Tax Changes for Buy to Let Landlords
Chancellor George Osborne has recently announced two very important changes to the buy-to-let property market. Firstly, from April this year buy-to-let properties and second home owners will face a 3% stamp duty surcharge. Secondly, as from April 2017 tax relief for buy-to-let mortgage interest payments will be moved to a fixed rate. The announcement has…
Why Leeds Is One of The Best Places to Live (As Voted By Us!)
There are many things that make Leeds great, but for us it’s about the people, the diverse vibrant culture and the social life. Safe to say, we’re proud to say we live here. Here’s a few things we love about Leeds, as voted for by various members of the Ison team: The Shops Emma Garfitt,…
Death Certificate Granted 42 Years After Lord Lucan’s Mysterious Disappearance
Following an application made by Lord Lucan’s son, George Bingham, the High Court ruled on Wednesday 3 February 2016 that a death certificate be issued for Lord Lucan following his disappearance under controversial circumstances in 1974. The High Court’s power to issue the death certificate derives under the Presumption of Death Act 2013, a relatively…
Tenancy Fraud Awareness Week 1 – 5 February 2016
This week the Leeds City Council has urged residents to report any suspicious housing matters as part of Tenancy Fraud Awareness week, which runs until 5 February. In line with the initiative, social landlords from across the Yorkshire and Humberside region have joined forces to blow the whistle on tenancy fraud and encourage locals to…
Nestlé fails to obtain trademark protection for the shape of KitKat in a dispute with Cadbury
On Wednesday 20 January 2016, the High Court ruled that Nestlé, who were seeking trademark protection of their well-known chocolate bar KitKat, were not able to trademark the shape of the same. The Court held that Nestlé had not promoted the shape of the chocolate bar as a selling point and that the wrapper that…
Proposed Changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax in 2016
In the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, the government announced proposals to make changes to the rules relating to the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax affecting the purchase of additional residential properties. The proposals are currently subject to consultation which is due to end on 1st February 2016 If approved the changes will…
The Ison Harrison Staff Christmas Party 2015 in Leeds
For our Christmas Party this year, the team headed to the Leeds Marriott Hotel for a night of festive food and dancing. We booked a high energy party band called Scream to fill the night with some great dance tunes and they didn’t disappoint. A special mention goes out to Gareth Naylor who had some rather questionable…
Ison Harrison Solicitors Advise on Mirfield Free Grammar School Case
A local school in Mirfield, which has been publicised in the Daily Mail and the Mirror following claims that Muslim pupils were forced to pray outside, has required the assistance and expertise of a top solicitor at our Leeds law firm to help the parents and children of those affected. Yunus Lunat, an employment law specialist…
The Great Ison Bake Off 2015
We’re all a bit partial to some sweet treats, and what better excuse for us to indulge than to create our very own “Great British Bake Off” at the Ison Harrison Leeds office. Officially named “The Great Ison Bake Off” we raised money for the Leeds Community Foundation and encouraged our legal team to show off their…
Leeds Law Firm Expands Footprint with Merger
At the start of September 2015, Ison Harrison merged with Castleford and Pontefract firm, Maurice Smiths. Maurice Smiths, that was established in 1933, and with staff of over 20 people, specialised in Residential and Commercial Conveyancing, Wills & Probate, Crime and Family Law. Having now merged with Ison Harrison, both offices are able to offer…