dwillis
The case of Bilsbrough -v- Berry Marketing Services [2018] involved an employee who researched how to blow the whistle. The Tribunal confirmed that because the employee was researching how to report to a regulator he can rely on the same legal protections as actual whistleblower’s.
In the case of Thompson v Ragget & others [2018] an unmarried couple lived together for over 42 years prior to the testator’s death in 2017. This case is similar but less acrimonious than Martin v Williams [2017] , also regarding an unmarried couple, with the addition of an estranged spouse. Both cases involve claims for reasonable financial provision and present and
Having an out of date Will can mean no reasonable financial provision and lead to unexpected and acrimonious litigation that can be very expensive. The recent case of Martin v Williams [2017] EWHC 491 (Ch) illustrates this as follows:-
The HMRC recently released data revealing that in 2018-19, it was a record year for inheritance 
tax receipts with a total of nearly £5.4 billion. This is an increase of £2 billion in 2017 -18. One of the factors driving this increase is the rise in the asset values, and in particular residential property. The inheritance tax nil rate band (NRB) has
The Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 received Royal Assent amends the Sexual Offences Act 2003 Voyeurism and upskirting now a criminal office. Until now offenders could only be prosecuted for voyeurism or outraging public decency. But voyeurism only applies to filming in “private” while outraging public decency usually requires a witness – and upskirting often goes … Read more
Six months on from the introduction of the SRA Transparency Rules it is surprising to hear that some firms are yet to comply with the new obligations. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) recently published (June 2019) the results of its Transparency Rules Web Sweep showing nearly 58% of firms were partially complying and 17% were not complying at all.
The Law Society has published new practice guidelines for lawyers seeking appointment, or acting, as accredited representatives in the Court of Protection.
1. Practice guidance for Lawyers seeking apppointment as accredited Legal Representatives in the Court of Protection/ 2. Dependant claims by Testator’s adult children – Nahajec v Fowle [2017] 3. Unmarried partners – property rights – Lewis (as Executrix of the Estate of Blackwell, deceased) v Warner [2017] 4. Court of Protection – Protection of Trust … Read more
A three-fold rise in the cost of a death certificate could result in solicitors being unable to administer some estates, lawyers have warned. The General Register Office this month increased the cost of obtaining a certificate online from £4 to £11.
Charlotte Pritchard, a member of the private wealth team at national firm BLM, told the Gazette it is not unusual for families to require between 10-20 death certificates in order to administer an estate. She warned that where solicitors are appointed payment may need to be initially funded by the firm; particularly if no family members are able to find the up-front cash.
A legal compliance expert has warned that lawyers may need to take action over potential breaches of data protection rules.
Brian Rogers, Director of Regulation and Compliance Services for Riliance, said those who advised businesses how to comply with new GDPR rules last May should revisit that advice – and even contact clients to admit they made a mistake.
Rogers spoke to the Gazette after lawyers were publicly criticised last month by Chris Combemale, Chief Executive of the marketing network DMA Group. Combemale told a Westminster Legal Policy Forum conference that many of the 1,000 DMA members had been wrongly told to focus on consent as the basis for processing data.