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Individual &
Family Services
Our Individual & Family Services
We provide an expert, friendly and supportive service to help our clients understand their legal position and to reach their objectives. We are completely transparent when it comes to costing and will provide accurate estimates. In certain circumstances we can fix costs at the outset.
Whether your need is selling or buying property, putting in place a Will or Power of Attorney, assisting with estate administration following the death of a loved one, or providing advice and representation following relationship breakdown we are here to provide a high quality and dependable service and to make things as stress free as we can.
We also regularly deal with other legal matters affecting individuals, including employment advice and disputes, including professional negligence claims, property disputes and probate disputes.
Do not hesitate to contact us for an initial discussion as to how we may assist you.
Guides and further
information
Individual Sector
We have produced a number of guides to provide helpful background information on a variety of topics that are often relevant to individuals. These can be accessed below or via our Guides Index at the top of the page. These guides provide initial information and not legal advice – please contact us to discuss your requirements and how we may be able to help.
Latest News
Does Failure to Pay Trigger a Termination Right?
9 December 2024
Failure to pay may seem like grounds for termination, but this isn’t always the case. Acting prematurely could backfire, potentially putting you in breach of the contract. Do You Have a Contractual Right to Terminate? In cases of late payment, parties typically have two legal routes to consider: However, neither guarantees an automatic right to […]
Force Majeure Unpacked: What the Latest Ruling Means for You
6 December 2024
The Supreme Court’s Landmark Decision on Force Majeure and “Reasonable Endeavors” In the recent case of MUR Shipping v RTI, the Supreme Court ruled that the “reasonable endeavours” proviso in a force majeure clause does not oblige parties to accept non-contractual performance, even if it would resolve the issue created by the force majeure event. What […]
When Ideas Collide: Navigating Joint Ownership of Intellectual Property
6 December 2024
Intellectual Property (IP) can arise in various shapes and sizes. Understanding the various forms of IP is useful for considering who and how your IP is owned and can be used. In business, it is common for multiple parties to desire the rights in certain IP. The following is an overview of the rules of […]
With the Possible Legalisation of ‘Assisted Dying’ on the Horizon, Is It Time to Consider Lasting Powers of Attorney for Health and Welfare?
3 December 2024
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare? A Lasting Power of Attorney is a document in which you (the donor) give someone else (the attorney(s)) the power to make decisions on your behalf. A Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare grants your attorney the authority to make decisions regarding […]
Employment & HR: Investigations
28 November 2024
Recently, you may have seen several allegations against high-profile figures making headlines, highlighting the importance of conducting successful investigations. These can involve grievance investigations, disciplinary investigations and other forms of investigation in the workplace. Dealing with the intricacies of workplace investigations can be fraught with difficulties. For many employers, the decision to appoint an external […]
Maternity Leave: FAQs
28 November 2024
On 3rd December 2024, Sarah Alford (Partner) and Caitlin Rees (Associate) in our Employment & HR department at Berry Smith, will be speaking about the upcoming employment law reforms, including the proposed changes to family leave rights, at the Women at Work Wales Conference, hosted by Policy Insight Wales. We therefore thought that now was […]
Berry Smith is delighted to have represented the shareholders of CST Wealth Management Limited in their sale to Brooks Macdonald.
20 November 2024
CST Wealth Management Limited is a renowned chartered financial planning firm based in Bridgend, managing an impressive portfolio of individual and business clients with approximately £170 million in assets under advice. Brooks Macdonald is one of the UK’s leading wealth management firms, focused on providing expert investment management and financial planning. Berry Smith worked closely […]
The ‘Sky’ Is Not the Limit for Bad Faith Trade Marks
18 November 2024
Sky v SkyKick In a key case for trade mark law, the Supreme Court recently handed down its long-awaited judgment in Sky v SkyKick. The legal issue at hand was whether Sky’s trade marks had been validly registered, given the broad scope of their coverage. Originally, Sky sued SkyKick, a cloud management company based in […]
The UK Government’s Life Sciences Investment: Escaping the ‘Valley of Death’
7 November 2024
A £279m partnership in the UK Government’s life sciences sector The UK government recently announced a £279 million investment in its life sciences sector through a partnership with Lilly, a multinational pharmaceutical company. This significant investment is aimed at accelerating healthcare innovation and advancing new care delivery models, particularly focused on improving health for people […]
SDLT Changes in England for additional dwellings
5 November 2024
After weeks of rumour and speculation, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered Labour’s first Budget in 14 years and, in doing so, introduced significant changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax in England. What is Stamp Duty Land Tax? Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax you must pay when you purchase an interest in land or […]
Agricultural Property Relief: Autumn Budget 2024 Changes
31 October 2024
The rumours prior to the unveiling of the Autumn Budget were that Agricultural Property Relief was to be scrapped. While this was not the case there have been considerable changes. If you own agricultural property, it is imperative that you consider the recent announcements. What is Agricultural Property Relief? Agricultural Property Relief is an Inheritance […]
Business Property Relief: Autumn Budget 2024 Changes
31 October 2024
The Chancellor’s announcements in the October budget have reduced the effective of Business Property Relief. If you are a sole trader, in partnership, and/or own a company, it is important that you consider the changes being introduced in April 2026. What is Business Property Relief? Business Property Relief is an Inheritance Tax relief which can […]