‘Lockdown Wills’ and the increased risk of legal challenge
During lockdown, many people made Wills at home, often without professional advice and in difficult circumstances. While these Wills were often created with the best of intentions, some may not meet the strict legal requirements needed to be valid. As families and executors now begin to deal with estates affected by ‘lockdown Wills’, questions are […]
Workplace stress and Employment Tribunal claims – what employers need to know
For employers, this highlights a growing legal risk – particularly at a time when many businesses are under pressure to operate with reduced resources and leaner teams. Stress-related claims are more common than many employers realise Our analysis of 9,850 Employment Tribunal claims found that 1,185 involved stress in the workplace. Many of these claims […]
Equity release by the over-66s rises as part of estate planning strategies
Why families in London and the South East are paying more Inheritance Tax – and what you can do
Among the hardest-hit locations are Wimbledon, where the average IHT bill stands at £566,000, and Guildford, with an average bill of £302,000. Following the Government’s decision to restrict key IHT exemptions, the overall tax burden on estates is expected to rise further. The greatest impact is likely to be felt by families in areas where […]
Employment Rights Act: trade union reforms and what employers need to know
The changes, which took effect on 18 February 2026, form part of the Government’s wider Plan to Make Work Pay and are intended to make trade union activity and industrial action less complicated. For employers, these reforms reduce some of the procedural safeguards that previously applied and increase the legal protections available to workers who […]