News & Insights

The short answer is no—you cannot legally copy an idea. Under intellectual property (IP) law, ideas themselves are not p

A company will be struck off the register if it fails to submit annual returns or otherwise fails to comply with formal

The recent judgment in the SkyKick UK Ltd vs Sky Ltd case has significant implications for brand owners, particularly in

From March 2025, changes introduced in Rachel Reeves’ Budget, mean more people will be paying tax when they would not ha

If you are selling your commercial property, you should expect your buyer to carry out extensive due diligence before ex

Family businesses form the backbone of our economy, yet a staggering 69% of owners lack a detailed succession plan, and

When a family dispute reaches the court, emotions can be intense, as all other options for resolution have typically bee

Several measures announced in the Autumn Budget will affect businesses, and this serves as a timely reminder to review a

The way goods and materials are bought and sold in the UK has changed beyond recognition over the last 25 years, with th

A squatter may sometimes be able to claim ownership of property if certain conditions are met. Also referred to as adver

For many people, living by the sea would be a dream come true. But it pays to be aware of the implications of coast livi

If you own a leasehold property, the number of years remaining on the lease will gradually drop. Once it falls towards 8

The new Under Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has confirmed that the government intends t

The government has introduced a Renters’ Rights Bill, which aims to provide greater for security for renters, and a ‘lev

Employers are legally required to give employees certain key information at the start of the job in what is called a wri

Wills disputes can be damaging to family relationships as well as draining an estate of funds and causing lengthy delays

The idea of ‘green’ leases for commercial property is rising up the agenda as policies push all parts of the economy tow

With more goods being traded online, and ideas and creations being so easily available to view globally, it is not surpr

When going through a divorce or deciding child arrangements after a relationship breakdown, there are various routes to

If you've received a prenuptial agreement (commonly known as a ‘prenup’), hopefully, it doesn't come as a surprise. Thes

Employers are increasingly aware of the importance of supporting employees’ mental health for many reasons, including im

It is always disappointing when an employee does not perform as anticipated, or when the relationship has turned sour, a

If you rely on the supply of packaging from a third party, there is a lot to consider. Does the quality meet your brand

An employee builds up valuable knowledge and contacts during the time that they work for you. This knowledge can include

If your business is owed money, the impact on cash flow can be considerable. Since interest rates have improved you coul

As a child, the first few days of September always brought about mixed emotions. Whilst there was the obvious sadness of

If you are a property owner, you need to know what will happen to it in the future. Passing on a house is not always str

Easements are valuable rights that allow you to use neighbouring land in particular ways, for the benefit of your own pr

In the year ending 30 April 2024, one in 463 adults in England and Wales entered insolvency. Financial pressures can oft

How will flat owners benefit from the new Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act? The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act recei

With the rise of the digital era and advances in technology, we have seen and will continue to see growth in the use of

If someone has lost the ability to make their own decisions, it may be possible to have a Will drawn up on their behalf.

Buying into and taking over a business you know well can be an exciting prospect.  A management buyout (MBO) offers an e

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 will give local authorities new powers to hold rental auctions of empty high

If you are contemplating getting divorced then your future financial security is likely to be a key concern, particularl

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) works with families who need to go to court to sett

Moving in together is an important and exciting step in a relationship. Whether you are moving into a house or apartment

If your business requirements have changed, and you need to get out of your current lease, a surrender can be an attract

If you are involved in a business dispute, then it is sensible to try to resolve the matter as quickly and cost-efficien

According to standards organisation MCS, more than 183,000 solar panel installations took place in 2023. We answer some

Returning to work from family leave can be a significant adjustment for some employees. As well as the practical conside

Calculating holiday allowance for employees who work irregular hours can be tricky.  In an effort to simplify things, an

The Court of Protection (CoP) fulfils a vital role in assisting individuals who no longer have the ability to manage the

If you have an interest in a property but your name is not on the title deeds, a declaration of trust can offer protecti

If you are a member of a partnership and one of your partners has been accused of breaching professional standards, this

If someone has died and has not made any, or reasonable, financial provision for you from their estate, you may be able

Football is a global phenomenon, attracting millions of fans to stadiums every week. Even Hollywood celebrities are gett

Buying your first home is an exciting time, but it can also be daunting. We outline our five top tips for first time buy

The 2020s have been called ‘The Great Wealth Transfer,’ as £1 trillion of wealth built up by the ‘baby boomers’ is expec

The Government’s 2022 English Housing Survey reported that 27 per cent of first-time buyers used gifts from family or fr

Every year, April 25th is Parental Alienation Awareness Day. It's a day that might not stand out on many calendars, but

Giving employees clear pathways and opportunities for promotion will help to improve performance and keep staff committe

If you are involved in a business dispute which has reached the point of discussing loss of profit, then it may be more

Having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place gives you the security of knowing that someone will be able to deal wi

Many of us remember the Tequila song, assuring us that tequila makes us happy (at least until the hangover arrives). Yet

Are you in charge of a business? Would you like to protect your brand and enhance you reputation? If YES, in support of

Over recent years, the courts have reported an increase in cases brought after a dispute has arisen over a Will. We look

AI is slowly becoming a part of our lives whether we have stopped to think of it or not. From smart homes to voice devic

If you are buying or selling a property, it can be frustrating to find that the exchange of contracts has been delayed.

