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Mixed reactions to the Chancellor's new schemes.  The Chancellor's £5.4 billion package of financial support to help the housing market announced in the Budget included the launch of two schemes under the Help to Buy banner - 'equity loan' (the Government will loan up to 20 per cent of the…

Source: HM Treasury | 20-03-2013 Caught between a rock and a hard place, George Osborne pleaded his case for continued austerity in his fourth Budget whilst maintaining the UK economy was on track to recovery. Overall his budget was fiscally neutral – any tax savings to be funded by decreases…

In the Law Gazette this week, Justice secretary Chris Grayling has sent a message to the world that the UK is cheaper, quicker and more reliable for litigation disputes. Grayling gave a keynote speech at the UK headquarters of Allen & Overy yesterday to stress his commitment to exporting legal…

With interest rates on deposits staying flat, now is a better time than ever to consider investing in residential buy-to-let property. ““There are blindingly good returns on the right buy-to-let investment, with the Funding for Lending Scheme giving the possibility of an immediate and enticing profit gap between borrowing costs…

The Chancellor could offer more help to borrowers with small deposits, says the Sunday Times Teresa Hunter. House builders are expecting the Chancellor to announce a boost to mortgage support schemes in the impending Budget this week. An extension to the flagship ‘New Buy Scheme’ is likely to be announced…

The sellers of one of London’s most prestigious homes have slashed a whopping £35 million off the asking price in a bid to attract a buyer. The 14-bedroom Heath Hall was originally put on the market for £100 million back in 2011, making it the most expensive home for sale…

Important Changes to Litigation Funding Regime with effect from 1 April 2013 – Sign up as soon as possible to avoid monies being deducted from your damages. From 1 April 2013, new legislation will change the way in which solicitors can offer "no win no fee" agreements, which may mean…

Abacus Solicitors receive CQS Accreditation under the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme… The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) provides a recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing practices. Membership achievement establishes a level of credibility for member firms with stakeholders (regulators, lenders, insurers and consumers) based upon: the integrity of the Senior…

Unmarried couples have no legal rights if they separate, so without an agreement, one of them could be left with nothing. Jill Papworth, The Guardian, March 9 2013 A sharp increase in the number of cohabiting couples over the past 15 years or so has led to a rise in complex…

HMRC launched a campaign on 5 March targeting those who have sold second homes and not paid Capital Gains Tax (CGT) which was due. “The Property Sales campaign is an opportunity for you to bring your tax up to date if you have sold a residential property, in the UK…