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Who will pay for the expert's report?

As DJ Tacy Cronin considers whether a divorced couple's monies under lien with one of their solicitors should be used to pay for an expert in a contact dispute, she finds out how involving Cafcass could avoid the expense altogether

The end of nil rate band trusts for couples?

Now that married couples and civil partners can claim the transferable nil-rate band, is there any point in setting up a nil-rate band trust on the first death, and, if so, what are the benefits and options? Karen Miller assesses the position

Not having a risk register isn't a risk worth taking

Firms should regard the new requirement to have a risk register and a compliance plan as an opportunity to improve efficiencies, however unclear the SRA's regulatory expectations are, says Stuart Bushell

Time running out to establish old public rights of way

New developments and changes to rural life are bringing back the issue of public rights of way onto lawyers' desks as interested parties only have 13 years left to register historic rights, says Alec Samuels

HSBC's decision to cut down its conveyancing panel is bad for clients

Solicitors interested in residential property work will undoubtedly be familiar with the ongoing HSBC debacle.

Sound investment: clarifying the rules on capital and income in trusts

From new rules allowing charities to run a more effective total return investment policy to a complete reform of the treatment of capital and income, the Trusts (Capital & Income) Bill will provide much-needed clarification for trustees, says Sonal Shah

Applying to become an alternative business structure

Three-partner firm John Welch & Stammers was one of the first three organisations to be licensed as an alternative business structure by the SRA last month. New non-lawyer managing partner Bernadette Summers gives her account of the application process

Courts without lawyers

Litigants in person don't represent themselves by choice. Mostly they do so either because their claim falls outside the scope of legal aid or because they cannot afford a lawyer or don't regard it as value.