Fixed costs for ‘fast track’ court cases involving claims up to £25,000 apply even when the settlement exceeds £25,000 the Court of Appeal has ruled. The bar for ‘exceptional circumstances’ where higher costs can be awarded has been set at…read more
SRA attacked for freelance solicitors insurance proposal. Published June 2019
Freelance solicitors may be able to provide legal advice without professional indemnity insurance (PII), under new rules proposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The plan has been strongly attacked by the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) which say it…read more
Risks of selling property at an undervalue to settle a debt. Published June 2019
Selling a property for less than it is worth to settle a mortgage debt could land the parties in court. Two recent cases show the importance of considering how to obtain the best price for a property. In McDonagh v…read more
HMRC wins £40m case against tax avoidance scheme. Published June 2019
HMRC is set to collect over £40 million in unpaid tax from users of a complex tax avoidance arrangement. The First Tier Tribunal has ruled that the promoters, Hyrax Resources, failed to inform HMRC about the scheme. It has ordered…read more
Social houses may be demolished following restrictive covenant breach. Published June 2019
Thirteen social houses may have to be demolished after a developer deliberately ignored restrictive covenants on the land. The developer’s attempt to have the covenants waived retrospectively was thrown out by the Court of Appeal. Millgate Development built the properties…read more
