Dealing with hidden assets on divorce

On the breakdown of a marriage, it is not uncommon for the wealthier spouse to seek to hide their assets to help defeat any claim on divorce. However, for any party who tries to conceal their financial worth, and this comes to light, they can expect the court to flex its’ judicial muscles.

Below we look at the importance of disclosure during financial remedy proceedings and what steps can be taken by the court in favour of the financially weaker spouse to deal with underhand tactics. 

What are the rules relating to disclosure on divorce?

When a marriage irretrievably breaks down, and the division of martial assets cannot be agreed, the court may need to make an order. To do this, and to do so fairly in all the circumstances, the parties will be required to provide the court with what is known as ‘financial disclosure’. This is the process whereby both parties to a marriage are ordered to disclose details of their income, property and assets. This should include assets held jointly and individually. It should also include assets acquired prior to, during and even after the marriage has ended. In this way, the court can assess the parties’ respective economic needs, obligations and responsibilities in the context of their financial worth on divorce.

In some cases, there may be assets that one spouse knows nothing about. Still, even if one party has no knowledge that a particular asset exists, this must be disclosed to the court. This is because the parties are legally required to provide full and frank disclosure of their entire financial circumstances.

What are the consequences of non-disclosure on divorce?

There are various ways in which a financially stronger spouse may attempt to defeat or reduce a claim made against them on divorce. These can include converting assets into cash, temporarily transferring assets to family members, placing assets into sham trust mechanisms and moving assets offshore. However, whilst attempts to deploy these kinds of tactics can occasionally be pulled off, the courts have wide-ranging powers when it comes to dealing with anyone who is not playing fair. These include:

• Assessing an award based on the inferred wealth of a party, even if assets can no longer be located

• Notionally ‘adding back’ an asset to the matrimonial pot, as if the asset transfer had not taken place

• Varying or reversing the transfer of assets into a trust or other corporate structure

• Awarding a larger proportion of English-based assets in recognition that these are easier to locate

The courts can also revisit an order once made, setting this aside and ordering a party to pay any legal costs arising from previously undisclosed assets. More importantly, if a party is found by the court to have deliberately hidden assets, they could be potentially prosecuted for fraud.

If you know or suspect that your former spouse is seeking to hide or dissipate assets on divorce, expert legal advice should be sought immediately to help protect your position financially.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, either express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any errors or omissions. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert advice should be sought.

Key considerations when buying a repossessed property

Buying a repossessed property can provide investors and developers with an excellent opportunity to purchase an apartment or house at a significantly discounted price — in some cases, by as much as 30% less than their market value. Repossessed properties can also provide first-time buyers with a chance to get onto the property ladder. However, there are a number of key considerations that must be taken into account. This is because the process of buying a repossessed house is very different than through traditional methods.

Below we look at three of the most important factors that you will need to consider before buying a repossessed property.

#Key consideration 1 — the risk of being gazumped

Even though a lender has the right to repossess a property in circumstances where the borrower had been unable to meet their mortgage repayments, the lender is under a legal obligation to obtain the best possible price to cover any outstanding debt. This means that when an offer is made by a prospective buyer, the lender, or estate agent on their behalf, will usually publish a 'notice of offer’ in the local press inviting higher bids. In consequence, there is no certainty that your initial offer will be sufficient to secure the property, exposing you to the possibility of being gazumped and losing the property altogether, or being forced to increase your offer. Even then, the property will remain on the open market until completion.

#Key consideration 2 — the unavailability of replies to enquiries

As the repossessed property is being sold by or on behalf of the lender, who will have no personal knowledge of the property, they will be unlikely to be able to provide answers to many of the standard enquiries raised during the conveyancing process. This can include detail of any disputes with or complaints about neighbours, any notices or proposals that may affect the property, any rights and informal arrangements with neighbouring properties, or any alterations or changes to the property and whether consents and approvals were sought. This means that you must carry out a thorough visit to the property to satisfy yourself of such matters, and raise any queries that you may have with either your solicitor and/or surveyor.

