2016

Emily Exton comments in The Times on inheritance disputes

Emily Exton, Head of Dispute Resolution and partner specialising in contentious trust and probate matters provided comments to The Times on inheritance disputes.

Jo Edwards discusses the possibility of opening up the family courts

Jo gave comments to the Guardian about the possibility of certain family court hearings.

Jo Edwards and Anna Ferster write about more pre-nups in the younger generation

The piece, about a recent survey in the USA, suggests that more and more "millennials" are having pre-nuptial agreements ahead of getting married.

What Are the Biggest Tax Concerns When Investing in London’s Volatile Market?

Every week, Mansion Global poses a tax question to tax lawyers specialising in real estate wealth. Head of Private Client, Patrick Harney answered the following question.

Jo Edwards discusses divorce trends on BBC London Radio

Jo was interviewed by Eddie Mair on his BBC London Radio Drive Time show about the latest divorce statistics for England and Wales, from 2014, and the trends they reveal.

Jo Edwards comments on ONS divorce statistics published today

Jo discussed the divorce statistics published by the Office for National Statistics today and called on policy makers to bring in rights for cohabiting couples on separation or death. Click here for the Daily Mail article.

Jo Edwards discusses no-fault divorce on ITV news and BBC Radio

Jo Edwards, Head of Family and immediate past Resolution chair, was interviewed on ITV news, BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour and BBC Radio London Drivetime discussing no-fault divorce.

Development Q&A

We are looking to acquire a site for development, but part of the land is unregistered. How can we find out who owns it, and what if the person who claims to own the land has lost their title deeds? Ben Brayford answers your questions.

Jo Edwards comments on statistics just released about huge growth in number of cohabiting couples

Jo was quoted in the Daily Mail, The Times, The Scotsman and on the Press Association news feed about the significant growth in the number of cohab

Jo Edwards on the Vanessa Feltz show speaking about cohabitation and divorce

Jo was interviewed on Vanessa Feltz's BBC Radio London breakfast show about a couple who are taking to court their fight for civil partnerships for heterosexual couples, as well as speaking more widely about marriage, divorce and cohabitation trends and where reform to the law is required.

Jo Edwards writes about the fringe event at which she spoke at the Conservative Party Conference 2016

Jo led a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference 2016 about whether there is such a thing as a good divorce.

Asset Management Q&A

Asset Management Q&A: What impact might the business rates revaluation have on my lease renewal strategies?

Jo Edwards and Miranda Nairn provide a comment piece on the crisis facing the family courts

Jo and Miranda wrote a comment piece for the Law Society Gazette about the crisis facing the family courts and what those in power should be doing to avert it.

Jo Edwards features in the "state of the nation" article about family law

Jo was one of several leading family lawyers quoted in an article for the Times' The Brief, covering the state of the family justice system.

Development Q&A

Development Q&A: Are new mezzanine floors liable for the Community Infrastructure Levy ("CIL")? Laura Parrish answers your questions

Jo Edwards and Jamie Gaw write for Spears about pre-nups

Jo and Jamie write a piece for Spears about the increasing prevalence of parents lending money to children to get a foot on the property ladder and how a pre-nup may serve to protect that money on divorce.

Jo Edwards features in specialist trade magazine's round-table on mediation

Jo was among three family mediators chosen to appear on a panel to discuss the issues facing the mediation profession and the future of mediation. Highlights of the discussion appeared in a piece in the Law Society Gazette.

Jo Edwards quoted in This is Money/Mail Online in relation to the rise in disputes over people's estates on death

Jo commented on a survey showing there has been a huge increase in the number of Inheritance Act claims in recent years and speculated that this may be due to the rise in the number of couples who cohabit without marrying and the difficulties they can face when one dies. Jo provided some practical tips to avoid problems arising.

Jo Edwards comments on the latest family court quarterly statistics

Jo was quoted by the Press Association about the latest trends in the court statistics and watch points.

Jo Edwards urges Brad and Angelina to put their children first

Upon news that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were to divorce, the Press Association and Press & Journal quoted Jo on the importance of separating parents putting their children first and going to mediation if possible.

Jo Edwards interviewed on Share Radio about financial transparency in relationships

Jo was one of three experts interviewed about the importance of couples being transparent over their finances and what can go wrong when relationships end. Click here for the interview.

Development Q&A

Development Q&A: Rights and Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, Victoria Towers answer your questions.

Setting a high standard

The Upper Tribunal has provided clarification on when costs will be awarded for ‘unreasonable’ behaviour. Sarah Heatley explains

This article first appeared in Property Law Journal (September 2016) and is also available at www.lawjournals.co.uk.

Jo Edwards quoted by the Press Association commenting on enforcement of financial orders on divorce

Jo Edwards was quoted in an article by the Press Association commenting on enforcement of financial orders in divorce cases.  It related to the case of Peter Elliott, who has failed to leave his marital property having been ordered to vacate four years ago.

