New this month...


Inheritance claims – objective test

May 2025 | Wills, probate and administration

Reasonable financial provision under the I(PFD) A1975 Act is an objective test, not a subjective test as dictated by what T considers or states is reasonable under the will. In this case, T had built up his wealth in property and left an estate valued at £8.18m. He died aged 87 leaving his wife of …

This article is only available to subscribers.

Procedure – interim orders; non-subject children

May 2025 | Family

This is an important but unusual case raising a novel point of legislative interpretation which appears not to have previously arisen, but with potentially significant consequence for families. Under ss37(1) CA 1989: ‘Where, in any family proceedings in which a question arises with respect to the welfare of any child, it appears to the court …

This article is only available to subscribers.

HMLR – PG40

May 2025 | Conveyancing

HMLR has been swift to update section 2.1 of PG40 (HMLR plans, supplement 4, boundary agreements and determined boundaries) following a recent CA case (reported in ‘land’ below). Section 2.1 now reads: ‘2.1 How boundary agreements work There is a rebuttable presumption that a boundary agreement does not involve the transfer of any land, and …

This article is only available to subscribers.

SC – trade union right to sue

May 2025 | Employment

The SC has heard a case regarding the right of a trade union to sue as a third party. The case summary is as follows: ‘Background to the Appeal The issue in this appeal is in what circumstances does a trade union have the right to sue as a third party for breach of a …

This article is only available to subscribers.

Conduct – sham lease to avoid financial order

May 2025 | Family

A lease of a luxury property intended to reduce H’s financial liability to W was a sham and overturned by the court. Under s37 MCA 1973 a party is prevented from entering into a transaction with the intention to reduce or prevent financial relief. The court can set aside a ‘reviewable’ disposition that breaches the …

This article is only available to subscribers.

HMLR – PG19

May 2025 | Conveyancing

PG19 (Notices, restrictions and protection of third-party interests) is a very important practice guide for property practitioners. The anti-fraud restriction (Form LL) is also important. HMLR has updated sections 3.1.5.8 and 3.7.2 of PG19 to clarify HMLR’s requirements for compliance with, or removal of, a Form LL or company counter-fraud restriction by an insolvency practitioner, …

This article is only available to subscribers.

LSAG advisory – ID&V

May 2025 | Professional

The LSAG advisory note is required reading for all practitioners to whom the AML regime is relevant; note that it includes some very useful guidance on alternatives to face to face documentary verification. It states that: ‘Such methods may include (but are not limited to): Digital ID&V services that meet the requirements of the MLRs …

This article is only available to subscribers.

Sentencing – blackmail; kidnap

May 2025 | Crime

Two new sentencing guidelines are now in force for offences of blackmail, kidnap and false imprisonment. The guidelines came into effect on 1 April 2025 and concern: blackmail under s21 Theft Act which is triable only on indictment and carries a maximum custodial sentence of 14 years; and kidnap/false imprisonment at common law, also triable …

This article is only available to subscribers.

EAT – offensive messages

May 2025 | Employment

The EAT has heard an interesting case involving the use of offensive language by an employee on a workplace communication forum (in this case, Slack). The two limbs to the amended grounds of appeal are that the ET: Should have considered whether the use of the language itself arose directly from the claimant’s disability. The …

This article is only available to subscribers.