News and Blogs

Written by Nicole Syradd.

The High Court has recently found in favour of the artist Ed Sheeran in a copyright infringement case, Sheeran and Others v Chokri and Others [2022] EWHC 827 (Ch), surrounding his well-known song, ‘Shape of You’.

Background

Ed Sheeran released ‘Shape of You’ in 2017, which quickly became a hit in the UK charts becoming Spotify’s...

Significant restrictions which applied to landlords’ ability to recover commercial rent arrears from tenants have now come to an end. The previous measures, which had been in place since the start of the pandemic, have been largely replaced by new restrictions introduced in the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022 (“the Act”). However, it is important to note that the Act...

We all want the best for our children; health, happiness, a good education and financial security. But what other steps should you be taking now to protect their future, particularly when you are no longer around to do so? The importance of a having a carefully thought out and professionally drafted Will should not be underestimated.

What happens if you die without making a Will?

If you die...

The new and welcomed ‘no-fault divorce’ legislation for obtaining a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership in England and Wales comes into effect today.

The new system removes entirely the element of blame from divorce proceedings, with the intention of reducing conflict and allowing both parties to shift their focus to other important matters, such as the financial elements...

Do remember that from 6 April 2022, various limits that apply in employment law change.

The limit on a week's pay for various calculations, including statutory redundancy pay and the basic award (and additional award) in unfair dismissal claims, increases to £571 from £544.

The limit on the amount of the compensatory award that can be made in unfair dismissal claims increases to...

One of the many challenges of the COVID pandemic is the strain placed on marriages and relationships as a result of homeworking, restrictions on external stimulus, health concerns, financial uncertainty and, as a result, friction that can tip over quickly under the strain. 

The hope is that marriages and relationships have weathered the COVID storm, and we can support and refer those...

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to dramatic changes to how employers and employees work, with an overnight switch from traditional office-based working to predominantly home-based working. In light of this, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has sought to keep pace by launching a consultation process aimed at making flexible working the norm for employees.

The...

We have written previously about various measures introduced by the government to assist businesses and their owners during the pandemic. Most of those have been in place since the beginning of lockdown in March 2020, but after multiple extensions over the last 18 months, a significant number have since come to an end. In some areas, the government is introducing targeted short term measures...

For many people, owning a holiday home is a major aspiration. Having a place to enjoy at leisure certainly has its appeal, and demand for UK holiday homes has significantly increased over the last 18 months, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, owning one may have Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) implications which should be considered.

The basic position...

The new and welcomed ‘no fault divorce’ legislation is expected to come into effect in spring 2022, and will provide a complete overhaul of the current and outdated system for obtaining a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership in England and Wales.

Why does divorce law need reform?

Under the current law, there is only one ground for divorce - the marriage has irretrievably...