May 2026 - Lawson West

Importance of World Blood Cancer Day

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Justine Hatcher

Days like World Blood Cancer Day shine a light on the lived reality of those affected by blood cancers — conditions that are often invisible yet profoundly life‑altering. With cancer impacting 1 in 2 people, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding the conditions that shape the lives of colleagues, friends, and loved ones. Blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma place a significant physical and emotional toll on individuals, and awareness is essential not only for early recognition but also for meaningful support.

This day also highlights the life‑saving role of blood stem cell donation. For many, a donor is their best and sometimes only chance of survival, yet awareness and registration rates remain far too low. World Blood Cancer Day honours those waiting for a match, those who have survived, and those whose lives have been lost, while calling on all of us to better understand, support, and advocate for people living with these conditions.

Employers and their Legal Obligations

For employers, understanding the health conditions that their colleagues live with isn’t just good practice it is fundamental to creating a transparent, safe, and supportive workplace. Awareness is not merely a moral compass; it is a legal obligation. When an employee is living with a disability such as blood cancer, the law requires employers to respond with care, flexibility, and informed action.

Under the Equality Act 2010, cancer is automatically classified as a disability. This legal definition triggers a number of employer duties, including the requirement to take proactive, reasonable steps to support the individual and to ensure they are not subjected to discrimination, disadvantage, or unfair treatment. These duties apply regardless of the stage of the cancer, the visibility of symptoms, or whether the employee is currently undergoing treatment.

Employers must therefore:

Engage in meaningful dialogue with the employee about their needs to help better understand their conditions
Identify and implement reasonable adjustments to remove or reduce workplace barriers
Avoid discriminatory decisions around performance, attendance, or capability
Review policies and practices to ensure they do not inadvertently disadvantage someone with cancer

World Blood Cancer Day reminds us that behind every diagnosis is a person balancing treatment, uncertainty, and the desire to continue contributing meaningfully at work. Employers play a crucial role in shaping that experience. By understanding the realities of blood cancer and meeting their legal duties under the Equality Act 2010, organisations can create workplaces where people feel safe, supported, and valued.

If you are affected by this article, Contact Us. Our employment lawyers and professionals are here to help. Whether you’re reviewing policies, managing staff absences or ensuring compliance, we provide clear, practical advice tailored to your business.

Do I Need a Solicitor to Buy Commercial Property?

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Justine Hatcher

Running your own business can be an exciting prospect, but it comes with many challenges, obligations and liabilities which you must consider carefully. One of the largest outlays can be buying commercial property which can be an important opportunity and is often a major investment.

Whilst there are some similarities between residential and commercial properties, there are often many different aspects to consider and it is therefore important to take legal advice at an early stage to establish if the property is right for your business. It is therefore essential you instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf.

Why a Solicitor Is Essential in Commercial Property Transactions

1. What are the key issues to consider with the purchase of a Commercial Property?

Commercial property involves considering detailed legal issues, including:

Title restrictions and covenants – to establish what obligations you may have to carry out and if there are any restrictions limiting the way you can use the property
Rights of access and easements – to establish how you can access the property
Planning and lawful use – to establish what the property can be used for
Environmental liabilities – to establish what you need to consider about the surrounding areas
VAT and Transfer of a Going Concern) TOGC rules – to establish how you might be affected by the sale or transfer of a business
Lease obligations (if the property is tenanted) – to identify the landlord responsibilities you will take on

A solicitor ensures the property is legally sound, meets the needs of your business so that it is suitable for your intended use. Getting this wrong can be costly and detrimental to your business.

2. What will a Solicitor do to help with the purchase of a Commercial Property?

Solicitors Carry Out Critical Due Diligence

Your solicitor will conduct extensive checks to uncover risks that may affect value, use, or future development. These include:

Title investigations
Local authority, environmental, and drainage searches
Reviewing planning permissions and building regulations
Checking asbestos and fire safety compliance
Analysing leases

This due diligence protects you from hidden liabilities so that you know exactly what you are investing in and purchasing.

3. Can a solicitor help with contract negotiations?

Commercial contracts are bespoke and heavily negotiated. An experienced commercial solicitor will:

Draft or negotiate the Sale and Purchase Agreement
Clarify responsibilities for repairs, VAT and completion conditions
Manage replies to enquiries and resolve legal issues

Without legal support you are at risk of agreeing to unfavourable or unclear terms and might significantly affect your business.

4. What tax will I have to pay on a commercial property purchase?

Commercial property tax rules are intricate. An experienced commercial solicitor helps determine:

Whether VAT applies
If the purchase qualifies as a Transfer of a Going Concern (TOGC)
SDLT liability and filing requirements
Capital allowances position

Applying and paying the correct taxes is essential as incorrect tax treatment can lead to costly penalties.

5. How involved will the solicitor be in managing the purchase of a commercial property

Using a solicitor from the outset is essential to ensure that the purchase is properly coordinated from the beginning. Typically, a solicitor coordinates the legal process from offer to completion, ensuring:

All conditions are satisfied
Funds are transferred securely
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) returns are filed correctly
Land Registry registration is completed

At Lawson West, our specialist Commercial Property Team have significant experience in handling all types of commercial property matters, in respect of both leasehold and freehold purchases. These range from small businesses up to multi-million pound operations. We are here to support you every step of the way and with a focus on impeccable service standards our aim is to for you to have every confidence in purchasing the correct property for your growing business.

“We have used Namisha from Lawson-West for several property purchases. She is very professional, reliable, honest and efficient with the work she does. Her communication skills are beyond expectation.” JB

To discuss future commercial property transactions or secured lending options, please contact commercial property solicitor Namisha Nijjar, on 0116 212 1058 or email nnijjar@lawson-west.co.uk .

