Pub Insolvency: Last Orders Please…
Pub Insolvencies has risen by 66% in the last year, according to the latest data produced by UHY Hacker Young. The impact of such a…
Read moreWrit of Controls…
Originally undertaken by Sheriffs, Writ of Controls is now a job handled by the High Court Agents. Once Judgment is obtained, the High…
Read moreThe Power of a PG (Personal Guarantee)
Personal Guarantee’s are an effective tool for Debt Recovery as it means if the debtor company won’t pay up, there is a direct access…
Read moreIncrease to the National Minimum Wage
From 1st April 2024, the national minimum wage is set to increase which represents the largest ever increase in the National Minimum Wage…
Read moreCall For Evidence: National Security and Investment Act
The National Security and Investment Act 2021 has been in force for almost two years. On 13 November 2023 the Government published a…
Read moreRack your brains!
This week, in a change to the usual format, I have compiled a cryptic crossword with a (vaguely) legal theme. The answers will be…
Read moreBack to Basics: The requirements for serving a valid Section 21 Notice to end an Assured Shorthold Tenancy
Following his speech on Tuesday 7th November 2023, King Charles confirmed that the proposed Renters’ Reform Bill will not be coming into…
Read moreSurveys – Why are they important?
When purchasing a property there are many matters you will need to consider when undertaking your own due diligence on a property. One…
Read moreDomestic abuse reducing the risk – Mental Health
It has long been understood that domestic abuse significantly harms victims mental health, this frequently manifests as invisible harm…
Read moreI am a separated parent, do I need permission to take my child abroad?
With many people wanting to escape the bitter cold for some winter sun, a question often asked is ‘do I need to obtain my former…
Read moreAutomated Vehicles Bill confirmed in King’s Speech
Following the King’s speech on 7 November 2023, a number of Bills were announced which are set to become legislation in the near future….
Read moreChristmas is coming!
Now that Halloween and Bonfire Night are behind us, the Christmas ads are coming in thick and fast. Earlier this year, the Advertising…
Read moreNew legislation passed to confront sexual harassment in the workplace
In February we wrote an article in anticipation of the new third-party harassment liability for employers contained in the Worker…
Read moreJade’s Law: Limiting a Killer’s Control?
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC recently proposed plans to revise the Victims and Prisoners Bill, following the murder of Jade Ward by…
Read moreThe Ghost of Tenants Past
In England, the majority of private residential properties are let to a tenant by way of an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). One common…
Read moreWhat’s the deal?
In recent years Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become important events in the marketing calendar, bridging the gap between Halloween…
Read moreDomestic abuse: Reducing the risk – physical safety
When planning how to reduce risk, you may want to consider the following: Make a plan if you can.Get help. Abusers isolate their victims,…
Read moreThe Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) receives Royal Assent
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023. Some measures may be in force as…
Read moreDomestic abuse – Assessing the Risk
As solicitors we have to start any case with assessing risk, so how do we do this: Is there coercive controlling behaviour? This may need…
Read moreMy separation is amicable, should I consider Divorce Together?
When a separation is amicable, reaching the decision to divorce or dissolve a civil partnership is often a difficult choice to make. Of…
Read moreFlooding – Are you at risk?
Many areas of the country have recently been affected by high winds and rain, causing many property owners to suffer damage to their…
Read moreNational Pension Tracing Day
29 October is National Pension Tracing Day. It says a lot that there needs to be a day for finding lost pensions, but estimates suggest…
Read moreGovernment action to assist small businesses to remedy late payments
The Government have recently published their intentions for the Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regulations 2017, to be…
Read moreDon’t scare them off!
Halloween and Bonfire Night are nearly upon us. While these events can provide a good marketing opportunity, advertisers must think…
Read moreDo I need to make a Will?
When a person dies without a Will the intestacy rules determine how their estate will be administered. These rules are set out in…
Read moreThe Importance of Inheritance Tax Planning
In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. Most people feel…
Read moreBoundary Responsibility Uncovered
With Storm Babet hitting the country with high winds and rain, there may be some people left wondering who is responsible for the…
Read moreWorld Menopause Month – Divorce and Menopause
Across the UK, millions of women experience symptoms of the menopause every day. October marks World Menopause Month, which is held each…
Read moreSiblings were mistakenly disinherited by their father because he couldn’t read his will
A recent High Court judgement found that three siblings were mistakenly disinherited by their father because he couldn’t understand his…
Read moreIt’s good to be green!
