Private Client Issues – October 2021

Welcome to this month’s edition of Private Client Issues, Blake Morgan’s monthly round-up of the topics you may find of interest. It features insight and advice on developments affecting private individuals.

As the UK continues to get back to the office, we are focussed on providing you with a high-quality service, while working to keep our staff, clients and contacts safe. Our offices are all open and we are continuing with a phased increase in attendance whilst enabling social distancing to be maintained. We remain happy to meet with you virtually, or in person where this is preferred. We are really proud of the way that our staff have risen to the challenge without impacting the service we provide.

The sealing of a Will

The Court has recently made an order that the Will of Prince Philip be sealed. We look at the process of sealing a Will so copies will not be made available to the public on request.

Read more on contentious probate here.

Forced Marriage Protection Orders: mental capacity and marriage

What are Forced Marriage Protection Orders (FMPOs) and when can they be used? We take a look at FMPOs involving mental capacity and marriage, following a recent judgment.

Read more about FMPOs.

Mediation as an effective method of resolution

Mediation is the most common form of alternative dispute resolution and is very effective when parties are willing to go to the negotiating table. This can work for individuals and families.

Read more on effective mediation here.

What are the differences between judicial separation and divorce?

Most people will have only heard of a divorce as being a formal way of ending a marriage, however it is also possible to obtain another form of formal marriage separation, called a judicial separation.

Read more about judicial separation here.

Notice periods for Section 8 and Section 21 Housing Act Notices to be reduced from the 1 October 2021

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the UK Government introduced the Coronavirus Act 2020 which, as well as halting evictions, increased the notice periods for both Section 8 and Section 21 Notices, with exemptions applying for the most serious cases.

Read more on Notice Periods here.

If you are impacted by any of the above topics or you would like further information on how we can help you, please contact your usual Blake Morgan adviser.