Blogs
Navigating UK Trusts: A valuable tool in family planning
Trusts were first used in England almost 800 years ago, when knights leaving for the Crusades handed their land to trusted friends to manage in their absence. The idea has stood the test of time, because it remains one of the most effective ways to protect and pass on assets. However, the rules ar....
National maternity investigation launched into fourteen NHS Trusts
In an important development for maternity and neonatal care in England, the government has announced that 14 NHS hospital trusts are now the focus of a new national investigation into standards of care. The independent review, which will be chaired by Baroness Valerie Amos, comes after widespread c....
Don’t get tripped up by complex stamp duty rules
Stamp duty has been around since 1694, but it only comes to the fore when we or someone else needs to pay it. Fail to cough up the right amount, and it can grab headlines and ruin careers – as Angela Rayner discovered. Following her resignation as Deputy Prime Minister and housing secret....
The importance of succession planning for your business
When you’re running your own business, it’s easy to focus all your energy on the here and now. But what will happen when it’s time for you to step back? That’s where succession planning comes in. What is succession planning? Succession planning is the practice of identifying who w....
Exploring your business exit options
As a business owner, deciding how and when to exit your business is one of the most significant decisions you will face. Whether you’re considering retirement, moving on to new ventures, or simply looking to realise the value of your business, understanding your exit options is crucial. Se....
Are more tax rises on the way? Time to review your plans
Individuals and businesses may still be adapting to the legislative changes implemented by the Labour government, but the Autumn Budget 2025 is on the horizon. With the UK economy shrinking, many are concerned about potential tax rises as Chancellor Rachel Reeves needs to find over £40bn if she is....
What you need to know about Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR)
If you’re thinking about selling your business, don’t delay. Upcoming changes to Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) could mean you’re liable to pay thousands more in tax if you don’t act swiftly. We understand that the rules surrounding BADR can seem complicated, but we are here to help.....
Nationwide review of maternity and neonatal services highlights serious issues
A new report by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) has identified a plethora of issues with the UK’s maternity and neonatal services, providing guidance for the government as part of its ongoing national investigation. Key area of focus include problems associated with staf....
NHS hospital pays £20,000 to a daughter for her late mother’s preventable fall
An NHS trust has paid £20,000 in damages to the daughter of a patient who had an unsupervised fall in hospital. The patient was admitted to Luton & Dunstable University Hospital in September 2022 with dizzy spells, blocked ears and chest pain. She was identified as having a high risk of fal....
GP pays £2,000 to compensate for prescription overdose
An NHS doctor has paid £2,000 to a patient for prescribing the incorrect dosage of medication. The claimant had a history of anxiety and depression, so she started taking Citalopram 10mgs in November 2019. In May 2020, the claimant was still off work due to anxiety, so her Citalopram dose was i....
Hospital pays compensation for series of failures which led to patient death
A hospital has paid £8,500 to a family for a series of failures which led to the death of a patient. The patient, who was being treated for blood cancer, was admitted to hospital in July 2021 with severe lower back pain. During his hospital stay, staff identified blisters on the patient’s ....
Patient awarded £25,000 for inadequate surgery which led to finger amputation
A surgeon has paid £25,000 to a patient whose finger was amputated after inadequate surgery. In November 2022, the claimant was admitted to a private hospital for Dupuytren’s fasciectomy – a surgical procedure removing the connective tissue which causes the fingers to bend towards the palm.....
