UK’s New ‘Your First Home’ Scheme – 2.5% Deposit for Your New Home
The UK government recently announced Your First Home, a new equity loan scheme for first-time buyers in England. The scheme launches in early 2027 as a successor to the old Help to Buy program. Written by Yitong Guo, Senior Associate Solicitor Background The original Help to Buy (HTB) scheme closed to new applications in England […]
Can an Employer Dismiss an Employee During Probation? New Employment Rights Act Changes Explained
Many employers assume that employees can be dismissed at any time during their probationary period without following a formal process. However, while employers generally have greater flexibility when dismissing new employees, this does not mean they can ignore their legal obligations. Probationary periods allow employers to assess whether a new employee is suitable for a […]
The Lease Break Trap That Could Cost Your Business Years of Rent
Your business has outgrown its premises. You find somewhere better, check the lease and spot a reassuring phrase: six months’ notice. You assume you can give notice, pack up and leave. That assumption could be expensive. A commercial lease may allow you to leave early only on one particular date. Miss the deadline for exercising […]
Can a Court Ignore a Valid Prenuptial Agreement?
In the recent case of IC v AD [2026] EWFC 224, the parties signed a pre-nuptial agreement in January 2012, around seven weeks before their marriage. Its effect was to limit the wife’s claims on divorce, subject to specified provisions for jointly owned property, the family home and certain fund payments. Written by Aurora Chan, […]
Home Secretary Sets Out New “Earned Settlement” Rules – What They Mean For You
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has confirmed the government’s final plans for how long people will have to wait before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Speaking in the Commons on 2 November 2026, she said settlement will no longer be almost automatic after five years. From now on it will be earned, based […]
£50 Million in Assets Frozen: What the CPS’s Latest Unexplained Wealth Order Means for Property Owners and Businesses
Owning valuable property or having substantial wealth does not, in itself, mean that a person has done anything unlawful. However, where the authorities have grounds to question how particular assets were acquired, English law provides an investigative procedure that can require an explanation of their origin – even when no criminal charge has been brought. […]
Selling a Business with a Commercial Lease: Why Is Landlord’s Consent Important?
When selling a business, such as a restaurant, takeaway, hair salon or retail shop, the seller may also need to transfer their existing commercial lease to the buyer. This is known as an assignment of lease. However, selling a business does not automatically mean that the buyer can take over the premises. Most commercial leases […]
Immigration Changes Announced by Chancellor in 2026 Budget
Yesterday’s Budget contained a handful of immigration announcements aimed at making it easier for UK businesses to attract and keep highly skilled people. The government says it wants “the most pro-business migration system in Europe for highly skilled workers”. The main points are as follows. Written by Mahfuz Ahmed, Immigration Supervisor Salary thresholds for […]
Resealing a Foreign Grant of Probate: Dealing with UK Assets After a Death Abroad
When someone dies abroad leaving money, shares or a property in England and Wales, the grant of probate issued where they lived is often not enough on its own. UK banks and share registrars usually want to see an English grant, and HM Land Registry will not deal with property here without one. That is […]
Asked to Attend a Custody Suite: Are You Going Home Afterwards?
You have been told by the police to attend a custody suite. Perhaps the investigation has been continuing for some time and the police now want to deal with the allegation formally. The word “custody” immediately raises an obvious concern: if you go in, are you going to be allowed to go home? Attending a […]