The most successful commercial landlords take an active approach to managing their properties, and there is more to this than making sure the building is well-maintained. It is also important to check that your tenants are not causing a nuisance to others or...
If you are helping a loved one who is ill or vulnerable in their later life, whether formally or informally, there are various bodies that you might encounter with whom you will need to liaise to assist you with your loved one’s affairs. In this blog...
Imagine a contract you entered into is not going as expected and you want to terminate. All you want is to get out of this contract but, if not terminated properly, this could end up causing you more issues than necessary. Ending a contract cleanly is,...
Update Your Will Week (4th – 10th March), is an annual campaign hosted by The Association of Lifetime Lawyers. It aims to raise awareness around the risks of not having an up to date Will and encourages people to update their Will to ensure their...
Buying a new-build house comes with its own issues and processes to follow. Here are the answers to questions on buying a new build house and some tips when buying a new build house. I’ve reserved my new property, what do I need to do now? Now that...
Our York, Malton and Pickering offices are taking part in the Martin House Hospice Make a Will Month in March 2024. This is a scheme where you can make your Will for free* from 1-31 March 2024. If you want to take part as a supporter, a Will Month pack will...
Customer safety and satisfaction are key objectives for any manufacturer or supplier, as you seek to build and maintain a reputation in the market. Quality control plays a key role in new product development, even though it can be a challenge with a long...
If you have been presented with an opportunity for a potential management buyout (MBO) at the company where you work, and you believe there is a strong future for the business, then one of your first and most pressing considerations will be the funding. ...
Without the correct estate planning, the value of your home could be lost to care home fees in the future. Naturally, people want to protect their assets so that they can pass on the value of these assets to their loved ones on their passing. ...
If you take a lease of business premises, your landlord may ask you to ‘contract out’ of statutory rights that apply to business tenancies. Before making that decision, you need expert legal advice to understand what rights you are giving...
Our solicitors Sharon Richardson , Belinda-Jane Poulter , Bethany Worthy and Emma Silkstone are proud Accredited Lifetime Lawyers (previously known as Solicitors for the Elderly). They’re some of the most qualified specialists in the country in...
It’s National Apprenticeship Week this week (w/c 5 February 2024). The week is to 'celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity' that apprenticeships bring - both to businesses and individuals. Hear from Cat and James in our team in...
Many people who opt to make a home-made Will do so because they think they will save money on legal fees. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems and unexpected costs later down the line for the family who may be left to unravel problems at a difficult...
Whether it’s a house, an office building, farmland or other type of property, where it’s occupied by somebody other than the owner, it’s in the interests of both parties that the terms under which it’s occupied are clear and...
We have signed up to be part of the Alzheimer's Society ‘Will to Remember’ scheme and as of 5 th February 2024, we are listed on their map of solicitors who take part in the scheme. We are already a part of Alzheimer’s Research...
Divorce and/or separation can be a difficult time for everyone, particularly for children. It can turn their world upside down and often takes time for them to become accustomed to their “new normal”. We can help guide you through in a couple of...
Does your next of kin have an automatic right to make decisions regarding your finances and health if you lose mental capacity? The answer is NO. In order to give someone the legal authority to manage your financial affairs and to make medical decisions...
As a business owner in partnership with others, you probably took great care to consider the key issues and agree a carefully worded partnership agreement at the formation of your business. But once signed, has this important document been filed away...
A guide to parents in care proceedings: help us to help you! Care proceedings are hard – we get that. Let’s take a look at our five top tips to help you navigate your way through these difficult times: 1. Honesty really is the...
Carrying out the duties of an executor is both a privilege and a burden. You have been tasked with ensuring that someone’s wishes are carried out after their death, and this can often be more complex and take longer than you imagine. Some...
Have you checked recently that your registered titles reflect who is entitled to your land – and is their interest protected by a restriction? Like many other landowners, you may have been encouraged to register land voluntarily with Land Registry...
Commercial tenants will know that the rent they pay is only one part of the overall cost of occupying their premises. A service charge is another significant cost and, unlike rent, it can fluctuate from year to year depending on what the landlord...
As somebody who both works in Family Law, and is a mother of two boys, I am acutely aware of the importance of educating children on consent and not prescribing to the societal norm of ‘what a man should be like’. My youngest son’s...
Selling your goods in a new and unfamiliar market can be a risky and costly venture, but entering into a distribution arrangement with a separate distributor can provide your business with a route to market, giving you access to new customers without...
Are you selling land that you think the buyer might profitably develop but are not sure how to secure a share of the future development value? If you are selling land that you think is ripe for development, overage (also known as a...
