic time not only for their family but also for the remaining shareholders. It is...
Debenhams Ottaway sponsors International Organ Festival Art Exhibition
The St Albans International Organ Festival is back for 2015. One of the festival highlights, the Art Exhibition, sponsored by Hertfordshire law firm Debenhams Ottaway, will be held at the...
Changes to lasting powers of attorney: Making it easier for you
Putting in place a lasting power of attorney (LPA) is to be simplified but it is still important to receive proper legal advice before making them. Following feedback by users...
Social media in recruitment – is your business protected?
Recent years have seen an explosion in the use of social media and the growth seems set to continue. As of February 2015 Facebook had more than 1.44billion users, half...
Is your bonus scheme discriminatory?
Employers with bonus schemes linked to attendance need to ensure that there is enough flexibility within schemes to avoid withholding payments in circumstances where this is likely to be discriminatory....
Intellectual property assignments: Avoid an INNOCENT mistake
The High Court recently issued judgment in the case of Fresh Trading Limited v Deepend Fresh Recovery Limited and another [2015] EWHC 52 (Ch). This case highlights the importance of obtaining a...
How restrictive covenants can add value to your land
It is often the case that planning law does not provide the degree of protection that residents might want in the face of unwelcome development of land in the immediate neighbourhood. In such circumstances,...
Ex-employee claims victimisation against University
A number of useful points emerged from a decision of the Court of Appeal recently in a case brought by a former employee of the University of Oxford, Dr Deer....