Inheritance Act Disputes
By Paul Currie, Head of Litigation There has been a 162% increase in the past 12 months in Inheritance Disputes in the High Court. These type of disputes may arise from issues with a Will, the fact no Will has…
Oral Assurances Are No Replacement for Properly Drafted Documents
Oral assurances are all well and good but, if they are not recorded in a professionally drafted document, how can it be proved that they were ever given? A farmer's son faced exactly that difficulty in a High Court dispute…
Powers of Attorney – This Is Why You Should Appoint an Independent Lawyer!
A case in which a son abused his power of attorney to squander £230,000 of his frail mother's money underlined the wisdom of employing an experienced lawyer, rather than a loved one to manage your finances if you lose the ability…
Ex-Members of Defunct Tennis Club Share £260,000 Payout
A great many people give generously of their time to the management of social and sporting clubs and such dedication is very often not rewarded, at least financially. In one uplifting case, however, the High Court opened the way for…
Property Owners – Don’t Lose Your Title Deeds!
Title deeds to property often lie mouldering and forgotten for many years, but the consequences of losing them can be severe. In a case that stands as a warning to the untidy, misplaced documents left a businessman facing an alleged…
Football Club Triumphs In Match Day Policing Costs Test Case
In a decision that will be greeted with joy by football clubs all over the country, the Court of Appeal has ruled that police forces are not entitled to charge them for keeping the peace in public areas around stadiums…
Court Upholds Restrictions on Holiday Homes
The old adage that 'an Englishman's home is his castle' is only partially true and the impact of planning law on a property owner's rights can be far-reaching – even extending to limiting the right of occupation. This is particularly…
Don’t Litigate Without a Lawyer to Tell You When You’re Wrong!
One reason why it is rarely advisable to represent yourself in litigation is that you need a good lawyer to tell you when you are wrong. That point could hardly have been more clearly made than by a case in…
Probate Fees Reprieve
The snap general election means that the Government acknowledges that it is unlikely that the large increases in probate fees due to come in in May will now take place, as there is insufficient Parliamentary time for the legislation to…
Actor in Cosmetic Treatment Tax Appeal Refused Anonymity
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are obliged to keep individuals’ tax affairs secret - but confidentiality generally does not survive an appeal. Exactly that happened in one case in which well-known actor Martin Clunes sought to set off the cost…