The UK personal tax system may seem complicated and difficult to navigate, but there are several opportunities to reduce your tax bill and save money through annual allowances. As we start a new tax year, WHN’s wealth management team provides a reminder of the tax allowances you should know about in the UK. These helpful deductions enable you to earn a certain amount of income and utilising it without paying tax, and essentially keeping more money in your pocket. 1. Personal Allowance for income tax This is the cornerstone of income tax relief, enabling everyone to earn a basic tax-free amount ..read more

North West law firm Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) has made three new appointments to strengthen the service provided to clients at its Blackburn office. Nick Bennetts (residential property solicitor) and Stacey Power (conveyancer) have both joined the firm’s residential property team while Yasar Khan (solicitor) has joined the family law team. Nick has gained experience at a range of North West law firms, including a four-year spell at Birchall Blackburn and most recently Blackburn-based AMT. He will support clients on a range of residential property matters including freehold ..read more

Assigning a commercial lease involves transferring the lease to another person who then becomes the new tenant. In most cases this may require the consent of the landlord. Nicola Phelps, a director at WHN who specialises in commercial property matters, provides an outline of the process for commercial landlords. The process of assigning a commercial lease happens for several reasons. The existing tenant may wish to leave the commercial premises due to poor business performance, change of circumstances, or perhaps has been approached by another business wishing to take over the lease for their ..read more

There are many reasons a parent may not have provided for one of their children in their will, which could cause surprise and upset to a son or daughter.   This could include a family fallout, a parent remarrying, which changes the family dynamic, or a parent simply choosing to leave a child less than they expected. Katie Lofthouse, associate solicitor in WHN Solicitors’ dispute resolution team, highlights three ways to challenge a deceased parent’s will. English law asserts the importance of respecting the wishes of a deceased person and therefore there is no legal right for a child to i ..read more

The law treats a business as an asset, making its ownership significant in financial matters related to divorce. David Connor is a director at WHN’s Rawtenstall office and leads the firm’s services for individuals and families. He shares key advice on protecting your business in the event of a divorce. A key aspect in determining how a business is viewed in divorce proceedings is how it is structured. It could be run by a sole trader, as a partnership, limited liability partnership or limited company. A trust can also be established to operate a business. Even though a business may be a separa ..read more

Maintaining healthy cash flow is paramount to business success and unpaid debts can significantly impact this, leading to financial strain and operational challenges. A report by credit management company Intrum last year found that UK firms are losing 71 days per year chasing late payments, at a cost of over £27 billion to the UK economy. For businesses looking to recover unpaid debts, engaging a legal professional can prove to be a strong strategic decision. Sara Beaumont, a director based at WHN’s Bury office, and specialist in debt recovery, outlines the key benefits of engaging a professi ..read more

So, you are part of a management team within a limited company and contemplating acquiring the company from its current owners. This is known as a ‘management buyout’ (MBO). Solicitor Justine Harris Hughes from WHN’s corporate and commercial team outlines the process and important considerations when undertaking an MBO, to ensure the process goes smoothly and meets your expectations. If you are considering undertaking an MBO as a management team, a comprehensive understanding of the business offers you a greater advantage. Having an existing relationship with the current owners, suppliers and ..read more

Suspending an employee is generally actioned to temporarily stop the employee carrying out work duties on behalf of an organisation. This is usually to enable their employer to execute a disciplinary or grievance investigation. It is often a difficult process for employers to manage, with serious implications if certain legal procedures regarding the employee’s salary and pay are not followed. WHN employment law expert Michael Shroot explores the consequences if you happen to get it wrong. If an employee is suspended from work while an investigation is carried out, it is important for the empl ..read more

David Connor, director and family law specialist based in WHN’s Rawtenstall office, explains why some couples may consider entering into a nuptial agreement as part of their commitment to getting married. What is a nuptial agreement? A nuptial agreement is a formal written agreement to enable couples to agree how to deal with assets gained during their time together, should their marriage break down in the future. The agreement can also provide for child and/or spousal maintenance and can also outline an agreed pension splitting. A nuptial agreement can be made before a marriage in which case ..read more

The government announced in April 2019 that private landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants from their homes at short notice and without good reason. The government then announced in May 2022 further details of the Renters’ Reform Bill to deliver a ‘new deal’ for renters. In October 2023, the government provided a further update on the progress of the Bill. Solicitor Salma Mahmood, based at WHN’s Bury office, provides an update for landlords on the situation regarding the abolishment of Section 21 notices and the introduction of Renters’ Reform Bill, after the government’s announceme ..read more