Read our latest articles, news briefs and legal updates across all our different services.
A court has been called on to determine who was responsible for the collapse of a building – the contractors who carried out renovation work, or the engineers who drew up the plans. The issue arose after a couple decided to convert their cellar into living accommodation. The project involved lowering the floor and then
The government wants to speed up the planning system and make it easier for developers to build more houses. The proposals centre on ‘section 106’ agreements, which oblige developers to meet certain conditions before planning permission is granted. These conditions often involve issues such as building new roads for improved access and providing an affordable
Help to Buy ISAs offering first time buyers a 25% bonus on their savings have proved to be one the most talked about elements from George Osborne’s Budget statement. Some commentators fear they may push up house prices, but they’re likely to prove hugely popular with young people who have found it difficult to raise
The government is stepping up the UK’s fight against dementia, which it sees as one of the main health issues facing the UK over the next 20 years. Prime Minister David Cameron has launched, Challenge on Dementia 2020, as the next phase in the effort to tackle the debilitating illness. The most important measure will
A woman who was subjected to a tirade of abuse and called a green eyed monster by a man with whom she had previously had a relationship at work has won a claim of sexual harassment. The case involved a claimant who worked as head of sales for a recruitment consultancy. Shortly after joining the
A father has been told he must accept reduced contact with his daughter after losing his appeal against a court ruling. The case involved a couple who had separated when their daughter was 18 months old. The girl lived with her mother but the father applied for a shared residence order. Before the hearing could
Social housing tenants could be offered up to £30,000 to enable them to leave their rented accommodation and buy their own home. The move is an extension to the Right to Buy scheme, which has been running for several years and has enabled nearly 2 million tenants to buy their home at discounted prices. Although
The Law Commission is looking at ways to improve the enforcement of Family Financial Orders, which are used to help support children and former spouses following divorce. The commission says these orders are sometimes obtained at “significant financial and emotional cost” to everyone involved. The stress can be compounded if the orders cannot then be
The Marriage Foundation has launched a manifesto calling on political parties to consider the need to reform divorce law. The Foundation, which is led by one of the country’s senior family judges, Sir Paul Coleridge, believes current law is outdated and out of step with modern life. The call for change coincides with two recent
The government is tightening up the Prompt Pay Code (PPC) to encourage firms to pay invoices quicker and so improve cash flow for smaller firms. Business Minister Matthew Hancock says the PPC will now promote 30-day terms as standard and introduce a 60-day maximum limit. Unless firms can show there are exceptional circumstances that justify