DIY Probate – The Pitfalls
With the huge increase in internet use, more & more people are being tempted to deal with probate & estate admin themselves. What are the pitfalls? Probate, the process of...
Shareholders’ agreements – What have they got to do with making a Will?
A shareholders’ agreement is a contract entered into between a company and some or all of its shareholders. It works in conjunction with a company’s articles of association by creating...
Rest in pieces, form R27!
From October 2014, form R27, which deals with a deceased’s income tax affairs up to the date of death, is no longer required. HMRC has said that the background to...
Employment law update: Shared parental leave
Businesses will probably know whether it has any female employees who are pregnant and due to take maternity leave during the next six months. How many, however, will know which of...
Debenhams Ottaway supports St Albans Literary Festival
St Albans first Literary Festival is a four-day celebration (from 6 to 9 November 2014) of story-telling, of every kind: great works of literature, journalistic writing, poetry, non-fiction, copy-writing and blogging will...
Debenhams Ottaway recognised in Legal 500
Debenhams Ottaway was recognised in eight categories (within the south east area) in Legal 500’s recently released rankings. Four of the eight were included for the first time. Practice areas...
Debenhams Ottaway raises £6,000 for local charities
Charity week for Willow Foundation and St Albans Museums and Galleries Trust Last week Debenhams Ottaway held a charity week in aid of their nominated charities for 2014/15 – Willow...
Debenhams Ottaway awards The Chocolate Wrapper ‘Best New Business’
Family run business, The Chocolate Wrapper, last week received the ‘Best New Business’ award at the St Albans and District Chamber of Commerce Community Business Awards. The Harpenden based business...
Business tenant refused new lease without compensation
A number of recent cases have made it easier for landlords to oppose the grant of a new tenancy under one of the “fault” grounds, with no compensation payable to...
You can take control of your digital legacy
On Facebook or Twitter? Digital assets include social media accounts, as well as online bank accounts. As you go through life, it is important to be aware of your digital...
Same sex marriages update
On 29 March 2014 the law changed to allow same sex couples to marry. In the three months following the new law, 1,409 same sex couples married, with 56% of...
Safeguarding children overrides reference in settlement agreement
Safeguarding children is a paramount consideration. But what happens if a former teacher asserts that his rights prevent safeguarding information being disclosed to the police? This was the issue which...
Employment business escapes liability under AWR
The Employment Tribunal (ET) of Stevens v Northolt High School serves as a very useful reminder of the importance of employment businesses setting up appropriate systems with hirers to obtain comparator information....
Electronic lasting powers of attorney put on hold amid fears of fraud and abuse
Government plans to introduce electronic lasting powers of attorney (LPA) have been postponed after concerns were raised by professional bodies about the risks of fraud and undue pressure. So, for...
Debenhams Ottaway shortlisted for ‘legal team of the year’
Last night the leading advisors to the private client industry attended the national STEP Private Client Awards 2014 at the London Hilton Park Lane. Hertfordshire firm Debenhams Ottaway was one...
Debenhams Ottaway appointed as REC Business Partner
Continuing commitment to working with the recruitment industry The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has appointed Debenhams Ottaway as a Business Partner. The REC is the nationally recognised professional body...
Veer Dhara to reopen in St Albans
Veer Dhara is set to reopen in St Albans having taken a new lease of the Liberal Club in Hatfield Road (formerly the site of Kashu and Aqua restaurants). The...
Why remortgage?
With the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney indicating that interest rates will start to rise before too long, the unheralded period of low interest rates and cheap borrowing...
Debenhams Ottaway’s private client team shortlisted for national award
For the second year running, the Debenhams Ottaway private client team has been shortlisted for Legal Team of the Year (Midsize) at the national STEP Private Client Awards. They are up...
Debenhams Ottaway lawyers recognised as ‘leaders in their field’ in Chambers directory
Chambers UK has almost doubled the number of lawyers listed as ‘leaders in their field’ at Debenhams Ottaway and recognised the firm in two new practice areas this year. Well known...