Updates

Heterosexual Civil Partnerships

The Supreme Court have last week adjudicated that the Government’s position regarding the legitimacy or otherwise of heterosexual civil partnerships is out of kilter with current Human Rights laws and there is likely to be a change in the legislation in the next twelve months permitting heterosexual civil partners to have the same status as homosexual couples et al .

This is long overdue. Heterosexual families have limited legal rights and a custodial partner cannot claim maintenance for him or herself. There is limited scope for child support of course but property is irrelevant unless it is jointly owned.

Private Landlords

Many will be aware that there is to be a change in the law so that tenancies will have a minimum lifespan of three years to prevent landlords moving on tenants if they dispute repair requirements and hikes in rent. There is of course the Deregulation Act that is currently in force which assists tenants but landlords beware!

Solicitors Fees

There is to be introduced a mandatory requirement that solicitors provide transparency in respect of their fees. This is very much the ethos of Almy & Thomas and we are intending to update our website with full details of our conveyancing costs and other legal fees.