#Key consideration 3 — the need to act very quickly

When buying a property under normal circumstances, timescales are relatively relaxed, typically to be agreed between the parties. In contrast, when buying a repossessed property, whether through an estate agent or auctioneers, time is of the essence. This is because the lender will want to recoup their money as quickly as possible. When buying a property at auction, once the hammer goes down, contracts are treated as exchanged. This means that you must pay a 10% deposit or reservation fee on the day, with the remaining balance usually payable within a period of 14 to 28 days. Even when buying a property through an estate agent, exchange of contracts is generally requested within 28 days of an offer being accepted, so you must have your finances in place so that you are able to proceed immediately.

There are a whole host of other factors to take into account when buying a repossessed property, where expert advice should always be sought first.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

How to repay a help-to-buy equity loan

If you took advantage of the government’s help-to-buy scheme to put you on the property ladder, you may now be looking to pay off the equity loan that was used towards the cost of buying your property. This could be because you’re selling up, have cash savings or are looking to remortgage. Below we look at some of the factors involved in how to repay an equity loan, including how much this will cost, the process to be followed and if a solicitor will be needed.

How much will it cost to pay off an equity loan?

The total amount of help-to-buy equity loan that you will need to repay is not fixed to the amount originally borrowed, but instead calculated based on the market value of your property at the time that you choose to repay and the equity loan percentage amount.

This means that the repayment amount can be lower or higher than the amount originally borrowed. If you are selling, the repayment figure will be calculated based on either the approved current market value or the agreed sale price, whichever is the higher. The amount you will need to repay also includes interest, fees and any outstanding payments.

What is the process to repay an equity loan?

The process to repay an equity loan will depend, in part, on your method of repayment. As your equity loan will be secured as a second mortgage over the title deeds to your property, you may be looking to increase your borrowing on your first mortgage and use this to pay off some or all of your equity loan. If you want to repay just part of your equity loan through remortgaging, you’ll first need to get permission from the administrator for Homes England to change your mortgage provider and increase your borrowing on your existing mortgage.

Provided permission has been sought from Homes England, where applicable, or where you are using the proceeds of sale or cash funds to repay your equity loan, you will then need to instruct an RICS-approved surveyor to inspect your property and provide a valuation report to confirm its current value. You will be responsible for the surveyor’s costs in this regard.

Once you have the valuation report, this will need to be submitted to Target Services Ltd, together with their loan redemption form and administration fee, in order to obtain a redemption figure. Target is a private company appointed by Homes England to administer the repayment of equity loans under the help-to-buy scheme. The valuation report will be valid for a period of 3 months from the date of issue. If repayment does not take place within this timescale, you will need to arrange and fund the cost of an additional desktop valuation.

Is a solicitor needed to deal with the repayment process?

Given that your equity loan will be secured against your property, a specific legal process will need to be followed to ensure its removal once you have paid this off in full. This means that you will need to instruct a solicitor to carry out the legal conveyancing to repay the loan, including checking with Land Registry that the equity charge has been removed.

The legal fees for your solicitor dealing with the transaction will vary depending on the nature of your financing for the repayment of the help-to-buy equity loan.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

Equity Release FAQs

Equity release schemes are aimed at those 55 or over looking to free up some equity in their property, while continuing to live there and without making monthly repayments. Needless to say, there are both benefits and drawbacks to these types of schemes, where answers to the following frequently asked questions will help homeowners to make an informed decision.

What is equity release and how do this work?

A growing number of people in later life are finding themselves ‘property rich but cash poor’, where equity release is the process by which a homeowner can extract some or all of the wealth tied up in their property by way of regular payments or a cash lump sum.