As a business owner you may well have been given the benefit of an indemnity in any of your commercial agreements.  Inde

This year is a busy one for employment legislation, following a few quiet years. The Government has supported several pr

The most successful commercial landlords take an active approach to managing their properties, and there is more to this

Navigating the legal waters of trade mark registration can be complex, but it's crucial for protecting your brand. Ever

Finding out that your loved one has decided to leave a gift of money or property to a charity in their will can sometime

As businesses thrive through online marketplaces, the risk of intellectual property (IP) infringement also increases. It

A new bill aimed at speeding up and simplifying the registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney has been passed by Parlia

The government has announced that it intends to make it cheaper and simpler for leaseholders to purchase the freehold of

If you are thinking of purchasing a property, it is vital you know what tenure it is as this can affect both its value a

If you take a lease of business premises, your landlord may ask you to ‘contract out’ of statutory rights that apply to

The right to request flexible working has been around for over 20 years, and in that time eligibility to the right has b

As a business owner, receiving a Notice of Threatened Opposition from a third party can be unsettling. It is important t

You are forgiven if you are not aware that Data Protection Day falls on the 28th January of each year. The terms ‘GDPR’

January is always a busy time for Family Lawyers, as couples who have 'kept it together' for Christmas but then head for

Most employers will try to protect staff from bullying in the workplace, but sometimes it is hard to know what to do abo

Dealing with employee grievances properly can require a great deal of time and effort, but a prompt investigation could

Businesses enter into contracts all the time whether they are conscious of this or not. Whether you tick a box that says

Contracts are the lifeblood of businesses, setting out exactly how they interact with suppliers, employees, customers, a

If you are dealing with the estate of someone who has died, you may need to pay Inheritance Tax (IHT). Some or all of th

It is still up for debate whether the long-awaited abolition of “no-fault” evictions will happen this year. Whilst we al

A child arrangement order (sometimes referred to as a CAO) is a court order which provides for a child to spend time wit

Commercial tenants will know that the rent they pay is only one part of the overall cost of occupying their premises.  A

Adverse possession, sometimes referred to as squatting, can give someone legal ownership of land if they have occupied i

Selling your goods in a new and unfamiliar market can be a risky and costly venture, but entering into a distribution ar

Have you made any new year resolutions?  Perhaps one of them should be to make sure that you have a Will and that it is

On average, each employee in the UK took 5.7 days off due to sickness in 2022, according to figures published by the Off

December brings for children the excitement and anticipation of Christmas. But for separated parents it can bring additi

Anyone contemplating divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership will have many things to consider, but you are likely

If you are a professional working in the property sector, you may at some point face a claim from a disgruntled client c

Winding up an estate can be complex and time-consuming, but there are also other valid reasons why you might want to use

In challenging economic conditions, commercial property landlords must be prepared for tenants to hit financial difficul

The government is promoting the installation of heat pumps in homes to replace boilers, with vouchers being offered to h

As a supplier you rely on the contractual relationships with your customers for many reasons.  As well as helping to for

You may have read in the news of many wealthy international divorces occurring in England, such as the divorce of the Du

The government’s unclaimed estates list has exceeded £1 billion in assets. This is money and property left by individual

No commercial landlord wants their property empty.  A vacant unit costs money in repair, insurance, and business rates,

After obtaining a court order, there are several legal strategies to enforce a judgment debt. The most effective approac

You may already know that a trade mark is a legal symbol representing your unique brand, product, or service. It’s cruci

When it comes to protecting intellectual property (IP), business owners are constantly on their toes to ensure that thei

Stepping onto the property ladder can be a challenge for first time buyers. We take a look at how parents can help their

Being separated from your child can be heart-wrenching, and yet some parents have to overcome some significant hurdles t

In our increasingly digital world, the issue of digital assets after an individual's death has emerged as a complex and

During a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership, there are a number of factors that must be taken into account wh

The British Dyslexia Association estimates that one in ten people have dyslexia. Employers are encouraged to explore way

In a bumpy market, it pays to be well-prepared before you put your commercial property on the market. Your solicitor wil

There are a number of ways you may be able to dispute a Will if you are concerned about its contents, the way in which i

Most people wouldn’t think they will ever suffer memory loss which prevents them from making their own decisions. Today,

The issue of care home funding is not simple – you need to consider not only the financial implications or entering care

If your business is embroiled in a dispute, then tough decisions will need to be made. Taking a claim to court, or defen

When did you last review or update the policy on social media use for your employees? Does it reflect the way that socia

Trade secrets are valuable assets for all businesses of all sizes. They can give you a competitive edge, help you attrac

Many people choose to donate to charities during their lifetime. Lifetime donations and gifts under a Will to charities

If you have made a Will, you can also consider writing a letter of wishes to accompany it. We look at the purpose of a l

Without wishing to go back to a time when many would rather forget, everyone will no doubt have their own specific memor

In a major victory for songwriters, Ed Sheeran has been cleared of copyright infringement in a case that could have had

In a recent decision, the High Court of England and Wales has ruled that fictional characters can be recognised as copyr

Unfortunately, you probably do! The Trust Register was set up to deal with new European Money Laundering Regulations to

Due to changes in ways of working since the pandemic, or in response to the economic slowdown, some employers are downsi

The government has raised the amount a spouse or civil partner can inherit if their partner dies without making a Will.

As tenants struggle to find suitable and affordable properties to rent, the number of landlords is declining as many are

Divorce can often stir up feelings of mistrust between former spouses, especially when it comes to considering the finan

With interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis in the headlines on a daily basis, mortgage affordability is a key con

According to a report by Forbes Magazine in September 2022 there are now more than 20,000 crypto currencies worth a coll

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial when communicating with your lawyer, especially if your business is approaching a

Commercial landlords are increasingly keen to show that their buildings are sustainable.  With energy prices high and co

If a neighbouring landowner uses part of your land for something, such as access or drainage, it is likely that they wil

A commercial lease is a legally binding contract made between a landlord and a business tenant. A commercial lease gives

If you are looking to protect your trade mark(s) internationally then the Madrid Protocol system may be beneficial to yo

A shareholders' agreement is a contract between the shareholders of a company that sets out the terms and conditions of

One story which received a great deal of media coverage earlier this year was the publication of the results of a six-mo

Obtaining a court judgment for payment from a debtor can be a significant relief, especially if your claim was contested

All social media at the moment is ranting and raving about the new Barbie movie. It started as a kids doll in 1959 and n

