Blogs
Planning reforms aim to get Britain building faster
A massive shake up to planning law in England aims to accelerate home building, standardise local plans and alter how local planning committees operate. The changes, driven by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and the streamlined 30-month local plan-making system introduced in early 2026 ....
What you need to know about IHT and probate applications
If you have been left to deal with a loved one’s estate, you will likely have numerous financial and legal responsibilities to manage while you are grieving. It can be tempting to try and complete the probate application yourself, but even the smallest mistakes can cause delays. The process is se....
Preparing for the UK’s New Crypto-Asset Regulatory Regime: What businesses need to know
The UK's digital assets market has reached an important milestone following the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) publication of its final rules for firms involved in crypto-asset activities. Representing one of the most significant regulatory developments the sector has seen, the new regime i....
Baroness Amos Review: Why Learning from the Past Is Essential for Safer NHS Maternity Care
For most families, pregnancy and childbirth are moments of excitement, anticipation and hope. While the vast majority of women receive safe and compassionate maternity care, every family should feel confident that their concerns will be listened to and acted upon when it matters most. The public....
Don’t land in hot water: top tips for a successful rural relocation
It’s only June, and 2026 is already proving to be a record-breaker when it comes to maximum temperatures. In towns and cities, the searing heat was amplified even further by buildings and roads, with thermal imaging recording surface temperatures of 57C in some London locations. If you’re th....
What you need to know before buying a listed property
Home is where the heart is – especially if you live in a listed property. According to the most recent Historic England survey, 89% of listed building owners and occupiers say their home fosters feelings of pride. But pride can turn to frustration if you’ve not considered the practicalities of ....
Escape or exile: are you ready for the impact of rural living?
A barn conversion on a working farm. A listed property in a fishing village. A thatched cottage on a country estate. On a sunny summer afternoon, they can all feel like a dream come true. On a frosty winter morning, they could be a nightmare. In this blog, our Residential Property experts look at h....
The Ockenden Review into maternity services
The Ockenden Review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was published last week. The final report identified ‘long-standing and deeply embedded systemic failures’ which led to the avoidable harm and deaths of hundreds of mothers and babies. Nearly 2,500....
Counting the cost of DIY and online will writing services
You’ve written a will. Your loved ones are provided for. Or are they? Wills can be more complicated than you think. Phrase a bequest incorrectly and it could lead to expensive disputes. Choose the wrong witness and a will could be invalid. Make amendments without following the correct process and....
NHS ‘never events’: when mistakes that should never happen do
Recent figures have revealed that 403 serious patient safety incidents, known as never events, occurred across the NHS in England between April 2024 and March 2025. These incidents included surgery being carried out on the wrong part of the body, foreign objects being left inside patients following....
Asset protection trusts: what families need to know before placing assets into trust
Recent media coverage has highlighted cases where families have faced unexpected tax liabilities, legal costs and administrative complications after placing assets into trusts. While trusts can be a valuable estate planning tool in the right circumstances, these reports serve as an important remind....
Are hair strand tests reliable enough for Family Court decisions?
Every year, the future of hundreds of families is influenced by hair strand tests. The results can determine whether a child goes into care or stays with their parents or guardians. Hair strand tests have been used for decades by Family Courts to check for drug or excessive alcohol use when maki....