There are two main types of equity release schemes:

•   a lifetime mortgage: where a loan is secured against the property, but ownership retained, and the loan repaid from the homeowner’s estate once they die. The interest on the loan can either be repaid at regular intervals, or rolled up and repaid on redemption of the loan;

•   a home reversion plan: where part or all of the property is purchased by the scheme provider, but the seller will be permitted to live in the property rent-free under a lifetime lease. When the property is sold, typically after the seller dies or moves into long-term care, the provider will be entitled to their percentage share by way of repayment.

What are the benefits of equity release schemes?

There are various benefits to equity release, although the advantages involved will depend on the nature of the scheme. In broad terms, equity release schemes will:

•   give you tax-free cash, with the freedom to spend this on anything you want

•   allow you and others to benefit from your wealth during your lifetime

•   enable you to continue living in your current home, without the upheaval of moving.

The ‘no-negative equity guarantee’ offered by lenders approved by the Equity Release Council also means that the amount of money borrowed against the value of your home, plus any rolled-up interest, can never go above the value of that property.

What are the drawbacks of equity release schemes?

There are various drawbacks with equity release, although again the disadvantages will depend on the nature of the scheme. However, in broad terms, equity release schemes will:

•   be unlikely to pay you the full market value for your home, where you will receive far less money, comparatively, than you would from selling the property on the open market

•   diminish the value of your estate, where this will reduce the amount of inheritance that your beneficiaries would otherwise receive after you die

•   potentially reduce your right to means-tested benefits, including funding for social care.

Which equity release scheme is right for me?

For each of the two equity release schemes, there are various options available, where it’s important that both the immediate and future needs of the homeowner are matched with the right type of scheme. The importance of seeking expert advice from a qualified professional cannot be underestimated, so that you fully understand the long-term implications, with sufficient knowledge of the risks, rewards and legal obligations under your preferred scheme.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

Taking the stress out of financial disclosure

When a couple separates, it’s important for each party to fully understand the financial worth of their ex before entering into any negotiations as to the division of marital or partnership assets. So as to provide transparency, and to enable the court to make or approve an order that’s fair in all the circumstances, the parties are required to provide ‘financial disclosure’. Below we look at how this process works and how to minimise the stress involved.

What is financial disclosure?

Financial disclosure is the process whereby both parties to a marriage or civil partnership are required to exchange financial information in relation to their respective incomes, property and any other financial resources which each has the benefit of. This includes any assets held on both a joint and individual basis, together with valuations, as well as assets acquired prior to, during and even after the marriage or civil partnership has irretrievably broken down.

In some cases, both spouses or civil partners may be fully aware of each other’s financial worth, including any solely-owned assets — whilst in others, one party may have no knowledge whatsoever that particular assets exist, let alone how much these are worth.

How is financial disclosure made?

The parties are legally required to provide full and frank disclosure of their financial and other relevant circumstances, in a clear and accurate way, otherwise risk having an order set aside and being ordered to pay any associated costs. Moreover, if a party is found to have been deliberately untruthful, criminal proceedings may be brought against them for fraud.

This means that the parties will be required to complete, and sign with a statement of truth, what’s known as Form E. This is a lengthy and detailed legal document that can potentially run into hundreds of pages long, once all documentary evidence in support has been attached. Needless to say, this process can be daunting, and extremely stressful, when an individual is already having to deal with the emotional fallout from the breakdown of their relationship.

How can the stress be taken out of financial disclosure?

Even though completing Form E is no easy task, the following three top tips should be followed to help ease the pressure when going through this process:

• Read Form E carefully: your solicitor can help guide you through this process, although Form E itself sets out exactly what’s required so that you know what to expect. By printing off a copy of Form E, you can make one of these your draft 'to do' list. Once you’ve got all the necessary information, you can print a fresh copy to complete and forward to your solicitor.

• Be organised: by starting your ‘to do’ list early, gathering the relevant documents to accompany Form E, you will minimise the stress of meeting any deadline. A great deal of the information required will need to be requested from third parties, such as home and pension valuations, where it can take weeks to receive this information. It’s important that you give yourself plenty of time to prepare what you’ll be required to disclose.

