Coronavirus leads to surge in new Wills and LPAs by elderly
March 31st 2020The coronavirus outbreak has led to a 30% increase in the number of elderly people wishing to write new wills or grant power of attorney. Ian Bond, chair of the Law Society’s wills and equity committee, told The Daily Telegraph that law firms throughout the country had had seen a “huge spike” in the number of queries over the last two months. Most of the requests were from elderly or…
Businesses that fail to pay rent due to Covid-19 won’t be evicted
March 30th 2020Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent due to Covid-19 will be protected from eviction under new legislation. Many landlords and tenants are already having conversations and reaching voluntary arrangements about rental payments, but the government says it recognises that businesses struggling with their cashflow due to coronavirus remain worried. The emergency Coronavirus Act provides that no business will be forced out of their premises if they miss a payment…
Tenancy law reforms ‘will knock down barriers’ for farmers
March 27th 2020The government is introducing legal reforms to provide greater flexibility for tenant farmers. It says the Agricultural Holdings Act (AHA) will provide greater flexibility in tenancy law, bring legislation into the 21st century and make it fit for purpose for modern farming needs. Amendments include repealing the minimum succession retirement age of 65 to provide tenants with the flexibility to decide when it is right for them to retire and…
Coronavirus update – business continues
March 27th 2020Following the most recent Government announcements we want to let our clients know we are still here to help you through this challenging time. For the safety and wellbeing of our staff and visitors we have closed our office doors, but very much remain open for business, with our teams working remotely to continue to provide you with our services. Our phone lines are open, and your call will be…
Coronavirus and Mortgage Payment Holidays
March 26th 2020As Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors are members of the UK200Group we are able to share with you the following information on Coronavirus and Mortgage Payment Holidays which has been brought to our attention by Ann Bibby, Vice Chair of the UK200Group Tax Panel and Partner, Ellacotts. She has received the below from Andrew Green, Caboodle Financial Services Ltd. We hope you will find this beneficial and we will continue to keep…
Summary of the UK Government’s policy on ‘Furlough’ and the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme
March 24th 2020As Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors are members of the UK200Group we are able to share with you the latest advice on ‘Furlough’ from Helen Spencer FCIPD, Managing Partner Whittingham Riddell. We hope you will find this beneficial and we will continue to keep you informed of any useful advice during this difficult time. Q: What does the word ‘furlough’ mean? Furlough generally means a temporary leave of absence from work. This…
Tenant fails to get extra compensation for building work noise
March 24th 2020A tenant has lost his appeal to increase the compensation offered by the landlord for noise and disturbance caused by building work. The tenant was a dentist. In 2010 he had purchased a practice and had taken over the lease of its premises, which had a rent of £14,500 per annum. The landlord began works to convert the rest of the building into a hotel. No works took place at…
Ultra running solicitor starts her ideal job with leading legal firm in dream location
March 23rd 2020Ultra running solicitor Krystal Garnett couldn’t be in a better place today when it comes to starting her new job. Krystal has landed her ideal role at top legal firm Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors in a part of the country she loves. “I am so excited to get started. Cartmell Shepherd has such a good reputation, they are held in such high regard, I know they are one of the best…
Access to help for Businesses – Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 19th 2020Following on from the Budget and the announcement this week from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Government has announced a package of measures to help businesses deal with the coronavirus. The help available is in a number of forms: – Business rates reductions, and grants for businesses who have low rate bills – Extending statutory sick pay (SSP), and allowing employers to reclaim it. – More scope for deferring…
MPs call for root and branch reforms to cut inheritance tax
March 19th 2020A group of MPs have called for root and branch reforms of the inheritance tax system, including a cut in the standard rate from 40% to 10%. They also want to scrap most of the current tax reliefs, including the seven-year rule that allows you to pass on wealth without any tax implications. Instead, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Inheritance and Intergenerational Fairness wants a new annual allowance of £30,000…
