As we end this year the first implementation phase of the Renters Rights Act starts on the 27^th December 2025, two months after the Act received Royal Assent.  See our previous blog of 14^th November where you can access the implementation roadmap that has been published.

May 2026 is the date that the new tenancy reforms in the Renters Rights Act come into force.  As a landlord, to help you prepare for these changes in the new year our Property Litigation Team have produced a checklist.  Consider this checklist to help ensure that your existing tenancies transition under the new rules and for you to be prepared when entering into new tenancies under the new Act. Click on the link below to download a pdf copy of the checklist.

Renters Rights Act – Compliance checklist for Landlords

You can find out more about our services to Landlords and Tenants, and download our leaflet, here Residential Landlord and Tenant Disputes Legal Services | Adams Harrison

For more information and advice on this and how this may affect you please contact our Property Litigation Team at [email protected]

Acting as executor to an estate can be a minefield at the best of times. It is a huge responsibility. But if there is any legal claim against the estate then this becomes particularly problematic for those that are the executors. This is where our Dispute Resolution Department can advise, assist and represent the Executor(s) to guide them through this difficult time.

What sort of claims can arise?

Executors may need to:

• Defend a claim brought against the estate regarding disputes about ownership, alleged monies/debts owed by the deceased or a claim for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975.
• Pursue a claim on behalf of the estate to recover loans or set aside property transfers made under duress during the deceased’s lifetime.
• Respond to allegations of fraud, undue influence or maladministration of the estate
• Defend or explain the validity of a Will.

We can provide essential legal advice and representation in these circumstances.

Executors must always act in the best interests of the estate and beneficiaries so taking independent legal advice before pursuing risky litigation is essential. It may be necessary to make an application to the Court for guidance and permission on the best way forward in relation to the administration of an estate where there is a dispute or claim. This is called a Beddoe application under part 64 of the Civil Procedure Rules – so called after the legal case of Re Beddoe [1892] that stated an executor who:

“without the sanction of the court, commences an action or defends an action unsuccessfully does so at his own risk as regards the costs, even if he acts on counsel’s opinion”

As an Executor do not take the risks alone – instruct us to advise and represent you and if necessary to make a Beddoe application on your behalf to ensure that you do not have personally liability for your actions as Executor.

We have previously reported that the Employment Rights Bill would give all employees day one employment rights to not be unfairly dismissed.  Currently in most circumstances it is necessary to have two years complete and continuous service with an employer to be eligible to claim unfair dismissal.

In order to get the Employment Rights Bill through to Royal Assent the Government has decided to proceed with what it has described as a “compromise” whereby the current two year qualifying period will be reduced to six months.  There will still be situations where no qualifying period is required at all, for example automatically unfair dismissals.

It has also been reported that the compensatory award cap (currently a year’s gross salary or £118,223, which ever is lower) is to be “lifted”.  It is unclear whether this means increased or removed entirely.  Therefore, further information is awaited.

Follow us for further updates.  Contact us for all employment law advice and representation.