Own a commercial property? Make the move to a mixed development

There are more than 148,000 part-commercial, part-residential properties in England and Wales, with flats above shops the most common occurrence. The market is growing, attracting new investors in search of higher yields and more lenders seeking to capitalise on demand. £242 million of semi-commercial mortgages were signed off in the three months in the lead…

Details

Change of circumstances: Varying your Maintenance Order

A spousal Maintenance Order is a legal obligation from a court that requires a former spouse to make regular and ongoing financial payments to the other, following divorce or separation. Once the order has been set up, many people wonder whether they are able to seek a variation. While it may be possible to reach…

Details

Mergers and Acquisitions: How the UK market is changing

UK public Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) have hit levels unseen since 2018. According to research from Barclays Investment Bank, a series of $5-billion-plus transactions has allowed the UK to leap ahead of the rest of Europe. Although there remains significant geopolitical uncertainty and a changing macroeconomic backdrop, the boardroom confidence has remained remarkably resilient. Growth…

Details

What are the risks of not securing your Will properly?

You may have made the responsible step of creating a Will, but the next challenge is securing it correctly. When someone dies, the process of administering their estate follows soon after. If an original copy of the deceased’s Will can’t be found, it may be treated as if it never existed. Can a copy of…

Details

Breach of employment contract: What can employers do?

The purpose of employment contracts is to set clear expectations of an employee’s duties and behaviour. In the UK, breach of contract claims account for approximately 14 per cent to 17 per cent of all employment tribunal complaints, so it is important for employers to make decisions carefully. How you respond often matters more than…

Details

Team spirit shines at Summer Social

Our team recently came together for a fantastic Summer Social at Weybridge Cricket Club, enjoying an evening of friendly competition, great food and even better company. The evening kicked off with a lively game of rounders, bringing plenty of friendly competition, teamwork and laughter. It was a great opportunity for colleagues to connect outside of…

Details

What happens to child arrangements if an ex-partner wants to relocate abroad?

While separation can be difficult enough, the news your ex-partner is relocating overseas can raise difficult questions about child arrangements. Understanding the legal position at an early stage can help parents safeguard their relationships with their children and evaluate their next steps. What are your rights? Parental Responsibility means you are entitled to be involved…

Details

Changes to unfair dismissal are arriving in January 2027: Is your firm ready?

One of the flagship policies introduced in the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA) significantly reduces the qualifying period for legal protection against unfair dismissal. Understanding the changes can allow your business to stay compliant and reduce the risk of compensation claims. What do the changes mean? Under current legislation, employees need two years’ continuous service…

Details

How can prenuptial agreements help protect family wealth?

While entering a pre-nuptial agreement might seem unromantic, it can offer many practical benefits. Outlining what would happen to assets in the case of divorce or separation can help protect family wealth from being classed as matrimonial property. What does a pre-nuptial agreement involve? A pre-nuptial agreement is signed before a marriage, outlining what would…

Details

Child arrangements – The rights of grandparents

For many children, grandparents are a constant and reassuring presence, often providing an important support network. However, when a family goes through separation or divorce, grandparents can suddenly find themselves cut off from grandchildren they have helped to raise. It comes as a surprise to many that grandparents in England and Wales have no automatic…

Details