COVID-19 and our commitment to you
How can you avoid a slip or trip this winter?
The colder, darker days and nights are well and truly upon us. Regrettably, that means that the risk of having an accident, either at work or in your spare time, is far greater. Year on year, we see an increase in slips and trips during the winter months. In a recent newsletter to our clients, […]
Read moreCalls for clinical negligence reforms
Hospitals are not learning from their mistakes in part because of time-consuming clinical negligence litigation, former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has claimed. The MP, now the chair of the House of Commons health and social care committee, said England and Wales should follow the likes of Sweden by taking negligence out of the equation altogether […]
Read more£50 million paid in unnecessary inheritance tax
Recent research carried out by Boodle Hatfield has shown that taxpayers are being caught out by avoidable Inheritance Tax, with £50 million paid through gifts gone wrong last year. The study found that the most common issue involves parents giving the family home to their children but continuing to live there, making the property a […]
Read moreNew health campaign aims to fight work-related stress
A new campaign is being launched to tackle work-related stress and poor mental health amid warnings about a looming “health and safety crisis.” The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said mental health issues are now the main reason given for sick days, with more than 17 million working days lost last year as a result […]
Read moreReal Living Wage increases effective from today
Over 300,000 workers are set to receive a pay rise today as the Real Living Wage increases. The new hourly rate will be £11.05 for those working in London and £9.90 for employees based outside, an increase of 20p and 40p respectively. According to The Living Wage Foundation, almost 9,000 UK employers now pay the […]
Read moreIntroducing our new Wills and Probate Solicitor
We are pleased to introduce our new wills and probate solicitor, Daniela Koceva. Daniela recently joined the wills and probate team at Thomas Dunton, specialising in administration of estates, obtaining grants of probate and letters of administration, and drafting simple and complex wills and lasting powers of attorney. Read more on how Thomas Dunton can […]
Read moreWhat do you know about Contentious Probate?
A recent rise in contentious probate disputes is costing families their inheritance. Contentious probate and will challenge cases are higher than ever with the pandemic a contributing factor (due to the financial losses incurred during lockdown), as well as a surge in complex family structures, the ever-growing value of house prices and a rise in […]
Read moreIndustry reacts to investment in justice system
The industry has reacted to news that the Ministry of Justice will have a £3.2bn increase in its budget to £11.5 bn in 2024-25, following this year’s budget and spending review. The Law Society welcomed the news, calling it a “step in the right direction” by the government. Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “It […]
Read moreWhy it is best to use a solicitor when making a will
As you may already be aware, there is no need for a will to be made or witnessed by a solicitor. If you want to make a will yourself, you can do so. Some reports suggest a 267% increase in the number of wills written at home between 2019 and 2020. However, the benefits of […]
Read moreWhat are the risks of refusing flexible working requests?
Employers turning down flexible working requests is prompting a growing number of indirect sex or disability discrimination claims. Here’s some guidance on how to handle flexible working requests as an employer. With a steady rise of flexible working requests in the workplace, employers are facing increasing pressure to keep employees happy, treat them all fairly […]
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