News
Please come back for regular updates, articles and information relating to a variety of legal topics as well as firm news.
Introduction There have always been Inheritance Disputes and historically they were even the cause of wars. More recently in the UK, you may recall headlines over court battles involving the estate of recording artist George Michael and also Amy...
Domestic abuse or violence is an incredibly sensitive issue which requires a carefully thought-out approach that takes stock of all the potential outcomes and consequences. Additional protections can be secured if there are potentially vulnerable children...
Probate is the process by which the assets and estates of a deceased person are distributed, but also, it’s the honouring of their last wishes, and a commitment to leaving the world a little shaped to their preference. Nonetheless, it’s not...
With the Autumn 2024 budget announcing fundamental changes to Inheritance Tax relief , further uncertainty has been cast over what is already, for plenty of people, a complicated set of rules to understand. It’s fully reasonable to want to get the...
Kingsfords Solicitors are proud to be Hythe Town Under-10s kit sponsor for the upcoming season! Supporting our local community is at the core of our values, and we’re thrilled to stand behind this talented young team. Our...
With a new government looking to make its mark during a period of continued economic uncertainty, Solicitor Ashleigh Tainio-Miles explores some of the issues impacting the commercial property sector. These include the MEES Regulations , reforming Business...
If you’re considering gifting property to your children, or if you’re inheriting a house from your parents, then it’s reasonable to want to ensure that the transfer of property is done in as tax-friendly a way as possible. Many people,...
If you are an existing private landlord, or considering entering the buy-to-let market, the new Bill running through Parliament may give you cause for thought. Certainly you may wish to consider a fresh approach to letting in order to minimise problems in...
Regardless of your political persuasion, it is probably fair to say that there some trepidation as to the contents of the Labour governments first budget in 15 years. The uncertainty is now over and we have all had a chance to reflect on the opportunities...
The 2024 Autumn Budget Many people were concerned as to what awaited us all in the Government’s budget. Well the wait is over, but the impact may consequences for us all and the housing market in particular for some time to come. Stamp Duty...
What was an expectant nation has now had a chance to absorb the implications of the first Labour Government’s Budget in 15 years and to decide whether the much-touted promise, not to increase taxes on “working people”, held true. If...
The government has recently published to mixed reviews its intentions to amend the law relating to employment rights. It’s 2 nd reading in the House of Commons was scheduled for the 21 st October 2024 on its journey to becoming law. There are...
What is Family Mediation? The prospect of separating or getting divorced can be highly stressful, especially if children are involved. Mediation can help reduce those stresses and sort out disputes as they relate to future arrangements for your children...
Hundreds of thousands of businesses may be a step closer to receiving pay-outs from their business insurers, following a recent Court of Appeal test case revolving around the cover afforded under business interruption insurance and their application under...
Microsoft and Google face huge pay-outs for alleged Anti-Competitive practices. UK consumers and businesses will be interested to learn the outcome of two multi-billion pound class actions being initiated against these tech giants. A...
Despite a will being one of the most important documents you can ever create during your lifetime, unfortunately each year around 1 in 3 people die without making a will. Writing a will ensures that your loved ones are protected and that you have control...
Buying a new build home offers several benefits including a fresh canvas to build your dream home, a chain free purchase and a new build warranty. However, there are also checks that need to be carried out that are specific to a new build purchase. It is...
If you are buying a home with the assistance of a mortgage searches are mandatory. Conversely cash buyers can proceed without them – but in our view it would be ill advised to do so – despite the temptation to expedite what can appear a...
When did the Act become law? The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act received Royal Assent on 24 th May 2024 with sections going “live” two months later and others to become effective in the next Parliamentary term. What is the purpose of...
Helen Cojeen, our Head of the Child Care Department, recently gave the first of a number of Lectures on Care Proceedings to students at Canterbury Christ Church University. This was a part of a series of lectures to be given by...
There is no legal obligation for a Will to be drafted or witnessed by a solicitor, or other specialist lawyer. It is possible to make it yourself, but when you consider the size of your potential estate and the importance of your wishes being accurately...
The term ‘Probate’ refers to the process of dealing with the administration of a deceased individual’s estate. It is quite literally the Latin word for ‘prove’, which makes sense, as the definition of Probate means you’ll...
The new government is hoping to bring in legislation concentrating on improving the nation’s mental health and their well-being. What with the now distant lockdowns, enforced absences from school and social media pressures our children especially have...
At the time of writing, the new Government is seeking to negotiate very turbulent domestic waters. Fittingly, included within the King’s speech detailing the intended new laws to hit the statute books provision has been made for a new Crime &...
Around 20 intrepid staff members recently committed themselves to finishing the “ Nuts Challenge ” Obstacle Race on the 7th September 2024 in Dorking, Surrey. They completed the gruelling7km obstacle course to help raise ...
