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Ordinarily, when an individual (the donor) makes a gift*, it is considered to be a Potentially Exempt Transfer (PET) for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. If the donor dies within seven years, the PET is taken into account on death and tax is calculated accordingly. If the donor survives for seven years, the PET can be […]

For the past 130 years, the Berkshire, Bucksinghamshire and Oxfordshire (‘BB&O’) Law Society have continued to promote the interests of the profession and have provided a strong focus for lawyers in the local area. On Friday the 13th October 2023 a team from Mercers attended the Annual BB&O Law Society Dinner and Awards. The event […]

On Saturday 30th September 2023 the Mercers’ team traded their usual office attire for walking boots and embarked on a 25-kilometre charity walk to raise funds for their 2023 charity partner, The Chiltern Centre. Armed with water bottles, Mercers gilets and enthusiasm, the team gathered at Purley-on-Thames to begin the walk. The chosen route stretched […]

On Thursday the 14th of September 2023, Mercers held a networking breakfast at the Phyllis Court Club Pavilion to discuss the upcoming Renters (Reform) Bill. The event was attended by local letting agents and was a great opportunity to learn more about the new legislation and how it impacts the industry as well as getting […]

Saturday 9th September 2023 saw the return of the much-loved Henley Farm & Country Show, taking place at Greenlands Farm, Hambleden. The sun was most certainly shining for the Henley & District Agricultural Association, who put together the annual event and take great pride in providing a fun and educational day out for the whole […]

Cookery queen and Henley resident Dame Mary Berry was on hand to welcome a selection of new outdoor furniture to Henley’s Townlands Hospital this week, helping everyone celebrate with a specially devised lemon curd sandwich cake which was served with tea and coffee in the sunshine. The tables and benches were paid for thanks to […]

What is the statutory legacy? If someone dies without having made a will, they are said to have died intestate. In such a scenario the estate of the deceased passes in accordance with the intestacy rules. (These rules also apply to any property which is capable of being disposed of by a will, but has […]

Peter Hopkins is the managing partner and co-owner of Mercers Solicitors. He has lived in the centre of Henley with his wife Caroline for 27 years. Describe your business Mercers was formed in 1827 by Nicholas Mercer, who was president of the Law Society, so we are the oldest and largest Henley law firm. We […]

Property boundaries can often be a source of contention between neighbours, especially if they are not clearly defined. When determining where your property boundary lies there are a few steps you can take to establish it. Firstly, you can check your title deeds. When you purchased your property, you should have been given a pack […]

The Renters Reform Bill is a significant piece of legislation currently making its way through Parliament. The Bill intends to make sweeping reforms to the private rental sector, with an aim to make renting fairer for tenants. While the Bill is still able to be amended, and even scrapped, it is estimated that the new […]

The Renters Reform bill is currently passing through parliament and will do away with Section 21 ‘No Fault’ evictions of Tenants. Landlords are still, for the time being, able to use this route to obtain vacant possession of their property. If you need to evict a tenant, then the section 21 notice will allow you […]

Following a death, you may need to apply to the Probate Registry to be given the legal right to deal with a person’s property, money and personal possessions (their Estate) when they die. If you are an executor named in a Will then this will mean applying for a Grant of Probate which is an […]