Buying a property can be exciting, but for those taking their first steps on the ladder the process can seem overwhelming.  A lot needs to happen before you get the keys to your first property in your hand and there are many stages involved in the conveyancing process that need to be completed.    In this blog, our experienced residential conveyancers give their top tips to first-time buyers to ensure the purchase of their first home goes smoothly.  1. Consider different types of properties. Flats, new-builds, and older homes all have advantages and disadvantages. It is wor ..read more

The introduction of ‘no-fault divorce’ in April 2022 under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 was a milestone in family law.   Previously, spouses who wanted to separate had to cite reasons that involved blame, such as adultery and unreasonable behaviour, when filing for divorce or continue being legally married to their partner until a certain time had passed.  This fault-based system was accused of creating unnecessary conflict between couples, and the process could be costly and time-consuming.  Under the new law, the requirement to prove specific facts and ..read more

Research shows that there are currently around 944,000 people living with dementia in the UK.  With an ageing population fuelling a rise in dementia diagnoses, that number is expected to grow to over 1 million by 2025, and predicted to reach around 1.6 million by 2050, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK.  Dementia mainly affects those over the age of 65, which is also around the time our attention often turns to ensuring we have the necessary legal documents in place to protect ourselves and our loved ones in the future.  However, for those people who have yet to make a Will ..read more

As first-time buyers continue to struggle with the demands of purchasing property in the UK, it is becoming increasingly common for parents, grandparents or other family members to assist children however they can. In November 2023, the average UK house price was £284,950, and the average price for first-time buyers was £236,000. In Gloucestershire, the average price in 2023 was £374,018. In 1999, the average age of a first-time buyer was 29. This has jumped to 34 and has no sign of decreasing. Raising thousands for a deposit can feel out of reach amongst rising prices and consistent uncertai ..read more

In some cases, it may be more appropriate to separate from a partner, either instead of or ahead of divorce or civil partnership dissolution. Ahead of Family Mediation Week 2024, the family law team at Langley Wellington are exploring the benefits of pursuing mediation where separation is appropriate. They also consider the importance of having a separation agreement in place. What is Family Mediation Week? Organised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), the annual event aims to raise awareness about family mediation and the associated benefits for separating couples. Family m ..read more

A common misconception is that if you appoint an executor in your Will, that person will automatically be appointed as your attorney in a Lasting Power of Attorney, or vice versa. However, this is not the case, and each matter should be dealt with separately with the support of a trusted legal professional.   In this article, Langley Wellington’s experienced private client solicitors, based in Gloucestershire, highlight the differences between attorneys and executors and how best you should appoint each. Appointing an Attorney When you select and appoint an attorney, you will do so ..read more

Setting up your own business will be one of the most exciting yet daunting challenges you will likely ever face. Although it can be easy to get caught up in anticipation of what is to come, it is imperative to take the time to consider all of your legal obligations to prevent issues from arising in the future. In this article, Langley Wellington’s commercially minded business law solicitors outline some of the main requirements you must consider when setting up your company. How to Legally Start a Business Since the coronavirus pandemic, the number of people starting businesses in the UK has ..read more

The Building Safety Act 2022 was granted Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. This Act was introduced in response to the Grenfell Fire tragedy in 2017. It aims to manage building safety risks to ensure the safety of people in or about buildings. The Act makes ground-breaking reforms to give residents and homeowners more rights, powers, and protections. Importantly, since 28 June 2022, qualifying leaseholders in England can no longer be charged for cladding remediation. This means that leaseholders will pay nothing to remove dangerous cladding, subject to certain criteria. However, it’s crucial to n ..read more

When a dispute arises, whether in a business or personal matter, and it cannot be resolved between the parties on their own, professional intervention may be sought. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) encompasses a range of techniques for resolving a dispute without involving the court. Almost all matters can be resolved through ADR, from divorce and other personal issues to business matters like employment issues and large-scale commercial disputes. In this article, the Langley Wellington dispute resolution team explore some of the key aspects of Alternative Dispute Resolution. What are th ..read more

According to a briefing paper published by the House of Commons Library, the number of couples choosing to cohabit (live together) in a stable intimate relationship without getting married or entering a civil partnership – informally referred to as ‘common law marriage’ – increased by 144% between 1996 and 2021. Meanwhile, it was predicted that almost half of people in England and Wales in 2019 believed that unmarried couples who live together enjoy the same rights as couples who are legally married. When cohabiting with a partner, the laws that protect married couples regarding fin ..read more