Blogs
Government increases financial support as coronavirus measures intensify
On Thursday 19 March, our Employment Law team published their first blog on the support available to protect businesses and employees financially, and therefore avoid business closures and job losses, as the coronavirus pandemic intensified. Just days later, the situation has already changed beyond....
Controversial IR35 tax changes confirmed but delayed
The Spring Budget confirmed many self-employed individuals’ worst fear: controversial changes to IR35 ‘off-payroll’ tax rules were to go ahead with effect from April. However, with both employed and self-employed workers experiencing significant financial difficulties amid the coronavirus cri....
Coronavirus in the workplace: what you need to know
Over the past few weeks, it seems that a single topic of conversation has been on the lips of the entire nation: the COVID-19, or coronavirus, outbreak. In response to the country’s concerns, new Chancellor Rishi Sunak wasted no time in outlining a £30bn fiscal stimulus package during his Spring....
Coronavirus – a force majeure event?
The COVID-19 outbreak is wreaking havoc on businesses across the nation, leaving many worrying about what would happen if reduced staff numbers or forced shutdown meant they were unable to fulfil their contractual obligations. As a result, companies are asking the question: would a ‘force majeure....
What do conveyancers actually do?
When purchasing a property, conveyancing fees are often considered the inconvenient cherry on top of the already expensive cake of moving costs. In this blog, we explain what our expert conveyancing solicitors do throughout your transaction, giving you a better understanding of where your hard-earn....
Pre-nuptial agreements – an insurance policy, ‘just in case’
When we move home, we take out contents insurance just in case the worst should happen. Nobody anticipates having to make a claim, but it’s there to protect us – just in case. The same applies to pre-nuptial agreements. Far from the unromantic picture painted by the press, who delight in reveal....
Veganism – a protected belief under the Equality Act?
In recent years, the UK has seen a surge in interest in veganism – especially at New Year, a time when many people are full of resolutions to improve their health and wellbeing. In fact, over a quarter of a million people signed up to Veganuary in 2019, a month-long pledge to stop eating animal p....
Commuter villages proposed
Hertfordshire and Essex could see the creation of dozens of commuter villages, if the ideas in a top academic’s report for an urban policy think-tank are eventually adopted by the government. The report suggests that these new communities should be developed on land, green belt in many cases, clo....
Mixed sex civil partnerships: a step towards equality
In 2018, London couple Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan won a landmark legal bid at the Supreme Court for the right to enter into a civil partnership. Previously, only same sex couples had been permitted this right, as granted by the Civil Partnership Act 2004; however, following the Supreme Co....
Call yourself a philanthropist?
It can be hard to pin down exactly what defines philanthropy. In essence, it’s a wish to promote the welfare of others, usually expressed by giving generously to charities or other worthy causes. If popping some loose change into a collection tin now and then or giving two pounds a month by direc....
Navigating the 3% Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge
In his 2015 Autumn Budget speech, then Chancellor George Osborne announced a new 3% surcharge on the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) payable on additional properties – for example, those purchased as holiday homes or buy-to-let properties. The changes, which passed into law in the Finance Act 2016, ha....
Four-year ban for London rogue landlord
The government estimates that there are 10,500 rogue landlords currently operating in England. In recognition of this serious problem within the private rented sector, the Housing and Planning Act 2016 introduced new powers for local authorities to crack down on the worst rogue landlords who repea....
