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When it comes to the breakdown of a long-term relationship, often the last thing on your mind will be your Will. Already dealing with a vast array of matters both legal and non-legal, a Will often falls at the end of a very long and ever-growing list.  For those without a Will in place, your […]

In the world of property transactions, not every deal concludes successfully. People occasionally change their minds, unsettling survey results can emerge, or someone else might swoop in with a higher offer and claim the property you had your eye on. Let’s explore whether Residential Abortive Transaction Insurance (RATI) is a worthwhile investment in such situations. […]

For more information on making a Will please see here.

Business First Magazine featuring Ruth McKenzie, view the article here

Wigglesworth v Beetson [2024] EWHC 2886 (Ch) The Claimant sought an order confirming his ownership of land on the ground that the owner had sold it to him, and alternatively that he had adversely possessed the land.   The land had been used as a piggery and the Claimant set up a workshop on the site between […]

If there is one thing I learned from Mercers’ after-work tour of the Fairmile Vineyard earlier this year, it is that becoming a vintner is not the career for someone with a short attention span – or indeed shallow pockets. It takes years from first spotting that perfect grape-growing location to popping open your first […]

For more information on how to organise a LPA please see here

The Government’s plan to ban no-fault evictions is causing massive backlogs as landlords rush to evict tenants before the new rules take effect. According to the Daily Telegraph, Section 21 eviction notices have hit a five-year high, with 2,671 tenants evicted by bailiffs in late 2023 — a 38% jump from 2019. Mercers Litigation Team […]

If you own property which has surplus land or a large garden, you might consider selling part of it off. However just like any transaction involving land, you must consider the many legal and financial implications. Check out some things to consider, below. Having your garden or property valuedTo find out whether a sale of […]

Losing a will can create significant complications for the intended beneficiaries of an estate. However, the outcome varies depending on who loses the will—the individual who wrote it (the testator) or the solicitor responsible for holding it. Lost by an Individual If the will is lost by the individual, the law presumes that the testator […]

The Renters’ Rights Bill marks a significant shift in the private rental sector, aiming to protect tenants and rebalance the relationship between renters and landlords. The new regulations will greatly impact how rental properties are managed. For landlords already facing tax changes and increased regulatory scrutiny, these reforms could influence their decision to stay in […]

This case centred on a dispute between two daughters over the validity of their deceased mother’s Will. The Will appointed Daughter 1 as the executrix and as the sole beneficiary.   Daughter 2 contested the Will, claiming it was invalid due to lack of knowledge, approval, undue influence, and fraudulent calumny. She argued that Daughter […]