More than 120,000 first-time home buyers have saved a total of £284m because of the cuts to stamp duty introduced last November, according to government figures. The first £300,000 of the price of a property is now exempt from tax for people entering the housing market for the first time. It means that the new
The government is being urged to introduce major changes to divorce laws to reduce the stress and difficulties faced by couples when their marriage breaks down. A private member’s bill put forward by Baroness Butler-Sloss proposes a system of no-fault divorce. It would be the first major change to divorce laws in England and Wales
A mother has lost her appeal to prevent her children being returned to their father in Canada. The courts rejected her argument that such a move would cause her to collapse emotionally. The mother and children had been living with the father in Canada until October 2016. At that point, the mother wrongfully removed the
The High Court has settled a dispute between two brothers after one accused the other of using undue influence to persuade their mother to leave him her house in her will. The case involved an elderly woman who moved in with her son after her husband died. However, she later wanted to move back to
The government is planning to set up several New Town Development Corporations to build thousands of homes across the country over the next five years. The corporations will be accountable to local councils and be responsible for new towns and garden communities in their area. They will oversee the planning and project development, bringing on
A wife who lost most of her divorce settlement because of unsuccessful investments has failed in her legal battle to make her former husband pay her more to compensate for her losses. Graham and Maria Mills had married in 1987 and divorced in 2002. They had one child. The matrimonial home was sold, and the
Two homeowners have won a claim against Network Rail after the company failed to keep Japanese knotweed under control on its land. The plant grows very fast and can damage the structure of buildings due to its widespread roots. Some of the weed growing on Network Rail land spread to the properties of both Stephen
A father has been committed to prison for 18 months after separating his children from their mother while on holiday and refusing to return them. The Court of Appeal was told that the children had not seen their mother for five years and were not living with either of their parents. The case involved a
The National Landlord’s Association (NLA) has criticised government proposals to introduce 3-year minimum tenancies. Ministers say 3-year tenancy terms, with a 6-month break clause, are necessary to help renters put down roots, and to give landlords longer term financial security. The average amount of time tenants stay in a property is four years, according to
Barclays bank has been held liable for sexual assaults committed by a doctor it hired to carry out medical examinations on employees. The bank required its employees to attend a medical assessment as part of its recruitment process. Between 1968 and 1984, the assessments took place unchaperoned at the doctor’s home. The doctor died in