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The highest-earning neighbourhoods near you
In 2022, the average salary for full-time employees in Hertfordshire and Essex was £41,423 (3.27% up on 2021) and £38,021 (4.8% up), respectively. This is according to data from statistics provider Varbes. Whilst these figures hover just above or around the average mark for the United Kingdom,....
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Protecting yourself legally as an unmarried couple
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of marriages taking place in England and Wales decreased by 36.6% in the 30 years to 2019. Firstly, there is simply less societal pressure to get married these days. People are also less willing to shell out thousands of pounds for a....
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Birth injury and baby loss: The maternity care crisis
Attwaters Solicitors gives the low down on recent reports of failings in maternity care, which can result in birth injury and baby loss. Are you aware that England’s maternity units are currently facing significant safety concerns? Recent reports from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), England....
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Misdiagnosed blood clot – Know the signs
In a world where busy schedules and fast-paced lives dominate, we can easily dismiss certain symptoms as mere anxiety or stress. The tragic story of Emily Chesterton, a young and talented actress, reminds us of the grave consequences that may follow such misjudgements. Emily’s life was cut short ....
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How to fund a Clinical Negligence claim
If you or a loved one have been let down by a medical professional you trusted implicitly to look after you, it is natural to want justice. However, it’s also natural to feel intimidated by the potential cost of a clinical negligence claim. Fortunately, there are a wide range of funding option....
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A day in the life of a conveyancer
If you’ve ever wondered what you’re paying for when you instruct a conveyancing solicitor, wonder no longer! In this blog, Katharina Vidojevic, a Conveyancing Solicitor specialising in shared ownership matters, shares a typical – and very busy! – day in her life as she looks after her clien....
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Essex leads the way in British wine production
Wine has featured heavily in our Private Wealth Guide as an up-and-coming alternative investment for many years now. Frequently featuring in Knight Frank’s own Wealth Report as one of the most profitable luxury investments, it has long been a stalwart of alternative investment portfolios. Now,....
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The places where house prices just keep on rising
Buying a property is the most expensive purchase that most people will ever make. For most homeowners, however, it’s been well worth it. Over the last few decades, property buyers have seen an excellent return on investment, with the price of an average home increasing by a staggering 207% in the....
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Are commercial tenants responsible for replacing crumbly concrete?
In recent weeks, news has broken that hundreds of schools and other public buildings across the UK, which were built using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), are now unsafe. As this lightweight, ‘bubbly’ concrete (most widely used during a 40-year period between 1950 and 1990) has r....
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Parental alienation – a “handy tool for abusers”?
A study from the University of Manchester, published recently by the BBC, has revealed that dozens of children have been forced into contact with fathers accused of abuse. In all the cases, the fathers deflected accusations of abuse in the family courts using the controversial legal concept known a....
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Why you need a Finance Remedy Consent Order
When you’re going through a divorce, it is often an extremely sad and very stressful time. In their eagerness to simply ‘get it over with’, some spouses may miss out some crucial legal steps that could have a significant impact on their financial security in the future. Say that and your e....
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No-fault divorce – one year (and a bit!) on
On 6 April 2022, one of the most anticipated pieces of legislation in recent years came into force: the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act, more commonly known as ‘no-fault’ divorce. It had long been felt by legal professionals and the general population that the UK’s divorce law was ser....
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Could the end of Inheritance Tax be imminent?
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax levied on the estates of people who have died, normally at a rate of 40%. Whilst just one in 20 estates are subject to IHT, this number actually used to be far lower. The threshold for the tax has been frozen at £325,000 since the 2009/10 financial year; in the subse....
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What happens if my mortgage offer expires?
On 22 June, the Bank of England increased the base rate to 5% - the highest level in 15 years – in an attempt to combat the UK’s stubbornly high inflation rate. Raising interest rates is a common method used to tackle inflation, as it decreases the spending power of mortgage holders and encoura....
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Preparing your commercial property for new energy efficiency laws
Upcoming changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) mean that the owners of commercial buildings must be prepared or face harsh penalties. Currently it is a requirement to let any commercial property that they have an EPC rating of D as a minimum – but by 2030, the minimum ratin....
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Protecting your family’s wealth and assets with pre-nuptial agreements
Summer is well underway, meaning that wedding season is at its peak. In the leadup to the big day, we’re here to highlight the importance of pre-nuptial agreements and their role in keeping your wealth and assets safe. What is a pre-nuptial agreement? Pre-nuptial agreements are used to ....
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Why you need a cohabitation agreement
The number of couples who are living together without being married or entering into a civil partnership has massively increased in recent decades. According to a Commons Library briefing paper, the number of cohabiting couples rose from around 1.5 million in 1996 to around 3.6 million in 2021 – ....
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Renters Reform Bill enters parliament
Since our previous update on imminent reforms to the private rented sector, events have moved apace. The Renters Reform Bill – touted by the government as the biggest shakeup of renters’ rights in a generation – has now been introduced to parliament. It has now been through its first reading ....
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Assured shorthold tenancies – what’s changing?
In June 2022, the government announced the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill, which would result in sweeping changes across the private rented sector to level the long-perceived power imbalance between landlords and tenants. The bill is finally due to be published and introduced into Parli....
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Family business succession – what you need to know
Passing a family business onto the next generation is a proud and satisfying achievement. After years of hard work building or maintaining your reputation and traditions, family succession is a highly significant moment – and one that you want to get right. Alongside the pride, there is inevit....
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