• Be thorough: the parties are required to be completely up front about all the assets they own, even if their ex has no knowledge of these. Equally, it’s important not to make any accidental omissions, where there may be significant costs and other consequences for failing to disclose an asset or source of income, even if this was a genuine mistake.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

The importance of warranties when buying a business Vs the importance of disclosure when selling a business

The importance of warranties when buying a business so as to protect the purchaser against undisclosed risks cannot be underestimated. Equally, from the seller’s point of view, providing written disclosure of any existing issues to limit liability for any warranties made can be crucial. Below we look at how warranties work in the context of two competing principles: ‘caveat emptor’ (let the buyer beware) versus ‘caveat venditor’ (let the seller beware).

What are warranties and how do they work?

Warranties are contractual statements regarding the affairs of the company or business being sold, given by the seller to the buyer prior to the point of sale. These are usually incorporated into the sale/purchase agreement and can cover a wide range of areas, from ongoing employment disputes to ownership of assets and the condition of plant and equipment.

If a seller provides a warranty but it subsequently transpires that this was untrue at the time it was given, the buyer may have a claim in damages against the seller. In this way, warranties can be used to protect a purchaser from any undisclosed risks when buying a business.

Under English law, unless warranties have been made prior to the point of sale, a purchaser will be afforded very little protection when buying a business. This is due to the well-established principle of 'caveat emptor' or ‘buyer beware’, under which the buyer alone is responsible for checking the viability of, and risks attached to, a business before proceeding.

Nonetheless, where warranties have been made by the seller, the extent of any liability under those warranties can be limited, albeit only where the seller has provided full and formal disclosure of any pertinent issues against a particular warranty. Under the lesser-known principle of ‘caveat venditor’ or ‘seller beware’, absent detailed written disclosure — even where the buyer was otherwise aware of the matter complained of and for which damages are sought — the seller is likely to remain liable in full in respect of any warranties given.

What are the potential consequences of breach of warranty?

In the recent decision of Equitix EEEF Biomass 2 Ltd v Fox & Others [2021] EWHC 2531, the High Court ordered that the sellers pay the buyer £11 million in damages for breach of multiple warranties contained within a written share sale agreement.

On its’ facts, the buyer purchased the entire issued share capital of an energy company. The sale agreement contained multiple warranties given by the sellers, including a warranty that the company’s biomass boilers were in good condition. Following the sale, faults with the boilers led to the loss of its’ sole customer to whom the company supplied heat energy.

The court rejected the seller’s argument that they’d disclosed against the warranties and/or that the information was within the buyer’s actual knowledge, such that the warranties could not be relied on. Notwithstanding that the buyer had been aware of certain issues, the court found that the sellers’ liability for any warranties given would only be limited if specific disclosure had been made, prior to completion, against the warranty in question. Equally, disclosure must be made in sufficient detail for the buyer to fully understand the true picture.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

New EPC requirements for commercial leases

With new minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) for non-domestic private rented properties due to come into force next year, landlords should already be taking steps to meet the necessary energy performance indicator. Below we look at what these changes mean for commercial landlords, as well as the proposals for commercial MEES beyond 2023.

What is the minimum level of energy efficiency required?

With the phased introduction of the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, subject to prescribed exemptions, private landlords of non-domestic properties in England or Wales have not been permitted to enter into new lettings with an EPC rating of less than ‘E’ — including lease renewals and lease extensions — since 1 April 2018.

As from 1 April 2023, this requirement will apply to all private rented properties in England and Wales, even where there’s been no change in tenancy arrangements. This means that the MEES threshold will apply to existing commercial leases, where landlords will not be able to continue to let properties with either an ‘F' or ‘G’ EPC rating, albeit subject to any exemption.

What steps should commercial landlords be taking to meet this standard?

