Private client

Articles

Pitfalls for the unwary

Solicitors must ensure they understand their duties towards LEI insurers and claims management companies or risk a claim being brought against them, says Alison Siniver

Legal aid voices: housing and repossession

Housing advice at the Derby Community Legal Advice Centre should be available within a fortnight but with rising demand the wait is now up four weeks, says Jon Robins

A step ahead

Law firms with a fixed retirement age policy should start reviewing their arrangements ahead of the forthcoming ruling in Seldon, says Jennifer Haywood

Philanthropist's contested will ruling only tip of rise in probate disputes

The children of a wealthy book lover have succeeded in their claim to her estate as the High Court found that she could not have made a will naming the son of her carer as sole beneficiary.

Too little, too late

Proposed changes seeking to limit the extent of owners' liability under the Animals Act are unnecessary as the courts have already set high standards for claimants, say Michael McNally and Giles Mooney

No doubt

Employers should avoid ambiguity in their medical questionnaires to ensure they recruit staff who are able to effectively perform their roles, says Sarah Jane Turcan

Smokers cannot claim 'human right' to smoke, Court of Appeal decides

Smokers claiming they have a 'human right' to use tobacco have been dealt a blow by the Court of Appeal.

Update: wills and probate

Helen Bryant considers cases involving claims by extended family members under the Inheritance Act, proving secret trusts, propriety estoppel and inheritance tax