Collecting your Debts – all change
Wake Smith debt recovery manager Louisa Kearns looks at forthcoming changes to the way in which debts are collected. The Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims (“Protocol”) comes into force on 1st October 2017. It…
Solicitor urges landowner diligence towards property developments
A Wake Smith Solicitors' property lawyer is urging landowners to check that new property developments close to their own premises are not infringing their rights.
Nick Lambert reviews the first quarter of 2017
“Despite all the forecasts, including our own, the effect of the Brexit referendum and the subsequent triggering of Article 50 to take the UK out of the EU, has so far had no negative impact on our business and…
Handling a dispute – what steps can your business take?
When the possibility of a dispute or potential claim rears its head, many businesses do not understand where to turn. Nick Lambert, chairman and litigation solicitor at Wake Smith, looks at the practical steps…
Disputes following a bereavement
Every year, a growing number of people find themselves in a situation where there is a disagreement after someone has passed away about the deceased's estate. Senior members of the team at Wake Smith, Nick Lambert…
The ability to understand
The High Court has recently had to consider the correct test to be applied in order to decide whether a person had the necessary mental capacity to enter into a contract or to be a party to a court case. The Judge…
Disinherited?
When Mrs Jackson died in 2004, in her Will she left the majority of her £486,000 estate to The Blue Cross, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She…
Commercial Lease Break Clauses – The Battle Goes On
If a lease of commercial premises contains a clause allowing a tenant to break the lease before its end date, it is often the case that a break is conditional on the tenant providing vacant possession on the break…
Letting Agents Fees to Tenants to be Outlawed as soon as possible
In his autumn statement Chancellor Philip Hammond announced that letting agents in England are to be banned from charging fees to tenants ‘as soon as possible’. At the moment letting agents are able to charge…
Licensing Of Houses In Multiple Occupation
On 18 October 2016 the government launched a consultation on proposals to extend the scope of mandatory licensing for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and impose a national minimum room size for HMOs. It seems…
