The By Lawyers Franchises guide has been comprehensively reviewed to reflect current best practice, legal developments and the British Franchise Association Code of Ethics.

The review delivers improvements to content and usability, supporting practitioners with practical and up-to-date guidance and precedents in this important area of law.

The Court of Appeal ruled that Kristie Higgs' dismissal from Farmor's School for critical Facebook posts on LGBTQ+ lessons was unlawfully discriminatory and disproportionate.

Part of our series of common legal questions and their answers, we look at how to apply for a standard grant of representation. Read more...

Part of our series of common legal questions and their answers, we look at will trusts. Read more...

Part of our series of common legal questions and their answers, we look at the legal requirements for signing a Lasting Power of Attorney. Read more...

The new practical Care Proceedings guide will assist practitioners in acting for respondents in public law care proceedings matters efficiently and confidently. Read more...

Divorce law changed on 1 April 2022; these are the main changes. Read more...

Following a user request, a new Deed of Variation of Rentcharge has been added to the Sale of Land guide. The new deed enables parties to relinquish any remedies for breaching an existing rentcharge deed. As lenders become more anxious about the possible effects of s 121 of the Law of Property Act 1925 and the potential for leases to be granted where rentcharges are outstanding, we believe that this deed will be a useful tool for conveyancers in mitigating these risks for their lender and lay clients.

We have published a new commentary, A summary of the key obligations of the Anti-money laundering guidance for the legal sector which sets out the essential information that practitioners need to know to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017. The new commentary can be found in the Compliance requirements folder on every By Lawyers matter plan. The goal of By Lawyers is take the intimidation out of the law and ensure that our clients enjoy practice more. As a result, all By Lawyers commentaries are published with a focus on providing a sensible appreciation of law and practice in England and Wales.

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.

All probate applications must be made online from 2 November 2020, with a few permitted exceptions for complex applications. The Estates commentary has been updated to reflect this change, and to provide a list of the exceptions for which a postal application may be made.

The Powers of Attorney and Advance Decisions guide has been enhanced with a fuller discussion of lasting powers of attorney including the roles and responsibilities of certificate providers and the process involved with objecting to registration. Commentary on enduring powers of attorney has been expanded with discussion of the registration and objection processes.

As we hurtle down the tracks towards commonhold, it is predicted that draft legislation will be laid before parliament mid to late 2021, with the biggest swathe of leasehold reform since 1925. However, when we finally arrive at our destination, the swathe may not be as big, or as revolutionary, as we would hope. Read more...

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.