Given that the clock is now ticking until the new MEES for existing commercial lettings comes into force, landlords should be assessing the EPC ratings of any rental properties within their portfolio to see if they fall below the required threshold.  Where necessary, they should also be putting in place a pro-active strategy to make adequate energy efficiency improvements to any properties with a current ‘F’ or ‘G’ EPC rating.

This could mean, for example, replacing windows and doors, or installing more energy efficient heating and water systems. It will also mean liaising with existing tenants to enable works to take place, ideally during closing hours to minimise any business interruption.

As it’s the landlord’s obligation to ensure that the EPC meets the minimum rating, this responsibility cannot be passed to the tenant. Further, some or all of the cost of any energy efficiency improvements can only be passed to the tenant via any service charge, if the terms of the lease allow for this.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with the new EPC rating?

Once the regulations have fully come into force, it will be illegal for a landlord to let out a non-domestic private-rented property which falls below a minimum 'E' EPC rating —unless, for example, all the relevant energy efficiency improvements for the property that can be made have been made, and the property remains sub-standard, or one of the other prescribed exemptions apply. Further, even where a legitimate exemption applies, this must be validly registered on the PRS Exemptions Register before this can be relied upon.

In short, in the majority of cases, landlords will be unable to lease any building that has an EPC rating lower than E, where non-compliance could result in enforcement action and a sizeable fine, potentially running into tens of thousands of pounds.

What further changes are likely to take place when it comes to energy efficiency?

In addition to the changes due to take place next year, further changes to MEES for commercial properties are expected across the UK. The 2023 changes are effectively a precursor to reaching the government’s new set target for all commercial rented properties to have a minimum EPC rating of 'B' by 2030. This is also likely to be implemented in two stages, with a phased incremental increase to a C-rating by 2028.

As such, although it may be tempting for landlords to target the bare minimum EPC ‘E’ rating due to come into force in 2023 for existing commercial lets, by aiming higher, landlords will be future-proofing their properties from more stringent standards soon likely to take place.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

Does cryptocurrency go into the matrimonial pot on divorce?

When couples cannot agree on the division of marital assets on divorce, or even where agreement has been reached but the court is required to approve a draft consent order, consideration must be given as to the nature and value of any assets owned or available to either party. In this way, a court order can be made that’s fair in all the circumstances.

In most cases, this will include all physical assets, such as the marital home, as well as any savings or investments, such as stocks and shares, and occupational pensions. But what about digital assets, such as cryptocurrency? Should this also form part of the matrimonial pot?

What is cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is a form of digital currency based on blockchain technology and secured by cryptography. Bitcoin is the best-known cryptocurrency, and the one for which blockchain technology was invented. It’s essentially a medium of exchange, such as the pound sterling, but is virtual and uses encryption techniques, both to control the creation of monetary units and to verify the transfer of funds. Cryptocurrencies don't have a central issuing or regulating authority, instead using a decentralised system to record transactions and issue new units.

Can cryptocurrency be taken into account?

When making a financial remedy order on divorce, the court is under a duty to have regard to all the circumstances of the case, taking into account a wide range of different factors. These factors include the income, earning capacity, property and any other financial resources which each party to the marriage has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future.

As with any other form of money or investment, this means that cryptocurrency is an asset, albeit a digital asset, that the court will almost certainly put into the matrimonial pot when assessing the parties’ financial worth and considering what’s fair in all the circumstances.

That said, whether or not cryptocurrency will form part of the overall settlement ordered or approved by the court will ultimately depend on the totality of resources available to either party — to be considered in the context of their respective financial needs, obligations and responsibilities. The welfare of any children under 18 will be an overriding factor here, where relevant, although other factors can include the age of the parties, the length of the marriage and the standard of living enjoyed by the family before the breakdown of the marriage.

Does cryptocurrency have to be disclosed?

