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With a shortage of housing, land is an increasingly valuable commodity. We are seeing a rise in people with large gardens or pieces of land looking to develop another property on the site. Either building an additional property themselves as a business venture; or...
Are you owed a significant amount of money? Reports show that 9 million people in the UK are in serious debt and the average UK household debt is now at a record of £13,000! So with this increase, how do you recover what is owed to you? We look at the steps you need...
The world of injunctions is a tricky one. There are various types, which include: Prohibitory injunctions; Mandatory injunctions; and Freezing injunctions We have looked at injunctions in more detail in a previous article. In this article, we will focus primarily on...
If you bring a professional negligence claim, you may need expert evidence to support your claim. This is particularly useful in cases where the alleged negligence relates to something technical. An expert witness should be able to give evidence to show: What the...
As we have explained in our previous articles, there are a number of hurdles to get over before you can bring a successful professional negligence claim. That the professional owed you a duty of care; That the professional breached that duty of care; and That you have...
We have previously written about the principle of “testamentary freedom” – that is the right to dispose of your estate after you die as you wish. Although an important principle, testamentary freedom is limited by the provisions of the Inheritance (Provision for...
Ten years after the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) was introduced, solicitors and agents see them on almost every sale, purchase or lease transaction. But why are they needed and what do they mean for property owners and prospective purchasers? What is an Energy...
What needs to be done to do to deal with a loved one's estate after their death? We explain probate and the steps that need to be taken. What is probate? Probate is the process that occurs following the death of a loved one whereby the executor or administrator is...
If a professional you have instructed has been negligent, you can sue them in order to recover any losses which their negligence has caused you to suffer. However, it is not always necessary to issue court proceedings in order to recover your losses. It is often...
Unfortunately, there are a number of cases where poor or careless advice leads to serious consequences; from lost money to lost time to missed opportunities. If a professional you have instructed has failed to act in a way that would have been reasonably expected of...
When you are purchasing a property, you are at risk of discovering problems with it after you have completed the purchase. What can you do if problems such as faulty electrics, inadequate building work, leaks or general damage to the property occur within weeks or...
Earlier this month, we looked at how the Court will assess the recoverability of a claimant's loss in a professional negligence claim. We look at the recent case of BPE Solicitors v Hughes-Holland [2017] UKSC 21 which clarifies the SAAMCO concept. Facts of the dispute...
Will-writing has not moved on a huge amount over the last 100 years or so. However, the Law Commission opened a consultation last week to look at bringing the wills process into the 21st century. Why? The will-making process is not always simple, and we would advise...
In carrying out their role in disputes surrounding the Party Wall Act 1996 (“the Act”) surveyors will be asked to make a primary award. They will set out the working conditions for the works to which the Party Wall Act notice relates. But what happens if someone is...
Stamp Duty Land Tax (also known as SDLT or just Stamp Duty) is a type of tax payable on the purchase of land or property in the UK. It is payable to HMRC and the amount payable depends on the value and type of transaction. Your solicitor will be able to advise the...
Architects are often charged with turning people’s dreams into a reality, whether they are transforming homes or commercial premises. Unfortunately, as is the case with many professionals, the service provided by an architect can sometimes fall below the standard of...
Generally speaking, in negligence claims, damages are awarded to put the claimant in the position that they were in before the wrongful act was committed. It may seem that this means that you are entitled to claim for any loss that might be attributed to the wrongful...
When purchasing a property, it is common to instruct a surveyor to carry out a survey and / or valuation of the property. A valuation report is usually required before a mortgage company will confirm that it will lend money to you. While most valuations are carried...
The importance of a well-drafted CFA and explaining it in detail to clients The Senior Courts Costs Office of the High Court has thrown out a conditional fee agreement (CFA) as it was unfair and unreasonable for the client. In Vilvarajah v West London Law Ltd [2017]...
Having instructed a professional to act on your behalf, it is unfortunately not uncommon for you to feel unsatisfied with the service you have received or the work which has been carried out on your behalf. We are regularly instructed by clients who feel that they...
The Queen's speech announced the legislation that the Government intends to implement in the coming year. Many of the proposals related to Brexit, but others focused on matters such as the economy, law reform (including the way whiplash claims are dealt with) and...
Professional negligence can come in all shapes and sizes. Solicitors, accountants, architects and surveyors are just some of the professions who, through their negligence, can have serious negative impact on their clients. In order to bring a successful professional...
Following on from my previous article on administrative restoration, in this article I will look at the other side of the coin; restoration of a company by court order. It is not always possible to restore a company by administrative restoration; indeed it is the...
When operating a business, whether it be a shop, restaurant or an office, you must ensure that you are not breaching either your obligations under your lease or planning laws in using the property in a particular way. For example, if there is planning permission for...
Levi Solicitors LLP is proud to be a sponsor of Wakefield Festival of Beer 2017. The festival, which runs from 23 to 24 June 2017 at Wakefield's Unity Works, will be raising money for three local charities: Wakefield District Down's Syndrome, Wakefield Riding for the...
Levi Solicitors LLP is proud to be the new kit sponsor for the Kippax Welfare Under 7s rugby league team. We think you'll agree that they look very smart in their new kit! The team is made up of Year 1 pupils, including our Practice Manager's son, Daniel. They play in...
We are regularly instructed on boundary positions and the rights and reservations attached to land either side of those boundaries. Establishing boundaries is important for those who own and live in both residential and commercial properties because the boundary of a...
Receiving payment for goods and services provided is fundamental to keep a business running. However, the vast majority of businesses have or will face problems with non-paying customers or clients. With the average consumer debt per household in the UK being...
Losing a loved one can be very difficult. It can be made worse to find out that you have unexpectedly been left out of their will. It is becoming more and more common that people are wanting to challenge wills. More than ever, families are more extended, with step...
The rules surrounding energy efficiency and minimum standards for landlords are changing very soon. Our recent article considered the residential property changes, what they mean and implications for non-compliance of the rules. If you are a landlord of a commercial...
