Selling a property through the modern method of auction

Online auctions, especially the ‘modern method’ of auction, continue to grow in popularity. Last year saw a 40 per cent rise in the value of property sold at auction, much of this online. But what exactly is the modern method of auction, and is it something you should consider? For a seller there are certainly some advantages to the modern method of auction, such as speed and a defined timetable. However, there are also pitfalls for the unwary and so it is important to consider how it would work for you. Our team answers some common questions about the modern method of auction. What is the modern method of auction? Typically, the modern method of auction takes place online over a fixed period. As a seller, you enter into an agreement with the auctioneer who invites…

Getting employees back to the office

According to the Office for National Statistics, before the Covid pandemic only one in eight working adults reported working from home at least once during the previous seven days. This figure peaked at 49 per cent between April and June 2020. It has decreased since then, but not drastically, and the figure for January to February 2023 is 40 per cent. ‘Many employers now want staff to start working in the office either all the time or more frequently,’ says Kalpesh Nakeshree, a Head of Employment Law with Ware & Kay.  ‘Reasons for this include concerns about the impact of remote working on company culture; camaraderie; loyalty; learning opportunities for junior staff; supervision; productivity; innovation and collaboration.’ Kalpesh outlines the contractual and equalities issues that employers need to think about when seeking to make this…

Is my prenuptial agreement binding?

  If you are facing difficulties in your marriage and you have a prenuptial agreement, you may be curious to know just how binding the terms will be, especially if your life is now rather different to the one you envisaged when you planned to get married. It is important that anyone contemplating a divorce or who has concerns about an agreement has a lawyer examine their prenuptial agreement. Will the family court uphold my prenuptial agreement? In England and Wales there is no law specifying that a prenuptial agreement is legally binding.  However, after a landmark decision in 2010 the courts decided that they would give weight to prenuptial agreements under certain circumstances when they are determining the outcome of the financial division of assets between spouses during divorce.  This provides some reassurance that, if…

Agreeing access arrangements for children – welfare considerations

  A relationship breakdown often means a dramatic change in life for all involved and when parents live apart, arrangements need to be agreed about how and when children will see each of their parents.  If a couple can agree arrangements between themselves, it will be beneficial for all concerned and it will have a positive impact on the child’s wellbeing. That arrangement can be formalised by a solicitor to ensure there are fewer disagreements moving forward.  However sometimes relations are not amicable and if one parent is being prevented from spending time with their child, they may need to apply for a child arrangements order to secure their right to access. The Children Act 1989 states that the welfare of the child must be the paramount consideration.  When it comes to welfare, the Act stipulates…