Along with the welfare issues to be considered when thinking how to meet your child’s needs, parents who are separating

Lots of people make a Will when they get married.  What happens to that Will when the relationship breaks down?  Divorce

If you are dealing with an estate administration after someone has died and this includes dealing with their property, y

If you are thinking of selling your home, you may be concerned if you do not know where your title deeds are. We take a

Hooray! You have made it through the trade mark registration process and you have your registration certificate – congra

As a business owner, creating a brand and securing your trade marks are essential. However, sometimes, the process of ap

As a business owner, protecting your intellectual property is incredibly important. Two (of many) forms of legal protect

As a business owner, you create and innovate every day. Whether it's the design of a new product, the development of a p

The rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years have left many business owners, entrepreneurs, start-

Brand owners are considering the use of their trade marks and how best to protect them following the UK Intellectual Pro

Turnover rents are increasingly common in retail lettings.  In challenging times, they appeal to tenants because both th

Using a settlement agreement to end an employment relationship can effectively provide a fresh start. To initiate this p

According to the Office for National Statistics, before the Covid pandemic only one in eight working adults reported wor

The Curry Mile in Manchester is a vibrant stretch of Wilmslow Road filled with restaurants, cafes, and shops featuring M

Locating a Will after someone has died is not always easy. If you believe that the deceased made a Will, you should do a

There are many reasons why shareholders fall out. Most companies in the UK are small owner-managed businesses, which are

During mediation, couples often prefer a "clean break" in their financial settlement, meaning they are free of any furth

Summer is here, and that means it’s time to enjoy live music outdoors with friends and a drink in hand, but, before you

A robust set of terms and conditions are essential for every business, allowing you to clearly outline the products or s

For house and flat buyers, a drainage and water report is always recommended and it is also usually a requirement of the

If you are making a Lasting Power of Attorney or LPA, you will need a certificate provider to sign the LPA. We take a lo

Leading Dorset Firm, Laceys Solicitors, has advised Renais Spirits, the brainchild of Alex Watson, ahead of the recent r

If you are a business tenant, a break clause in your commercial lease gives you valuable flexibility to move out if circ

If you have spotted a great business acquisition opportunity and the headline figures look superb, how do you know that

In 2017, the Aryana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena was struck by a horrific terrorist attack that killed 22 peop

Laceys has rewarded nine solicitors with new positions in its latest wave of promotions. This is the highest number of p

The client is king and businesses will usually do anything they can to keep and grow clients, but not everyone is commit

A widow who was married to her husband for 66 years but left out of his Will has won her court case requesting a share o

Research carried out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has found that despite a fall in the average

A relationship breakdown often means a dramatic change in life for all involved and when parents live apart, arrangement

Do you have a pending or registered UK trade mark or design? If so, you will want to make sure the new changes do not af

Landlords of non-domestic properties with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of below band “E” now have only

If you own a commercial property which is larger than you need, selling part of it could be a good way to release value.

If you are planning on selling your home, getting all of your paperwork in order upfront can help you avoid delays later

At present, no capital gains tax (CGT) is charged on a transfer of assets between a married couple or civil partners who

What are Title Deeds? Title Deeds are legal documents which prove the chain of ownership to land or property. They are h

Aside from the typical April updates to statutory rates, it may seem relatively quiet on the regulatory front for employ

Hotels and wedding venues are busy hosting wedding fairs and gearing up for the wedding season, with everyone focused on

If you develop a site and your scheme includes new roads, you will probably want to get them adopted by the local highwa

Warranties and indemnities are routinely included in commercial agreements. Their aim is to provide a right of redress w

Performance management can be both challenging and time-consuming. The first challenge is to determine whether it is a c

While social media can be hugely beneficial for many businesses, it is not without its problems. Organisations have had

We take a look at Energy Performance Certificates, including why you need one, where you can get one and what they mean.

In a recent inheritance claim case, a disabled adult won £195,000 from his late mother’s estate after being left out of

Many would-be investors are drawn to commercial property.  Even in times of economic uncertainty, people like the idea o

Recent advances in technology mean that there are now numerous ways to monitor employees, including via a webcam on staf

Have you ever spotted someone wearing a lanyard with a sunflower as a means of indicating that they have a non-visible d

Due to the blended society we live in, there could be a million and one reasons why the property we live in may only be

Research carried out by Barclays Wealth has found that nearly a third of millennials would prefer that their parents spe

Since April 2022, couples have been able to seek a divorce after one year of marriage without having to blame their form

Whether negotiating a new commercial lease, or renegotiating an existing one, it is important to plan ahead and be clear

‘All conflicts are capable of peaceful resolution,’ said Nelson Mandela, although it may be hard to envisage this when y

Every business will experience problems with late or non-payers at some point during its trading life. This can be time

Selling a property is one of the most stressful events we can go through and dealing with this after the loss of a loved

If you own a leasehold flat, you may want to end your landlord’s involvement in running the property. There are two main

The National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) held their annual convention and awards on Wednesday 23th November at The

According to the Financial Times the average fee for independent schools is now over £15,000 a year for day pupils and £

Sadly, there are people who have believed they were legally married, only to find out years later their marriage was inv

Following the breakdown of a relationship, most parents can reach an agreement amicably regarding the arrangements for c

Christmas parties are a great chance for employees to have fun together, and an opportunity for employers to treat their

It is forecast that, by the end of this year, 90 per cent of the UK adult population will use a social media account at

If you own land which may have potential for development, or you have already been approached by a developer, the chance

For a business to grow and prosper, it is vital that the people at the helm get on and have a shared vision about key is

In September 2022, the Chancellor announced changes to rates of Stamp Duty payable on property purchases in England and

According to the charity Adoption UK, there are nearly 3,000 children in care waiting to be adopted. National Adoption W

After a death, one of the first tasks is to arrange the funeral. This is generally carried out by the deceased’s next of

