ABS Solicitors LLP

04/06/2026

We are back and sponsoring the event. Looking forward to seeing you all there. Save the date 5th July 2026

03/06/2026

A legal twist over a simple word in a will has split an estate between two daughters instead of one.

A common nightmare for executors and families is the discovery of a "slip of the pen" in a final will. In a significant legal clarification, the Court recently tackled a case in which a deceased man left his entire estate to "the daughter" of his cousin. The complication was as simple as it was prob...

01/06/2026

A recent High Court ruling has set a clear boundary on international child relocation disputes. Once a lawful move abroad happens, later appeals rarely undo it. For parents caught in cross-border legal battles, understanding this is key. Read on to see what this means for relocation cases.

In the tangled world of international family law, the speed of travel inevitably outpaces that of the legal system. A recent and significant High Court ruling has clarified the high stakes of "wrongful retention" claims under the Hague Convention 1980 (HCCH), specifically in relation to cases where....

28/05/2026

When a loved one passes away, the legal assumption is that the family will act in harmony to provide a dignified farewell. However, where deep-seated animosity replaces cooperation, the state must intervene. In a recent judgement, the High Court highlights the distressing reality of what happens when siblings cannot agree on the disposal of their parents’ remains. For over five months, the body of Michael Godwin remained in a Leeds mortuary as his two sons, William and Jason, fought a bitter legal battle over whether he should be buried in France or cremated in England. The case serves as a sombre reminder that, without a clear, undisputed executor, the final wishes of the deceased are often left to the mercy of a judge’s assessment of "decency and respect".

When a loved one passes away, the legal assumption is that the family will act in harmony to provide a dignified farewell. However, where deep-seated animosity replaces cooperation, the state must intervene. In a recent judgement, the High Court highlights the distressing reality of what happens whe...

27/05/2026

Property licensing has become a cornerstone of local government efforts to regulate the private rental sector. For landlords, the consequences of non-compliance are severe and may even include Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) that require the return of thousands of pounds in rent to tenants. However, a significant legal question has emerged: what happens when a landlord tries to comply, but the technology of the local authority (LA) prevents them from doing so? A recent appeal in the Upper Tribunal (UT) addressed this exact scenario, providing a landmark ruling on the "reasonable excuse" defence and the limits of landlord liability when faced with administrative failure.

Property licensing has become a cornerstone of local government efforts to regulate the private rental sector. For landlords, the consequences of non-compliance are severe and may even include Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) that require the return of thousands of pounds in rent to tenants. However, a....

26/05/2026

Warning for anyone trying to freeze your ex's solicitor accounts: make sure those funds actually exist, or you could face a hefty bill. Legal battles get costly fast if assumptions don't check out.

Enforcing financial orders in divorce proceedings can feel like an uphill battle when a spouse decides to ignore a court’s authority. However, a recent judgement from the family court serves as a stark reminder that, even when faced with blatant non-compliance, the procedural path to recovery is p...

20/05/2026

A family farming dispute just revealed a costly truth: living rent-free and running a family business doesn't guarantee land inheritance. Clear wills and ownership plans can save heartbreak and legal battles later.

A recent judgement serves as a powerful cautionary tale for farming families across the country. It explores the complex intersection of poorly drafted wills, long-term family promises, and the high bar the Court sets for those claiming an inheritance based on years of hard work. For anyone living o...

19/05/2026

Landlords can't evict tenants without proof that building plans are truly ready to go. If plans rely on uncertain funding or delayed permissions, tenants might stay longer than expected.

For business owners and commercial landlords, the Landlord and Tenant Act (LTA) 1954 is the cornerstone of their relationship as it provides tenants with "security of tenure". In effect, this means they generally have a right to a new lease, unless the landlord can prove a specific legal reason to s...

18/05/2026

Legal first: A High Court decision has refused to recognise a biological father's legal status due to public policy concerns over unregulated s***m donation.

The High Court has addressed the shadow of one of the most controversial figures in modern family law, that of Robert Albon, known globally as "Joe Donor". Having fathered over 180 children through unregulated s***m donation, Albon’s latest application for a legal declaration of paternity forced t...

13/05/2026

Making a political statement with your wallet can be an expensive endeavour and, as a recent First-Tier Tribunal case proves, it can also lead to an unexpected inheritance tax (IHT) bill. This case lays out a crucial roadmap for donors and political activists on how IHT law addresses political donations and the strict limits of human rights arguments in tax disputes.

Making a political statement with your wallet can be an expensive endeavour and, as a recent  First-Tier Tribunal case proves, it can also lead to an unexpected inheritance tax (IHT) bill. This case lays out a crucial roadmap for donors and political activists on how IHT law addresses political don...