EMI Group: An unwelcome decision

Claudia Orpin and Charlotte Ross consider the impact of the EMI Group case on assignment to a guarantor and discuss two unopposed lease renewal cases.

Asset Management Q&A

Asset Management Q&A: Business Tenants' Structural or Major Improvements, Jonathan Ross answers your questions.

Jo Edwards discusses approach towards spousal maintenance on Share Radio

Jo was interviewed by Georgie Frost on Share Radio and discussed the recent high profile divorce settlement awarded to Cristina Estrada and the factors judges consider when dividing assets in divorce cases, particularly approach towards spousal maintenance.

Corporation tax change for non-resident developers and traders

The tax landscape changed dramatically on 5 July when profits from trading and developing UK land became chargeable to UK tax even if the trader/ developer is not UK resident and does not have a permanent establishment in the UK.

Jo Edwards and Jamie Gaw write for Spears about the impact of Brexit on children cases

Jo and Jamie wrote about how jurisdiction for children proceedings is decided at the moment and how cases involving the movement/abduction of children may be impacted by the re-negotiation of regulations following the EU referendum.  Jo and Jamie's article appeared in Spears Wealth Management.

The death-knell for add back cases: Rapp v Sarre?'

This article is published by Family Law (an imprint of Jordan Publishing, owned by LexisNexis) and appears in the May Family Law journal at [2016] Fam Law 576.

Jo Edwards quoted in The Guardian about ex-model's £75million divorce settlement

Jo was quoted in an article in The Guardian about the largest ever needs settlement on divorce in England and Wales and called for greater clarity through reform of the law.

Jo Edwards appears on BBC News discussing approach towards spousal maintenance on divorce

Jo Edwards appeared on BBC London News following the landmark needs-based divorce settlement (£75 million) awarded to Christina Estrada from Sheikh Walid Juffali.  Jo explained the broad discretion given to judges in determining maintenance awards and the fact that London's reputation as a divorce jurisdiction was reinforced by the court's decision.

Development Q&A

Development Q&A: Permitted Development Rights and applicable VAT rates, Mrinalini Rajaratnam answers your questions.

Jo Edwards discusses the growth in "private divorce" on BBC Radio 4's Money Box

Jo Edwards was interviewed by Paul Lewis on BBC Radio 4's Money Box and discussed the use of a two relatively new and innovative processes to resolve divorce cases: private Financial Dispute Resolution appointments (FDRs) and arbitration.  Couples using private FDRs or arbitration for divorce cases can elect to have their case heard by a s

Jo Edwards comments in This is Money on the recent case of Wyatt v Vince

In the Daily Mail's This Is Money, Jo gave advice to those who are concerned about the prospect of a former spouse returning to bring financial claims against them many years after separation/divorce, and explained the desirability of financial claims being dealt with at the tim

Jo Edwards spoke to City AM about the impact of Brexit

Ahead of the EU Referendum on 23 June, Jo spoke to City Am about the potential impact on divorcing couples of Brexit.

Jo Edwards comments on "private divorce" in The Times

Jo Edwards was quoted in The Times in England and Scotland about the trend for private divorces as a result of ongoing strain in the family courts.

Top of the pop-ups

Alexandra Townsend-Wheeler advises on the legal issues around granting rights to pop-ups and warns both landlords and tenants not to simply choose the quickest and cheapest way forward because the arrangement is short term.

Asset Management Q&A

Asset Management Q&A: Recovering damages for dilapidations, Jonathan Ross answers your questions.

Britel Fund Trustees Limited v B&Q Plc

The recent case of Britel Fund Trustees Limited v B&Q Plc is an unopposed lease renewal case with a favourable outcome for the tenant.

Property Litigation solicitor Dean Monk discusses the facts and findings of this case, and the points for landlords to bear in mind when negotiating lease renewals and making settlement offers.

Development Q&A

Development Q&A: Interfering with rights of way, Dean Monk answers your questions.

Court of Appeal decision good news for landlords- Littlestone v Macleish

The Judgment of the Court of Appeal in Littlestone & Ors v Macleish (2016) is good news for landlords, and bad news for tenants operating in the commercial real estate sector.

Effect on landlords of BHS entering into a CVA

Partner Jonathan Ross provides guidance on the implications of a tenant entering into a company voluntary arrangement and next steps for landlords.

Uncle Sam or Aunt Elizabeth: Who Will Get Your Tax Dollars?

Patrick Harney and Emma Cooper address the impact of the Summer Budget 2015 changes on UK connected US citizens and identify planning opportunities in advance of April 2017 including the use of excluded property trusts. Originally published in Trust & Estates.

Asset Management Q&A

Asset Management Q&A: Rent increases on 1954 Act renewals, Jonathan Ross answers your questions.

Commercial property: The onus is on solicitors

Recent decisions on the overpayment of rent and property search results, as well as changes in Land Registry practice, highlight the importance of the property practitioner’s role, write Anthony Goodmaker, Emilie Hobday, and Miri Stickland.