This week is Recycle Week 2023. The focus this year is on “missed capture” – items in the home which can be recycled but are commonly…
Read moreThe importance of getting your statutory demand in order
A recent High Court decision in the matter of Sunset Ltd and another v Al-Hindi [2023] EWHC 2443 (Ch) (5 October 2023) concerning a…
Read moreThe consequences of the updated Powers of Attorney Act 2023
The newly updated Powers of Attorney Act 2023, which received royal assent on 18th September, will have a significant impact on the…
Read moreSE-Solicitors announces unique new service, Divorce Together
We are excited to announce the launch of our new service, Divorce Together. This service provides couples with the unique opportunity to…
Read moreTop Tier Legal 500 Rankings for SE-Solicitors
We are celebrating another successful year, retaining our top tier ranking in the 2024 edition of the UK’s leading guide to the best law…
Read moreWorld Mental Health Day
Today is World Mental Health Day. We believe it is incredibly important to acknowledge the importance of mental health issues, and while…
Read moreIntroduction of the Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023
On the 20th July 2023, the Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 received Royal Assent. The Act came into force on 20 September 2023. The…
Read moreShould an employer pay the legal costs for an employee’s advice on a Settlement Agreement?
There is no legal requirement that an employer should pay for an employee’s legal advice on a Settlement Agreement. However, it is usual…
Read moreSurgeon who married terminally ill colleague 4 days before she died in battle over £10M fortune
Surgeon who married a terminally ill woman 3 days before she died is in battle over £10m fortune. Dr Evi Kalodiki was four days from…
Read moreWhat are Settlement Agreements?
Settlement Agreements are contracts in which a current or former employee or worker agrees to waive or settle various claims against an…
Read moreThe Perils of Vacant Properties!
Purchasing a property can be daunting for a number of reasons, and the risk of property fraud is sadly one of them. Whether you are…
Read moreSE-Solicitors promote Padel Tennis at the Junior Tennis Festival
We are excited to announce our partnership with Tennis Oxfordshire, and our sponsorship of Padel Tennis at their Junior Tennis Festival…
Read moreDo you have employees off sick?
According to the Office for National Statistics an estimated 185.6 million working days were lost because of sickness and injury in 2022…
Read more52% of all mothers have faced some form of discrimination when pregnant, on maternity leave or when they returned…
Over 24,000 parents have been surveyed to produce a new report from Pregnant Then Screwed which shows that discrimination is very much…
Read moreSE-Solicitors attends 138th annual Blakesley Show
We are delighted to be attending the 138th annual Blakesley show on August 5th, where Ellacott’s has provided us with the opportunity to…
Read moreSE-Solicitors announces new sponsorship of Compton Verney’s Benefactors’ Scheme
We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of Compton Verney’s Benefactors’ Scheme. Compton Verney is a historic Georgian manor house,…
Read moreHave your say in the consultation on tax incentives for employer occupational health investment
There are already exemptions from Income Tax and Class 1A National Insurance contributions for certain occupational health service…
Read moreStatutory Legacy to Increase- Why it is still important to make a Will
The government has confirmed this month that it has laid a statutory instrument to set a new statutory legacy (fixed net sum). When a…
Read moreACAS is consulting on a new statutory Code of Practice on handling requests for flexible working
ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) has published a new draft of its statutory Code of Practice on handling…
Read moreCompensation for discrimination claims has been increased
Compensation in discrimination cases can cover non-financial loss which in most cases will include an injury to feelings award. The Court…
Read moreNew Midlife MOT Website to help workers
The Department for Work and Pensions has launched, in July 2023, a new free website aimed “to help older workers with financial planning,…
Read moreWhy do some women leave the workforce early other than by personal choice?
The British Standards Institute (BSI) has published a report called “Lifting the Second Glass Ceiling” which looks at the reasons why…
Read moreEight organisations named for failing to report gender pay gap data by the Equality and Human Rights Commission
It has been mandatory for certain employers to report gender pay gap information for many years. This includes private employers with 250…
Read moreLegal case highlights the implications of gifting property to children
Can I gift my house to my children? This is a question that comes up a lot in conversations with potential clients and always needs…
Read moreDid you know it is alcohol awareness week from 3-9 July 2023?
