Architects, surveyors and other property professionals often refer to the ‘elevations’ of buildings – but what exactly does the word mean? In a guideline ruling, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has resolved that question in the context of a landlord and tenant dispute. The case concerned
The High Court has ruled in a guideline case that a group of food and drink delivery drivers who can substitute others to perform their roles are not ‘workers’. The decision spelt defeat for a trade union which had sought recognition in order to represent
What happens to the property of a company that is dissolved and then subsequently restored to the register? In providing an authoritative answer to that question, the High Court delved into arcane and complex doctrines of medieval property law. A company which owned the freehold
There are few thornier subjects than inheritance and failing to sign a professionally drafted will can leave those who live on after you with a burning sense of grievance. In an extreme example, a couple were jailed after resorting to fraud in a bid to
Money, once parted with, can be very hard to recover and sensible people seek legal advice before handing over cash even to their loved ones. The point was powerfully made by a case in which a woman lent six-figure sums to a boyfriend who turned
When it comes to major infrastructure projects, a difficult balance frequently has to be struck between economic benefits and environmental protection. A High Court case on point concerned proposals to build a dual carriageway across parkland in order to improve traffic flow to an expanding
The annual Christmas party gives employers the opportunity to thank members of staff for their contribution over the past year and is a chance for everyone to relax and enjoy the holiday season. However, it is easy to forget that an employer owes its employees
Negligent mistakes are sometimes made in busy hospital accident and emergency departments and, where injuries result, doctors would agree that fair compensation should be paid. In a case on point, lawyers representing a girl who had both legs amputated after twice being sent home from
An architectural designer who was controversially found to owe friends a duty of care, although she had provided her services in respect of a garden landscaping project free of charge, has defeated their six-figure professional negligence claim. A couple with whom the designer was on
In big money divorce cases, much is made of the distinction between the so-called sharing principle and needs-based assessments of financial entitlements. However, as a High Court ruling in one such case clearly showed, family judges are in fact focused on just one thing –
