The Charity Commission recently concluded the National Trust did not breach charity law as a result of its regulatory compliance case involving the charity, and found there were no grounds for regulatory action.

New figures show that poor maternity care is costing more then £1 million a day in compensation, having trebled in the last decade.

The government have announced that, following recommendations by the Office of Tax Simplification, they are looking at ways of reducing inheritance tax reporting requirements. The government has now agreed to simplify the position so that, from 1 January 2022, over 90% of non-taxpaying estates each year will no longer have to complete inheritance tax forms for deaths when a grant of representation is required.

If you intend to leave savings, property or other assets to family or friends after you die, you need to consider the impact of inheritance tax (IHT). With the rate of IHT set at 40% for most estates above the thresholds, it is important to plan ahead, so that you can minimise IHT and ensure as much of your estate as possible reaches your loved ones.

The case has raised eyebrows amongst lawyers used to ‘taking inspiration’ from other lawyers’ work.  After all, the efficient practice of law is made possible by using precedent documents adapted over and over to suit successive clients’ instructions. 

A recent High Court case has highlighted the challenges faced when a person dies intestate, or when a Will does not cover a number of scenarios, such as what should happen in the event of the unexpected death of a beneficiary.

The Supreme Court has now issued its much anticipated Judgment in the case of Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson-Blake, which was delayed by the death of one of the Justices. The case concerned how the national minimum wage (NMW) should be calculated for workers who work sleep-in shifts.

A recent news article tells the story of a four year old boy who died from sepsis after hospital doctors sent him home before test results confirmed that he had a potentially deadly infection.

The recent decision of the High Court not to uphold director disqualification proceedings brought by the Official Receiver against the former trustees and CEO of the Kids Company charity has reopened much debate within the charity sector.

The European Commission (EC) has published draft adequacy decisions for personal data transfers from the EU into the UK. This will begin the process of allowing data transfer between the EU and UK to continue.

Stephen Burtchaell, head of our Affordable Housing team, gives an update on the latest Housing laws.

The role of trustees within a charity, or not for profit organisation, and the essential need for good governance.