Laws and regulations within the UK are constantly changing. A reliable solicitor’s firm will keep on top of possible changes and discussions surrounding the law, to keep their services up to date and compliant. As someone involved in a legal dispute, it can be difficult to understand the workings and mechanisms of the law, but luckily, you don’t need full knowledge of the various rules and regulations to build a successful case. Here at Van Eaton Solicitors in Streatham, our experts are here to help.

Whenever propositions are made concerning changing the law, you can rest assured that we will make ourselves aware, providing you with the very best service possible. There are a few changes to the law and regulations concerning civil litigation that may affect your case in the coming months. If you need to discuss how this affects you, you can contact us for a free consultation today…

 

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill

One of the most prominent changes to civil litigation, and one of the biggest family law shake-ups in recent years, is the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation bill. As it currently stands, to secure a divorce in the UK, you need sufficient reason. Examples include adultery, unreasonable behaviour, and desertion, but either way, blame needs to be placed. This can be tricky for couples who have simply fallen out of love and want a clean, blameless divorce. Placing blame can lead to tensions that were not there previously, turning amicable relationships sour. Luckily, this will all change from the 6th of April 2022.

Married couples and those in civil partnerships can now separate without placing blame upon either party. The intention is to reduce the hostility involved in most divorce proceedings, which are more likely to arise if children are involved. Instead of having to prove that a marriage has irretrievably broken down, the parties involved must sign a sole or joint statement that their marriage cannot be salvaged. It can also prevent the proceedings from being dragged out by one party contesting the divorce. To allow both parties to ‘cool off’ and reflect, parties must wait 20 weeks from the submission of their wishes for a divorce before an order can be granted.

Here at Van Eaton Solicitors in Streatham, we have years of experience in helping couples achieve a solution during divorce proceedings. To find out more about our family law services, please visit us on our website here.

 

National Security and Investment Act 2021

Businesses will also face changes to the law in terms of how they operate in the UK. The National Security and Investment Act 2021 came into effect on the 4th January 2022, and requires businesses looking to buy certain UK companies, to notify the Government of their intentions, allowing them to review related deals in the interest of national security. If the business secretary believes the merger could compromise British interests, they have the power to impose conditions.

Also, businesses that pay corporation tax will be expected to pay a set rate of 19% for all ‘non-ring fenced’ profits of more than £250,000. Commercial litigation disputes can arise between companies and partners, and these new laws could possibly cause tensions between business partners and what they think is best for their business. If you would like to find out more, you can discover details about our commercial litigation solicitors here.

 

Increase in Probate Fees

When someone passes away, their loved ones will usually want to start distributing their estate as efficiently as possible. If the deceased left a will, the executors must apply for a grant of probate to begin distributing their assets. There is currently a fee of £155 for professionals such as solicitors applying for probate, and £215 for those who wish to apply themselves. However, early this year, the Government wishes to bring these prices in line with each other, with a fee of £273 to become applicable.

This is the third time in six years that proposals to raise the fee have been made, but they are now beginning to take shape. The Government’s justification is that the probate service is currently operating at a loss, and they need to cover their costs. Applying for probate should be a smooth process, but caveats can be lodged by those wishing to dispute the distribution of the estate. If you find yourself embroiled in a legal dispute, our contentious probate solicitors are here to help.

 

How We Can Help; Our Dedicated Solicitors in Streatham

Here at Van Eaton Solicitors in Streatham, our qualified legal experts have years of experience in handling a range of civil litigation cases. To arrange a free consultation, you can give us a call on 0208 769 6739, and we will be happy to assist. Also, you could fill out our online form here.