With every new costs management practice direction comes a new spreadsheet and the 122nd Practice Direction update was no different. According to the revised Practice Direction 3E, Precedent T should be used from the 1st October to advise the court and other parties about variations in the costs budget during claims. Oppressive behaviour is also mentioned in the new practice direction and parties who believe that they are being pressured into spending money unnecessarily can apply to the court for relief. The By Lawyers Debt Recovery publications have been updated accordingly and Precedent T is available in the matter plan. The opportunity was taken to enhance the commentaries with recent case law discussions regarding: Security for costs applications relating to the economic consequences of COVID19. Reasonable adjustments which allowed a vulnerable witness to provide evidence. Choice of expert to provide evidence. The costs consequences of withdrawing a Part 36 Offer. The admissibility of ‘without prejudice’ material in limited circumstances. We invite you to explore the updated Debt Recovery – Acting for Claimant and Debt Recovery – Acting for Defendant publications. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.

A folder containing ALL of the By Lawyers Retainer Instructions precedents has been added to the Practice Management guide. One of the most important tasks when acting in all areas of law is taking the initial instructions. At the commencement of the engagement with the client it is crucial to take accurate, comprehensive instructions covering every necessary aspect of the matter, so the scope of the retainer can be agreed, the issues identified and understood and the client properly advised. Every By Lawyers matter plan has these Retainer Instructions precedents, drafted and refined by experienced practitioners to make this critical process as efficient as possible. They assist practitioners to obtain all relevant information up-front. To make it easier to access these key precedents, especially when seeing new clients where a file has not yet been opened, all 28 of them are now available from a dedicated Library of retainer instructions in the By Lawyers Practice Management guide, under Folder A: The Practice. The availability of these precedents all together in one guide makes it very easy to save or print the relevant Retainer Instructions for any matter type to use in the initial conference with a client even before a dedicated client file is opened. As always, comments and feedback are welcomed.

With the recent publication of the Law Commission report, clearly moves are afoot in the residential leasehold world to balance out the disparity between the rights of landlords and those of their tenants. Time will only tell what is finally put on the platter for general consumption on that planet. But let us travel deeper into the universe and visit planet ComZog, commonly known on Earth as the commercial leasehold world. Read more...

By Lawyers have just released a Staff Office Procedures Manual which comprehensively covers a wide range of issues that arise in running legal practices. Useful for all firms, whether start-up, breakaway or well established, we have tailored the manual to help firms run their office day to day. With an emphasis on training and compliance this is an ideal way to ensure that everyone is aware of office policies. Areas which are covered include: Recruitment and induction policies Working procedures such as hours of work, dress code, a code of conduct and training policy Health and Safety Equality and Diversity Internet, email and mobile phone policy Staff leave including for jury service Drugs and Alcohol Bullying and harassment Whistleblowing Disciplinary procedures Conflicts of interest, confidentiality and intellectual property rights Security and cyber-security Guidance on a whole range of other office procedures from anti-money laundering to undertakings Firms can seamlessly implement these office procedures as their own with a view to later development and enhancement or use them as the basis for refreshing and enhancing existing procedures already in place.

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...

To assist practitioners when making an emergency application for a limited grant to preserve assets in estates, By Lawyers have drafted a precedent Example Content - Statement of Truth - Ad Colligenda Bona - Limited Grant. Read more...

The Probate and Wills Commentaries have been updated to reflect the increase to the statutory legacy payable to a spouse on intestacy. From 6 February 2020 the legacy is £270,000.

In response to subscriber feedback By Lawyers has enhanced content relating to staff training and continuing competence requirements. Additional guidance on the topic has been added to the Practice Management commentary and a new precedent ‘Training and development schedule’ provided. This precedent will help subscribers plan, review and record continuing competence activities as required by The Law Society and SRA.

Our author has recently reviewed the probate publication providing several new precedents and amending the commentary. Additional automation was also added to some of the precedents to increase flexibility and efficient usage.

The National Police Chief’s Council, has issued new operational guidance for pre-charge bail and release under investigation. The guidance follows changes to pre-charge bail under the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and is in response to concerns in domestic abuse and high harm cases, including sexual offences and offences involving vulnerable people. Read more...

From 1 August 2025 a new chapter for arbitration began in England and Wales, as the Arbitration Act 2025 officially came into force – bringing with it a suite of practical reforms designed to modernise the framework and reinforce London’s position as a global hub for dispute resolution.

Following user requests, we have published two new precedents: a simple and straightforward Construction Agreement, suitable for use by homeowners and contractors, and a Deed of Release and Grant, which releases existing property easements and grants new ones. Read more...

Part of our series of common legal questions and their answers, we look at the criteria for getting a divorce or ending a civil partnership. Read more...

To assist practitioners acting in trusts matters, a new precedent Trust Deed Review Checklist has been added to the matter plan in the By Lawyers Trusts publication. Read more...

Following a request from a user, we have added letters before action for three of the most common estate disputes. Read more...