Will new laws make divorce quicker and cheaper?
Overview A 10-week government consultation launched on 5th June 2026 with the main aim to strengthen financial and inheritance rights for unmarried cohabiting couples. However, the consultation may also have an impact on divorcing couples. Changes for divorcing couples The consultation also highlights concerns with the current legal framework governing how finances are divided on […]
Unmarried Couples: Stronger Rights in Sight
Overview A 10-week government consultation launched on 5th June 2026 to strengthen financial and inheritance rights for unmarried cohabiting couples. The way families are formed in England and Wales has changed significantly over the past 50 years, but the law has not kept pace with the evolution of modern families. The consultation, which has been […]
Insolvency risk in commercial property deals: What buyers and lenders need to know in 2026
Commercial property investors and lenders are increasingly encountering counterparties under financial stress. When insolvency intersects with a property disposal, two distinct legal risks dominate: Void dispositions where a petition is pending; and “Transactions at an undervalue” that may be unwound. Understanding both and ensuring that proportionate checks are built into your deal workflow, can prevent […]
Building regulations for commercial property: What investors, landlords and developers need to know in 2026
The building control landscape has shifted significantly in the last few years. For commercial stakeholders, the direction of travel is clear: earlier engagement, clearer accountability, and more robust evidence of compliance across a building’s life cycle. This article highlights the practical implications for acquisitions, development and asset management, and sets out steps to protect value […]
Construction and Planning Update – August 2026 – Top Five
Here are our top five for August: 1. Director’s duties considered by the Supreme Court Saxon Woods v Costa concerned a director’s decision to delay the sale of a company in breach of a Shareholder’s Agreement (SHA). Had the director breached a duty under s172 Companies Act 2006, by pursuing a different sale strategy from […]
COP Training Morning Brings Expert Insight on Welfare Benefits, Personal Injury Trusts and Employment Law
Davies and Partner’s specialist Court of Protection (COP) team recently hosted a dedicated training morning, bringing together legal and financial professionals to share expertise and strengthen knowledge across key areas. Head of Court of Protection Emma Costin and Head of Employment Alex Lyttle were delighted to welcome Adam Booth and Ian Woodall from Chase de […]
Will Forgery
Will fraud and forged wills are serious and can amount to a criminal offence under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 and the Fraud Act 2006 and are grounds for challenging a will in the Civil Courts. Fraud or forgery? Fraud is a broad term that covers tampering with, altering or destroying a will. It […]
Construction and Planning Update – June 2026 – Top Five
Here are our top five for June: 1. Scorchio! From a TV show in the 1990s, this word is making a comeback in our office. On a serious note, for construction workers the heat can be very dangerous. For our construction company and site manager readers, please have a look at the HSE link below. […]
Ex-wife sits in public gallery at Southwark Crown Court and increases her divorce settlement from £170,000 to a further £6.6m
Many people will have read the headlines of wife securing an increase to her earlier financial settlement by millions. This is a real success story and one that inspires confidence in the powers of the family court. Further it shows that the family judges are willing to apply the full force of the law to […]
Adult children can succeed in Inheritance Act Claims – Lessons from McDaniel v Talbot [2026]
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Under the law of England and Wales, a person is generally free to leave their estate to whomever they choose. However, this can lead to situations where a person who would reasonably expect to inherit receives very little or nothing at all. The provisions in the […]
