The emphasis on settlement of cases before the issue of proceedings or at any point before trial is very much part and parcel of the Civil Procedure Rules from their inception in England & Wales. The courts are fully aware of their powers to disallow a party’s costs for failing to mediate the resolution of […]
In a case where an estate is otherwise taxable (having taken into account relevant personal, spousal or other available allowances) the value of any specific gifts made out to charities in a Will are also not included as part of the taxable estate of a deceased. This is the case even where the gift may […]
After many years as the head of Private Client here at Harland & Co., Stephen Morgan has decided to retire from practice as a solicitor. Stephen will be pursuing his hobbies of photography and motor racing (but not at the same time!) Everyone at Harland & Co will be sad to see him go as […]
We are pleased to confirm that Elizabeth Dunn has joined us within the Private Client Department at Harland & Co. Elizabeth is a qualified solicitor dealing with all private client matters including the preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Elizabeth will also assist clients with administration of deceased estates. Welcome aboard Elizabeth!
We are pleased to announce that Kevin Grant has accepted an offer to become a Director at Harland & Co. Kevin has been with us since 2006 and has provided a wide range of Civil Litigation and Employment Law services to clients. Over the last 5 years Kevin has also developed a full Private Client […]
A case in the Oxford County Court highlighted the factual balance that often needs to be struck in deciding the lawfulness of surveillance activities when set against conflicting rights to privacy. A homeowner had placed several cameras about his property, ostensibly for surveillance reasons to protect his home and car. However, the range of view […]
On 1 January 2022 the Inheritance Tax (Delivery of Accounts)(Excepted Estates)(Amendment) Regulations 2020 come into force. This regulation confirms that administrators for a person domiciled in the UK with an excepted estate, who dies on or after 1 January 2022, no longer needs to complete the IHT 205 or IHT 217 (where applicable). However, the process […]
Court fees for civil cases have been increased from 30th September 2021. The latest increase comes after the Government’s response to consultation within the sector. As ever, the issue has been to permit the proper funding of the court system whilst seeking to maintain access to justice. For claims on the Fast Track (value between […]
By Dorothy Appleby At the beginning of this year I found myself reading article after article following the UK Government’s Office for Tax Simplification report about the failings of our convoluted inheritance tax system. They had proposed monumental, sweeping reforms including scrapping the nil rate band system altogether, along with all the extensive exemptions and […]
Changes to the Civil Procedure Rules are finally due to come into force in May 2021 in respect of damages for pain and suffering caused by whiplash arising out of certain Road Traffic Accidents. Under the new rules, a potential claimant will not be able to recover their legal costs if the value of the […]