In response to the criticism levelled at the profession for failing to adequately advise buyers of the distinction between freehold and leasehold titles to residential property, By Lawyers have produced a brief appreciation that can be sent to clients with their initial letter. You will find the precedent ‘Enclosure - A short explanation of the important distinction between freehold title and leasehold title’ on the purchase matter plan.

Both the Wills and Probate publications have been augmented with a treatise on challenging the validity of a will. This includes an appreciation of The Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987 which apply where there is no challenge or question as to the validity of a will. Read more...

By Lawyers is pleased to release a major update to its forward-looking briefing, Looking to the Future – a comprehensive, practice-wide resource detailing the key legislative and regulatory developments that will shape the legal landscape across 2025 and beyond.

The government has launched a 12 week consultation on changes to the conveyancing process. Our article explains more.

A festive interview with Mr Claus concerning certain legal complexities of Christmas.

Compliance is getting simpler — we’ve streamlined multiple mandatory checks into one easy-to-use form in line with SRA guidance. Find out how this change could save you time and reduce duplication across every matter.

By Lawyers has published new precedents to help practitioners assist landlords renting properties under assured shorthold tenancies. The new precedents advise landlords on the proposed changes contained in the Renters’ Rights Bill. Changes to their ability to seek possession are outlined, together with additional obligations that the Bill seeks to bring into force. Read more ...

The Individual Insolvency guide is now live. The guide provides commentary to take a practitioner through the practical steps involved in advising on individual debt alternatives, including debt respite schemes, individual voluntary arrangements and bankruptcy. Read more...

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

Following a request from a user, we have added letters before action for three of the most common estate disputes. Read more...

A new article has been published discussing the rise of Artificial Intelligence and asking if it could be useful, or likely to ruin the legal profession. We have one view; the Law Society has another. Only time will tell who is closer to the truth. Read more...

Following a recent in-depth author review, commentary on Legal Aid tendering, cybercrime prevention and business continuity planning have been enriched. Read more...

A folder of new precedents for clients who are commencing or operating small businesses has been added to the Purchase of Business, Companies and Partnerships guides. The new library of precedents provides a suite of documents which practitioners can provide to their clients who own and operate small businesses, to assist them with the day-to-day running. These documents can be provided to clients both when they are setting up or purchasing a new business and when required for existing businesses. The documents are general in nature so they can be customised and amended as required for the needs of different clients. The precedents are designed to apply across various sectors, whether traditional storefront retail or online and whether supplying products or services. These new precedents are: Agreement for supply of goods and services Credit application Data protection policy for a business Dispatch and delivery policy Director guarantee Liability waiver and consent Returns and refunds policy Example tax invoice Terms of trade Website terms of use for advertising and booking personal services Website terms of use for downloadable online products Website terms of use for physical products The new If required - Library of precedents for small business clients folder is located in: Purchase of Business matter plan - in folder H. Mid-transaction Companies matter plan – in folder B. Setting up a company Partnerships matter plan – in folder D. General business This practical material was added to these existing By Lawyers publications in response to requests and suggestions from By Lawyers users. The precedents provide practitioners with additional tools so they can better assist their clients with all aspects of their business. We invite you to explore these new precedents. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.

Following a request from a user, a new clause, Immediate post death interest in property, has been added to the Wills matter plan, in the Library of clauses contained in the C. The Will folder. The new clause allows for the grant of an immediate post death interest in a property to a partner, whether they are unmarried, married, in a civil partnership. An option for the interest to revert to children on either the death of the partner or their marriage or cohabitation has also been included. Comments and feedback are always welcomed, particularly if other clauses would be useful.

Following a user request, a new Deed of assignment of equitable interest in residential land has been added to the ‘Blank Deeds, Agreements, Statements, Declarations, Consents and Execution clauses’ folder which is available in the ‘A. Getting the matter underway’ section of every matter plan. We trust that users will find this new document helpful. Comments and feedback are always welcomed.