With house prices continuing to make buying a first home difficult, many people are given money towards the purchase by

If you have been promised a gift or other property from a person that has died but this promise hasn’t been reflected in

If you are acting for an individual as an Attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), the scope for you to make gi

A High Court judgment has highlighted what may be seen as a peril of making a will which includes assets whose value may

Laceys have once again been recommended across seven of the firm’s specialist legal areas in the 2023 edition of the Leg

If you are planning on buying your first home, you probably have many questions. The process can be confusing and it is

With the rising costs of living to contend with, those who are also in unhappy relationships may be putting off separati

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives legal authority to a trusted friend or relative to make decisions and deal with

Employee recruitment and retention remains challenging for employers and offering an attractive package of benefits can

The UK Government has announced radical plans to overhaul the private renters’ market, with a new bill designed to shift

In the world of intellectual property, trade mark opposition proceedings are becoming more common than ever before, and

Nearly 60,000 people have benefited from invitro fertilisation (IVF) and donor insemination at HFEA licensed fertility c

Recruiting the right senior executive can be an immense benefit to a company if they bring the right mix of skills, expe

If you are thinking of adding a conservatory or extension to your property, you need to be aware of the rules and regula

When you make your Will, you are entitled to leave your estate to your choice of beneficiary. While this means that you

If you are a landlord of commercial property, you will have chosen your tenants carefully.  A landlord wants to be sure

This year’s Queen’s Speech was surprisingly light on employment law developments, with the omission of the long-awaited

It has been necessary to register all UK and non-UK trusts where they are liable to pay mainstream UK tax (income tax, c

Long-awaited reforms to law surrounding leasehold property will start to take effect in 2022 as the government seeks to

Managing risk is an essential part of any business operation and while personal relationships do not often appear high o

With the current Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) system over thirty years old, the government’s consultation on reformin

Domestic abuse can impact men and women, of any age or race and is seen across all parts of society.  Unfortunately, sta

The subject of pay is always a hot topic and requires sensitive handling. Employees feel they need more, due to the risi

Redevelopment of parts of a building in your portfolio, to create a more flexible layout or perhaps add additional floor

A Will is crucial in making sure that an estate passes to the right people after someone dies. But sometimes it can be h

Energy Performance Certificates, or EPCs, give an energy performance rating for properties, with the most energy efficie

It is a common misconception that registering a company name at Companies House automatically grants you rights in the n

It has been another busy few months in the world of intellectual property, with Ed Sheeran in the spotlight once more. S

From individual landowners to corporate developers, everyone is being encouraged to play their part in enhancing our env

Employers must ensure they can demonstrate a reasonable belief that an employee is guilty of misconduct before proceedin

For those dealing with someone’s estate after their death, the Inheritance Tax bill can come as a nasty shock. It needs

With UK weather becoming more extreme, homeowners are having to deal with an increase in damage caused by trees and fenc

A Lasting Power of Attorney or LPA is a document that gives legal authority to someone to deal with your affairs on your

Meghan Markle has been in the firing line (alongside Harry) since stepping down as a Senior Royal in January 2020 as she

Laceys Solicitors have signed up to a fundraising challenge for three of the UK’s leading neurological research charitie

Even the most promising development can be knocked off course if the land is subject to a restrictive covenant.  Restric

April is usually the month when the Government introduces new employment legislation, and in recent years, it has announ

Once you have decided that your marriage is over and you have taken the first step towards divorce or dissolution of a c

The Will of a wealthy property investor has been overturned by the High Court on the basis that he did not know and appr

As a business, you probably have insurance in place to protect your assets, locks on your premises and even security tea

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published new advice for professional valuers and surveyors aime

When a commercial lease is due to end, both landlord and tenant will consider their business plans to decide whether the

The law gives five potentially fair reasons for dismissal. The most commonly used reasons are redundancy, capability and

A property is a big investment and it is important to ensure that there will not be any nasty surprises in the future. S

A Which? survey of 2,000 UK residents found that only one in seven (15%) of people have given someone else power of atto

As an employer, you may face a tribunal claim from an employee, former employee, or even an applicant at some point. Whi

Many properties will be connected to mains drainage but this is not always the case. Have a read of our tips below to co

Once a commercial tenant has agreed a lease and moved into business premises, they will rely on having unobstructed acce

If you are applying for a financial order as part of your divorce then the court will list your case in for a financial

The phrase one shoe doesn’t fit all is a perfect description of how versatile mediators have to be when helping couples

Family Mediation Week 2022 was fittingly launched online on 17th January in keeping with the pandemic-induced trend of m

Mediation usually takes place between separated parents when they cannot agree on what arrangements should be in place f

Effective parenting communication is crucial if children are to survive unscathed (both emotionally and physically) thei

If you have come out of a relationship involving domestic abuse, you will have the challenging task of needing to make a

During this transitional period, as employees return to the workplace on a hybrid or full-time basis, employers must be

Following the 2017 Supreme Court case of an adult daughter who successfully claimed financial provision from her late mo

Many partners like the idea of making their wills together but they may not understand that there is a choice between ma

The best investment property will be one where the fundamentals are right.  It should be in a suitable location, in soun

M&S are at loggerheads with Aldi for the second time. After ‘Caterpillar-gate’ (M&S’s claim that Aldi’s Cuthbert

Many people mistakenly believe that a divorce severs financial ties between those formerly but that is not automatically

Many businesses are now at the stage where they have planned their longer-term working arrangements for staff, whether t

The current moratorium on commercial landlords evicting tenants, exercising the right to seize goods or taking insolvenc

If you cannot reach an agreement with your former partner about arrangements for your children, one of you may apply to

Parents will always strive to do what is best for their children, but for separated parents this can sometimes lead to d

The world of data protection can be daunting for many businesses, and even a cause of stress and anxiety for some. The h

According to Care UK, three million people in the UK are juggling work with unpaid caring for disabled, seriously ill, o

