A recent case about invasive Japanese knotweed has changed the way in which alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is handled. Following the case, relevant parts of the law that previous only allowed courts to encourage ADR have been formally amended, and from October 2024 judges will be able to stop court proceedings and compel parties to engage in ADR.
Considerable column inches have already been devoted to the introduction of The Renters (Reform) Bill with many commentators lamenting that it will hasten the demise of the private landlord. Hailed as the biggest overhaul of residential tenancy law for over thirty years, it seeks to address perceived inequalities in the landlord/tenant relationship.
Adverse possession allows an individual to gain legal ownership of a property by occupying it, without the original owner’s permission, for an extended period. The Land Registration Act 2002 gave landowners a little more control over their properties than they had previously but, as adverse possession is a complex area of property law, advice should be sought from a lawyer with appropriate experience.
The long-awaited decision in this case was handed down by the Supreme Court on 15 March 2017. Unfortunately, it does not provide any of us with the guidance that we had so hoped for and indeed the Supreme Court identify in their judgement “the unsatisfactory state of the present law”. So has this case really been the landmark that it was heralded to be?
In the realm of family law, couples often find themselves contemplating the necessity of pre and post-nuptial agreements. While such legal documents may not be the most romantic aspect of a relationship, they play a crucial role in providing clarity, security, and peace of mind for both parties involved. This article will explore the significance of these agreements and how they can safeguard interests in the event of a marital breakdown.
It is notoriously difficult for claimants to succeed in a claim of constructive dismissal because the claimant must first demonstrate that their employer’s action (the respondent) amounted to a breach of the implied duty of mutual trust and confidence.
A recent High Court ruling ordered green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince to pay his ex-wife, Kate Vince, over £40 million following their divorce. The judgment requires Mr. Vince to make three payments totalling £43.51 million, with the first due by 30 April 2025. This case highlights several key lessons for family law practitioners:
Wright Hassall announced as the new exclusive legal sponsor of the Equestrian Employers Association (EEA).
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.
At our real estate conference in January 2025, David Slade outlined the main legal changes affecting the property market in 2024. Here, we explain those changes in some detail, from initiatives to regenerate the high street, to rises to SDLT rates, and from the Law Commission consultation on the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 to the impact of biodiversity net gain requirements.