Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), is all but mandatory for parties involved in a commercial dispute. Cost penalties can be imposed by the Court on those who refuse to participate. Taking early advice on the issue is key.

When people hear the word ‘litigation’ they often picture a courtroom showdown. In reality, however, disputes rarely make it that far. The modern litigation process is designed to promote early settlement (even after proceedings are issued) and very few cases are actually decided in a Court or Tribunal.

On 21 May 2025, the Supreme Court handed down the long-awaited judgment in an appeal submitted by Dartmoor landowners, Mr & Mrs Darwall. The land owned by the Darwalls included land that is designated as Dartmoor Commons land.

A fiduciary duty is an obligation owed to another person in a fiduciary relationship. This relationship encompasses numerous dynamics – including agents to principals, directors to the company and trustees to the beneficiary of a trust.

The recent case of Armstrong v Armstrong considers the issue of detriment in the context of a proprietary estoppel claim.

Recent case law has highlighted the importance of trying to settle claims outside of Court before issuing Court proceedings. This point is becoming ever clearer with new powers and precedents being set by the Court.

In most cases, family circumstances and relationships will affect how someone decides to distribute their estate after they die. Relationships may have been particularly strained or individuals may estrange themselves from family members. However, these changes in relationship may not be accounted for in the will.

A perfect storm is being created. Leasehold ownership is being given an increasingly bad name, with headline-hitting stories about rapidly increasing ground rents and high service charge figures making many prospective owners wary of investing in a leasehold property. But high-rise living shows no sign of diminishing, particularly in more urban areas, where development space is at a premium. Many looking to get a foot on the housing ladder or to relocate have no choice other than to hope their dream home does not turn into a nightmare. But the Government thinks it has the answer.

Given that the media is full of reports of the Government struggling to make efficiencies and to balance the books, it perhaps comes as no surprise to hear that court fees are set to increase.

Undue influence describes the situation where an individual is coerced into making a will that is unrepresentative of their actual intentions of how they want their estate to be managed. This pressure can take many forms and can present as physical force, mental pressure or a combination of both.

The Times has reported this week that there are developments afoot on plans to reform the legal position between cohabitees who decided not to get married.

It is sometimes the case that family farming businesses can result in disputes between family members. This often arises where the children have worked on the farm for years, often will low or no pay, on the clear understanding that they will inherit the farm when their parents give up or pass away.