Alcohol Change UK is a leading UK alcohol charity which is coordinating Alcohol Awareness week from 3 to 9 July 2023. The purpose is to…
Read moreThe Great Big Workplace Adjustments Survey 2023
The Equality Act 2010 imposes a duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments to premises or working practices to help disabled job…
Read moreGovernment names over 200 employers for failing to pay the minimum wage
On 21 June 2023, the Government named over 200 employers who were failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage, leaving around…
Read moreShould employer’s have a policy in place regarding fertility treatment?
According to a survey report by CIPD dated May 2023, around 1 in 7 couples in the UK may have difficulty conceiving and there is an…
Read moreEmployers should begin to consider their policies in light of these new impending legislations
On 24 May 2023, three new Acts of Parliament deriving from Private Members Bills were give Royal Assent. The purpose of these Acts being…
Read moreNew name & fresh look – SE-Solicitors sees the future clearly
From 12 June 2023, our name has evolved from Spratt Endicott to SE-Solicitors. After a year-long review, we are developing our…
Read moreCan I leave a gift to my pet in my Will?
In 2019 Karl Lagerfeld died leaving behind his beloved cat Choupette. Choupette is one of the most famous cats in the world and has a…
Read moreMore Tips for the Hospitality Sector
The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 received Royal Assent on 2 May 2023 will create new obligations on employers to allocate…
Read moreGuidance on Mental Health
Employers should promote mental health wellbeing not only from a litigation risk perspective but also in relation to promoting good…
Read moreTaking your children abroad after separation
At this time of year our thoughts start turning towards the summer holidays and days spent in the sunshine. That may include a trip…
Read moreWhen in debt, don’t turn to unregulated advisors
It has been reported today that debt advisors will no longer be allowed to receive referral fees for putting debtors in touch with debt…
Read moreAnother successful triumph for the Banking and Finance Team!
Our Banking and Finance Team with the assistance of Counsel, Mr Alexander Kingston-Splatt successfully secured a judgment which deals…
Read moreWhat is too much uncertainty?
In the case of Bogolyubova v Bogolyubov and Privatbank the Court of Appeal found itself in the unusual position of examining a case where…
Read more(Simply) the Best.
In 1981 the late Tina Turner went public for the first time about being a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her then husband Ike…
Read moreThe Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill
On 27 April 2023, a further review of the proposed Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill (“the Bill”) took place in the House of…
Read moreThe seven-year rule for inheritance tax – and what it means for you?
Many families are now facing large inheritance tax (IHT) bills despite their attempts to sidestep the 40 per cent charge. In the UK…
Read moreAddiction and the Family: Alcohol
The Office for National Statistics published figures in late 2022 that 9,641 deaths due to alcohol were recorded in 2021. That was a…
Read morePower of Attorney-Plan in case you lose mental capacity
One person in the UK develops dementia every three minutes. If an individual loses mental capacity without a Lasting Power of Attorney in…
Read morePriscilla Presley Contests Lisa Marie Presley’s Will, Claiming Daughter’s Signature Was ‘Invalid’
Lisa Marie, the only child of Elvis Presley, died of a heart attack aged 54 on January 12, 2023. Within weeks of her death her mother…
Read moreSpratt Endicott Facilitate Merger of Multi-Million Pound Accounting Firms
Our highly experienced corporate team recently enabled the establishment of Streets Eadie Young Chartered Accountants. Hitendra Patel,…
Read moreMaintaining a relationship with your grandchildren
Many grandparents play an active role in their grandchildren’s lives. Yet there are times when family relationships deteriorate to such…
Read moreDon’t Get Tied in Knots by Knotweed
Japanese knotweed is an invasive perennial weed with a reputation for growing out of control and growing fast! This plant has been a pest…
Read moreNew remedies for abuse victims
The case of FGX v Gaunt attracted attention in the mainstream press this week after the Claimant was awarded £97,041.61 in damages…
Read moreA costly failure to disclose
In Goddard-Watts v Goddard-Watts [2023] EWCA Civ 115, the Court of Appeal considered a long running case concerning non disclosure. The…
Read moreMenopause and the workplace
The Government’s response to the Women and Equalities Committee’s report on menopause was published on 24 January 2023. The Government…
Read moreMinimum Age to Marry Rises to 18
Today marks a change in the law relating to marriage in England and Wales: Individuals must be 18 in order to marry or enter a civil…
Read moreDerivative action by token activist shareholders
In March 2022, the environmental lawyers, ClientEarth notified of a potential claim against the directors of Shell. This month, it has…
Read moreSpratt Endicott shortlisted for the Conveyancing Law firm of the Year – South Award
We are thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Conveyancing Law Firm of the Year – South award. It is great to see the…
Read moreNew Third Party Harassment Liability for Employers
There is currently a Private Members Bill (The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill) which creates liability for…
Read moreAre we better off with No Fault Divorce?