Know more about the Lawson West Commercial Property team.

Please note that this is a basic overview only and should not be construed or relied upon as advice. This summary is strictly confidential and should not be released to any third party without our express written consent, except in circumstances where required by applicable laws or regulation. Lawson West Solicitors Limited accepts no duty of care to any third party in connection with this summary.

Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax in Estate Administration

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Justine Hatcher

The administration of an estate following a death involves far more than simply obtaining a grant of probate and distributing assets. Personal representatives (“PRs”)—whether executors or administrators—must also carefully manage the estate’s ongoing income tax and capital gains tax (CGT) liabilities throughout the administration period.

Failure to deal with these tax obligations correctly can expose PRs to personal liability, as well as potential interest and penalties from HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”).

The Estate Administration Period

The administration period begins on the date of death and ends when the estate has been fully administered and all assets have passed to the beneficiaries. During this time, the estate is treated as a separate taxable entity for both income tax and CGT purposes. PRs are responsible for:

Collecting and safeguarding estate assets
Settling debts and liabilities
Dealing with inheritance tax (IHT), income tax, and CGT
Distributing the estate to beneficiaries

The tax position during the administration period differs significantly from both the deceased’s lifetime and the post-distribution position of beneficiaries, making specialist probate and tax advice essential.

Income Tax During Estate Administration

Upon death, an individual’s personal income tax position comes to an end. PRs must ensure that all income up to the date of death is accurately reported to HMRC. This may include:

Employment income
Pension income
Rental income
Savings interest and dividends

If the deceased was within self-assessment, a final self-assessment tax return may need to be submitted.

Post-Death Income

Any income generated by estate assets during administration is taxable on the PRs. Common sources include:

Bank and savings interest
Dividends from investments
Rental income from property
Business income

The estate is taxed at the basic rate application to PRs:

Savings income: 20%
Dividend income: 8.75%
Other income: 20%

PRs do not benefit from a personal allowance available to individuals.

Distributing Income to Beneficiaries

Where income is distributed to beneficiaries during the administration period, the beneficiaries are treated as receiving estate income with a tax credit for the tax already paid by the PRs.

PRs should provide beneficiaries with estate income certificates showing the gross income and tax credit, enabling beneficiaries to report the income correctly on their personal tax returns.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on Estate Assets

One of the most common tax issues arising during estate administration is Capital Gains Tax (CGT). CGT may arise where estate assets increase in value during the administration period.

Assets passing on death are treated as acquired by the PRS at their market value as at the date of death. as a result:

Gains accrued during the deceased’s lifetime are effectively wiped out for CGT purposes
Any future CGT liability is calculated based on the probate value

For example:
A property bought for £100,000 but valued at £400,000 at the date of death, the PRs are treated as acquiring it at £400,000.

When CGT Arises

If PRs dispose of assets during the administration period and those assets have increased in value since death, CGT may raise. Common chargeable disposals include:

Sale of residential property
Disposal of investment portfolios
Sale of business assets

CGT Allowances and Rates

PRs are entitled to an annual CGT exemption, but only for:

The tax year of death
The following two tax years

After this period, no exemption is available to the estate. The current CGT rates applicable to PRs are:

Residential property: 24%
Other chargeable assets: 24%

PRs do not benefit from individual basic rate bands.

Why Tax Planning in Probate Matters

Income tax and CGT during estate administration are often underestimated. While inheritance tax planning typically receives the most attention, PRs must also proactively manage ongoing tax liabilities after death.

At Lawson West Solicitors, we regularly advise clients and work with their accountants to:

Minimising tax liabilities during estate administration
Ensuring full compliance with HMRC requirements
Protecting PRs from personal liability
Efficiently managing complex estates and asset disposals

Careful administration, accurate asset valuations, and timely tax filings can significantly reduce overall tax exposure.

Speak to Lawson West Solicitors

If you require advice on probate, income tax or capital gains tax during estate administration, our experienced team at Lawson West Solicitors is here to help.

We provide clear, practical guidance to ensure estates are administered efficiently and in full compliance with tax rules in England and Wales.

Free Will Registration Month

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Justine Hatcher

Free Will Registration Month: Protect your loved ones with The National Will Register this May

May brings an excellent opportunity for anyone with a Will to strengthen their estate planning arrangements. For the entire month, The National Will Register is offering free Will registration, allowing you to record the location of your Will at no cost (normally there is a £30 fee).

Use promotional code: FREEWILLREG26

Why Will Registration Matters

A Will is only effective if it can be found. Registering your Will helps ensure:

Your executors know your Will exists and where it is stored
Your final wishes are carried out without unnecessary delay
Family members avoid uncertainty or disputes
Your estate is administered smoothly and efficiently

The National Will Register is the UK’s leading Will registration and search service, trusted by solicitors, probate professionals, and families nationwide.

Endorsed by Martin Lewis

This free registration initiative has received national attention after being highlighted by Martin Lewis on The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV and in his widely followed MoneySavingExpert email. His endorsement has encouraged thousands to take Will registration seriously, something we strongly support.

Our Commitment at Lawson West Solicitors

At Lawson West, we have been registering our clients’ Wills with The National Will Register for many years. We believe it is an essential safeguard that provides reassurance and clarity for families at a difficult time. This free registration month is an ideal moment for anyone with an existing Will to ensure it is properly recorded.

If you do not yet have a Will, or if your Will needs updating before registration, our specialist team based in Leicester and Market Harborough can help you prepare a clear, legally robust document tailored to your circumstances.

Month: May 2026