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In law, adopted children are regarded as having been born to their adoptive parents. The Family Division of the High Court recently considered whether that fact precluded a parental order being granted under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008...

The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2024 came into force on 1 April and provided for the following changes to the National Living Wage (NLW) and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates: The NLW, which now applies to those aged 21 and over...

When building owners carry out works on their property, are they liable for damage to adjoining properties that results from pre-existing structural issues? The Court of Appeal recently provided welcome clarification on that question . The owner of a...

When partners resign or retire from a partnership, the partnership agreement will normally govern their rights and responsibilities following their resignation. However, where the terms of their departure are not agreed, are they entitled to the value of...

The best way to ensure your assets will be distributed as you wish is to have your will professionally drafted by a qualified solicitor. In a recent case, a challenge to the validity of an elderly man's will was dismissed by the High Court. The man had...

New guidance aimed at helping employers to understand their legal obligations relating to employees who are going through the menopause has been published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The resource also provides details on the support...

Custodial sentences very rarely come into play in the family courts. Where there have been repeated breaches of court orders, however, judges may have little choice but to clamp down. This was illustrated in the High Court during committal proceedings that...

When buying a property consisting of more than one residence, it may be possible to claim multiple dwellings relief (MDR) against Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). However, there are certain conditions that must be met for an MDR claim to succeed, as a recent case...

The issue of bigamy and its potential impact on a person's ability to seek financial remedies in a divorce came under the legal spotlight recently . A husband made an application to strike out his wife's financial remedies claim on the basis that she had...

Umbrella companies across the UK will be taking note of an Upper Tribunal (UT) ruling which focused on tax-deductible expenses. An umbrella company that serviced clients in the construction industry appealed a First-tier Tribunal (FTT) decision, the FTT...

The Law Commission has proposed draft legislation regarding a third category of personal property into which crypto-tokens and other assets could fall. This is the latest stage in the Commission's work on law reform that is designed to ensure the law can...

Influencers on social media, and anyone involved in advertising and promoting products, would be well advised to make sure they are aware of their legal responsibilities. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published guidance on financial promotions...

A new report commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a list of recommendations aimed at removing employment barriers for autistic people. The Buckland Review of Autism Employment was commissioned after figures from the DWP...

Cross-jurisdictional disputes surrounding child custody can be complex but, in cutting through the complexities, the courts will always focus on the welfare of the children involved, as was evidenced in a High Court case centred on a child abduction . A...

A case recently decided by the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) serves as a reminder to tenants to check the terms of their leases and to monitor the service charges they are asked to pay. The tenant of a ground-floor flat sought a determination of liability to...

Trade mark disputes often revolve around the perceived level of confusion that products might trigger amongst consumers. This was a key element in a case involving a long-established cider producer and a well-known retailer . Launching proceedings at the...

A High Court challenge brought by Marks & Spencer (M&S) has resulted in victory for the retailer. M&S contested a decision by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to turn down planning permission for the...

The UK government has launched consultations on the reintroduction of fees for claimants who want to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal (ET) and appellants bringing an appeal in the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT). The proposed fees would apply to...

Unfortunately, will disputes can sometimes be drawn out long after the passing of the person who bequeathed their assets. This was so in a contentious probate battle which progressed to the Court of Appeal after a High Court judgment was challenged. The...

Following changes announced in the UK's Spring Budget Statement, the VAT registration threshold for small businesses is set to be increased. Secondary legislation will amend the Value Added Tax Act 1994 to increase the VAT registration and deregistration...