Since 2 December 2024, when non-statutory guidance was published, local authorities in England now have powers to hold rental auctions to let qualifying commercial premises on the high street.

An employment tribunal ruled that Next's retail workers, mostly women, were entitled to equal pay with warehouse operatives, rejecting the retailer's market rate argument, highlighting potential systemic pay inequality.

This article highlights the rising litigation risks tied to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, examining environmental, social, and governance-related legal challenges. It outlines strategies for businesses to mitigate these risks through proactive ESG due diligence, accurate reporting, and supply chain oversight...

Emojis now play a role in business communication, but their ambiguous interpretations introduce risks, especially in contract formation. Legal cases suggest emojis like thumbs-up can signify contract acceptance, highlighting potential for disputes if meanings are misinterpreted.

The Employment Rights Bill preserves employees' right to request flexible working from day one, adding that employers must provide reasonable grounds for refusal. Employers should remain vigilant about potential discrimination risks when handling such requests.

The UK government has introduced significant changes to trust registration requirements, affecting both the Trust Registration Service and the Register of Overseas Entities. These new rules expand registration obligations for overseas trusts holding UK land while providing exemptions for certain low-value trusts, requiring trustees to review their compliance status and take action by specified deadlines.

Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget emphasizes infrastructure and housing investments, increased property taxes, energy efficiency, and EV incentives. Real estate sector impacts include SDLT surcharges and affordable housing funds, while retail, leisure, and private wealth face new tax policies.

The 2024 budget introduces significant tax changes, focusing on higher Capital Gains and Inheritance Tax rates, pension inheritance taxation, increased SDLT, and the abolition of the ‘non-dom' regime. While businesses face limited alterations, wealthier individuals encounter higher tax burdens.

The Employment Rights Bill, introduced by the Labour government, enacts major updates to workers' rights, including day-one unfair dismissal protections, stricter rules on "firing and re-hiring," and mandatory guaranteed hours contracts for zero-hours workers. Key omissions, however, include the "right to switch off" and pay gap reporting, signaling challenges in meeting all manifesto commitments.

This article outlines the differences between annulment and divorce, detailing grounds, legal processes, and financial implications, while highlighting the distinct circumstances under which each can be pursued.

Heraclitus' phrase ‘the only constant in life is change' seems more fitting than ever for 2025.

Conveyancing transactions are notorious for being one of the most stressful milestones in a person's life.

This time last year I wrote of ‘A New Year's reformation‘. With building safety, planning, leasehold and corporate reform jostling for centre stage it seemed that there was little...

Key 2024 Building Safety Act cases—Lehner, Almacantar, Hippersley Point, Waite v Kedai, and Mistry v Wallace Estates—highlight critical legal interpretations, service charge protections, and remediation orders, shaping future application of BSA legislation and leaseholder rights.