“It’s good to talk”………Why Mediation in Civil Disputes should increasingly be your first resort, rather than your last. What is Mediation? As you may know, Mediation is a voluntary and confidential form of...
Introduction. Many people find it uncomfortable to think about making a Lasting Power of Attorney, despite it being something that should provide you, your family and friends real peace of mind. In reality, the best time to make a Lasting Power of...
Helen Cojeen a Senior Solicitor and Head of the Child Care Department at Kingsfords Solicitors Limited, recently instructed Counsel to appear in the Court of Appeal when successfully appealing against an earlier decision of a local judge, HHJ Scarratt, who...
The implications of Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd v Medley Assets Ltd [2024] Background This recently reported case places back into focus the fact that the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 has been drawing it’s pension for some years now and...
Introduction Nobody likes to think about making a will, despite it being something that we all should act on. Around one in three people do not have a will, meaning that upon your death you are considered “intestate”. This is far from...
Background A review of the basis for determining financial remedies upon divorce, or the ending of a civil partnership, is currently being undertaken by the Law Commission. Some would say that it is has been a long time coming as the law for reaching...
Property transactions can often be complicated and require the expertise of an experienced conveyancer to provide guidance and support. However, we believe it is also important for potential homebuyers and sellers to have a comprehensive understanding of the...
What is Equity Release? If you are a home-owner, you can access some of the money invested in your home without having to move in one of 2 ways:- Lifetime Mortgage. This acts like a normal mortgage, being a loan secured against the value of your home....
Background A family bakery business in North Wales, employing nearly 1000 employees over its 4 sites has recently been found to have discriminated against an employee under Section 15 of the Equality Act 2010 . This section specifically relates to...
You may have ran into the new buzz phrase in the conveyancing world known as “On-line Conveyancing”, a process where the legal tasks involved are handled purely over the phone or on-line. In an increasingly busy world, this may seem an...
As Parliament is dissolved pre-election – what happens to legislation in the process of being put on the Statute Books? A snap election has been called with all eyes on the upcoming debates – leaving little time for the government’s...
“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is now.” Why quote this? Backtracking, the ideal time to think about what happens to a French property when the owner dies is before the purchase of the property. If you did...
Employment law evolves the fastest – whether by case authorities or new legislation. 2024 is no different, with a few new laws fast approaching. These include a law on “tipping” coming into effect from 1 st July 2024 under the Employment...
The General & Municipal Workers Union, reported to have in excess of 560,000 members in the UK across nearly all industrial sectors, has recently stepped up its actions against Amazon. It has issued a Class Action “Inducement Claim” in the...
Government Intentions There has been much recent speculation in the press and amongst opposing politicians as to whether the intended Renters Reform Act will receive Royal ascent, without having been watered down by a raft of potential changes. To recap,...
Before the probate process can begin, a Grant of Probate will need to be obtained. A Grant of Probate is a legal document that is issued by the Probate Registry, which is part of the court system. This document should be obtained by an executor who will be...
Wills are incredibly important legal documents, that outline how you would like your assets and debts to be distributed in the event of your death. Unfortunately, many people in the UK have yet to create a Will, which in the unfortunate event of an untimely...
The Competition Appeal Tribunal has had a busy time in 2024. In February permission has been granted to proceed to Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen in a Class Action seeking up to £3billion in damages for users holding Facebook accounts between 2016 and 2023. ...
Tesco has lost its appeal seeking to overturn a ruling that it had infringed Lidl’s trademark relating to its ubiquitous yellow circle design upon a blue square background. The action started in 2020 following Tesco’s use of a similar design to...
The final hurdle preventing a Class Action being brought against Apple in the UK, was successfully jumped on the 12th March. The Competition Appeal Tribunal approved the revised Litigation Funding deal under which noted consumer champion Justin Gutmann...
Family Law never stands still 2024 is unlikely to be any different as a number of important statutory changes will be seen, allied with a Law Commission Report landing in September. The Carers Leave Act 2024, coming into force this Spring will enable...
Despite ever expanding aspects being are conducted on-line, it is often the case that we have not really given thought to our own digital legacy when we die. Many elements of our lives including Social Media, on-line banking, savings, photographs, music,...
If you have had cause to visit any central or east Kent Hospitals last year, you may have bumped into our advert and associated content in the ‘ League of Friends Magazine ’ freely distributed to patients, their family, friends and visitors...
Insolvency experts at PwC believe that around 30,000 businesses will become insolvent in 2024. The hardest areas to be hit are likely to be in the hospitality, transportation, manufacturing and storage sectors. No business is free from risk, with even blue...
The recent ITV series Mr Bates vs The Post Office has drawn to the Public’s attention the fact that over 900 postmasters were wrongly criminally convicted of theft and false accounting as a consequence of the accounting defects within the...
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