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With new guidance having been issued regarding the interpretation of 'need' for the purpose of financial settlements on divorce, a recent case shows how the courts have been moving away from a rigid adherence to the principle of 'equality' in the division of assets. It involved a wealthy couple who had in excess of £10 million in assets when they commenced divorce proceedings 14 years after they married. The ex-husband argued that his former wife's claim for a half share of the assets was not appropriate because he already owned...

Appointing an attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is normally a sensible precaution. The procedure allows one's financial affairs (and, if required, matters relating to health and welfare) to be entrusted to others if you are unable to manage them yourself. The procedure is that, at the appropriate time, the person named registers the LPA at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). The attorney then carries out the role under the supervision of the OPG, which, in normal circumstances, uses a very 'light touch'. The choice of attorney...

Appointing an attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is normally a sensible precaution. The procedure allows one's financial affairs (and, if required, matters relating to health and welfare) to be entrusted to others if you are unable to manage them yourself. The procedure is that, at the appropriate time, the person named registers the LPA at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). The attorney then carries out the role under the supervision of the OPG, which, in normal circumstances, uses a very 'light touch'. The choice of attorney...

Wind farms can be seen for miles around and their visual impact on nearby heritage assets can frequently prove decisive in planning terms. That was certainly so in one case in which proposals for five wind turbines within sight of a listed church were scotched by the High Court. The church stood in a village which had been abandoned for more than 20 years following a catastrophic explosion at a nearby oil refinery. Although no longer serving a parish, the church was carefully maintained by a charity and was Grade...