A precedent Reservation Agreement has been added to the sale and purchase of land guides. The agreement is designed to bind the parties to an agreed pre-exchange time frame in which the seller will not deal with third parties, and the buyer will either exchange the offered contract or withdraw on discovery of serious adverse affectations through the usual investigations, searches and enquiries. By this means the parties are able, immediately following agreement and issue of the contract, to be confident that the transaction will proceed in the absence of unforeseen and unexpected circumstances.

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...

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

The By Lawyers Criminal Offences app now includes new sentencing guidelines for Perverting the Course of Justice and updated sentencing guidelines for Witness Intimidation. The guidelines are effective from 1 October 2023. Read more...

The Immigration commentary has been updated to include information regarding family asylum claims, child asylum seekers, overstayers and human rights claims. The matter plan now includes a Letter supporting application for a skilled worker visa.

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 March 2019 the time limit for filing stamp duty land tax returns and making payments was reduced from 30 days to 14 days. This affected residential and commercial properties. Please note the 30-day limit continues to apply where a further return is required.

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

The continuing commitment of By Lawyers to updating and enhancing our publications has seen the Companies guide enhanced. Subscribers using this popular publication will find a number of new precedents: Letter to client advising on memorandum and articles of association; Articles of association for a private company limited by shares; Articles of association for a private company limited by guarantee; Articles of association for a property management company; Directors’ service agreement; Written resolution – General template; Written resolution – Amending articles of association; Resolution of meeting – Amending articles of association; Letter to shareholder giving special notice of resolution; Indemnity for lost share certificate. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.

By Lawyers are delighted to announce that the Enforcement guide has been published. A whole new commentary with practical advice is available together with precedents and a matter plan. We invite you to explore this new publication and to consider the wealth of assistance the guide offers for lawyers acting in the enforcement of a judgment. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.

By Lawyers are delighted to announce the release of our new publication on Enfranchisement. This useful new publication will enable practitioners to guide freeholder and tenant clients through: Collective rights – Enfranchisement Tenants right of first refusal Collective rights – Right to manage Individual rights – Enfranchisement of a leasehold house The commentary discusses important issues in these areas including: Qualifying criteria Valuations Costs Timetables Bona Vacantia, County Court and First-tier Tribunal applications Conveyancing processes 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 Tenants Participation Agreement Articles of Association for a Right to Manage Company Statutory Declarations of occupation Deed of Surrender 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.

The Practice Management publication is undergoing a makeover to ensure it complies with best practice and SRA regulations. Read more...