Parminder Takhar, Senior Associate discusses the story of the Royal Nawaab and highlights how it provides several lessons for anyone involved in the disposal or acquisition of a commercial venture.

Guidance and the answers to frequently asked questions on insolvency and winding-up.

The best way to ensure that your affairs are in order when you die is to make a will. This allows you to carefully consider what you want and clearly set out your wishes. Unfortunately the reality is that not everyone makes a will and this can be for a number of reasons such as lack of time or not considering that their death could be imminent. As a result some people will make gifts or promises on their deathbed and there are occasions where a court will uphold promises of this nature. The technical term for a deathbed gift is a donatio mortis causa.

In theory, drafting your own will using an off-the-shelf template, purchased online or from good stationers, can be a quick and easy way of leaving instructions on how you want your assets to be distributed after your death.

The massive increase in late payments and bad debt in the current economic climate are putting significant pressure on businesses of all sizes. There are steps that businesses can take to mitigate these difficulties, including engaging the support of experts to help achieve the best possible outcomes.

The announcement by the Prime Minister in October 2023 that he was cancelling Phase 2 of HS2 was met with a justified barrage of criticism by proponents and opponents alike. The question now, is whether or not those who have had their land compulsorily purchased but which is now surplus to requirements, will be able to recover it and, if so, how.

A trust is an arrangement where one party (a settlor) gives the benefit of assets to another party (a beneficiary) while control and decisions relating to those assets lie with another party (the trustee).

The importance of a fair investigation was highlighted in the recent case of Carmelli Bakeries Ltd v Benali [2013]. Here, the EAT upheld the employment tribunal’s decision that an employee, who admitted an act of gross misconduct, was unfairly dismissed and victimised by his employer.

Generally a high standard of competence is expected of a solicitor but judges acknowledge that they must be cautious not to impose duties that go beyond the scope of what the solicitor has been requested and undertaken to do.

If you think you have grounds to contest a will then it is important to act fast, preferably before a grant of probate is obtained. If you are contesting a will believing it to be invalid, you can lodge a caveat which will prevent any grant of probate from issuing.