Charities enjoy favourable tax status but must follow a range of statutory rules, and this includes obligations in regard to leasing premises and property transactions. The trustees must take care to follow the proper process if they want to sell or...
If you are a professional working in the property sector, you may at some point face a claim from a disgruntled client claiming that you have been negligent in your advice, or in your work for them. This can affect any property professional, such as...
When appointing a new supplier there is often a dilemma over the issue of confidentiality. How do you strike the balance between sharing enough information to obtain the best deal without jeopardising confidential business information? It is...
When dealing with the administration of an estate, distributing the gifts is one of the final stages. It is important that executors do not make distributions too soon, to protect themselves and the estate against debts or claims. Executors are advised not...
It is always very difficult when a relationship comes to an end, whatever the reason may be. There are so many issues to consider; property, children, money, business interests and assets. Very often couples are forced to continue living together for a...
If you are planning to sell your business to your management team, agreeing the terms of the deal is just the beginning. It is vital that you manage the management buyout (MBO) process from start to finish as you would any major project. At each stage there...
As a supplier you rely on the contractual relationships with your customers for many reasons. As well as helping to forecast the income stream for your business, you need to be able to ensure that you can plan how much stock and materials you require...
RAAC (‘Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete’) has been the centre of a recent media storm. A cheaper but weaker alternative to traditional concrete, RAAC was a popular building material in the 1950s especially within public buildings has been...
Trusts are typically used to preserve assets for loved ones in private client estate planning, and many trusts are fairly inactive a lot of the time. Often action is only required when the trust is first set up, when assets are distributed, or when the trust...
In challenging economic conditions, commercial property landlords must be prepared for tenants to hit financial difficulties and for some to go out of business. If your tenant becomes insolvent, there are legal restrictions on the kind of action you...
As the cost of living has bitten, the crime of fly tipping has also increased as more and more people, rather than paying the disposal costs of removing waste though legitimate means, dump it on the fields, tracks, gateways and woodlands of our countryside....
Richard Watson and Chris Myles, Directors at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors with offices in York, Pickering, Malton and Selby, who have served thousands of clients in York and North Yorkshire, both retired on 31 October 2023 who, collectively, have spent 70...
Aoife Hennessy in our Dispute Resolution team, has provided an update on the progress of the Renters Reform Bill in this blog, this follows on from her original blog about the Reform of the private rented sector in 2022 . On 17 May 2023, the Renters Reform...
For many years now, the rate of marriages has been steadily decreasing. The most recent statistics of the Institute of Family Studies suggest that the likelihood of an adult never marrying in 2021 was 44% greater than in 1991. With the decline in marriage,...
If you have been asked to be an attorney for someone under their power of attorney, whether for finances or health and welfare, then they have placed their trust in you to act in their best interests at all times. This will also be the case if they did not...
There is no definitive answer to when is the right time to make a Will, as different people may have different reasons and circumstances to consider. However, some general guidelines are: The best time to create a Will is when you are physically and...
There are many reasons why you might want to use a solicitor when you want to get divorced. A solicitor can help you with the legal process, advise you on your rights and entitlements, and negotiate on your behalf with your ex-partner or their solicitor....
Our divorce financial settlement solicitors can provide the legal expertise about options for your property after a divorce. What is a financial settlement? Financial settlement is the point in the divorce process at which the division of assets and other...
As part of most divorces or dissolutions of partnerships, there will be financial matters that need to be considered. To try to reduce worry over costs we have created a number of divorce packages, depending upon your circumstances, which include the...
Our divorce guide highlights the key aspects of the no fault divorce process to provide you with an idea of the timetable and course of action to expect. Be reassured that most divorces progress without difficulties and without the need to attend Court. ...
Our Ryedale offices (Malton and Pickering) have chosen to fundraise for Martin House Hospice as their current office chosen charity. Over the coming months, our staff will be taking part in a variety of fundraising activities which we will share updates...
North Yorkshire based law firm, Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors, has confirmed a third consecutive year shirt sponsorship deal with local sports club York Futsal. Supporting the local community is one of the four key values the law firm is committed to...
While some business transactions are quick and simple, many involve protracted negotiations as you shop around for the best provider of goods or services and negotiate hard to get the best terms and conditions. Some businesses in your supply chain may have a...
Whether it’s tenancies that haven’t been put in writing or other undocumented property arrangements, it’s not uncommon for property owners or occupiers to face difficulties when needing to understand and prove their rights in relation to...
Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors has a free prize draw where 2 people* have the opportunity to each win a pair of tickets to the Kaleb Cooper tour night at the Barbican in York on 1 February 2024. UPDATE AS OF 6 DEC 2023 - the winners have been drawn and...