Whether you are launching a new product, expanding your existing business into new areas or starting an entirely new ent

Despite all your best efforts to recruit and retain the right key executives, sometimes things just do not work out as p

School children aged 12 to 15 years are now being offered the Covid vaccination through schools. For some parents this w

The last 18 months have seen employers turn on a dime to keep their business on track, while guarding the health and wel

In an episode of the Netflix series House of Cards, the American First Lady Claire Underwood opens the door of her huge

Growing evidence of climate change has put sustainability firmly on the commercial property agenda.  Owners, occupiers,

Not exactly. However, a recent case has confirmed that landlords may still be able to use the accelerated procedure unde

Laceys Solicitors are proud to be sponsoring the annual NOEA Convention this year, taking place digitally, 24th November

If you want to sell land, or borrow money to develop it, you must prove that you own it.  This becomes a problem if you

Laceys Mediation signed are pleased to announce the  The Ministry of Justice Family Mediation Voucher Scheme  has receiv

When a relationship ends, disputes over financial settlements can sometimes lead to unacceptable behavior. Typically, th

Running your own business can be the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, but it also brings stresses and strains which somet

Keeping commercial property insured and in good repair is important for both landlords and tenants, but for slightly dif

While many adults drink alcohol responsibly, unfortunately there is a significant percentage of the adult population in

The successful vaccine programme hasn't stopped the pandemic's ongoing impact on businesses. When the furlough scheme en

Back in April, with my training journey at Laceys continuing to my next seat in Dispute Resolution, being a contentious

When contemplating our business properties, attention tends to focus on the visible aspects, such as the architectural d

Research by Loughborough University shows a sharp rise in the so called ‘boomerang’ generation of young adults returning

One area that hasn’t suffered from the Covid pandemic is the pet industry with the increase in puppy purchases being a m

Within a marriage or civil partnership, the concept of bad behaviour can cover a multitude of activities, from leaving t

This past year has shown, more than ever, how important it is for us to look after our own, and others’, wellbeing. In r

It has recently been announced that there will be a delay to the much anticipated no-fault divorce, which will now come

When a landlord and tenant try to settle the terms for a new commercial lease, each party will have clear objectives.  T

The official government message encouraging people to work from home is expected to end with the final step out of lockd

Once again, the eviction notice periods under section 21 and section 8 have changed. However, for the first time since t

While the predicted lockdown baby boom has not materialised and the birth rate is similar to 2020 (down just 0.5%), fami

If your business is expanding, you may have outgrown your current premises.  Before you start looking for a new site, it

A recent court case has re-affirmed that in most cases Mediation notes or a Mediation Summary cannot be used as evidence

The statutory definitions of the three categories of employment status have long been criticised as being unclear, and o

If you have a great idea for developing a piece of unused land, you may find that you need to get control of some neighb

For the majority of people, their most significant asset is the family home. So, it is not surprising that when it comes

TRAINING FROM HOME. As the end of my second seat dawns, what strikes me is I have trained entirely from home this time d

Laceys Mediation have signed up to The Ministry of Justice Family Mediation Voucher Scheme  which goes live today, 1st A

One of the most difficult issues that employers face is how best to help an employee on long-term sickness absence or wi

On 22 March, it was being widely reported that the French subsidiary of IKEA was being prosecuted in France. The offence

It has long been thought that requiring an employee to be at or near their place of work during the night was ‘working’

Laceys’ Head of Employment & HR, Robin Watson spoke to the Wessex Branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and

Following the introduction of civil partnerships in 2005 and same sex marriages in 2014, there has been an increase in f

If you are reviewing your commercial property portfolio, you may decide that the time is right to sell some of your prop

After postponements in 2019 and 2020, the 6 April 2021 is the third date scheduled for the off-payroll working rules to

Giveaways on social media are exceedingly common nowadays, and a great way for influencers and businesses to boost the n

The Supreme Court has ruled that Uber drivers are not self-employed and are workers. This means that they are entitled t

If the pandemic has left you with empty commercial property, now could be a good time to look for alternative uses.  To

The rollout of the vaccination programme has been welcomed as the beginning of the end for the Covid-19 pandemic. For ma

Mediation is regularly used in family law to assist couples to reach an agreement about their financial separation and a

At Laceys we understand that family law matters can be very emotional and sensitive, which is why we promote a construct

The Coronavirus pandemic has affected the way in which we work and socialise, locally, nationally and globally. Over the

Divorce and separation are confusing and upsetting enough for children, without the additional anxiety of not being able

The Family Justice Young People’s Board (FJYPB) are a group of over 50 children and young people aged between 7 and 25 y

Parenting is hard at the best of times but throw into the mix dealing with a separation during lockdown, making the righ

More than any other time of the year, January is a month when families decide to separate. For most, this will be their

Today marks the start of Family Mediation Week aimed to raise awareness of mediation and how it can help separating fami

If your business is experiencing difficulties and you're leasing your premises, you might consider simply handing back t

2020 was a tumultuous year with employers having to respond rapidly to the challenges of the pandemic. Culturally the wo

What if I told you that we have prepared a list of New Year’s resolutions that do not involve dusting off your running s

If you are coming out of a relationship, whether you were cohabiting, married or in a civil partnership, you may be wond

Most people are aware that there are certain rules which landlords must follow when letting out residential property. Wh

Bringing up the subject of a prenuptial agreement can be as daunting as popping the question, perhaps more so as it rais

When serving a notice on a tenant requiring possession of a residential property, does it matter whether the landlord’s

As the economic impact of the pandemic grows, many commercial landlords are struggling to collect rent and enforce their

While some people are enjoying working from home, this is not the case for everyone and the negative impacts over severa

With his generous frame and thick mop of blond hair, Boris Johnson might make a passable Father Christmas, were it not f

The Court of Appeal has given a salutary warning to tenants of commercial premises to be careful what you sign when they

The government coronavirus job retention scheme (also known as furlough scheme) has been extended through to March 2021.

