The landmark decision that established the test for testamentary capacity.

The landmark case that considered the limits of the monarch to suspend Parliament.

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...

As alternative dispute resolution processes creep towards becoming mandatory, we have published an article which can be used for in-house learning and development, or for clients to read and gain an understanding of the terminology and requirement to take part. Read more...

We are pleased to announce that a new Estates Disputes publication has been published. Comprising two guides, Estate disputes – Acting for the claimant and Estate disputes – Acting for the defendant, the publication contains all the commentary, precedents, and forms needed. Read more...

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 is in force from 30 June 2022. The Act restricts ground rents on new residential long leases to an annual nominal rent of a peppercorn. Any landlord who contravenes the Act can be fined up to £30,000. The property guides have been updated to reflect these changes.

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.

Following user feedback we have published two new drafted commercial leases which are available on the Commercial Lease - Acting for Landlord matter plan. In addition to the Law Society standard leases, we now have a new commercial lease drafted in By Lawyers plain English style. The Commercial lease - Optimised presentation is formatted to present matter-specific information in the initial pages of the document, with the boiler-plate clauses which need no amendment in the following pages. A new Commercial lease - Standard presentation is also available. The commentary has also been updated with a discussion of the reasons why the optimised style is more useful for clients and practitioners - not least because all the amendments take place within the first few pages of the lease. Both styles contain all the lease considerations that are usually required. We also have increased the number of optional clauses available to insert into these leases where relevant including: Landlord’s conditions of consent to underletting clause Landlord’s conditions of consent to assignment clause Landlord's break clause Tenant's break clause Parking space clause We invite you to explore these new documents. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.

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.

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.

As part of a government effort to strengthen the UK’s financial crime protections, the change signals a new era of accountability for law firms.

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

The Family Procedure Rules have been updated to allow all family courts to issue transparency orders.

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 the difference between owning a property as joint tenants or tenants in common. Read more...