In Thaler v Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks [2023] UKSC 49, following a series of appeals by Dr Thaler, on 20 December 2023 the UK Supreme Court (Court) unanimously ruled that a machine acting autonomously and powered by artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be an “inventor” under the Patents Act of 1997 (UK) (Act), as an “inventor” must be a natural person. This decision is consistent with decisions in other jurisdictions on the same application, namely Germany, Australia and the U.S.

This article outlines the legal steps available to beneficiaries in the UK when confronted with an executor's failure of duties in estate management.

In 2025, the UK property market is experiencing a resurgence, with both residential and commercial sectors showing signs of renewed activity. As transaction volumes increase, so too does the complexity of deals - particularly in high-value and distressed markets. For buyers and sellers alike, legal due diligence has become a top priority.

As the UK commercial property landscape continues to evolve, businesses—particularly in the retail and office sectors—are increasingly seeking legal advice to renegotiate their leases.

Wednesday 25 July 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed Tini Owens’ appeal in Owens v Owens, one of the most significant divorce cases to be heard in recent years.

Trusts are a powerful way to ensure your legacy is managed responsibly, whether during your lifetime or after you’ve gone. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of trusts you can create, why people use them, and how they offer protection for your loved ones and assets.

It is very rare for any dispute that finds its way to court to be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties; inevitably one party will feel aggrieved that their argument failed to find merit with the judge, even if they were not, strictly speaking, at fault. This was the case with a dispute over an updated will made by an elderly man, Jack Leonard, in which he extended his list of beneficiaries to include his stepchildren as well as his biological children.

Charlotte Kahrman, a Solicitor in the Contentious Probate Team at Wright Hassall, examines three recent cases where proprietary estoppel was considered.

The laws relating to surrogacy in the UK are complicated and so specialist advice should be obtained before making any arrangements

A leading Leamington law firm has announced the winners of a bursary - the Wright Hassall Law Award, to celebrate its 175th anniversary.