No Fault Divorce has been law for nearly a year, and for those who may feel that the old system might not have been so bad after all, the…
Read moreA Most Difficult Relief – the Multiple Dwellings Relief
Buying property is expensive, but sometimes small savings can be made particularly where Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) reliefs can be…
Read moreFamily Mediation Week 16-20 January 2023 – what happens at mediation?
Family mediation can be really helpful to assist couples who have separated resolving the issues arising from their separation. These…
Read moreProviding the highest level of online protection with Cyber Essential Scheme highest certification
To provide the greatest protection for both our clients and our solicitors we have achieved a Cyber Essentials Plus Certification. This…
Read moreFamily Mediation Week: 16-20 January 2023 – what is mediation?
It is a sad fact that many relationships and marriages break down. When this happens, having a conversation with your former partner or…
Read moreAre you thinking about a divorce?
For many family lawyers dealing with divorce and separation, early January is often a busy time as couples consider making a fresh start…
Read moreBe consistent
The case of N (A Child), Re (Instruction of Expert) [2022] EWCA Civ 1588, may at first glance have limited relevance to most family law…
Read moreMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year
From us all at Spratt Endicott Solicitors we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Read more£228,000 Awarded for a Race Discrimination Case
The official Tribunal statistics were published on 8 December 2022 for Q2 of 2021/2022 along with compensation and costs figures for the…
Read moreWhat do you call an Employment Tribunal Judge?
Judges in Employment Tribunals are now to be addressed as “Judge” in actual hearings. The previous practice was to address them as “Sir…
Read moreFlexible working to become a day one of employment right
On 5 December 2022, the government announced that a new legislation will be introduced to make the right to request flexible working a…
Read moreThe Insolvency Service confirmed an increase in the deposits for creditor bankruptcy petitions and winding-up petitions with effect from 1 November
The changes brought into effect by the Insolvency Proceedings (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2022) will see a jump of £1,000 on the deposit…
Read moreEnforcing Judgment Debts Under £600 On The Cards for 2023? Wider Access to Justice For Clients
There is a current reform request for Judgments under £600.00 to be enforced via a High Court Agent. In many cases a judgment is a paltry…
Read moreProperty Winter Worries
Winter can be pretty rough, and it’s coming whether we like it or not. By the time of writing, it’s already here! What winter has in…
Read moreGood Divorce Week – how a divorce coach or counsellor can help you have a good divorce
Divorce coaching and counselling has been popular in the United States for some time. In the UK it is starting to gain traction as we…
Read moreGood Divorce Week – how can you have a good divorce?
At Spratt Endicott we are supporting Good Divorce Week (28 November – 2 December), an annual awareness campaign run by Resolution, an…
Read moreRoyal Mail Strikes and Service Of Documents
Royal Mail strike dates were 3 days in October, 4 days in November and a further 6 days set for December. Mail strikes have an impact on…
Read moreNational Living Wage increases from April 2023
The government has announced in its Autumn Statement the increases for the National Living Wage (NLW) from 1 April 2023. These are: Age…
Read moreParting with possession…temporarily
With the London property market showing signs of contraction and the Office for Budget Responsibility projecting that London property…
Read moreRise of digital and online banking leading to £200bn+ unclaimed assets in the UK
A recent survey conducted by Direct Line Life Insurance found that 88% of practitioners are finding it more difficult to identify all…
Read moreThe Myth of “Common Law Marriage”
It is reported that the total number of cohabiting couples has increased by 2.1 million since 1996, with 22% of couples living together…
Read moreStamp Duty Land Tax changes in the Autumn Statement
The Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) changes introduced in Kwasi Kwarteng mini September budget are to be reversed by the new Chancellor….
