Nationals of many “friendly” countries can travel to the UK without a visa for short trips such as holidays, tourism, visiting family, attending events and business trips. That is all now changing with the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Vishal Makol, Associate in the Business Immigration team, looks at the detail.

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.

Deputies and Attorneys who manage an incapacitated or a vulnerable person’s (“P”) finances have to be careful about releasing P’s funds to others, including to themselves.

In an effort to reduce the number of divorce cases ending up in court, the government started to encourage divorcing couples to use mediation as the first port of call.

In our final episode of season two of The WHorld of Employment Law, Tina Chander, Partner and Head of Employment Law provides a series round-up.

We have advised on the proposed acquisition of Amcomri Group Limited by Rockpool Plc.

Wright Hassall's Corporate team acted for ASM Technologies Limited, a publicly listed company in India, in their acquisition of Semcon Engineering UK Limited.