Blog
Remote hearings and witness evidence
Remote hearings come with particular difficulties. One obvious difficulty is that the parties cannot see each other as well as they might in the courtroom. But how much of a problem is this? If the demeanour of witnesses (or indeed parties) is relevant to an issue to be decided by the Court, then restrictions on […]
Unexplained Wealth Orders: The Weapon Against Dirty Money
Unexplained Wealth Orders: The Weapon Against Dirty Money – National Crime Agency -v- Baker & Others [2020] EWHC 822 (Admin) What is an Unexplained Wealth Order? Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWO’s) were introduced into law through section 1 of the Criminal Finances Act 2017 by inserting section 362A to I into Part 8 of the Proceeds […]
Changes to capital gains tax reliefs when spouses and civil partners separate
PLEASE NOTE: This article on ‘Changes to capital gains tax reliefs when spouses and civil partners separate’ does not constitute nor contain tax advice, but is merely meant to be informative. Individuals should always seek tax advice from appropriately regulated experts. Among all the other changes being made to people’s financial arrangements, firstly as a result […]
Commercial Tenants & Rent Arrears – Coronavirus Act 2020
The most commonly used remedy to recover rent is to forfeit the lease either by peaceable re-entry or by court proceedings. Both the High Court and the County Court have jurisdiction to grant relief from forfeiture for non-payment of rent on terms as to payment of rent and costs. Most applications will be made in […]
Re Carluccio’s Limited (in administration)
Re Carluccio’s Limited (in administration) [2020] EWHC 886 (Ch) – first piece of judicial guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. It should be noted from the outset that Snowden J’s judgment in Re Carluccio’s is not binding. There were no representative employees or interested parties during the remote video hearing so the judgment does […]
IFLA Children Scheme: Binding decisions with minimal delay
Following the successful launch and running of the financial remedy and property arbitration scheme set up by Institute of Family Law Arbitrators (IFLA)[1] in February 2012, in July 2016 IFLA commenced the Children Scheme. Its aim is to provide parties with an alternative to Court, and is particularly useful when a dispute has reached the […]
The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations 2020
A Practical Guide to The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations 2020 Justin Gau introduces us to The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations 2020. The regulations were introduced as a response to the serious and imminent threat to public health posed by the Coronavirus. In accordance with section 45R of the Public Health (Control of Disease) […]
Remote Mediation and the COVID-19 pandemic
With the pandemic crisis showing little sign of abating and HM Government’s lockdown measures taking effect, the traditional system of Civil and Family Justice in England and Wales, by means of Court or Tribunal based litigation, has significantly slowed. In their most recent ‘Message to Circuit and District Judges in Civil and Family’, dated 9th […]
ADR – Compromise in COVID-19 lockdown
With the courts shutting their doors to the majority of litigants following the outbreak of Coronavirus, now more than ever parties and their lawyers are turning their minds to alternative dispute resolution (ADR). From virtual mediations to remote ENEs and arbitrations, there are plenty of forms of ADR which can be conducted effectively during […]
The impact of Covid-19 on some high-profile businesses so far
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the UK government has introduced the following range of business support measures: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furloughing); Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme; Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme; Self-employment Income Support Scheme; Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (England only); Cash Grant for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure […]
Family Law Arbitration: Is it for me?
On 22nd February 2012 a new method of alternative dispute resolution was launched to assist parties to resolve their family problems: arbitration. Arbitration in Family Law developed at around the time when the scope of legal aid was being restricted as a result of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and […]
Lucy’s Law
On Monday 6 April 2020, the Government brought into force new legislation in England to ban the commercial third-party sale of puppies and kittens, under six months old, by anyone other than a registered breeder. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 provided for the licensing of persons in England to […]