Read moreInheritance Tax: the Autumn Statement Update
In his Autumn Statement yesterday morning, Jeremy Hunt announced that the inheritance tax threshold is to be frozen at £325,000 until…
Read moreNew Legislation to offer Pregnant Women and New Parents greater protection against redundancy
The Government has backed new legislation to enable redundancy protection to be extended so it applies to pregnant women as well as new…
Read moreDo the rules matter?
The recent case of McCarren v Ireland [2022] EWFC 113 examines contempt of court proceedings. Mr McCarren was the father in Children Act…
Read more2022 ONS statistics show higher earners experience a much larger difference in hourly pay between the sexes.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released its annual statistics on differences in pay between women and men by age, region,…
Read moreAre you a Fertility Ambassador?
Nickie Aiken MP has launched a Fertility workplace pledge that employers can sign up to to help change the attitudes towards fertility…
Read moreChild arrangements at Christmas
In the lead up to Christmas, solicitors often receive a flurry of enquiries from separated parents wanting to resolve the arrangements…
Read moreHeiress Marlene Engelhorn set to inherit millions wants to give away 90 % of her riches saying, “The dream scenario is I get taxed!”
The 30-year-old heiress, Marlene Engelhorn is due to inherit millions of euros from her grandmother who died last month. Austria, where…
Read moreCongratulations to Deborah Davies on her appointment as a Deputy District Judge
Deborah Davies, Senior Associate in our highly successful family law team has been appointed as a Deputy District Judge. Deborah…
Read moreRaising money for Katharine House Hospice 10th anniversary will writing campaign
Our private client team were pleased to continue involvement with Katharine House Hospice, supporting the 10th anniversary of their will…
Read moreFREE WEBINAR: Introduction to Authorised Push Payment Fraud – 10th November at 12pm
With the rise of Authorised Push Payment Fraud, it’s essential for businesses, lenders, asset finance and factoring companies to…
Read moreWhen is a Reconciliation not a Reconciliation?
The Judgment in the case of Cazalet v Abu-Zalaf [2022] EWFC 119 is a rare example of a court contemplating not only the nature of…
Read moreSpratt Endicott celebrates Legal 500 success
We are delighted for our recent success in the annual Legal 500 rankings and recommendations. The 2023 edition rankings recognised 10 of…
Read moreDivorce figures reach decade high as the “blame game” ends
As we mark the 6-month anniversary of the introduction of no-fault divorce across England and Wales, statistics show that divorce…
Read moreDivorce in uncertain times: top tips for keeping your legal fees to a minimum
With the rise in interest rates, prices of energy, fuel and food, many families are feeling under pressure. Financial pressure can take…
Read moreSpratt Endicott congratulates winner of Cherwell Established Business of the Year 2022
Spratt Endicott is delighted to congratulate the deserving winner of the Cherwell Established Business of the year 2002, Juice Global….
Read moreGender Equality Report reveals women are still experiencing inappropriate comments or behaviour by their male colleagues in the workplace
A recently published report carried out by Randstad based on the survey of 6000 workers in the construction, education, healthcare and…
Read moreHer Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
It has been announced by Buckingham Palace that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died. We are all deeply saddened by the news of the…
Read moreCost Of Living Crisis and Debt Recovery
There is a current hosepipe ban in the Cherwell Area but on a larger scale we are going to see some very choppy financial waters… First…
Read moreAddiction and the Family: Conspiracy theories
10 years ago, or even less, if a party in a Family Law case suggested the government had created a fake virus, or were trying to use…
Read moreAddiction and Family Law: Gambling
According to the NHS, addiction is defined as “not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be…
Read moreOld Enough to Marry? Legal Age Update
Following our Quick Read on 19 November 2021, the Government has announced it plans to implement the change in the legal age for marriage…
Read moreRyan Giggs: Coercive and controlling behaviour – Under the Floodlights
Controlling and coercive behaviour has been a criminal offence since s76 of Serious Crime Act 2015 came into force on 29 December 2015….
Read moreDomestic Abusers barred from cross-examining victims in Family and Civil Courts
For many, this is a long-awaited and welcomed change. From 21 July 2022, there is a legal bar on parties cross-examining each other…
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