Disputes and disagreements are common in business. They are stressful and worrying if you’re in the middle of them, particularly […]

The purpose of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) is to provide access to information held by public […]

Trusts are increasingly being used by individuals and business owners who want to protect their wealth and assets. While they […]

I get asked this question about county court judgments a lot. It’s surprising how often the first someone knows about […]

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), is a document that protects you if you become unable to look after your […]

Contracts are the building blocks of most businesses. There will be contracts with customers and suppliers (terms and conditions), employees (employment contracts), landlords (lease) and contractors (T&Cs again). Contracts define and regulate the most important relationships of the business. Given this, I always find it surprising to come across businesses with no written contracts at all, or which rely on contract documents that don’t say […]

As a general rule, in your will you can leave your assets to whoever you like. If you want to leave it all to Battersea Dogs Home, you can. But while your will may set out your final wishes, in some cases these wishes might not be as effective as you hope.First, your will must be valid. There are various rules that must be followed: it must be in writing, and executed in the right way. You have to sign it in the presence of two independent witnesses. But make sure the witnesses do not ben […]

​The Protection From Harassment Act stops conduct which causes alarm or distress. Harassment is a criminal offence and someone who commits can also attract a civil liability. The Act is usually used against problem neighbours and stalkers, but some actions by a limited company can also amount to harassment. The Act defines ‘harassment’ as “a course of conduct… which amounts to harassment of another”.In one recent case a utility company was found liable […]

Easements are rights affecting land, such as a right to run pipes across it. A typical easement will give you a private right of way across your neighbour’s land to get to a public road. Another example is the right to use a septic tank located on your neighbour’s land. You may well have an easement without knowing it: when houses are built the builder will often arrange rights to run pipes, drains and cables across each neighbouring land to supply gas, water, electricity, etc […]