Post-Nuptial Agreements: A Vital Tool for Farmers Amidst Upcoming Inheritance Tax Changes
January 23rd 2025As the UK Government prepares to implement significant changes to inheritance tax (IHT) regulations, it is crucial for farmers and their families to consider the benefits of post-nuptial agreements. These agreements can play a pivotal role in estate planning, particularly in the context of transferring assets before death to mitigate tax liabilities. Amy Fallows Senior Associate Solicitor & Head of our Family Law team provides an update. The forthcoming changes to IHT, set…
Landlords get practical advice at commercial property seminar
January 22nd 2025THE complex world of commercial property law was demystified when a panel of legal and financial experts delivered a seminar to industry leaders. Watertight tenancy agreements, protecting the landlord’s position if a tenant defaults, and practical steps to recover debt were subjects topping the agenda at the event. Organised by Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, the breakfast seminar attracted some of Cumbria’s most recognised names in the sector. Landlord Rights: What You…
Wife retains home despite claims brought by husband’s creditors
January 3rd 2025A woman has won the right to keep her family home despite attempts by her husband’s creditors to claim a share of the property following his bankruptcy. Natalie Henderson Solicitor in our dispute team reports on this recent case. The dispute centred on whether the husband, who left the family home after admitting to an affair, had retained any ownership over the property they had bought together during their marriage. The couple purchased…
Positive Trends in SME Valuations Highlight Opportunities for Buyers and Sellers in the UK M&A Market
December 17th 2024As a proud member of the UK200Group, Cartmell Shepherd is delighted to share insights from the 2024 SME Valuation Index, which reveals encouraging trends for businesses considering sales. The Index, compiled by MarktoMarket using data contributed by UK200Group members, highlights robust growth in SME valuations and signals confidence in the UK mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape. Key Highlights: Rising EBITDA Multiples: Median EBITDA multiples increased to 5.4x in 2024, up…
Changes to court rules could lead to more settlements through mediation
December 16th 2024Judges are now more likely to direct businesses involved in legal disputes to seek resolution through mediation or arbitration rather than proceeding to court. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution provides an update. New updates to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) in England and Wales, effective from 1 October, emphasise alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as a key part of civil litigation. The changes follow the Court of Appeal’s decision in…
Cartmells Christmas Legal Facts
December 13th 2024Join us as we count down the 12 days of Christmas with fun, practical, and surprising legal facts to keep you informed this holiday season! Day 1: Christmas Leave Facts “Did you know? Employers in the UK are not legally required to give you Christmas or Boxing Day off unless it’s in your contract. Holiday leave must follow your terms of employment — so plan ahead!” Day 2: Gift Return…
Builders win dispute over cancelling contract due to late payments
December 5th 2024A building firm has won its legal argument that it was entitled to terminate a construction contract without issuing a warning for repeated late payments by the employer. Henry Box, Solicitor in our Dispute Resolution team, reports on this recent case. Hexagon, a housing provider, engaged Providence Building Services Ltd for a £7.2 million accommodation project in Purley, London, under the widely used JCT Design & Build Contract 2016. The…
Christmas Holiday Closure 2024
December 4th 2024As the festive season approaches, we would like to thank all our clients, colleagues and partners for your trust and support this year. Our offices will be closed from 24th December at 12 noon and we will reopen on 2nd January 2025 at 9am ready to assist you with all your legal needs. For urgent matters during this period, you can contact us via the 24 hour enquiry line on…
Solicitor promoted after return to firm where she trained
December 2nd 2024A solicitor has been promoted less than 12 months after returning to the law firm where she trained. Hexham-based Nicholson Portnell Solicitors has appointed Laura Murphy to the role of Senior Associate Solicitor. Laura initially joined Nicholson Portnell in 2008 as a trainee and worked there for eight years, qualifying as a solicitor in 2010. She returned last December after time away working for a Newcastle city centre law firm…
Judge halts mother’s court action after children refused contact
November 29th 2024A mother’s application to re-establish contact with her four children has been rejected by the court after the children expressed strong opposition to seeing her. Amy Fallows Senior Associate Solicitor & Head of our Family Law team reports on this case. Her Honour Judge Suh concluded that forcing the children into direct contact would harm their emotional well-being, stating that “their welfare is my number one concern”. The children, aged between 9 and…
