Blogs
Martha’s Rule: why listening to patients and families can be vital
When a patient or their family says that something is wrong, listening to their concerns can be vital. That principle sits at the heart of Martha’s Rule, the NHS patient safety initiative introduced following the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills. The NHS has now announced that Martha’s R....
Empty Rates Relief: What the Court of Appeal’s July 2026 ruling means for commercial landlords
Commercial landlords have long relied on empty property rates relief to soften the financial impact of void periods. For years, some landlords have also used ‘rates mitigation schemes'- particularly the well‑known box‑shifting model - to trigger repeated cycles of empty rates relief. Howev....
The latest on the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024
The delay in providing clarity to flat owners on whether to extend their leases or not continues. Reforms to the Leasehold and Freehold laws are currently with the Court of Appeal, and we await the outcome of these proceedings. What happens next could have a substantial effect on individuals ....
Commercial rent arrears: The Pre-action Protocol for Debt Claims
It can be stressful, frustrating and costly when a commercial tenant builds up rent arrears. If you are a commercial landlord experiencing this issue, before you take your tenant to court, there are a number of actions you need to take first. Commercial landlords must follow what is known as ....
Why coercive control rarely affects divorce settlements
In the British family courts, coercive and controlling behaviour is rarely taken into account in divorce settlements, which can cause financial difficulties for victims of domestic abuse. How are finances divided on divorce? If a separating couple cannot agree on how to divide their money....
Do you need an EPC to sell or let empty commercial property?
If you own empty commercial premises and are considering a sale or a new letting, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) should be addressed as early as possible. Leaving it too late can delay transactions and limit your options once interest is secured. An EPC is a legal requirement for mo....
Could the physical condition of your commercial property be limiting your ability to let or sell?
If you have a commercial property sitting empty and are considering a sale or letting, the first questions landlords ask are often commercial ones. What price should it be marketed at? Should you wait for market conditions to improve? Both are reasonable questions, but there is another one th....
Why letting agreements should reflect your long-term plans
When a commercial property has been empty for a long time, landlords often turn their focus to how they can get income back through the door. Agreeing heads of terms quickly can feel like progress, but it is also the stage at which landlords can lock themselves into arrangements that won’t fit....
Could the permitted use of your commercial property disrupt your future plans?
When landlords let a commercial property, their focus often falls on how much rent they will charge and how long they want to lease it for. Of course, these are key factors to think about, but they are not the only ones that deserve attention. In initial meetings with landlord clients, one of....
When it is too late to make a Lasting Power of Attorney: how a deputyship application can help
Many people have heard of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), but families are often less familiar with what happens if a loved one loses mental capacity before an LPA has been put in place. In fact, 1.33 million LPAs were registered in England and Wales in 2025 alone, demonstrating just how wide....
NHS England review: why 9,000 patients were missing from list
Concerns about an ear, nose and throat (ENT) service were raised five years before a backlog of nearly 9,000 patients was discovered, an NHS review has found. Despite doctors and managers knowing about problems in the service run by Medway NHS Foundation Trust, the review found no evidence that ....
Cohabiting couples: how your rights could change
Are you and your partner unmarried but cohabiting? Are you aware of your financial rights if you were to separate? You may be shocked to find they may be far more limited than they would be if you were married. However, this is set to change under new government reforms. Currently, unmarried cou....
