Issue: March 2025

Neurodiversity – ACAS

March 2025 | Employment

ACAS has published new guidance for employers on understanding neurodiversity. The guidance outlines terminology and different types of neurodiversity and points out that: ‘being neurodivergent will often amount to a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This law gives rights and protections to disabled employees. For example: the right not to be discriminated against because …

This article is only available to subscribers.

No counsel – wasted costs

March 2025 | Professional

The HC had heard a costs case, but the substantive application was one by the father for an order that two children are returned to Nigeria. The mother made an application to adjourn a December 2024 hearing primarily because there was no progress in the instruction of an expert in Nigerian law, as had been …

This article is only available to subscribers.

SRA no win, no fee – public guide

March 2025 | Conduct, practice and risk management

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 …

This article is only available to subscribers.

Adoption – immigration; young adults

March 2025 | Family

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 …

This article is only available to subscribers.

OFSI – financial threats

March 2025 | Professional

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 …

This article is only available to subscribers.

LFRA 2024 – judicial review

March 2025 | Conveyancing

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 …

This article is only available to subscribers.

EWS1 – concerns

March 2025 | Conveyancing

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 …

This article is only available to subscribers.