Guest Walker Solicitors

18/06/2026

Big thank you to our friends at PEXA for inviting our Directors Lou, Sean and John to Ascot this week! It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues, strengthen relationships, and enjoy a memorable day at one of the UK's most iconic sporting events. We appreciate the hospitality and look forward to continuing our partnership

25/03/2026

At Guest Walker, we’re redefining the home moving experience by embracing cutting-edge technology designed to make your journey smoother and less stressful.

We understand that moving day can be one of life’s most challenging moments—boxes packed, house plants in hand, and excitement tinged with uncertainty. One of the biggest frustrations is waiting for funds to transfer along the property chain, often leaving you sitting in your car behind the moving van, unsure when you’ll finally receive your keys.

That’s why we have onboarded to PEXA’s regulated digital completions platform. With PEXA, financial property completion can be coordinated at a scheduled time, giving greater clarity and confidence around when keys will be released and you can move into your new home.

We’re proud to be the first UK law firm to successfully complete a property transaction without mortgage finance using PEXA. This milestone demonstrates how digital completions can support different transaction types and marks an important step as the platform progresses in the UK market. PEXA has a strong track record for transforming the conveyancing process in Australia since 2014, and is bringing that experience to the UK, working alongside law firms, lenders, regulators and government, Guest Walker is pleased to be at the forefront of adopting this more certain and secure way to complete your property transactions.

Innovation and exceptional client service are at the heart of everything we do. By adopting PEXA as it expands into the UK, we’re ensuring our clients benefit from the very latest in digital technology—making moving day quicker, easier, and far less stressful.

Let Guest Walker take the stress out of your next move—because you deserve a seamless start in your new home.

Guest Walker is embracing cutting-edge technology designed to make your journey smoother and less stressful.

13/01/2026

We’re Hiring – Private Client Fee Earner (4+ Years PQE)

Guest Walker, a well-established firm in the heart of York, is looking for an experienced Private Client fee earner to join our busy Life Planning team.

You’ll manage your own varied caseload (Wills, LPAs, estates and trusts), work closely with high-net-worth clients, contribute to business development, and be part of a friendly, supportive team offering an excellent work/life balance.

About you:
- Qualified solicitor or legal executive (4+ Years PQE)
- Strong private client experience, including complex estates and trusts
- Confident, organised, client-focused and keen to grow with the firm

What we offer:
• Competitive salary + tax-free bonus
• Pension scheme
• Genuine career progression
• Central York location
• Full-time preferred, with some flexibility (part-time considered)

Interested? Contact Alice McLuckie, Head of Business Operations, at [email protected] with your CV and covering letter.

If you want to know more please look at our website

We are looking for a full-time Solicitor to join our friendly York city centre Commercial Property team.

07/01/2026

We are expanding our Commercial Property Department with New Appointments

We are delighted to announce the expansion of our Commercial Property Department, reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients in this growing sector.

As part of this development, we are pleased to welcome Tom Milner, who joined us as a solicitor on 5 January 2026. Tom brings over 15 years of experience and expertise in Commercial Property that will further strengthen our team and enhance the breadth of services we provide.

In addition, we are proud to celebrate the success of one of our talented trainees, Cara Wilson, who has recently qualified and joined our team as a solicitor in October 2025. This achievement reflects our dedication to nurturing talent and supporting professional growth within the firm.

These appointments mark an exciting chapter for Guest Walker as we continue to expand our capabilities and deliver outstanding results for our clients.

01/12/2025

New Blog!

Autumn Budget 2025: Tax Allowances and Life Planning Considerations - Emma Hartley

The Budget announced on 26th November 2025 has made changes in relation to tax allowances and life planning considerations. We have provided an overview of the important changes below.

Inheritance Tax

During the Budget, the government have announced the freezing of the Nil Rate Band (“NRB”) and Residence Nil Rate Band (“RNRB”) thresholds until April 2031 – but what does this mean for you?

Upon your death, assuming you are domiciled in the UK, your worldwide assets will be liable to UK inheritance tax. To the extent that your estate exceeds the available nil rate band at the date of your death, inheritance tax will be charged at a flat rate of 40%.

Basic Nil Rate Band (“NRB”).

For each person, assets up to the value of the NRB will suffer no change to tax because the tax rate on that band is 0%. The NRB is currently £325,000 and will be frozen at that rate until April 2031. This means that the NRB would have been frozen at this rate for over two decades.

Residence Nil Rate Band.

This is an additional NRB available affecting deaths on or after 6 April 2017, when a residence is passed on death to a direct descendent. This will be a 0% interest tax charge on £175,000 and again, this is frozen at that rate until April 2031.

Income Tax

Changes to Dividend Income

There will be an increase to the ordinary rate of income tax payable on dividends received. This will also impact in estates where the deceased has held shareholdings and the estate continues to receive income from those shareholdings during the administration. The increase is from 8.75% to 10.75% and is to take effect from 6 April 2026.

Changes to Savings Income

Ordinary savings income basic rate will also increase, this again will affect any bank interest received in estates during the period of administration. The rate is to increase from 20% to 22%. This is to take effect from 6 April 2027.
Tax on Property Income

We often have estates where there is a rental property included in the deceased’s assets. The government is proposing to create separate tax rates for property income from April 2027, the property basic rate will be 22%, the same as the basic savings rate with a higher rate of 42% and a property additional rate of 47%.

What should you do?

It would be good to obtain tax planning advice given the further freezing of the IHT allowances. If you would like tax planning advice, please contact our friendly Life Planning team on 01904 624903.

Find more like this on our website! https://www.guestwalker.co.uk/blog/