How will the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 impact landlords?
January 30th 2026The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces the biggest changes to the private rented sector in decades. Coming into force on1st May 2026, the legislation will affect how tenancies operate, how rent is reviewed and how landlords meet new compliance standards. Understanding the key changes early will help landlords prepare, protect rental income and avoid penalties. What’s changing? From ending fixed term tenancies to new rules for tenants with children and…
Government announces major uplift to Inheritance Tax Threshold
January 23rd 2026Emma Pringle, Senior Associate Solicitor at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors provides an update on the government’s inheritance tax (IHT) reforms and their impact on succession planning for farmers. After 14 months of campaigning and protests across the country, the government has watered down its proposals to tax inherited farmland. The new £1 million threshold on IHT relief will be increased to £2.5 million when the changes come into force in April…
New crackdown on directors trying to avoid their company debts
January 20th 2026The Insolvency Service is setting up a new team to tackle rogue directors who try to avoid paying their company debts. Carly Davies, our Debt Recovery Manager, reports. The Abusive Phoenixism Taskforce will have a staff of 50 people to investigate suspicious company insolvencies. It will have a budget of £25m. The service’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement Services, Dave Magrath, said: “This is welcome funding which will help the Insolvency Service tackle rogue directors…
Father wins appeal against order allowing his son to be relocated to Cornwall
January 16th 2026A father has successfully appealed a decision that would have allowed his three-year-old son to move to Cornwall, after a High Court judge found the mother’s relocation plan lacked the evidence needed for such a significant change. Sarah Tweedie, Associate Solicitor in our Family Law team, reports on this recent case. Recorder Williams overturned the earlier ruling made in March 2025, concluding that the district judge had been wrong to…
Court of Appeal confirms that simple email exchange created binding contract
January 13th 2026The Court of Appeal has ruled that a brief exchange of emails was enough to create a legally binding commercial contract, even though the parties expected to sign a longer written agreement later. The court said that where key terms are agreed and both sides behave as if a deal is done, the law will treat it as binding. Joseph Halvorsen, Solicitor Apprentice, reports on this recent case. The case…
Divorce dispute over husband’s alleged ‘sham £1.6m loan’ to be reheard
January 7th 2026A divorce case in which the husband allegedly arranged a ‘sham £1.6m loan’ as a way of thwarting the wife’s financial remedy claim is to be reheard. Liz Wilson, Senior Associate Solicitor in our Family team, reports on this recent case. The husband said the money had been advanced by his brother’s company and used in part to help buy the family home in London. He argued that the debt reduced the…
Begin 2026 with peace of mind
January 5th 2026As we step into a new year, many people focus on healthy habits and fitness goals. But January is also the ideal time to review and update your legal affairs. Deborah Flynn, Head of Wills, Probate and Inheritance at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors is encouraging local people to begin 2026 with a legal health check. A legal health check can provide peace of mind for you and your family, ensuring your…
Cartmell Shepherd Wrapped 2025
December 19th 2025Managing Director Joanne Stronach reflects on a successful 2025 at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors Like many businesses, the run up to Christmas at Cartmell Shepherd is a busy time, as our teams work to meet deadlines and plan for the year ahead. Amidst the Christmas rush, it’s easy to forget to pause and reflect on progress made over the past year, so in this article, I’d like to do just that.…
Cartmell Shepherd supports Hexham Tennis Club’s padel court success
December 8th 2025Deemed “the fastest growing sport in Britain” by the Lawn Tennis Association, padel tennis is experiencing a rapid surge in popularity. Figures show that participation more than tripled last year, with new courts springing up across the country. Hexham Tennis Club was among the first in the Northeast to embrace the trend, opening its own padel court supported by Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors. One year on and the court has been…
Avoid cash flow problems – set clear Credit Terms from day one
December 2nd 2025Late payment is one of the most common causes of financial stress for businesses. A company can be profitable on paper but still struggle if cash is not arriving in time to meet wages, rent and supplier invoices. For many firms, the difference between stability and insolvency lies in how effectively they manage credit. The first step is ensuring that payment terms are set out clearly from the very start.…
