A case in which I advised the parents of a four-day old baby who died in 2012 after being deprived of oxygen has recently been in the news as the family has only just received a five-figure settlement and an apology from Warwick Hospital.
The treatment of Pensions on divorce when assessing the financial positions of the separating couples has previously lacked consistency. The recent cases decided by the Family Court in 2020 have demonstrated that the guidance on the treatment of pensions on divorce report.
A will is an important document and a crucial way of protecting family members and loved ones. It is a legally binding document which states who should receive your estate (such as your assets, property, investments, cash, etc) after you die.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sophie Horgan is the Director of Horgan Homes, a small yet mighty – and indeed multiple-award-winning – Midlands-based and family-run housebuilding business. Here she talks to us about the company’s latest accolade, where she stands in terms of the greenbelt vs brownfield debate, and the need for front-line experience to feed into planning reforms.