In an interesting departure, the SRA has produced guidance for the public on the use of no win, no fee agreements. Some commentators have questioned whether this is an appropriate step for a regulator – but whatever the merits, the regulated community should be reading the advice that the SRA is handing out. The SRA …
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New government guidance confirms that if a young person from another country has already turned 18 by the time an adoption order has been made, citizenship should normally be granted (and promptly). International adoptions can take longer than usual given they are typically more complex, engaging jurisdictional issues and immigration law. However, the British Nationality …
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All MLROs and senior managers of law firms should read the February 2025 report published by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) addressing threats to UK financial sanctions compliance. The report outlines OFSI’s assessment of threats to sanctions compliance involving UK financial services firms since February 2022. UK financial sanctions legislation applies to all …
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The Leasehold Knowledge Partnership (LKP) reports on an issue which will not come as a surprise to many property lawyers: the judicial review proceedings in relation to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. They report that a number of freeholders were granted leave to apply for judicial review to challenge the threat to their …
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In this very high-value case, a prenup provided for the parties’ joint accounts to be used for household bills and living expenses. In practice, they were also used during the marriage to fund millions of pounds worth of expensive items for furnishing the home. At issue was whether those items were to be treated as …
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It is so difficult to get through to HMRC these days that anyone would probably be on alert if a communication is received from them, but practitioners should watch out. ICAEW members have reported an increase in fraudulent correspondence relating to VAT purporting to be from HMRC. Law firms may be next on the list. …
Property practitioners will be aware of the concerns relating to EWS1 certificates issued by Mr Adam Kiziak and his firm Tri Fire. The RICS reminds us that: ‘The EWS1 form is designed to be used for residential properties such as blocks of flats (including those owned by housing associations and social housing providers as well …
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An innocent breach of rules prohibiting the bringing of a child to the UK for the specific purpose of adoption was not an absolute bar to an adoption order. Section 83 ACA prohibits an individual from bringing a child to the UK for the purpose of adoption. This is to protect children from maltreatment or …
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The Public Guardian has the function of directing a CoP visitor – whether a medical practitioner or general visitor – to visit, for example a court-appointed deputy or an attorney under an LPA, and report back on matters as required. General visitors must have experience of mental capacity issues, just as medics should. New guidance …
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HMLR has updated PG8 (execution of deeds): ‘Section 2.7.2 has been amended to clarify that HM Land Registry will accept a certificate by the conveyancer acting for the limited partnership stating that a deed has been duly and properly executed in accordance with the partnership’s constitution.’ Source: www.gov.uk.