Large family fortunes are commonly held in complicated trust structures and that can give rise to difficulties in the event of divorce. However, a big money case in which a wife was awarded a seven-figure sum showed that family judges are more than capable of
Negotiations for the sale of high-value goods are often tense and fast-moving and it can be difficult to piece together after the event exactly what was said and done. The Court of Appeal, however, confronted just such a task in upholding an art dealer’s claim
Social housing providers are obliged to pay particular regard to the needs of disabled tenants. However, as a guideline High Court ruling showed, that is not a trump card which can be used automatically to defeat attempts to evict nuisance neighbours. The case concerned a
Is it directly or indirectly discriminatory that men are paid less when on shared parental leave than women on maternity leave? In a ground-breaking decision, the Court of Appeal has answered that burning question in the negative. Women are entitled to 52 weeks’ leave after
Property disputes between former cohabiting couples are sadly familiar, but taking legal advice when love is still blooming can in the long run make all the difference in achieving a swift resolution. A woman who wisely did just that defeated a claim by her ex-partner
When partnerships are dissolved, the usual rule is that their assets must be sold on the open market and the proceeds divided. In one case, however, the High Court took a different course in honouring a farmer’s wish that his land should remain within his
There are sadly those who view road accidents as an opportunity to mount dishonest or inflated compensation claims. However, as one case showed, developments in the law, combined with the motor insurance industry’s increasing vigilance, mean that they are likely to end up cheating no-one
When companies collapse without warning, shocked employees can be left high and dry. However, as a case concerning a troubled package holiday company showed, those who swiftly take legal advice are not without Government-backed protection. The company had encountered severe financial difficulties, in part due
No public authority in a civilised society can raise taxes, duties or other levies without lawful authority. That fundamental principle was rigorously applied by the High Court in ordering the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to repay hundreds of millions of pounds unlawfully levied from four
To what extent are the tax authorities entitled to delve into what would otherwise be your private financial information? The High Court tackled that issue in authorising disclosure of a wealthy businessman’s credit card statements to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as part of a
