Increased Stamp Duty Land Tax Rates – where and when they apply

As the 31st of March dawned many people purchasing second homes, whether they were buy to lets or not, were faced with the prospect that it was now or never for their purchase. Had they not have completed on or before the 31st then the new, higher, Stamp Duty Land Tax rates for individuals purchasing…
Thursfields wins Law Firm of the Year Award

Thursfields was awarded Law Firm of the Year (5 -15 partners) at the prestigious Birmingham Law Society’s annual awards dinner, recently held in central Birmingham. Thursfields has its roots in Worcestershire, but has in recent years expanded into the Black Country and now the Birmingham market. With a workforce of 120 employees and growing, Thursfields…
Senior Associate Tim Edwards joins the Corporate & Commercial Team

Thursfields has appointed a new Senior Associate to its Corporate and Commercial Team as it continues to strengthen its commercial services offering. Tim Edwards has joined the firm’s rapidly expanding team from The Wilkes Partnership LLP, Birmingham, bringing with him extensive experience and expertise in many aspects of mainstream corporate law as well as mergers…
Recent Changes to Debtors’ Bankruptcy Petition Process

With effect from 6 April 2016, a debtor can no longer petition the court to be made bankrupt, but will instead apply online to an adjudicator, who will make a bankruptcy order if appropriate. Where a debtor submits an application online, the adjudicator must apply to the Chief Land Registrar for the bankruptcy application to…
Challenging a Will

English law recognises that we are free to leave our property to whomsoever we wish. A Will should reflect the wishes of the maker and in most cases that is true. Sometimes, however, a challenge is made. The four main reasons for challenging a Will are :- (a) the maker was unduly influenced by someone…
Holiday Lets – pay close attention to covenants

With landlords having just finished scrabbling to buy before the introduction of the new Stamp Duty Land Tax rates on second homes, they may face a possible minefield should they have purchased with short term holiday lets in mind. When purchasing a property it is important to pay close attention to covenants. These are legally…
FAQ’s about Consumer Agreements
Restrictive Covenants – a waste of ink?

There is a commonly held misconception that restrictive covenants are always unenforceable or, as we often hear, “not worth the paper they are written on”. It is true that many covenants are badly drafted and will not satisfy the legal requirements for enforcement. However, there are equally covenants that have been well thought out, specifically…
Why do I need a prenuptial agreement?
Specialist family solicitor, Pamela Arrowsmith, says “Whilst UK Courts do not accept prenuptial agreements as legally binding, it was established by the Supreme Court in the 2010 case involving the very wealthy Katrin Radmacher and her husband, that the Court will take such an agreement into consideration.” In any Financial Remedy case before the Court,…
The Care Act – a new legal framework

The Care Act 2014 introduced significant and long-awaited reform. It represents the largest overhaul in the law governing care since the National Assistance Act 1948. The Act consolidates and aims to bring together 60 years of fragmentary legislation into one single statute. It also introduced a national eligibility threshold and undertook to establish a capped…