Given the encrypted nature of cryptocurrency, it can be tempting for any party in possession of this type of digital asset to decide not to disclose to the court either its’ existence or its’ true value. There may even be cases where a spouse may attempt to dissipate more easily traceable physical assets through investment in cryptocurrency in order to defeat their spouses’ claim.

However, when asking the court to make a financial remedy order on divorce, or even when seeking the courts’ approval of a draft settlement agreement, the parties are under an ongoing duty to provide full and frank disclosure, including disclosure of any digital assets.

In cases of non-disclosure, where this comes to light, the court has the power to set aside transactions and order that such assets be added back to the matrimonial pot for distribution upon settlement. If an order has already been made, the court can also overturn such order, with significant costs and other financial consequences for the non-disclosing party.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

Making a gift and minimising inheritance tax

Gifting money, property or possessions to a loved one during your lifetime can be such a great feeling, although the joy of giving can feel even greater when you also factor in the potential tax benefits on death. In fact, lifetime gifts can be one of the best ways to minimise the amount of inheritance tax that your estate will be liable to pay when you die. But what are the exemptions when it comes to lifetime gifts, and how can you make the most of any tax relief?

What are the inheritance tax rules relating to gifts?

Some lifetime gifts are automatically exempt from inheritance tax, whereas others are known as potentially exempt transfers (PETs) to which a 7-year rule applies.

Gifts that won't count towards the value of your estate include an annual exemption of up to £3,000 during every tax year, as well as the small gift exemption, where you can make an unlimited number of small gifts of up to £250 per person. Wedding or civil ceremony gifts, and payments toward the living costs of a child or elderly relative may also be exempt.

In contrast, PETs are gifts that are not automatically exempt under the rules, but will not be chargeable to inheritance tax if you survive for a period of more than 7 years from when the gift was made. This means that if a gift is made more than 7 years prior to the date of death, regardless of the nature or size of the gift, no inheritance tax will be payable. Accordingly, once you’ve given someone a gift, the inheritance tax clock will start to tick.

In most lifetime gift scenarios, this essentially means that you’ll have to survive for 7 years or more before your gift becomes 100% inheritance tax-free, although taper relief may still be available where the total value of any gifts made within the 7-year period prior to death exceeds the relevant tax-free threshold. Under the taper relief rules, inheritance tax is payable on a sliding scale, from the full rate of 40% for gifts made less than 3 years prior to the date of death, decreasing to as little as 8% for gifts made within 6-7 years.

How can the tax relief from lifetime gifts be maximised?

There are various ways in which the relief from inheritance tax can be maximised. In particular, giving someone a gift early in your lifetime increases the likelihood of you surviving for 7 years thereafter, and that gift becoming inheritance tax-free. You’ll also have the pleasure of seeing a loved one benefit from your generosity during your lifetime.

To understand more about the ways in which you can maximise the relief applicable to lifetime gifts, in this way minimising the inheritance payable by your estate, expert advice should be sought as soon as possible. The sooner you start to plan ahead, and make lifetime gifts, the faster the inheritance tax clock will start to tick in your favour.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

Blackhurst Budd Celebrate Newly Qualified Solicitor

Blackhurst Budd Solicitors is delighted to announce that Demi Perrin has completed her legal training contract and has qualified as a Solicitor, joining the firm’s family law department as of 1st June 2022.

Within the family department Demi will assist clients with a wide range of services including divorce, financial settlements, arrangements for children and cohabitation matters.

Demi joined Blackhurst Budd in August 2019 after completing a Masters in Law from UCLAN. Her training contract started in September 2020.

Sharon Emslie, Head of Family Law commented:

“Congratulations to Demi on qualifying as a Solicitor. Her success is well deserved and is the result of many years of hard work. We’re delighted she has qualified with the firm I wish her the best of luck as she moves forward in the next stage of her career.”

Demi Perrin added:

“Undertaking my training contract during the coronavirus pandemic has been challenging to say the least, but I am thrilled to have now qualified as a Solicitor and would like to thank the firm for their support.”