The landmark decision that a court can order parties to engage in alternative dispute resolution.

Part of our series of common legal questions and their answers, we look at the difference between property ownership and a tenancy. Read more...

The By Lawyers unique writing style and strong commitment to plain language drafting benefit practitioners. Read more…

In good news for those with pre-settled EU status, the Home Office in compliance with the decision in Independent Monitoring Authority v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 3274 (Admin), has announced that an additional application to switch from pre-settled to settled status is not required. Read more...

Mr Justice Mostyn, in a judgment given shortly before his retirement, looked at the issue of costs in James v Seymour [2023] EWHC 844 (Fam). Read more...

Many practitioners routinely recommend the OurFamilyWizard parenting app to their clients. We have included a letter mentioning the app in the Getting the matter underway folder of the Private Child Arrangements guide. We have also added a clause for orders called Form content – Co-parenting app order. Read more...

The Private Child Arrangements guide has been extensively reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and practice. Read more...

The recent decision to change the name of this folder to General Deeds, Agreements, Statements, Declarations, Consents & Execution Clauses grants the opportunity to highlight its usefulness once again. Read more...

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.

Two new precedents have been added to the Sale and Purchase of Land guides: a Deed of covenant and a Deed of rectification. The commentaries have also been significantly enhanced. Read more...

We are delighted to release the first in our 101 Reference Series - a comprehensive reference guide dealing with: estates - probate and administration; powers of attorney; and wills; This is a must-have, easy-reference resource for all firms, providing detailed information in a quickly accessible and searchable format. Tricky questions can be answered quickly using the guide’s alphabetical headings and plain English format. The content can be cut and pasted into letters or emails to clients either in response to an initial enquiry or during the course of a matter. If you would like everyone in your firm to be able to readily answer questions such as the ones below, then the firm will definitely benefit from 101 Succession Answers! What happens if the sole executor dies? How far does the personal liability of an executor extend? Can a solicitor take a benefit under a will that the solicitor has witnessed? What happens if the attorney acting under a power of attorney becomes bankrupt? Under what circumstances might a grant of probate be revoked?

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.

We are very pleased to announce the release of a Letters of Administration guide. The guide covers all aspects of practice and procedure when acting in the administration of an estate where there is no will, or there is a partial intestacy. The guide assists practitioners with all aspects of the estate administration from applying for a grant through to distribution. The commentary is practical and easy to understand and is supported by numerous helpful precedents. Key content includes law and procedure relating to the intestacy rules and the impact that they have on the distribution of the estate to creditors, claimants and beneficiaries. A number of new precedents have been published, including: 6 examples for the content of an administrator’s statement of truth; A full suite of letters to administrators, beneficiaries and third parties; and A very useful precedent Estate Summary Pack. The Letters of Administration guide is an invaluable resource for all practitioners who deal with estate administration, including those with limited experience in this area or those supervising junior lawyers.

From 1 April 2021, a new Help to Buy scheme comes into force. For further details see the Help to Buy section in our Purchase of Land commentary. From 1 April 2021, The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 will apply to all private rented sector landlords of residential premises in England, including licences to occupy and houses in multiple occupation, with costly sanctions for non-compliance. For further details see the Buy to Let section in our Purchase of Land commentary.

By Lawyers are delighted to announce the release of our new publication on Lease extensions. This useful new publication will enable practitioners to guide landlord and tenant clients through the statutory process of extending the term of a lease. The commentary discusses important issues in these areas including: Qualifying criteria Valuations Costs Timetables Conveyancing process Withdrawal and termination The new guide also contains a complete suite of essential and useful precedents such as: To Do lists with timetables Enclosures for clients explaining the process All the statutory forms and notices Deed of surrender and regrant of lease This guide is an invaluable tool for all practitioners working in leasehold property departments, including those with limited experience or supervising less experienced practitioners.