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News & Insights
Read our latest articles, news briefs and legal updates across all our different services.
Changes to divorce law will come into effect in April
Changes to divorce law will come into effect from 6 April. The government is also introducing a new online service to help couples adapt to the changes. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 reforms the legal requirements and process for divorce. The act aims to reduce the potential for conflict amongst divorcing couples by
Machins Solicitors celebrates International Women’s Day 2022
International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on 8th March to recognise the achievements of women with its focus on women’s rights, gender equality, reproductive rights and violence and abuse against women. This year’s campaign #BreaktheBias focuses on a gender equal world[1] .The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919[2] paved the way for women
EPC regulation changes for commercial property from 1 April 2023
Commercial property landlords will be aware of the importance of EPC (Environmental Performance Certificate) on their building and the impacts it can potentially have on lettings. It is currently a legal requirement that commercial buildings must have a rating of at least an E before a new or renewal lease can be granted. However, with
Rule changes mean new homes must produce 30% less carbon
The government is introducing new rules to ensure that new homes and buildings in England will have to produce significantly less carbon dioxide as part of the battle against climate change. Under the new regulations, CO2 emissions from new build homes must be around 30% lower than current standards and emissions from other new buildings,
Government to end abuse of tax loophole on second homes
The government is closing a loophole that allows owners of second homes to avoid paying tax by claiming their often-empty properties are holiday lets. The changes will target people who take advantage of the system to avoid paying their fair share towards local services in popular destinations such as Cornwall, Devon, the Lake District, Suffolk,
Extra £1.3m to help couples use family mediation scheme
The government is providing an additional £1.3 million to enable more separating parents use the family mediation scheme. The extra investment is expected to help families resolve disputes away from court, such as those involving financial or contact arrangements for children and takes investment in the initiative to more than £3m since its launch in
Government extends use of video-witnessed wills until 2024
The government is to allow vulnerable people to continue to be able to have their wills witnessed via video-link until 2024. The move extends measures brought in because of the pandemic. It’s designed to help people who are forced to isolate either with Covid or from another vulnerability. Ministers hope it will reassure all those
Court outlines what constitutes a business partnership in law
The High Court has outlined what constitutes a business partnership in law following a dispute between a couple who ran a business together. The case involved Ms Burnett and Mr Barker. Barker had set up a business as a sole trader offering fire safety services at events. Burnett was working for a company that dealt
Whistle-blower unfairly dismissed over social distancing concerns
A worker at a pet food shop has won her claim of unfair dismissal after she raised concerns over her employer’s Covid protocol. Leah Best worked for Embark on Raw, a pet food retailer owned by husband-and-wife team David and Andrea Fletcher. In March 2020, during the beginning of the pandemic, measures were put in