Joint ventures – choosing the right structure and whether to incorporate As a business owner preparing for a joint venture, you and your potential partner will need to decide how best to structure the business arrangement so that it provides the...
A full repairing and insuring (FRI) lease is one that places the responsibility of repair and maintenance of the premises onto the tenant. The tenant may undertake them directly or they may contribute to their cost by way of a service charge. The tenant must...
Being an executor is an important role and a serious responsibility. Even a simple estate can be more difficult than many people realise and you should ensure that you understand the role and are willing to take on the responsibility before starting to act. ...
Our Private Client team are supporting a number of charity Will month schemes in October 2023. Please see the details below on how these work if you would like to make a Will using one of these schemes. St Leonard’s Will Month Our Selby and York...
In a bumpy market, it pays to be well-prepared before you put your commercial property on the market. Your solicitor will help you to be ready for the kinds of questions you should expect from prospective buyers as they and their solicitors carry out due...
If you are buying or selling property, we are offering discounted legal fees for conveyancing from 1 September to 30 November 2023 for one offer and 1 September to 31 December 2023 for the other offer, as our way of helping given the current financial...
Commercial landlords are increasingly keen to show that their buildings are sustainable. With energy prices high and continuing uncertainty in the global energy markets, producing renewable energy on commercial buildings is more attractive than ever....
When you communicate with your lawyer, it is vital that those communications remain confidential, especially if your business is heading towards a dispute with another company that could end up in court. Equally, where evidence and information is gathered...
Members of our team are taking on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge on Saturday 9 September 2023 to hopefully raise £2000, and more if we can, to donate equally between our 3 office chosen charities – Mind, York Against Cancer and Martin House...
Part of the success of TV shows like the BBC Antiques Roadshow is the thrill when a long-cherished family heirloom turns out to be surprisingly valuable, for example a piece of china that has been on display in the home for many years. Occasionally, a rare...
Indemnities and limited liability clauses are often the most negotiated provisions in business contracts. It is a fine balance between agreeing appropriate risk and allocating protections, while at the same time remaining reasonable in order to conclude the...
On 26 July 2023, the law changed to increase the “statutory legacy” in intestate estates. Statutory legacy is the amount of money a spouse or civil partner is entitled to receive when a person dies without a Will. What is...
We are very pleased to be part of and supporting York 50+ Festival 2023. Matthew Railton, at our York office, is providing a legal advice drop-in clinic to take questions about making your Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Pre-book your 30 minute...
If a neighbouring landowner uses part of your land for something, such as access or drainage, it is likely that they will have a formal right known as an easement. This could restrict your ability to redevelop or extend existing buildings on your...
If you are planning to sell your business, one option might be a management buyout (MBO) if you think the current management team could be interested in buying you out. Planning well ahead will help to ensure that the MBO team is right for the deal, that...
Obtaining a court judgment for payment from a debtor can be a huge relief, particularly if your claim was contested. However, enforcing that judgment and actually obtaining payment can be problematic in itself if the debtor is not cooperative. There...
As a commercial tenant, what are your options for ending your lease early? There may be circumstances in which you wish to terminate your lease prior to the end of the period for which it was granted. This can be for several reasons, including if you...
It is common knowledge that it can be difficult for young farmers to get a foothold in agriculture, and with the average age of farmers in this country just under 60, at the other end of the scale, it can be difficult for those farmers looking to retire to...
Whether the beneficiary of an estate is entitled to inherit a small personal item, a share or even the majority of the assets of the person who died, it can be a stressful time for them while they wait for probate to come through. Delays at the probate...
You may be surprised to hear about which estates have to pay inheritance tax (IHT) on death. Once you have farmed for more than two years, most working farms are able to pass from one generation to the next with no or reduced inheritance...
With predictable revenue streams, it is understandable why a subscription business is attractive. Recent years have seen the launch of various innovations, such as monthly recipe boxes, coffee pods or health products, with numerous digital apps adding to...
There are many reasons why shareholders fall out. Most companies in the UK are small owner-managed businesses, which are family businesses or have been started out by friends with a common aim. Over the years people and priorities can change and no longer...
Farms and farming land are valuable assets that you and your family have invested a lot of time in. So, it’s important you protect them – whether that’s when you’re entering a new relationship or simply so that your children can...
Turnover rents are increasingly common in retail lettings. In challenging times, they appeal to tenants because both the landlord and tenant share the risk of trade being adversely affected by the state of the wider economy. Landlords would...
If you are an attorney for health and welfare decisions (as opposed to financial decisions), it is important to make sure that you are clear about exactly what decision making powers have been granted to you. This will ensure you can work with medical staff...
A robust set of terms and conditions are essential for every business, allowing you to clearly outline the products or services you are selling, the terms on which you are selling them, and the steps that will be taken if things go wrong. Not only is it...
