Griffin Law

27/08/2026

Imagine a £2,750 claim and a City firm’s letter demanding you drop it in days or face strike-out and costs. Would you fold? The Court of Appeal has just said that kind of “bombastic” letter cannot be used to write a small claim out of existence. The small claims track exists so ordinary people can be heard without lawyers or costs threats doing the court’s job. Remember, a strongly worded letter is not the same as a strong legal position. If you’re facing one — or sending one — get advice before you decide. Griffin Law is here to help you weigh it up.

Imagine bringing a claim worth less than £3,000 and receiving a letter from a City law firm threatening summary judgment, strike-out and a costs bill unless you drop it within days. Would you carry on, or fold? That is exactly the situation the Court of Appeal considered this month, and the answer ...

18/08/2026

This recent costs decision shows that solicitors cannot simply deduct large fees from an estate. Here, a firm acting as joint administrator claimed over £53,000, which the court rejected. Clear retainers, proper authority and transparency are essential. Estate assets require careful handling due to fiduciary duties. Executors and beneficiaries should question unexpected fees and must seek advice if it is needed.

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A recent decision concerning a solicitor’s attempt to recover more than £53,000 from a client’s estate highlights the importance of clear retainers, proper authority and careful scrutiny of legal costs. When a solicitor is instructed to administer an estate, there is often a close relationship ...

28/07/2026

Why are more families ending up in court over wills?

High Court probate claims hit a record 1,217 cases in 2025 — and the numbers keep climbing. Here's what's driving it:

🔹 Estates are worth more (rising property values mean higher stakes)
🔹 Modern families are more complex (blended families, stepchildren, second marriages)
🔹 Capacity is challenged more often as people live longer
🔹 Not every will meets the legal formalities to be valid
🔹 Executors often get caught in the middle of disputes

Inheritance disputes are rarely just about money — they touch on grief, family relationships and a loved one's final wishes.

If you believe a will is invalid, feel unfairly excluded from an inheritance, or you're an executor facing questions about how you're administering an estate, early legal advice can make a real difference. We can help.

24/07/2026

Two major court rulings this July show the same thing from opposite sides: over 2,000 people have won the right to bring a group claim against Johnson & Johnson over Baby Powder and cancer, while Renault has been fully cleared in the UK's biggest-ever diesel emissions case. Different outcomes, same lesson — a well-prepared case wins, whichever side you're on. We act for both claimants and defendants. Read the full breakdown on our site.

Although the courts wind down a bit over the summer, two major rulings this July are worth noting. Between them, these cases demonstrate that success in litigation depends on the evidence, the legal arguments, and thorough preparation, not simply on whether you're bringing or defending the claim. On...

21/07/2026

⚖️ Prince Harry just lost his case against the Daily Mail's publisher — and the ruling could reshape privacy litigation in the UK. The court said proving a publisher broke the law elsewhere doesn't prove it broke the law on this story. Read what the 436-page judgment means for future claims 👇

7 July 2026 – High Court of Justice, London On 7 July 2026, Mr Justice Nicklin handed down judgment in what had been billed as the final and most explosive instalment of the UK press intrusion litigation trilogy. After an eleven-week trial spanning January to March 2026, the

13/07/2026

🏠 Big news for UK homeowners: A class action has been filed at the Competition Appeal Tribunal on behalf of over 700,000 people who bought new-build homes in Great Britain between October 2015 and June 2026.
The claim alleges eight major housebuilders — including Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and others — shared sensitive pricing and sales data, potentially causing buyers to overpay. Compensation sought: up to £4.5 billion, or roughly £3,100–£6,200 per household.
If you bought a new-build home in this period, you may be automatically included — no action needed on your part, but it's worth understanding what it means for you. Griffin Law is here to help homeowners, developers, and businesses in the supply chain understand their position. Learn more here:

06/07/2026

🦅 Big news from the UK courts — and it affects more people than you might think.
Two major rulings in 2026 are changing the rules around who can sue who, and who can afford to fight back.
First, a judge has thrown out an £8 million libel claim that was widely seen as an attempt to silence a journalist through the sheer cost of defending it. It's the first time the UK's new anti-SLAPP laws have been tested — and they worked.
Second, a landmark case is now asking the courts to decide how litigation funders — the companies that bankroll big legal cases — should be paid when a settlement is reached. The answer will shape whether ordinary people and businesses can access funded legal action in future.
At Griffin Law, we act for claimants and defendants alike. If you've received a legal threat, or if you're wondering whether you have a case worth pursuing, talk to us first.

29/06/2026

Legal disputes don’t just happen to businesses and celebrities, they happen to ordinary people, often when they least expect it. A will that doesn’t reflect what you thought. A divorce where the finances aren’t straightforward. A workplace situation that’s become unbearable. Click to read some of the most common disputes individuals face, what the warning signs are, and how to get help without it costing the earth.

Plain-English advice on common legal disputes, and how we can help You do not need to be a business owner, a politician or a household name to end up in a legal dispute. Most disputes start in ordinary life. A parent's Will does not say what everyone expected. A marriage breaks down

25/06/2026

Running a business means conflict is going to find you eventually, whether it’s a client who won’t pay, a co-director who won’t cooperate, or an adviser whose mistake has cost you money. The businesses that recover fastest are the ones that spot the risk early.
Check out the commercial disputes you should know about before they happen, and how to deal with them without derailing your business.

The risks most owner-managed businesses don't see coming, until they do Every growing business eventually runs into conflict, whether it is a customer who refuses to pay, a co-director who will not cooperate, or an adviser whose mistake has cost you money. Disputes are simply a cost of doing busines...

08/05/2026

Good news from the Griffin Law Charitable Foundation! For our April-May 2026 Gift-Giving Awards, we've proudly supported four fantastic causes:
£1,000 to Help Huxley Fight Leukaemia
£1,000 to Dementia UK
£250 to Heart of Kent Hospice
£250 to Valley Invicta Primary School PTA

Thank you to everyone who nominated – your suggestions help us make a real difference! Read the full announcement: https://www.griffin.law/griffin-foundation-april-may-2026-gift-giving-awards, including how you can nominate a charity.

The Griffin Law Charitable Foundation was created by our Founder to support national and international charities that fit with the Foundation’s ethos and pre-established requirements. Each month, the trustees of the Foundation meet to discuss how to dispense up to £1,000 to good works that may be...