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Property Redress – rebrand

February 2025 | Landlord and tenant – residential

If the above changes are introduced, property practitioners may find themselves advising clients to pursue mediation for landlord and tenant disputes. Note that the Property Redress Scheme has rebranded and is now called ‘Property Redress’ and there is a new-look website. It is one of two government approved schemes covering the sales and letting sector. …

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Adoption – post-adoption contact

February 2025 | Family

An LA has been severely criticised by a judge in the course of his ruling refusing a birth mother direct contact with a young girl. Adoption lawyers may be aware of a growing appetite for permitting direct contact post-adoption – but the judge in this case refused it for several reasons. A birth parent can …

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HMLR – PG19

February 2025 | Conveyancing

HMLR has updated PG19 (notices and restrictions). Section 3.7.3 has been amended to provide customers with clarification on the evidence required when a right to manage company has been appointed and an application is made to cancel a restriction relating to the management functions in a lease and now includes the following: ‘Cancelling a landlord/management …

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EAT – extending time

February 2025 | Employment

A case which will interest employment practitioners everywhere is one where the EAT had to consider an application for an extension of time to lodge an appeal. A firm of solicitors acting for the claimants requesting an appeal lodged documents via e-filing but not the ETs full written reasons. The firm then had some written …

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EAT – discrimination and victimisation

February 2025 | Employment

The EAT has heard a case involving a union’s employment solicitor. The case summary is as follows: ‘TRADE UNION RIGHTS & VICTIMISATION An Employment Tribunal erred in its approach to the burden of proof. The Claimant had been employed as an employment law solicitor for the RMT. He took proceedings against the RMT. He was …

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HMLR – portal enhancement

February 2025 | Conveyancing

Practitioners may be pleased to note that HMLR has enhanced the portal by increasing correspondence available. Until recently, customers were limited to viewing items for review such as requisitions sent to them, information-only items which needed no action, and confirmation of requisitions that have been resolved. Note that now portal users are also able to …

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Children – domestic violence

February 2025 | Family

This case illustrates how, in exceptional circumstances, the courts can significantly restrict a parent’s PR to protect a child from harm. This is achieved through the use of prohibited steps orders and specific issue orders under s8(1)CA. F had a history of violence, domestic abuse and coercive behaviour and had already been in prison for …

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Domestic violence – new pilot

February 2025 | Family

A trial pilot for the new domestic abuse measures has begun in Greater Manchester and the London boroughs of Croydon, Sutton and Bromley. Those measures are: Domestic Abuse Protection Notices – police can, in certain circumstances, issue a notice immediately following any incident of abuse. The perpetrator must be aged 18+ and be personally connected …

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