If you are contemplating divorce, then you may need to consider whether it would be beneficial to commence proceedings p

With the pause (stay) having been lifted from claims for possession of residential property the courts now appear to be

The viability of many businesses is on a knife edge and flexible working options enabling the scaling up or down of your

Philip Day, Laceys Licensing expert, joined director of the Nationwide Caterers Association, Mark Laurie, to discuss lic

A commercial property portfolio is just like any other investment - to get the best out of it, you need to manage it wel

As I approach just over the half way mark of my first seat in Laceys Private Client team, the stressful process of apply

Once again, our Licensing team have received sole recognition across Dorset in the 2021 Legal 500, an independent endors

If you are restructuring your business getting the redundancy procedure right is crucial, as mistakes can open the door

Laceys have welcomed three new trainee solicitors, Maria Gomez, Alan Stanley and Aisling Scott into the firm, to commenc

Leading Dorset solicitors, Laceys, have once again acquired recognition across many of the firms specialist areas, in th

It can be easy to let your guard down once a business relationship has developed. You’ve manoeuvred your way through the

Children and technology; it’s a pairing that’s hard to split. In the modern world, it seems that toddlers can text befor

With a resurgence of the Coronavirus and the furlough scheme ending on 31 October, Rishi Sunak has announced plans for a

Covid-19 has had a detrimental effect on all pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues in England,

Laceys Solicitors are pleased to announce Edwina Bones has re-joined Laceys as an Associate within our Corporate and Com

When a key employee is about to leave, employers look to minimise damage to their business and may wish to keep the empl

A separation will inevitably mean a change in the family dynamic, and you may be concerned about what this will mean for

Many landlords and letting agents had been awaiting the 23rd of August with some anticipation, as this was the date on w

The key priority for a landlord of commercial property is to secure a reliable and predictable rental income, which can

If you are involved in the Outdoor Events industry, not only have the last few months been a uniquely challenging time,

On 17 July 2020, the Office of the Public Guardian announced a new online tool, “Use a Lasting Power of Attorney”, which

Earlier this year, the government stopped all court claims for eviction of tenants, with a few exceptions such as for tr

In the UK, a Will is only valid if it meets certain legal requirements. One of these requirements is that the testator s

Losing a loved one is an emotional and distressing time, but this can be heightened further if there is a dispute regard

Although people wanting to sell and move home in the UK are now allowed to do so, it is not a return to normal. Social d

Back in March, the Government introduced the concept of furlough leave under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to su

Ringwood restaurant, India Cottage, which had ignored lockdown rules by selling beer to takeaway customers during lockdo

In the most significant overhaul of divorce law in the last fifty years, divorcing couples will no longer have to allege

If you are facing the stress of a relationship breakdown you need a legal representative on your side who you can trust

Many people think that all a landlord has to do to evict a tenant is to give them two months’ notice. Anybody that has b

One unsightly by-product of Covid 19 has been the massive spike in reported incidents of domestic abuse. Whilst mediatio

Commercial and residential tenants who miss rent payments due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic are now protecte

Last year, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (TFA) came into force. Put briefly, the TFA prohibits landlords and letting agents f

Are you familiar with ‘Attendance Allowance’? And do you know who is entitled to receive it? If the answer is ‘no’, you

During Covid-19, most commercial landlords understand the predicament tenants find themselves in with paying rent and ar

Since 1 March, the Covid-19 Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was set up to support people, protect jobs and businesses throug

If you cannot leave your home and have concerns about how you can make a Will legally binding (it needs to be signed by

Landlords  and letting agents need to comply with new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England)

Conveyancing is essentially the process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another. However, to en

Moving house can be complicated, with many people referring to it as ‘the most stressful time in their lifes’. Choose th

The Government has released, earlier than anticipated, 8 workplace guides, each providing suggested measures relevant to

The residential property market was showing very positive signs of growth in early 2020, however Covid-19 has pressed th

Due to the current restrictions of Covid-19, many directors have been under immense pressure to ensure the survival of t

ONLES recent purchase of The Boardroom, supported by Laceys Solicitors, will be a welcome relief for many businesses con

Asking a couple who are going through a divorce or separation to practice social distancing from each other is second na

Before Covid-19 struck, many families were already going through extremely difficult times in their personal lives due t

Please find following FAQs which explain business compliance to data protection regulations during Covid-19. Do I need t

What is the Covid-19 Job Retention Scheme? The Covid-19 Job Retention Scheme is a temporary scheme (for three months ini

How often over the last few weeks have you scrolled through your social media, posting moments of your life? Now, even m

Covid-19 has had a profound effect on the property market, with landlords and tenants alike under extreme pressures give

Despite Brexit and Coronavirus, the Government found time to review Inheritance Tax (IHT) and propose radical changes to

The current necessary restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) have meant many businesses are struggling to tr

Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on many businesses, with many employers and employees having to navigate the

Covid-19 has had a profound effect on all of our personal and business lives, and we are likely to feel the ramification

As we have heard so often over the last few days, if not weeks, we are now living in unprecedented times.  Never, for so

The National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) and Laceys Solicitors hosted a Twitter Q&A on Thursday 2nd April for

When a family experience divorce or separation, there is a seismic shift in their lives, most notably for children, who

Did you know… 54% of adults in the UK don’t have a Will Six in 10 (59%) parents do not have a will, or have one that is

These are very worrying times for the health of the nation. Life as we knew it has, for the moment at least, changed dra

We recognise Inheritance Tax is often a subject no one wants to discuss, however it is vital you know what tax relief is

New regulations are to be introduced this year entitling parents to two weeks’ leave should they suffer the loss of a ch

Following is words from an American Attorney on the benefits of Mediation.... “Many people who have never been involved

How often have we heard our clients say, “I just want what’s fair”, when discussing how their family assets should be di

With National Mediation Week having recently taken place in January, Laceys Mediation wanted to share a couple of succes

Powers of attorney are fundamental to life planning providing someone you trust the authority to make decisions on your

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the prescribed hourly rate of pay which employers must legally pay to most of their w

BCP Council is proposing to introduce selective licensing into certain areas of Bournemouth and Poole. While this scheme

Landlords and agents need to be aware of increased obligations, which will apply to all tenancies from March this year.

