Understanding SDLT on Mixed Use Property: Essential Guide for Buyers
The rules around SDLT can become complex, particularly where you already hold a mixed-use property and subsequently acquire a residential property. Are you entitled to first-time buyers’ relief? Do you have to pay the higher rates of SDLT if you want to purchase a residential property? This depends on whether HMRC views your existing property […]
Is the Home Office’s record-breaking crackdown on sponsor licences the right approach?
The Home Office has revoked an unprecedented number of sponsor licences over the past year, with 1,948 licences stripped from employers between July 2024 and June 2025. This represents more than double the 937 sponsor licence revocations in the previous 12 months, according to information we obtained from the government’s recent announcement. To put these […]
HMOs and Planning Permission – What Every Landlord Needs to Know
If you are purchasing a buy to let and intend to enter the renting market, you should understand the term HMO – House in Multiple Occupation. Crucially, you may also need planning permission depending to your local council’s rules. HMO licensing and planning permission are two separate legal requirements – failure to comply can amount […]
Party Wall Agreement – Does No Response Mean Consent?
Are you a homeowner who is planning to extend your home, convert your loft, or carry out any building work near a shared wall or boundary? If you fit that criteria, then do not ignore the Party Wall Act 1996. A lack of response from your neighbour does not automatically mean a party wall agreement […]
UK Could Suspend Visas for Countries That Refuse to Accept Returns
The Home Office has announced significant new measures targeting countries that delay or refuse to accept the return of their nationals who have no legal right to remain in the UK. This development means that the UK could suspend visas for countries that refuse to accept returns and marks a notable shift in Britain’s approach […]
In a Short, Childless Marriage, How Does Non-Disclosure in Pre-Nups Affect Financial Provision Upon Divorce?
This article explores a recent and interesting Court of Appeal decision: Helliwell v Entwistle [2025] EWCA Civ 1055. The case highlights how non-disclosure has the potential to invalidate pre-nuptial agreements. Background The parties, both in their early forties, met each other in August 2016 and married in July 2019. Their marriage lasted approximately three years […]
Who is Liable if a Child is Injured in a UK Shopping Centre?
A recent enquiry we received came from a parent who had taken her two children shopping. Whilst playing, one of the children fell and sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment. Her question was: Is the shopping centre responsible for compensating her child’s injury? Understanding Liability in Shopping Centres In the UK, businesses owe a duty […]
Top 5 UK Immigration Updates – September 2025
At Lisa’s Law, we regularly monitor UK immigration news to keep clients informed. Here are the top five recent UK immigration updates affecting visas, asylum, and immigration enforcement in England and Wales: UK-Iraq Deportation Agreement Shows Early Impact; Asylum Appeals Undergo Major Reform Recently, the UK government issued announcements regarding international cooperation and domestic […]
Can WhatsApp Messages Form a Legally Binding Contract in the UK?
In today’s digital age, instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp, iMessage, and Slack are widely used for both personal and professional communication. But can WhatsApp messages form contracts in the UK? A recent High Court case shows that the answer is yes – even a short message or 👍 emoji could potentially create a legally […]
Expansion of the “Deport Now, Appeal Later” Scheme: What It Means for You
The UK Government has recently announced an expansion of the “Deport Now, Appeal Later” policy, as part of its wider immigration reform agenda known as the Plan for Change. This policy, originally limited to foreign nationals from 8 countries, will now apply to individuals from 23 countries. What is the “Deport Now, Appeal […]