Introduction The UK Courts are widely recognised as some of the most sophisticated, efficient and well respected in the world. Together with agreements to allow recognition of judgments across the globe, the UK is a very attractive forum for disputes.
More about Funding UK litigation & arbitrationHow shareholder disputes may arise Disputes between shareholders of a private company are not unusual and can arise over a wide range of issues, including disagreement as to the approach or management of the business, the conduct of shareholders and/or
More about Shareholder disputesWhat are directors’ duties? Company directors are “fiduciaries” for the companies they manage – i.e. they occupy a position as trustee with the company as beneficiary. As such, they owe the company certain duties, for which they can suffer personal
More about Directors’ duties for companies in distressWhat is investment fraud? Investment fraud is a type of financial deception where an individual or entity induces people to invest money based on false, misleading, or deceptive information. The intent is to trick the victim into parting with their
More about Investment fraudBackground Mr Roy Thomas (the “Appellant“) applied for a cohabiting partner’s pension and a lump-sum death grant from the Southwark Pension Fund (the “Respondent“) following the death of his partner, Ms. Claudette Coke, on 11 March 2021. The Appellant and
More about Part 1 – Cohabitation and financial interdependence – A lesson from the high courtThe recent case of Lefort v HMRC [2024], featuring one of Wedlake Bell’s very own Pensions Compass articles, serves as a costly reminder to fixed protection holders that inadvertent pension contributions will not be treated favourably by HMRC or the
More about Part 2 – Taxpayer’s mistake no defence to loss of his protectionThe Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered her highly anticipated first Mansion House speech to city leaders on 14 November 2024. Whilst her speech touched on a broad range of financial services policy, it was her announcements on pensions that drew the
More about Part 3 – The Mansion House speech: Unlocking pension fund investment and driving economic growthAt the Autumn Budget on 30 October 2024 the Chancellor produced at least one rabbit out of the hat: on a member’s death, any unused pension funds and death benefits will be subject to inheritance tax (IHT) from 6 April
More about Part 4 – Pensions and inheritance tax: Uneasy bedfellows?PARLIAMENT Effective Date Effect Bills (and Acts not yet in force) Finance Bill 2024 – 2025 In House of Commons, due to be enacted by 5.4.25 Changes to treatment of transfers to QPOPS in EEA and conditions for QROPS in
More about Part 5 – Pensions ready reckoner December 2024The festive season is a time for celebration, offering a chance for employers to reward their staff and for colleagues to connect in a more informal and relaxed setting. Office Christmas parties often serve as a well-earned opportunity to unwind
More about Sexual harassment and Christmas parties