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What is a Self-Contained Part of a Building? Court of Appeal Rules

Under Section 72 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 , the right to manage can only be acquired if the premises consist of a self-contained building or part of a building. Section 72(3) specifies that for a part of a building to be...

Increase in Probate Application Fee

On 13 July 2026, the fee charged when applying for probate increased significantly, from £300 to £526. The fee applies where the value of the estate is more than £5,000. There is no fee for estates of £5,000 or less. If probate has...

Sister Did Not Sign Property Transfer Form, FTT Rules

Under Paragraph 5(a) of Schedule 4 to the Land Registration Act 2002 , the Land Register may be altered for the purpose of correcting a mistake. Recently, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) granted an application for alteration of the Register by a woman who...

Order for Sale of Family Home Cannot be Granted After Wife's Death

The Family Court has concluded that it had no jurisdiction to hear a man's application for an order for sale of the former matrimonial home following his ex-wife's death, finding that personal rights and obligations arising under the Matrimonial Causes Act...

Woman Wins Defamation Settlement Against Overseas Newspaper

Seeking redress for defamatory statements can often be complex, but it is certainly not impossible. Recently, a woman succeeded in obtaining damages from a journalist who had misrepresented what she had said in an interview with him, as well as from an...

Cousin's Daughters Both Entitled to Benefit Under Ambiguous Will

Imprecise drafting in a will is a recipe for litigation and dispute later on. A recent High Court decision on the interpretation of an ambiguous clause in a man's will illustrates the kinds of issues that can arise. The man had made a will in 2007 leaving...

Void Marriage Means Declaration of Marital Status Cannot Be Made

Under Section 58(5) of the Family Law Act 1986 , the courts cannot make a declaration that a marriage was void at its inception. That recently proved fatal to an application for a declaration as to marital status by a husband who had undergone a marriage...

Dog Training Business Compensated for HS2 Compulsory Purchase

Businesses whose premises are compulsorily acquired are entitled to compensation for loss of profits and any reduction in the value of the business, as well as the value of the premises themselves. Recently, the Upper Tribunal (UT) found that compensation...

Homeowners' Boundary Determination Application Rejected

When applying for a boundary determination, it is crucial to gather as much evidence as you can in support of your application. Recently, a couple's application for a determination of part of the boundary between their home and neighbouring land was...

Palliative Care in Elderly Woman's Best Interests, Court Rules

When deciding what is in the best interests of a patient who lacks capacity, the courts will take into account any wishes and feelings the patient has previously expressed but will consider them in the context of all the evidence. Recently, the Court of...
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