Our tax, trust and estate planning lawyers work hand in glove with our agricultural team to make sure our farming clients receive coordinated advice that works for both their businesses and their families. Richard Dundee and Hannah Lloyd have a track record in advising farming families so that the personal affairs of individual family members seamlessly interconnect with business life of the farm.

The term ‘blended’ family describes a potentially complicated familial structure resulting from the ‘blending’ of two families following remarriage. For obvious reasons, those who have remarried will be concentrating their efforts on helping their children adjust to having a stepparent and step-siblings – and sometimes a new house and new school. What parents who remarry often overlook is the need to review what happens after they die to those assets they brought to their new marriage, and the consequences of not taking action.

We’ve reported in the past on proprietary estoppel cases where promises to a son or daughter (or other individual) that they would, in the fullness of time, inherit the farm ultimately proved to be empty. In Kingsley v Kingsley similar levels of anger were felt when a partner in a farming partnership died, leaving his interest to his widow who subsequently wanted to sell the farm that had been in the family for generations.

As is often quoted, farming is one of the few occupations where the finances of both the business and the family are intrinsically linked leading to serious implications if either element comes under significant financial pressure. Much has been written and said about how to manage the rising cost of care home fees and the need to liquidate assets to pay them – and nowhere does this resonate more than in the farming world where assets normally mean land – the very thing no farmer wants to lose.

If there’s one thing Eleanor Deeley knows, it’s construction. She is the joint Managing Director of The Deeley Group, a family-run construction company based in the Midlands and now in its 87th year of trading – a testimony to its strong values of integrity, partnership and community. In her interview with us, she shares some of her insights into – and frustrations with – the planning system.

Nationals of many “friendly” countries can travel to the UK without a visa for short trips such as holidays, tourism, visiting family, attending events and business trips. That is all now changing with the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Vishal Makol, Associate in the Business Immigration team, looks at the detail.

Under insolvency legislation, there is a presumption that the interests of a bankrupt’s creditors (including the interests of the bankrupt's spouse/civil partner and family) take precedence over all other factors unless the circumstances are exceptional. But unhelpfully, within the Insolvency Act 1986 (“the Act”) - specifically section 335A(3) - there is no definition of what constitutes ‘exceptional circumstances’ so courts have to rely on case law to guide them.

The second part of our recent podcast between Sarah Wakeman, Fundraising and Business Development Manager at Carers Trust Heart of England and Partner at Wright Hassall, Richard Dundee, explores essential strategies for safeguarding vulnerable individuals, whether they are family members or loved ones. From securing financial stability to ensuring proper care, here’s what you need to know.

This month's update covers the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 and the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Act 2023, both of which received Royal Assent over the summer; the progress of the sexual harassment legislation which has been amended by the Lords; plus the rest of the latest employment news.

The Supreme Court is hearing our client’s appeal against a ruling by the Court of Appeal (which upheld an earlier High Court decision) that in an Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (“the 1975 Act”) claim, the success fee payable under a CFA the claimant entered into with her solicitors, should form part of her financial needs when assessing what award should be made under the 1975 Act.