Blog
Rayner my parade! The importance of specialist advice.
Jemma Brimblecombe
21 June 2016
The EU Succession Regulation and a Brexit
If there is a word that captures the post-Brexit world, it is uncertainty. No-one likes the u-word. However, as the big day approaches and a Brexit becomes a real possibility, there is at least one area in the succession field that would become clearer if we leave the EU: whether the UK is a member state or a third state under the EU Succession Regulation (ESR).
18 May 2016
Domicile in the Modern Family
In the Oxford Dictionary, ‘domicile’ is defined as “the country that a person treats as their permanent home, or lives in and has a substantial connection with”. However, the law in this area is far from straightforward, and as our customs and values change at an ever increasing pace within modern society, the question is to what extent the law is able to keep up.
13 May 2016
Foreign companies to be required to declare their owners when buying property in the UK
Press reports of this week’s Anti-Corruption Summit, hosted by David Cameron, coincided with the story of actress Emma Watson allegedly buying a UK property through a BVI company. While investment in UK property through offshore companies is perceived as a principal means by which corrupt individuals seek to launder dirty money, Mr Cameron accepts that there are many legitimate reasons for corporate property investment.
7 April 2016
The death of a child without a will — is it time to change the law?
As a Court of Protection practitioner acting for many clients with catastrophic injuries it is a sad but unavoidable fact that I will occasionally receive a call advising me of the unexpected death of a client. When this has happened it affects me deeply, particularly when it involves a child, so I can only imagine what my client’s family is going through. I like to develop strong relationships with my clients based not just on our professional dealings but also in a personal capacity. The decisions I take can have a significant impact on their lives and I believe it makes me a better lawyer if I take the time to know my client on a personal level. As a result, you feel more keenly the loss of a client you have come to know well over a long period of time.
A slightly amended version of this blog appeared on The Times in April 2016.
1 April 2016
Court of Protection - challenges and tips for Deputies when buying a property abroad
As a professional Deputy acting for clients with large awards of compensation, either because of medical negligence or personal injury, the purchase of property is an issue I deal with frequently. In most cases, the order appointing a Deputy restricts the authority to buy or sell property without first obtaining the permission of the Court.
In this blog, Simon Hardy looks at the challenges and tips for Deputies when buying a property overseas.