Recent Posts
Irwin Mitchell
Personal representative found to be in contempt of court
On 19 July 2019, Jill Margaret Suckling received a suspended sentence of six months imprisonment for her failure to comply with an...
26/07/19
Irwin Mitchell
OTS propose simplification of inheritance tax rules
Inheritance tax was introduced in 1984 to replace the old capital transfer tax. It was designed to target intergenerational transfers of...
22/07/19
Irwin Mitchell
Royally intriguing
The papers have been talking about the “scandal” rocking the Dubai royal family, the “runaway princess” and her flight to London from...
16/07/19
Irwin Mitchell
Tales of toxic leaseholds continue to dominate headlines
The tale of toxic leaseholds hit the headlines again this week in an article in the Daily Mail. This time the focus is on a young couple...
26/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Should children spend equal time with each parent as the starting point?
A new YouGov poll commissioned by fathers’ rights group FNF Both Parents Matter Cymru concludes that 8 out of 10 respondents agreed that...
26/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Former pilot wins equal share of his late mother's £1.5m estate
The High Court has today given its judgment in a case where a wealthy former pilot was in dispute with his two sisters over their late...
26/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
If two people die together, who died first?
Historically, the “Commorientes Rule” (meaning "simultaneous deaths") found in Section 184 of the Law of Property Act 1925, states that...
26/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Property problems: reporting CGT with property disposals
Today' STEP article highlights the forthcoming changes to the reporting and payment of capital gains tax in respect of property...
24/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Resolution Foundation report shows young people have less to spend now than two decades ago
It is a truth universally acknowledged that throughout the 20th century each generation had enjoyed higher living standards than their...
21/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Anonymity for sperm donors uncertain
Historically it has been possible for individuals to donate their sperm or eggs anonymously to help others conceive a child, provided...
20/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Mother loses claim against her late son's estate and has to pay £100,000 in legal costs
I came across this case in the news last week, where an elderly mother lost her claim against her late son’s widow, for a share of his...
19/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Lines v Wilcox: The court refuses Beddoes cost protection for a professional executor
Earlier this month, the High Court in Bristol had to consider whether or not a professional executor was entitled to cost protection from...
19/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
One firm's mistake is not another firm's duty to point out
In the recent case of Woodward & Anor v Phoenix Healthcare Distribution Ltd the Court of Appeal confirmed that a solicitor has no duty to...
18/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
International investigators
In an increasingly global world where individuals and businesses regularly cross both literal and metaphorical geographical boundaries,...
18/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Estrangement or coercion? Fight over widow's estate goes to court
The Evening Standard reported on an interesting undue influence case before the London County Court last week. Two brothers, Derek and...
18/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Parental Orders for single parents: a step in the right direction
The Law Commission’s report about potential reform of the law surrounding surrogacy in England and Wales is released today (6th June)....
06/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Broken promises
There has been a huge increase in litigation surrounding family farming businesses in recent years and last week, it was confirmed by the...
03/06/19
Irwin Mitchell
Fixing mistakes and drawing inferences - widow gets her fair inheritance
Clarke v Allen is yet another case which highlights the difficulties that can flow from poor relationships between first and second...
30/05/19
Irwin Mitchell
Could your phone's GPS and digital footprint determine who inherits your estate?
French music star Johnny Hallyday died in 2017, triggering national mourning in France. He had residences in the United States and in...
30/05/19
Irwin Mitchell
Cleaner awarded a share of her late boss' estate
With family dynamics becoming more complex, it is increasingly common for there to be family fall outs. That, together with many more...
29/05/19
Irwin Mitchell
Digital assets and the danger of assumptions
The law regarding digital assets is fast evolving and took another step forward last week as reported in The Times. Apple took and...
13/05/19
Irwin Mitchell
A matter of trust
When a family tragedy strikes it is natural to turn to friends and family for support, be that emotional or practical. However, as far as...
08/05/19
Irwin Mitchell
Probate pandemonium
The forthcoming changes to probate fees have been well publicised in both the professional press and the general media. However very...
01/05/19
Irwin Mitchell
“One day all this will be yours – or will it?”
The High Court in Bristol handed down its decision earlier this week in the case of Guest v Guest [2019] EWHC 869 (Ch), which is yet...
01/05/19
Irwin Mitchell
The Common Law Marriage Myth
The Office for National Statistics has released the latest statistics about marriage and civil partnerships. This information shows that...
15/04/19
Irwin Mitchell
Make sure your prenup is more than just cosmetic
Where there is family wealth, a prenuptial agreement can offer important protection and certainty, however a recent case - Ipekci v...
10/04/19
Irwin Mitchell
Beyond the novelty factor: inspecting converted properties
From the outside the bungalow looks nothing extraordinary. The small train tracks which wind around the front paving could be a miniature...
09/04/19
Irwin Mitchell
Akhmedova v Akhmedov: Superyacht freed from Dubai port
From our London family law team: Since December 2016 the wife has continued to fight for enforcement of her financial order in this long...
08/04/19
Irwin Mitchell
Aldi supermarket empire threatened by family's will dispute
The Guardian reported this week on a family feud engulfing the owners of the Aldi supermarket empire. Cacilie Albrecht, the late wife of...
05/04/19
Irwin Mitchell
Celebrating International Women's Day 2019
This year's International Women's Day on 8 March 2019 was an extra special celebration for women in the legal profession. 2019 marks 100...
01/04/19