Issue: June 2025

HMLR – PG21

June 2025 | Conveyancing

HMLR has updated PG21 (using our forms for complex and more unusual transactions). Section 14.1 has been amended to reflect current HM Revenue & Customs practice on submitting online SDLT returns for multiple properties. Section 14.1 now reads: ‘14.1 Stamp Duty Land Tax In most cases where there are multiple properties, the Land Transaction Return …

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SC – public rights of access

June 2025 | Land

The SC has heard an important case regarding public rights of access. The press summary is as follows: ‘Background to the Appeal This appeal concerns the extent of the public’s right of access to Dartmoor under section 10(1) of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 (“the 1985 Act”). The question the court has to decide is …

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LIPs – unmeritorious appeal

June 2025 | Crime

The rise in LIPs in criminal cases has increased steadily in recent years. This means the number of unmeritorious appeal applications are increasing in the absence of expert legal advice. In this case, Bryan J used the court’s legal powers to discourage such applications where D sought to appeal to the CA, out of time, …

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Service – by email

June 2025 | Procedure

The HC has heard an interesting case regarding the appropriate method of service for an injunction. The case involved an application for an injunction by the luxury brand, Chanel Ltd, against a former employee. The HC summarised the facts as follows: ‘4. …Her employment ended following a First Settlement Agreement dated 29 March 2022, which …

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Sentencing – aggravating factors

June 2025 | Crime

D was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years following the attempted murder of his estranged wife (W). He had a history of violence and was already subjected to a NMO barring him from contacting W. D appealed his conviction, unsuccessfully, on several grounds. However, the CA found that the judge …

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Contract – WhatsApp

June 2025 | Professional

The Technology and Construction Court has handed down an important decision which could have far-reaching consequences. The hearing was concerned with a construction dispute; the claimant is a property developer and the defendant trades as a demolition contractor. The dispute arises out of demolition works at a site that the claimant was developing in Norwich. …

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Sentencing – Lucy Connolly; aggravating factors

June 2025 | Crime

This was the high-profile case of Lucy Connolly (D), sentenced to 31 months in prison in the wake of the Southport riots in the summer of 2024. She was convicted of inciting racial hatred under s19(1) Public Order Act 1986 in an X (twitter) post. She appealed her sentence, arguing it was manifestly excessive for …

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Apprenticeship – funding

June 2025 | Professional

Law firms thinking of taking on apprentices should be aware of a change to the age eligibility criteria in the funding arrangements, recently announced by the government: ‘Changes to funding for level 7 apprenticeships The government is refocusing investment towards young people at the start of their working lives, rather than those already in work …

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EAT – wages

June 2025 | Employment

The EAT has heard an appeal relating to how ‘wages’ are to be construed. The case summary is as follows: ‘Contracts of employment; whether sums “properly due” as wages The claimant was employed by the appellant as a lorry driver. He presented a complaint under section 13 of the Employment Rights Act, 1996 for unpaid …

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LAA – data breach

June 2025 | Professional

The LAA’s online digital services were subject to a cyber attack on 23 April. Affected firms will be all too aware. The LAA states: ‘On Friday 16 May we discovered the attack was more extensive than originally understood and that the group behind it had accessed a large amount of information relating to legal aid …

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