The Wills commentary has been enhanced to include detailed discussion of the processes involved in the witnessing of a will using video-link. Precedents for client instructions, a practitioner’s checklist and an attendance note have been created, as well as example wording for a will attestation clause. We invite you to explore this updated publication. Comments and feedback are always welcomed

Legislation coming into force will permit wills to be executed and witnessed using video-link facilities. Whilst the legislation is not yet in force, it is anticipated that it will have retrospective effect, meaning that wills executed using video-conferencing since 21 January 2020 will be valid if the correct process was followed. Read more...

The Powers of Attorney and Advance Decisions guide has been enhanced with a fuller discussion of lasting powers of attorney including the roles and responsibilities of certificate providers and the process involved with objecting to registration. Commentary on enduring powers of attorney has been expanded with discussion of the registration and objection processes.

The Commercial Lease guide has been enhanced with the inclusion of two new precedent documents to assist practitioners: Authorised guarantee agreement and Licence to assign. These can be found in the folder D. If Required – Sublease, assignment, variation and surrender.

As a response to a user request, the matter plan has been amended to include a letter sending a blank form FP8 Notice of Change of Solicitor to a client at the start of the matter, to assist practitioners in ensuring that a signed copy of this is on file should the need arise later in the matter. The user who requested it kindly let us know that it is ‘wonderful to have such amazing speedy support from By Lawyers’. The matter plan also now provides a link to the new interactive PDF version of the form E Financial Statement. The interactive PDF will populate fields, calculate figures and guide practitioners through the form. More information about this form is available from the LEAP Content Blog.

Our Financial Remedy Guide underwent a recent review with considerable commentary enhancements to include greater practical detail on topics such as financial dispute resolution appointments, costs and clean break lump sums. The Retainer Instructions – Financial Remedy, which is a useful risk management tool, was also further developed to include sections for clients to consider their financial position in order to assist in the completion of a Form E Financial Statement. This is an excellent publication providing practical and useful information for practitioners when conducting a Financial Remedy matter.

The By Lawyers Sale and Purchase of Business guides have been reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and conveyancing practice. As with all our guides, they take a practical approach, drawing on our authors’ considerable experience to cover all aspects of procedure, with a focus on practical tips that will help solicitors and conveyancers confidently run a sale or business purchase matter to completion. We invite you to explore this updated publication and to consider the wealth of assistance the guide offers for solicitors and conveyancers acting in the sale or purchase of a business.

With the threat and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus many practitioners will be asked to prepare documents that assist clients to manage their affairs should the need arise. By Lawyers commentary and precedents for Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advance Decisions (Living Wills) are available online to assist practitioners in responding to these requests. Read more...

The By Lawyers Financial Remedy publication has been reviewed and updated by our authors as part of our continuing review process. The review included several new precedents and greater commentary detail.

UK By Lawyers author Robin Charrot of Evolve Family Law has just completed a comprehensive review of the Divorce publication. He notes that the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill was introduced June 2019 and has passed through a second reading in parliament. Whilst the actual introduction date is as yet unclear, he forewarns there will be a need for significant changes to the Family Procedure Rules to enable the legislation. By Lawyers is keenly watching the progress of these changes and will update the publication again as and when they come into effect.

Two new precedents have been incorporated into the expansive Sale and Purchase of Business publication. Read more...

Legal Aid Regulations have been amended to exclude payments made under the Windrush Compensation Scheme as income or capital in determining the eligibility of legal aid.

Several practitioners have been in touch about their preference for using the STEP provisions when drafting wills. In order to assist those practitioners By Lawyers have drafted three new precedents. Read more...

The rush of applications to avoid the coming fee rise sees probate registries accepting applications noting that inheritance tax forms will follow. This is but a brief respite and will end once the new fees are introduced.

Following a subscriber request, we have published a new Scope of work – Deferred payment scheme. Read more…