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Community Interest Companies (CIC) - A viable alternative to Charity Formation?
CICs are limited companies which operate to provide a benefit to the community they serve. Although the fear of the unknown, amongst other reasons, impacted adversely on its adoption by socially-focussed organisations, recent reports suggest that it is increasingly becoming a viable alternative to charities, Ejike Ndaji explains.



Upcoming Changes at Companies House: New Identity Verification Rules
Recently 11,500 companies at Companies House were struck off after it was suspected they were used for organised crime. Companies House is taking a stronger stance to ensure only legitimate businesses are active, making compliance with new verification rules crucial. Hugo Persad explains the upcoming changes in our latest article...



The National Trust and the Future of Charities
The National Trust’s plan to cut 550 jobs reflects the growing pressure on charities amid rising costs. Organisations are being urged to review finances, diversify income, and explore collaboration. Leathes Prior Charity Team offers expert legal support to help navigate these challenges.



Landmark Update in UK Brand Protection
In a landmark case for UK brand protection heard in January 2025, the Supreme Court has refused Aldi’s permission to appeal the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Thatchers v. Aldi, making this a defining moment for packaging and trademark law in the UK.



The Supreme Court clarifies the law on matrimonial versus non matrimonial assets
Standish v Standish [2025] UK SC 26. The Supreme Court has today dismissed an appeal concerning the ownership of £80 million in divorce proceedings. The Supreme Court found that the sharing principle does not apply to non-matrimonial property and clarified when assets will and won’t be treated as matrimonial property subject to sharing on divorce.



Residential Property: FAQs for Buying A New Build Home
Buying a new property can be an equally exciting and overwhelming experience. To make it a little less daunting, we've put together some of our most frequently asked questions about new build properties along with answers from the LP Residential Property Team.



The Rise of the LLP in Private Healthcare: A New Chapter in Practice Structuring
The Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) has rapidly become, and remains, a very popular structure of choice for professionals in traditional partnership environments, such as accountants, solicitors, and consultants. Recently, we have seen a notable shift in its adoption by a newer class of users: private medical practitioners. Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate Team, discusses why this may be and the benefits.



Why does your business need to invest in a commercial lawyer?
In today’s complex business environment, the importance of legal advice cannot be overstated. Whether you’re a startup or an established company, legal matters can significantly impact your operations and reputation. Commercial lawyer Lucy Warren discusses just some of the reasons why instructing a commercial lawyer is a smart investment for your business.



Law Reform: Recommendations to take Wills into the modern era
The Law Commission has recently published its recommendations to reform the law governing Wills. James Iron, Trainee Solicitor in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team, has summarised some of the proposed changes and how they may affect those who wish to prepare Wills in the future.



Covert Recordings in Family Proceedings – Lawful or Awful?
The rise of technology has meant that the courts are increasingly being asked to consider covert (secret) recordings as evidence within family proceedings. However, whether they will be permitted as evidence is not guaranteed, and in some cases, they can be seen as an invasion of privacy, particularly where recordings of children are concerned.



One is the loneliest number…especially in the Boardroom
Many limited companies in the UK operate with just a sole director at the helm, instead of opting for a suite of directors on the board. However, companies with a sole director are exposed to specific risks which, if not addressed, can and often do lead to significant operational complications. In this article, we explore two of the key pitfalls associated with companies having just a sole director and how these risks can be appropriately mitigated.

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Construction Disputes: Low Value Adjudication (LVD MAP)
The construction industry is notorious for disputes between parties, particularly regarding payment disputes. The LVD MAP is designed to give parties to a construction dispute, where the value of the dispute is less than £100,000, a quick means to determine disputes, including payment disputes. Danny Turpin, Associate in our Dispute Resolution Team explains...



Don’t Gamble with your T&Cs;…
In a recent case heard by Mr Justice Richie in the High Court (Durber v PPB Entertainment LTD ([2025] EWHC 498 (KB)) Corrine Durber, a gardener from Gloucestershire, successfully brought a claim against Paddy Power after she hit a jackpot of over £1m, but Paddy Power attempted to credit her account with just £20,265.14. Hugo Persad explains the importance of your T&Cs in any business...




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