The Commercial Lease guide has been enhanced with points to note from the recent case of Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Ltd v Blacks Outdoor Retail Ltd [2020] EWHC 1263 (Ch) regarding service charge certificates.

New precedents have been added to the By Lawyers Family and Debt Recovery publications: The Family Court – Court bundle cover page and spine and Family Court – Court bundle index have been added to the Financial Remedy and Private Child Arrangements guides. The County Court, High Court and Appeal Court – Trial bundle cover page and County Court, High Court and Appeal Court – Trial bundle index have been added to the Debt Recovery guides. The precedents are customised for each court and comply with each court's requirements. The precedents will assist practitioners to create an indexed collection of documents that the parties rely on during the hearing. A properly compiled and indexed court bundle or trial bundle allows solicitors, counsel and the bench to easily navigate the matter.

The Powers of attorney, advance decisions and court of protection commentary has been enhanced covering the creation and registration of lasting powers of attorney in greater detail. We have added discussion of the finer points of how and when the documents should be signed, as well as giving more information about using the online portal. We invite you to explore this updated publication. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.

A chapter has been added to the Powers of Attorney and Advance Decisions guide which deals with applications to the Court of Protection for deputyship orders. Commentary has been included on capacity issues, the application process and the role of a deputy. The matter plan includes all the necessary letters and forms to obtain an order, including those required for notifying the person involved and third parties. The Retainer Instructions and To Do List for these specific matters will ensure that thorough instructions are taken and the required timescales are met. We invite you to explore this updated publication. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.

As we hurtle down the tracks towards commonhold, it is predicted that draft legislation will be laid before parliament mid to late 2021, with the biggest swathe of leasehold reform since 1925. However, when we finally arrive at our destination, the swathe may not be as big, or as revolutionary, as we would hope. Read more...

This article details the major changes affecting major investors coming into force from April 2020. New EPC regulations Changes to the tax reliefs available for income tax and capital gains tax Tenants’ deposits Electrical safety standards A new surcharge on stamp duty land tax for foreign buyers of residential property Written by Louise Thomas, a London-based solicitor with over 25 years experience in all aspects of property conveyancing, this article will assist practitioners in advising landlord clients.

The By Lawyers Mortgages Guide has been reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and conveyancing practice. 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.

Our author has recently reviewed the probate publication providing several new precedents and amending the commentary. Additional automation was also added to some of the precedents to increase flexibility and efficient usage.

Additions to the Sale and Purchase of Land commentaries have analysed the law and practice in relation to boundaries to assist practitioners who are called upon to prepare boundary agreements or to seek the determination of a boundary. 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.

By Lawyers has published a new publication: Trusts. With a comprehensive commentary and precedents, the Trusts publication deals with establishing a new trust, amending an existing trust, and bringing a trust to an end through vesting or termination. 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.

The By Lawyers commentary has been updated to include details of the Pathfinder pilot, a groundbreaking approach in the Family Court aimed at improving outcomes for children and families. Read more...

As we enter 2025, the Looking to the Future publication has been updated to assist practitioners with changes anticipated in the next 12 months.