For centuries, a litigant's recurring nightmare of their costs bill can be found in a murky corner of every firm. Here, mischievous goblins weigh files, triple the weight, and calculate a figure by multiplying it with an arbitrary hourly rate determined by the senior partner’s mood of the day. The only perceived certainty is, that pound for pound, they will be paying a pound for every word in their legal documents. Therefore, the final bill is anyone’s guess. Read more...

Our author specialising in immigration work, Andrew Nyamayaro of Tann Law, has reviewed and enhanced our Immigration guide. Read more...

The By Lawyers Criminal Offences app now includes new offences created by the Public Order Act 2023. Read more...

Following feedback, we have added a declaration for those giving a gift towards the purchase of a property. This declaration is requested by many lenders, and we have incorporated the various different requirements into one single, simple, document. A covering letter is also now included. Read more...

Most of the requirements for possession claims set out in Practice Direction 55C are no longer in force, and our commentaries have been amended accordingly.

We have published a new article on Using Retainer Instructions which we hope By Lawyers users will find helpful.

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 Companies commentary has been updated to enhance our offering in respect of put and call options, directors’ duties and wrongful trading, and issues relating to insolvency of a company. We have also added guidance for those acting for a supplier including a retention of title precedent. We invite you to explore this updated publication and welcome Comments & Suggestions as always.

The Powers of attorney, advance decisions and court of protection commentary has been enhanced covering the creation and registration of lasting powers of attorney in greater detail. We have added discussion of the finer points of how and when the documents should be signed, as well as giving more information about using the online portal. We invite you to explore this updated publication. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.

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 publication has been reviewed and updated in accordance with the Office of the Public Guardian’s new digital service, known as Use a Lasting Power of Attorney. Read more...

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...

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 Financial Remedy publication has been reviewed and updated by our authors as part of our continuing review process. The review included several new precedents and greater commentary detail.

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.