Settlement agreements are used to record what an employer and employee have agreed about the ending of employment. They

Over 31 million people in the UK run the risk of dying intestate. This means that an individual dies without making a Wi

The New Year 2020 saw the advent of mixed sex couples being able to register a civil partnership in England and Wales, w

A recent decision in an employment tribunal case draws attention to the Equality Act 2010 (the Equality Act) and the pro

It is a question many employees may be wondering at the beginning of a leap year and one that not all employers immediat

Life can be unpredictable, so plan ahead and prepare a Will and Lasting Power of Attorney for peace of mind and to prote

The National Outdoor Event Association (NOEA), the UK’s leading trade association for the outdoor events industry, recen

An Executor is the person or organisation appointed in a Will to administer the Deceased’s Estate. which in doing so, gi

Laceys corporate team recently advised on the merger of two of Bournemouth’s largest property management agencies, Burns

The end of term is when children should burst gleefully out of school doors, excited at the prospect of spending a fun p

Laceys Solicitors are the only Dorset firm to have been recognised within Intellectual Property (IP) within the 2020 Leg

Laceys Solicitors are the only Dorset firm to have been recognised within Licensing within the 2020 Legal 500 Guide, an

Laceys Solicitors are the only Dorset firm to have been recognised within the field of Media and Entertainment law withi

IP, stands for Intellectual Property and refers to the concept that your theory, invention, product or idea can be prote

Laceys Solicitors have again acquired recognition in the highly respected Legal 500, an independent guide to leading law

Research* has found that 54% of the British adult population do not have a Will, and 5.4 million people have no idea how

A significant proportion of legal disputes between parties involve the meaning of contracts made between them.  Often, t

Many businesses get involved with litigation and some may find themselves facing an order of the court to freeze their a

Parenting is hard and making the right decisions is a minefield, but add to the mix insecurities that come with separate

If a document is “privileged” a party may be entitled to refuse to disclose it to third parties, including an opponent i

If you run a farm as a family business, with more than two partners, it is really important to have a properly drawn up

Congratulations to Joe Spring, one of Laceys Private Client team, who along with 3 friends, Nicky Oughton, Sarah-Jane Sl

As a landlord or letting agent, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (TFA) designed to introduce new protections for tenants in the

Laceys are proud to announce that their client, The Voice Finalist 2018 Lauren Bannon AKA Lloren, has signed to AJM Mana

Laceys are pleased to announce Byron Sims has now qualified as a Solicitor having completed his 2-year Training Contract

Laceys Solicitors are proud members of Resolution, a group of over 6,000 family lawyers who promote sensitive, cost-effe

It is the most significant overhaul of divorce law in the last fifty years. Divorcing couples will no longer have to all

Stress, conflict, anger and confrontation are an unavoidable part of a family mediator’s life. But just because it is un

If you are a landlord who owns and wishes to let or rent a domestic property then before you do so, make sure you are aw

There are two key changes which employers need to be aware of that will be in force from April 2019. The first is that t

Laceys Mediation are pleased to now offer pre-arranged Saturday morning appointments from 8.30am to midday for clients a

Laceys Solicitors were very proud to be crowned Law Firm of the Year (100 + employees) at the prestigious 2019 Dorset Le

Does a covenant against making “any alteration in the elevation” of a flat refer to only the front elevation, or to all

Is the landlord of a block of flats entitled to grant a licence to a tenant to carry out work which would breach an abso

Long gone are the days of ‘Children should be seen and not heard’ with greater effort now being made by the family justi

 The Basics If you own and wish to let or rent a domestic property then before you do so, make sure you are ‘in the know

The decision to separate can be very difficult and stressful, even for those couples who resolved long ago that their re

If you’ve been preparing for a presentation and needed some visual prompts to add a little humour to an otherwise dry to

When you hear the word “copyright” you probably think of a book, piece of music or a photograph, and with good reason. M

Approximately two years ago the Government proposed an increase in probate court fees saying that they had not been revi

As more and more aspects of everyday life are moving online, the number of assets existing solely in digital format cont

We all remember the magical excitement of Christmas from our childhood, and as adults, we strive to recreate this for ou

Sometimes as a mediator I feel I possess the Midas touch, pulling family disputes from the brink of failure, whilst at o

One of the joys of my job is child consultation. We see many children throughout the year at the request of their parent

Laceys has had another successful year with the Legal 500 rankings providing continued endorsement for our legal experti

Thank you to all those who attended the Laceys Golf Day at Parkstone Golf Club, to raise vital funds for Autism Wessex.

Who doesn’t love the beginning of a relationship? You spend hours together trying to determine if the other person is su

One of our ground rules for mediation sessions reads: ‘You will not dwell on the past, but instead will focus on future

Legal documents associated with investing in private companies can be complicated. It is imperative that you show your s

You may know already that if a person fails to make reasonable provision for a dependant in their Will a claim may be br

In a decision of great significance to residential landlords, the Court of Appeal has given guidance about the scope of

When parties make an oral agreement but fail to record it in writing it can be very difficult, or even impossible, for t

Angel investing comes with risk but it can lucrative; the key is to do your due diligence. Laceys have established thems

Does time for bringing a contribution claim begin to run when the extent of the remedial works was agreed in principle o

At Laceys Mediation we acknowledge that many separated couples are facing many challenges in attempting to re-establish

For those who have been living under a rock (or a mountain of paperwork) the biggest change to data protection law for d

