The By Lawyers Criminal Offences app now includes new sentencing guidelines for Perverting the Course of Justice and updated sentencing guidelines for Witness Intimidation. The guidelines are effective from 1 October 2023. Read more...

The accelerated first appointment procedure enables clients to reduce costs and skip straight to a financial dispute resolution hearing if an agreement has been reached. Read more...

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 heralds the biggest change to divorce law for decades and a new guide tailored to fit the new process has been published. The commentary and matter plan both guide practitioners through the new process, and new letters reflect the updated terminology.

Two special conditions have been added to the Library of special conditions found in the C. Contract folder of the Sale of land matter plan. These relate to the buyer reimbursing the seller for the costs of searches or reports and the buyer’s responsibilities where a property is sold subject to a tenancy agreement.

To enhance our Practice Management guide, a precedent Referral Fee Agreement has been added helping firms to comply with regulator requirements around transparency and due diligence when accepting introductions from third parties.

The Estates guide has been enhanced with the addition of some clarification of the operation of the Insolvency Act 1986 when assets pass by survivorship out of insolvent estates. Beneficiaries could be asked to make a payment to the estate within five years of the death if an insolvency administration order is made.

The By Lawyers Private Child Arrangements guide has been reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and practice. The extensive review took a practical approach to cover all aspects of procedure, with a focus on practical tips that will help solicitors and conveyancers confidently run a private children matter. The commentary covering witnesses has been expanded. We invite you to explore this updated publication and to consider the wealth of assistance the guide offers for solicitors and practitioners.

The By Lawyers Mortgages Guide has been reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and conveyancing practice. Read more...

In line with advice from the Conveyancing Association, By Lawyers have amended our precedent post-completion notices to include a section relating to Land Registry certificates. These edits will allow practitioners to obtain the necessary consents more efficiently and cost-effectively. The notices can be found in the Purchase of Land Guide. In order to access the latest version of these precedents, don’t forget to click or tap update and replace the existing precedent when the document is opened.

Many subscribers will have noticed the file cover sheets now include a funny little code at the bottom of the page. This code is called a QR Code and it contains two identifiers that are used to identify the law firm and the matter. Should a firm use the FileMan Information Management system for long term file storage this will assist to streamline the process.

Interim guidance has been issued to enable an extension of the statutory 26-week deadline in guardianship proceedings. The guidance has been issued by the Family Justice Council and approved by the President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane. Read more...

The Land Registry hopes to release its digital mortgage service in public beta this year. In a recent news update, the Registry’s digital services manager Eddie Davies said that ‘the department is continuing to work with Coventry and Enact on the next phases of the service as well as also working with lenders to get their mortgage deeds approved and templates created. So far, the Registry has approved several deeds from lenders in the remortgage market including Nationwide, HSBC, RBS, NatWest and Santander. ‘Since opening the service to more lenders and conveyancers we have seen an increase in the number of digital mortgages registered showing an appetite in the market to use new technology. Some lenders have started offering online mortgage applications and our service helps to bring the industry one step closer to an end-to-end digital process.’

Pets are family members, and if a relationship breaks down, arrangements need to be agreed and understood.

When is payment not payment – has Oakwood Solicitors Ltd v Menzies [2024] UKSC 34 changed the costs landscape? The long-running dispute between a personal injury claimant and his solicitor’s firm has finally ended up in the Supreme Court, with a recent decision hinging on the meaning of the word payment. Read more...

While the Autumn budget delivered this week by the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, was arguably a step forward for feminism, it was more notable for the significant changes to tax. Read more…