The recent sacking of government minister Nadhim Zahawi brought into sharp focus the damage that can be caused following a tax investigation and negative findings by HMRC. Not only can this lead to serious financial implications for a business, but...
If your tenant defaults on the rent or breaches their commercial lease in some other way, you may be able to call on a former tenant or a guarantor to pay arrears or remedy breaches. This will only be possible if you follow the correct process and act...
If you have a child with a disability, you may be concerned about what will happen to them when you are no longer around. Ensuring a child with disabilities is provided for sufficiently in the long term can be tricky to navigate, and it is best to seek...
All properties in England and Wales can be registered with the Land Registry. If it’s not, then you can apply for first registration. This is simply the process of registering your land or property with the Land Registry. The Land Registry holds a...
We are very pleased to announce that in the fourth year of our transparent, merit-based and all-inclusive Career Progression Programme and following the latest round of applications, we have promoted 6 staff with effect from 1 May 2023. Set in place in 2019...
A company’s ‘ESG’ rating is an increasingly important factor when others make decisions to invest or do business with it, with ESG referring to ‘environmental, socio-economic and corporate governance’ factors. Stakeholders will...
If you have spotted a great business acquisition opportunity and the headline figures look superb, how do you know that you will be getting the value and benefits in the deal that you had hoped for? The key lies in the quality and depth of the due diligence...
The role of a deputy is similar to that of an attorney. If you are acting as an attorney, this will be because the person you are acting for specifically chose you to act and they made a document called a ‘power of attorney’ at a time when they...
If you are a business tenant, a break clause in your commercial lease gives you valuable flexibility to move out if circumstances change, but the law on break clauses is full of traps for tenants. If you want to be certain of ending your lease...
Following a recent annual independent assessment, law firm Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors, with offices in Pickering, Malton, Selby and York, is delighted to confirm their continued accreditation with Lexcel, the Law Society quality standard mark for law...
Becoming a minority shareholder or investor in a business may lead you to believe that, given the limited rights you will have, there are not many important considerations to take into account. However, even a minority investor needs to protect their...
When a business becomes aware that a potential legal claim may be heading its way, then it could be tempting for senior people to decide to destroy or alter key evidence which might be ordered by a court. For example, a court might request copies of...
Emma Silkstone, solicitor in our Private Client team, has been recognised with a national accreditation for her expertise in legal support for older and vulnerable clients, their families and carers. The accreditation is awarded by SFE (Solicitors for the...
If you own a commercial property which is larger than you need, selling part of it could be a good way to release value. Before you start, it is vital to have a clear idea of how the division will work from a practical point of view. This will ensure...
Are mirror Wills right for us? If you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting with a long term partner, and thinking of making or updating your Will, you may have heard the expression ‘mirror Wills’ and wonder if this would be...
We are pleased to be able to share with you the blogs written by our staff, talking about their job role, working at our firm and career progression opportunities at Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors. In this blog by Emma Campbell, Solicitor at Crombie...
What could be simpler than allowing a friend, neighbour or a third party to use your field for grazing their animals? It is not as straightforward as it may seem and there are a number of different issues to consider, the first of which is whether you are...
We are once again supporting Saint Catherine’s Make a Will Week 17-21 April 2023. We have four solicitors taking part and offering appointments for this Make A Will Week* and we are already taking bookings now to fill up the slots we have available. ...
If you develop a site and your scheme includes new roads, you will probably want to get them adopted by the local highways authority. This will shift the long-term burden of maintenance to the highways authority, but there may be short term costs...
The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 received Royal Assent in April 2022 will come into effect on 27 February 2023. The Act will raise the age of marriage and civil partnership from 16 to 18 in England and Wales although...
Warranties and indemnities are routinely included in commercial agreements. Their aim is to provide a right of redress where representations or contract-critical information has been provided by one party to another, and this turns out to be inaccurate or...
Where there is a good cultural alignment, a merger can offer numerous benefits to two smaller partnerships, particularly in terms of sharing costs and resources, and access to economies of scale while potentially also reducing competition. ‘There are...
Gemma Patchett-Thomas, Licensed Conveyancer in our residential property team gives her take on the property market in York. Since 2020 we can all agree that it has been tumultuous for the UK housing market to say the least, with the pandemic boom and then...
A common concern for our clients and their families is the prospect of having to sell the family home in order to meet care costs. There are many articles and schemes online which seem to indicate that selling a home can be avoided, but often these schemes...
Use your phone for everything – great! You can download our App and use it to work with our solicitor on your conveyancing matter – the App is packed with loads of technology to do key parts of the transaction in a digital way, taking away need...