Covid-19 Hub

Please see below links to important and useful information regarding legal services during the coronavirus pandemic.

We will be closing our doors to the public, unless advised otherwise, and will be taking new instructions over the phone. We are endeavouring to continue a normal service to our clients. If you have any queries relating to legal advice or services amidst lock-down, please don't hesitate to contact us. 






 

Latest Posts

Charity premises and land transactions - avoid the traps

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Charities enjoy favourable tax status but must follow a range of statutory rules, and this includes obligations in regard to leasing premises and property transactions.  The trustees must take care to follow the proper process if they want to sell or...

Employers' guide to dyslexia in the workplace

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‘One in ten people are estimated to have dyslexia according to the British Dyslexia Association,’ says Kenneth Amakye , an Associate Solicitor in the employment team. ‘Dyslexia awareness week runs from 2 - 8 October 2023, and charities...

Promises, promises - when do you have a legally binding contract?

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While some business transactions are quick and simple, many involve protracted negotiations as you shop around for the best provider of goods or services and negotiate hard to get the best terms and conditions. Some businesses in your supply chain may have a...

Can I amend our divorce settlement due to a chronic health condition?

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During a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership, there are a number of factors that must be taken into account when dividing financial assets.  These factors include any mental or physical disability of either spouse or civil partner and what...

Could your digital art or crypto assets be lost to obscurity?

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Part of the success of TV shows like the BBC Antiques Roadshow is the thrill when a long-cherished family heirloom turns out to be surprisingly valuable, for example a piece of china that has been on display in the home for many years. Occasionally, a rare...

Claiming compensation after an accident on a pavement

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Claiming compensation after an accident on a pavement Cuts in public budgets and an inability for planned work to be carried out during the pandemic, has meant that pavements and footpaths are often in a sad state of repair.  Accidents can happen,...

How to negotiate a turnover rent for retail premises

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Turnover rents are increasingly common in retail lettings.  In challenging times, they appeal to tenants because both the landlord and tenant share the risk of trade being adversely affected by the state of the wider economy.  Landlords would...

Talking 'off the record' and settlement agreements

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‘Using a settlement agreement to bring an employment relationship to an end, and effectively wipe the slate clean, can be very useful. But, to start the conversation, employers need to be able to speak off the record,’ says Selwan Yousif , one...

How long does probate take?

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When someone passes away, it is a very challenging and difficult time for those who knew them personally. Bailey & Cogger Solicitors is fully aware that if you are a family member or friend responsible for dealing with the deceased person’s...

Getting employees back to the office

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Getting employees back to the office According to the Office for National Statistics, before the Covid pandemic only one in eight working adults reported working from home at least once during the previous seven days. This figure peaked at 49 per cent...

Should you drag along or tag along as an investor?

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Becoming a minority shareholder or investor in a business may lead you to believe that, given the limited rights you will have, there are not many important considerations to take into account. However, even a minority investor needs to protect their...

Selling spare land on a commercial site

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If you own a commercial property which is larger than you need, selling part of it could be a good way to release value.  Before you start, it is vital to have a clear idea of how the division will work from a practical point of view. This will ensure...

Planning for success in a partnership merger

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Where there is a good cultural alignment, a merger can offer numerous benefits to two smaller partnerships, particularly in terms of sharing costs and resources, and access to economies of scale while potentially also reducing competition. ‘There are...

When Is Probate Required?

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When an individual passes away, there are a number of matters which the executor of the Will or the administrator of the estate will need to efficiently handle before beneficiaries are entitled to receive their inheritance. This includes finding out whether...

Buying your first commercial property

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Many would-be investors are drawn to commercial property.  Even in times of economic uncertainty, people like the idea of investing in bricks and mortar which can feel more real than a purely financial investment.  A commercial property can be the...

What do I need to make a Will?

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Discussing life after you pass can be hard to comprehend and acknowledge, and due to the sheer sensitivity of the subject, writing a Will is often something that many people avoid doing. This means many individuals pass away without having a valid Will in...

What is a consent order and do I need one when getting divorced?

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When a couple marries or enters into a civil partnership, their individual finances become one. However, the point to be aware of is that divorce or dissolution does not automatically separate your finances. Upon divorce or dissolution, both parties’...

Our employers' guide to Christmas party fallout

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Christmas parties are a great chance for employees to have fun together and for employers to treat their staff as a ‘thankyou’ for their hard work during the year. An unintended consequence can be that employees take this as a chance to behave...

Developing on brownfield building land

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In a world where green space is increasingly valued for its role in fighting climate change, it makes sense to reuse previously developed sites, often referred to as brownfield land.  It may be easier to get planning consent to develop brownfield land...

Employee benefits; pitfalls to avoid

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Employee recruitment and retention remains challenging for employers and offering an attractive package of benefits can give employers an edge. A wide range of benefits can be offered, including buying or selling annual leave; reduced gym membership; private...

Negotiating a commercial finance agreement

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If you need a cash injection for your business to help with growth costs, or to fund the purchase of plant and equipment, diversification, or expansion, then you will need to think carefully about the finance options open to you and their potential pros and...

Accidents in a care home: residents and visitors

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Nearly half a million people were living in care homes in the United Kingdom in 2021, according to recent figures . Given that many of these residents will be elderly, infirm or both, and the added strain placed on care homes due to the pandemic, it is...

Redeveloping commercial property around your tenant

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Redeveloping parts of a building in your portfolio, to create a more flexible layout or perhaps add additional floors, can be a good way to enhance investment value.  This is easiest in a vacant building, but you may have good tenants and want to...

Investigating employee misconduct: how to get it right

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‘Being dismissed for misconduct can have a devastating impact on an employee’s future job opportunities,’ Kenneth Amakye , an Associate Solicitor in the employment team with Bailey & Cogger. ‘Before fairly dismissing...

Restrictive covenants and development sites

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Even the most promising development can be knocked off course if the land is subject to a restrictive covenant.  Restrictions of this sort can prevent land being built on or being used for specific purposes for many years, even if the development has...