The By Lawyers Criminal Offences app now includes new and updated Sentencing Guidelines for a number of motoring offences, all of which are effective from 1 July 2023. Read more...

A new Looking to the Future commentary has been included in several relevant matter plans. In the ever-changing landscape of the legal industry, staying up to date with regulatory and legislative changes is crucial. These changes can greatly impact practice, and failing to keep up with them can put clients and firms at risk. By Lawyers already promises to be current, and now we are going further with this new commentary that anticipates what is to come. Read more...

The client care and terms of business document is often neglected in firms, and getting a signed copy onto the file can be a source of worry and risk. We have streamlined this process by creating some simple documents which are easy to create, use, understand and sign. And, of course, we keep them up-to-date and fresh. Read more...

At By Lawyers, we believe that matters are more than checklists and simply ticking boxes doesn’t get the job done. But there are times when an easy way to see where the file is up to, allowing others in the office to quickly pick up the threads, is essential. Our To do lists help to manage risk, guide the unfamiliar, and ensure nothing is missed. We have recently carried out a full and thorough review of the To do lists to provide consistency of language and format. This makes them easier to read, easier to complete and easier to keep updated. If you have any comments or suggestions about the changes, do please let us know.

A new article about cohabitees rights sets out the problems and solutions that currently exist. Read more...

The Purchase of land guide now includes new Stamp duty land tax questionnaire. This questionnaire can be used at the start of the matter to gather relevant information for the tax return.

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 is in force from 30 June 2022. The Act restricts ground rents on new residential long leases to an annual nominal rent of a peppercorn. Any landlord who contravenes the Act can be fined up to £30,000. The property guides have been updated to reflect these changes.

The Immigration commentary has been updated to include information regarding family asylum claims, child asylum seekers, overstayers and human rights claims. The matter plan now includes a Letter supporting application for a skilled worker visa.

Court of Protection applications have been given their own guide containing commentary on making an application, deprivation of liberty, managing and terminating a deputyship. The matter plan contains all the letters and forms necessary for this work.

By Lawyers are delighted to announce the release of our two comprehensive guides to UK Immigration law, providing practitioners with detailed but easy to follow commentary and a complete suite of precedents for managing any immigration matter, from initial engagement to final determination. Read more...

The Motoring offences commentary has been updated to include guidance on various types of unusual motor vehicles, including e-scooters. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.

The By Lawyers Criminal Law Guide has been reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and practice. The extensive review takes a practical approach, drawing on our considerable experience to cover all aspects of procedure, with a focus on practical tips that will help practitioners to run a criminal matter to completion confidently. Commentary and new precedents dealing with the following areas have been included: The victim surcharge and Cuthbertson, R. v [2020] EWCA Crim 1883; The professional users access scheme; Family proceedings disclosure; The effects of the Criminal Procedure Amendment Rules 2021; Cautions, community resolutions and triage; and Perjury. We invite you to explore this updated publication and to consider the wealth of assistance the Criminal Law Guide offers.

Following the government announcements that breathing spaces are being extended for business tenants and companies, the Dealing with legal issues during COVID-19 publication has been updated.

Off-payroll legislative reform comes into force 6 April 2021 for medium to large businesses. For further details see the Contracts for employment section in our Employment Law – Non-contentious commentary.

As practitioners may be aware, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme increased the length of time that temporary high balances were protected in bank accounts from 6 months to 12 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. This protection has been reduced to 6 months again from 1 February 2021. The Practice Management guide has been amended accordingly.