The By Lawyers Divorce Guide has been reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and practice. The extensive review was performed by our author Marcella King. As with all our authors, Marcella takes a practical approach, drawing on her considerable experience to cover all aspects of procedure, with a focus on practical tips that will help legal advisors confidently run a divorce matter. New precedent separation agreements for both married, civil partnered, and unmarried couples have been included. We invite you to explore this updated publication and to consider the wealth of assistance the guide offers for practitioners.

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.

The Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 enabling opposite-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership come into force on 2 December. This means that after a 28-day notice period, the first heterosexual civil partnership ceremonies could take place any time from the 31st December.

By Lawyers is monitoring the increasing emphasis on anti-money laundering in the profession. Read more...

Following user feedback, a new letter has been added to the Divorce publication providing advice on judicial separation as an alternative to divorce or dissolution.

Japanese knotweed has been highly problematic for sellers, buyers and lenders for many years. Its invasion can affect not only the structure of a property but also its value. Thanks to the success of specialist treatments and the availability of indemnity insurance fewer purchasers are withdrawing from sales due to its presence, and the reduction in purchase price sought has significantly reduced. It is believed that Japanese knotweed will be under control by 2040.

The Domestic Violence Orders publication has been expanded to include additional information about Legal Aid funding, some new precedent letters, and ready access to the Legal Aid Agency forms. Read more...

Several practitioners have been in touch about their preference for using the STEP provisions when drafting wills. In order to assist those practitioners By Lawyers have drafted three new precedents. Read more...

By Lawyers has published a new publication: Trusts. With a comprehensive commentary and precedents, the Trusts publication deals with establishing a new trust, amending an existing trust, and bringing a trust to an end through vesting or termination. Read more...

The High Court decision has major implications for thousands of paralegals, legal executives, and other non-authorised staff who handle litigation tasks every day.

New AI prompts help practitioners to draft accurate wills and pre-emptively compile details in the event of challenge.

The Ministry of Justice’s plan to reduce the number of jury-held criminal trials is causing concern among legal professionals with the changes risking dismantling a cornerstone of the British justice system.

Changes under the Employment Rights Act 2005 are starting to take effect.

Jardine Strategic Ltd v Oasis Investments II Master Fund Ltd and others No 2 (Bermuda) 2025 UKPC 34 is a leading Privy Council decision that clarified the scope of legal professional privilege in company law and abolished the long recognised shareholder rule.

Part of our series of common legal questions and their answers, we look at the legal rights and obligations for personal data protection and privacy. Read more...