A commonly found covenant in residential Leases “no pets without consent” should not be ignored. This was  highlighted i

It is a sad truth that nothing in this world lasts forever (no matter how well some celebrities seem to age), and contra

Due to the huge interest from our previous 2 seminars, we are holding a further seminar on the up and coming GDPR change

“Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing but nobody else d

As of 22 November 2017, first-time buyers completing the purchase of their first home for the value of £300,000 or less

Kenneth Jordan died in August 2012.  He had updated his Will in February 2012 and made his partner, Bernice Elliot, the

Following a 10 year lengthy legal battle, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned a six figure sum awarded to a woman w

The Consumer Code for Home Builders is an industry-led scheme which gives protection and rights to the purchasers of new

A new pre-action protocol for debt claims, “the Protocol”, will be in force from 1 October 2017.  It will apply to any b

The purpose of without prejudice privilege is to encourage parties to communicate openly without fear that things said i

There has been a case in court (Wells v Devani (2016) EWCA Civ 1106) that highlights the importance of ensuring you have

Despite the preparation of a Will being straightforward and relatively inexpensive, nearly two-thirds of the British adu

If you are one of this growing group of co-habiting households in the UK  do you know your legal rights? Unfortunately,

The answer unfortunately is NO, as demonstrated in this court case. Rhodri Philipps, the 4th Viscount St Davids, had pos

The demand for short term lets is on the rise thanks to the success of sites such as Airbnb, whose services provide an o

From 4th May 2017, the rights of policyholders to receive payment of their claims within a reasonable time have been str

You have your book written, but what next? The world of publishing can be confusing so we hope this brief guide will hel

Inspired by Bournemouth based networking group Open Sauce, the presentation and discussion of AI (Artificial Intelligenc

We hold our hands up that this isn't the most exciting topic but if you collect personal data then we would recommend yo

Most people shy away from talking about dying, death and bereavement as it is not a comfortable subject, Dying Matters 

Landlords are being warned to consider the energy efficiency rating of their rented property, as new legislation means t

Is your business ready to report on its payment practices? Large businesses are now obliged to start recording their pay

The obligations are now in full force, meaning that Companies and employers in the voluntary sector with 250 or more emp

On 7 April 2017 the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in Lejonvarn v Burgess and anor [2017] EWCA Civ 254. This case

Modelling, photography, singing; the Beckhams seem to have done it all - and that’s just the children! “Brand Beckham” i

Laceys, alongside Intalent, recruitment & HR specialists, are holding a breakfast seminar on Thursday 30th March at

Most leases require a sum to be paid on account of service charges for costs that will be incurred in the future. These

Gemma Burden, one of our partners who is charge of the Mediation Department,  talking with Jonathan Hines from UK Talk

Current Board struggling to cope with the responsibilities they have?  Trustee departing or served the maximum number of

Marketing is crucial to the vast majority of charities. Without building awareness of their cause, they cannot raise fun

Laceys Solicitors and LoveLove films have collaborated to provide a guide of things to watch out for when creating video

Although this is an issue that has been picked up and pretty widely covered in the press it still seems to be one that c

In considering a £2 million claim in respect of allegedly dangerous defects in the cladding of a property in Finsbury Sq

A revised adjudication scheme for professional negligence claims has been launched, updating the scheme that was launche

A challenge to the deathbed will of a father by the daughters he cut out of his £4m estate just hours before his death i

Beneficiaries who challenge the validity of a will, and lose, run the risk of being ordered by the court to pay the exec

Promises that are freely made and relied upon can have the force of a contract and are capable of being enforced in cour

The issue in the case of Jet2.com Limited v Blackpool Airport Limited [2012] EWCA Civ 417 was whether an airport operato

In C&S Associates UK Ltd v Enterprise Insurance Company plc [2015] EWHC 3757 the court gave guidance on the variatio

Orders of the court which freeze the assets of an opponent – commonly regarded as one of the law’s “nuclear weapons” – a

The Supreme Court has handed down two important judgments in relation to penalty clauses which go some way to clarifying

It is a common misconception that contracts must be in writing, and a less common misconception that written contracts b

Businesses are often under commercial pressure to grant credit to important clients but the judgment in Trafigura PTE Lt

The case of Burgess and anor v Lejonvarn [2016] EWHC 40 (TCC) serves as a cautionary tale that even where a professional

Adjudication is meant to be a swift and economical way to resolve contractual disputes in the construction industry, how

The title of this article comes from Fraser J’s judgment in Beumer Group UK Ltd v Vinci Construction UK Ltd [2016] EWHC

Laceys Solicitors have managed to raise a very impressive £1600 for several charities over the last few months by carryi

Be honest, when was the last time you read your charity’s governing document (or it may be referred to as its constituti

Like it or not, Brexit is now firmly on our horizons. Even if you forget the scaremongering headlines from the tabloids

According to various consumer reports, the UK is fraught with underhand tradesmen, with the majority of the population h

Allow me to describe a scenario that commercial lawyers see all too often. A business has invested considerable time and

Wisdom often comes from experience but (dare I say it?) our elders were not always correct. Man may have been conducting

What you need to know about the latest changes to European trade mark law. EU legislators have certainly been keeping us

The type of cookies I refer to has no calories, no affiliation with the lovable blue muppet from Sesame Street and provi

Last year, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO)  annual report revealed that they enforced fines totalling over 1

Raise your hands, metaphorically of course,  if you are familiar with “Glee”, the US television series based around a gr

From 6 April 2017 additional inheritance tax relief is being made available in the form of the residence nil rate band (

Most of us are aware that the role of an Executor when appointed under a Will is to administer the estate of a deceased

It is often the case for married couples, or couples in a registered civil partnership, to want to do a straight forward

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that commission payments must be included when calculating holiday pay. B

The ever increasing use of social media in the workplace has inevitably had a notable impact on most employers. Whether

An attorney (the person making decisions for you) under a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs c