We are often called upon to provide advice and assistance in relation to Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) for our clients. There are two types of LPAs – one for property and finances and the other for health and welfare.  These documents last beyond mental incapacity and provide invaluable assistance in what can be a...Read More

Does your Will work? Do you have a Will? If not, why not? If so – are you sure it works to your advantage? A recent report by STEP (Society for Trusts and Estate Practitioners) shed light on how many of its members have come across Wills which have been badly or wrongly drafted and...Read More

Two of our lawyers have recently been promoted to the position of salaried partner. We congratulate Sarah Oram of the conveyancing department and Yasmin Govan of the family department on their well deserved promotions.

Two of our lawyers have recently achieved new qualifications. Duha Al-Wakeel in our Private Client Department is now a STEP Full Member. Sarah Oram in our Conveyancing Department has passed her fellowship assessment and is now a FCILEx. Congratulations to both!

Today the Chancellor announced that he will cut stamp duty land tax (SDLT) to stimulate the housing market. The threshold will increase from £125,000 to £500,000. The cut will be temporary until 31 March 2021. Details are awaited as to exactly what and who will be eligible for this rate and we will update this...Read More

The Government’s furlough scheme has provided much-needed financial support to business and the self-employed. It is estimated there are currently 8.4 million people being paid through the furlough scheme as well as a further estimated 2 million self-employed receiving assistance. When the Chancellor announced details of the Scheme on 20 March, it was initially backdated...Read More

People can now move home. The government has issued Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, providing updated guidance for those involved in the process.

From today, property viewings and moves are allowed, subject to physical distancing being observed. At the time of writing the guidance is being updated. Newspapers report that Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, said removal companies, conveyancers and estate agents could restart their businesses with immediate effect. He said the government estimated that more than 450,000...Read More

Edward Harte Solicitors recognise the outstanding work being undertaken by our Keyworkers during the Coronavirus crisis. We would like to show our appreciation to those who are doing so much for us by offering a 10% discount on Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney for instructions received by 1st June 2020 from anyone recognised as a Keyworker by...Read More

Section 82 of the Corona Virus Act 2020 has placed restrictions on forfeiture for non-payment of rent in England and Wales of commercial premises from 26March to 30 June 2020.  The Government also has the ability to extend that period if they consider it appropriate to do so. This means that Landlords cannot take steps...Read More

Duha discusses the importance of making a will and why you need one even if you think you don't.

  According to the recent conveyancing news, figures from UK Finance, have indicated that in 2018 we saw the highest number of first-time buyers entering the mortgage market since 2006, which was during the busy period prior to the financial crash and in December the figures were 1.6% higher than the figures for 2017. If...Read More

We are delighted to announce that one of our partners, Samantha Dawkins, has received a Lawyer Monthly Women in Law Award for property litigation. The award “seeks to celebrate and highlight the achievements of women in the legal profession across the globe.  The award recognises the contribution made by female legal professionals working in the...Read More

The High Court in a recent case, Gorst v Knight, decided that the demise of ground floor maisonette did not include the subsoil beneath it. A house had been converted into two maisonettes; one on the ground floor and one on the first and second floors. The ground floor maisonette included a small cellar beneath. The owners of the...Read More

Edward Harte are seeking a family lawyer to join their successful family team. The workload will cover all types of private law family work including finance and children and will involve advocacy. The ideal candidate will be a Solicitor or Legal Executive with at least years 3 PQE. Please apply with CV to Anna Glenton,...Read More

In light of the recent events before the Supreme court regarding medical treatment for a child and last year, there was a report about a mother’s fury after finding out her 3 month old son had been circumcised without her consent when opening his nappy. It came to light that the child has been circumcised...Read More

MWB Business Exchange Centres Limited –v- Rock Advertising Limited [2016] EWCA Civ 553 MWB operate serviced office spaces and, pursuant to a Licence Agreement, Rock Advertising utilised such accommodation in the form of managed office space. Rock Advertising fell into arrears with the Licence fee and proceedings were issued to recover the arrears.  In the...Read More

Thinking of making a move? We are always looking to recruit talented people. The firm has a thriving and varied practice and a strong presence in the Brighton and the local area. While we may not have a specific vacancy advertised at the moment, please do feel free to forward your CV or get in touch if you are interested in becoming part...Read More

For first time buyers in England there is at last some good news, and as it has been all over the media, you would have heard the headline that SDLT has been abolished for first time buyers. This is not exactly the case but there are now different rules for first time buyers buying the first home. So if you...Read More

Building regulations rules (and planning) can be very confusing, and it is often hard to know when building regulations consent is required. Also some of the commonly held views are sometimes wrong, and this can be further complicated if you live in a conservation area or your building is listed. An example of this is...Read More

Highly reputable solicitors firm in central Brighton currently have a legal secretarial vacancy to support a Litigation Solicitor within the firm dealing with a wide range of civil claims, personal injury and medical negligence. The role requires legal experience, preferably within the area specificied. Possessing good IT, organisational skills, eye for detail. Minimum of 60...Read More

RESIDENTIAL LEASES One of the issues frequently encountered by landlords is how to deal with unpaid service charges and ground rent. To tackle this we are now offering a no recovery no fee service to landlords to assist them in securing payment of ground rent and service charge arrears from lessees.  Our service is also...Read More

On 26 July 2017 the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment in the case of R (on the application of UNISON) (Appellant) v Lord Chancellor (Respondent) [2017] UKSC 51 which overturned the requirement for claimants to pay (if ineligible for remission) up to £1200 to have their claim heard at an Employment Tribunal. The introduction...Read More

MWB Business Exchange Centres Limited –v- Rock Advertising Limited [2016] EWCA Civ 553 MWB operate serviced office spaces and, pursuant to a Licence Agreement, Rock Advertising utilised such accommodation in the form of managed office space. Rock Advertising fell into arrears with the Licence fee and proceedings were issued to recover the arrears.  In the...Read More

Our congratulations to Karen Heal and Jack Taylor on their admission as fully qualified solicitors. Karen specialises in Employment and also excels in Business Development and Dispute Resolution. Jack specialises in Family Law including matrimonial finance and Children Act proceedings. Jack also has a talent for Wills and Probate. We are delighted that they joins...Read More

Now recruiting in the Family Department Our busy family team is recognised for the quality of its work, its expertise and client care.  We are seeking to recruit a solicitor with minimum 2+ years PQE on competitive terms with a proposed start date of November/December 2016. Applications by CV to Anna Glenton, Partner. No agencies...Read More

Exciting News! New additions and new promotions! We are very pleased to announce the promotion of Robert McDonald to partner at Edward Harte LLP alongside Tom Callaghan, Samantha Dawkins and Anna Glenton.

Offers in Civil Proceedings The use of Part 36 Offers in Civil Proceedings either during pre-action correspondence or after the claim has been issued is common practice.  If the successful party beats their Part 36 Offer; i.e. the Claimant makes an offer for £10,000.00 and at trial is awarded £15,000.00 the Defendant will be liable to pay...Read More

5 Reasons Why Terms and Conditions Are Important Provide a framework for transactions and help to create certainty as to what is agreed. In the event a customer has breached the contract having robust Terms and Conditions to rely on may provide a solid base on which to defend a claim. Provide consistency between all...Read More

5 Top Tips for serving Section 21 Notices Serve each Tenant with their own Notice Check the terms of the Tenancy for how the Notice should be served Personally serve the Notice Check the Deposit has been protected Check the Prescribed Information was served in time If the Deposit hasn’t been protected or the prescribed...Read More

Landlord & Property Law Update There have been major changes in the law relating to Section 21 Notices and deposits within the last 12 months with further changes due to take affect in October of this year.  Here is a round up of the key points for Landlords, Property Owners and Agents to look out...Read More

Exciting News! New Additions and New Promotions We are very pleased to announce the promotion of Samantha Dawkins and Anna Glenton to partners at Edward Harte LLP alongside Tom Callaghan.  We also welcome our new Head of Conveyancing Department Robert McDonald who brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous longstanding position at...Read More

Tips, Service Charges and Gratuities Ever wondered what happens to your tips?  Often when we feel we have received a good service in a bar, hotel, restaurant or taxi etc. we want to leave a tip……. but who receives the money in addition to their salary? Previously any tips paid by the employer to the...Read More

New Partner Edward Harte LLP are very pleased to announce that Tom Callaghan, our Head of Private Client Section, became a Salaried Partner as from 1st August 2014.  Tom has been with us now for 4 years and is a very valued member of the firm.  His appointment as a Partner is well deserved and...Read More

BBC Sussex “Sound Advice Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate, Tom Callaghan, appeared as a legal expert on the Allison Ferns radio show on BBC Sussex on 22nd May, answering listeners’ calls on Wills and Inheritance, talking about the importance of Wills and the recent changes to the intestacy laws (ie where a person dies...Read More

Solicitors for the Elderly Tom Callaghan, head of Edward Harte LLP’s Wills, Trusts and Probate department, is now a member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE). SFE is an independent, national organisation of lawyers who provide specialist legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers. For further details click here.

Tailored Cost Solutions Following significant changes to the Legal Aid Scheme, many clients will be unable to access legal aid. Our Tailored Cost Solutions mean the lawyers here at Edward Harte can give you advice and support to suit your budget and needs if you only require legal services now and then. It may be...Read More

Section 20 Consultation and Major Works Changes to Section 20 Consultation for Private Landlords, Resident Management Companies and their Agents A High Court decision in the case Phillips & Goddard v Francis earlier this year overturned previous views on how consultations on major works to residential buildings were applied. It has brought about considerable uncertainty...Read More

New Divorce Petition Issued Yet again we have been able to secure the number 1 spot in Brighton by issuing the first Divorce Petition of 2013!. Our excellent service to clients continues throughout the year however…….

Equal Pay – Employment If you thought you had an equal pay claim which was out of time, think again.  You may have a claim that is up to 6 years old which you are still entitled to bring.  For further details please contact us and ask for the Employment Department.

Equal Pay – Employment If you thought you had an equal pay claim which was out of time, think again.  You may have a claim that is up to 6 years old which you are still entitled to bring.  For further details please contact us and ask for the Employment Department.

Relocating Abroad with Children After a hard fought three day case we were very pleased when the Judge entirely endorsed our client’s position and granted her leave to leave the jurisdiction with her children to relocate abroad. It is always unfortunate when there are disagreements over these matters but with careful handling we achieved a...Read More

Relocation Abroad with Children After a hard fought three day case we were very pleased when the Judge entirely endorsed our client’s position and granted her leave to leave the jurisdiction with her children to relocate abroad. It is always unfortunate when there are disagreements over these matters but with careful handling we achieved a...Read More

Senior Litigator Status for Personal Injury Edward Harte LLP are pleased to announce Colin Wibley, a partner with the firm, has achieved Senior Litigator status with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. This accreditation is an  acknowledgement of Colin’s long running experience in personal injury litigation and the high level of responsibility which such accreditation...Read More

Senior Litigator Status for Personal Injury Edward Harte LLP are pleased to announce Colin Wibley, a partner with the firm, has achieved Senior Litigator status with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. This accreditation is an  acknowledgement of Colin’s long running experience in personal injury litigation and the high level of responsibility which such accreditation...Read More

Fraudsters Be Warned – Land Registry seeks to protect Landlords and Non Resident Home Owners The Land Registry have recently taken steps to introduce a 6 month cheap mlb jerseys initiative to aid property owners in protecting their empty or tenanted properties being sold cheap nba jerseys or mortgaged fraudulently. Non resident or absent property...Read More

Fraudsters Be Warned – Land Registry seeks to protect Landlords and Non Resident Home Owners The Land Registry have recently taken steps to introduce a 6 month initiative to aid wholesale mlb jerseys property owners in protecting their empty or tenanted wholesale jerseys properties being sold or mortgaged fraudulently. Non resident or absent property owners...Read More

Break Clauses – Traps for Tenants – A cautionary tale In  a recent case (Avocet Industrial Estates LLP v Merol and another [2011] EWHC 3422 (Ch), the Court held that a Tenant invalidly exercised its right to break its lease because it had  not made all payments due under wholesale NBA jerseys the lease as required by...Read More

Break Clauses – Traps for Tenants – A Cautionary Tale In  a recent case (Avocet Industrial Estates LLP v Merol and another [2011] EWHC 3422 (Ch), the Court held that a Tenant invalidly exercised its right to and break its lease because it had  not made all payments due under the lease as required by the break...Read More