Briefing Notes

The family team at Stevens & Bolton can usually offer clients a fixed fee for dealing with their divorce. The divorce costs are separate to those for dealing with any financial or children matters. If we make a sole application on behalf of our...

The European General Data Protection Regulation (the “Regulation”) came into force on 25 May 2018, replacing Directive 95/46/EC (the “Directive”).  The Data Protection Act 2018 (“DPA 2018”) supplements the Regulation...

The European General Data Protection Regulation (the “Regulation”) came into force in all EU Member States on 25 May 2018, replacing the Directive 95/46/EC (the “Directive”). The Data Protection Act 2018 (“DPA 2018”)...

To complement the traditional family mediation process we now offer a new mediation model. Hybrid mediation allows those who are reluctant to engage in the traditional process to mediate in a more supported way. It is an excellent alternative to the court...

Unpaid suppliers of goods and suppliers of services have a statutory right to claim interest on overdue debts and compensation for late payment under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (as amended by various subsequent regulations)...

An exclusion, limitation or exemption clause in a commercial contract seeks to exclude or limit a party’s liability, or exclude or limit the other party’s rights or remedies Examples include: financial cap on overall liability and/or caps on...

As many as 40% of all “permanent” couples now cohabit and one in four children are born outside marriage. Many cohabitees mistakenly believe that once they have cohabited for a certain period they acquire some form of “common law”...

It is always better to settle a dispute if possible, as it will be quicker than going to trial which means a saving of time and costs, and you avoid the uncertainty involved in a trial. Even if your opponent does not accept your settlement offer, you could...

Introduction Every business markets its products and services using strategies and methodologies tailored to suit its own ambitions and customer base. Marketing opportunities change constantly and now include social media, web and app sales, interactive TV...

Mediation is a process to help couples who have decided to separate or divorce to talk things through. Mediators are trained to help you reach an agreement about how to make the best arrangements for the future. This may be about the way the children are...

The landscape is changing for large private companies, in terms of corporate governance and the areas that they need to report on in their annual reports. While this is likely to be familiar territory for very large private companies, our briefing note...

The Divorce Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (DDSA) comes into effect on 6 April 2022 and brings with it significant reform to the existing divorce process.  Applications made up to and including those issued before 4pm on 31 March 2022 will be...

Commercial advantages The outsourcing of essential functions within a business can often provide real benefits, both operationally and financially. Outsourced services and functions are diverse: payroll, billing, IT support, call centres, mailroom services,...

The EU’s first Payment Services Directive (PSD1) was introduced in 2009 to harmonise payment services regulation across the EU; whilst also increasing market competition by imposing transparency and conduct of business requirements on payment service...

On 6 April 2017 the UK tax rules relating to the taxation of long-term UK residents changed dramatically, leading to a seismic shift in the UK tax treatment of non-UK domiciled individuals once they have been resident in the UK for at least 15 out of the...

Nuptial agreements are contracts entered into by a couple for the purpose of defining what would happen to their assets if their relationship failed.  Commonly these are signed prior to marriage or civil partnership although this does not have to be...

This guide addresses some of the preliminary questions faced by new businesses considering occupying leasehold premises. This is an area where unwanted or unexpected liabilities can arise, and professional advice may be very valuable. We are experienced in...

Whether you are a prospective tenant or an ongoing tenant of commercial premises, your requirements and needs for space will change over time. Apart from sorting out the practical details such as architects and builders, a tenant should always check that any...

General information requirements for companies UK companies and LLPs must include on their websites, electronic and other business letters (including emails) and order forms the following details: their full registered name; their registered number; ...

To download our corporate guide on public and private companies compared, please click on the 'briefing note' button to the left....

This note refers to properties bought by more than one person, who are not married, regardless of whether they are in a relationship. As such, it does not apply to married couples or civil partners. Those buying property jointly should be aware that there...

With Covid-19 restrictions eased but restrictions on commercial landlords continuing, more landlords are turning their attention to taking action to recover commercial rent arrears, perhaps encouraged by recent favourable court decisions. Where landlords...

Large companies and large LLPs are now required to report on their payment practices and policies for financial years beginning on or after 6 April 2017.

Under the new Requirement to Correct regime (the RTC) punitive penalties apply where a person has offshore undeclared tax liabilities at the end of the 2016/17 tax year and fails to correct them between 6 April 2017 and 30 September 2018 (the RTC period)....

Bound or not? The thorny question of restrictive covenants post termination, and whether they are enforceable, frequently comes before the courts. Guest Services Worldwide Limited (“GS”) produced promotional maps for hotels.  Mr Shelmerdine...

If you are looking to buy or sell a business carried on by a company there are two common sale structures: the company can either sell its business and assets (asset sale) or the shareholders can sell the shares in the company (share sale). Both structures...

Once you start negotiating a sale and before you give the buyer access to information and launch full scale into the sale process you should first consider entering into heads of terms and ensure that you have protected confidential confirmation. If, having...

Pre-sale planning and preparation is an important step when contemplating a sale. Ultimately it can increase the price you achieve, save time and cost when the sale process commences and avoid the risk of an aborted sale. If, having considered this guide,...

Introduction This note outlines the key conditions which need to be met and the tax treatment of EMI options. It is not designed to be a definitive statement of the qualifying conditions and tax treatment but instead is intended to provide an overview for...

Many privately-owned companies with a small number of founder or other significant shareholders put in place a shareholders’ agreement and dovetailed articles of association. This guide considers the main reasons for this and provides a checklist of...