Estate Planning for High-Net-Worth Families: Wills, Inheritance Tax and Lifetime Gifts
Passing wealth to the next generation can appear complicated. Families may need to consider inheritance tax, property ownership, lifetime gifts, business succession and the needs of children or partners from different relationships. However, effective estate planning does not always require a complicated arrangement. In the Legal Compass podcast, private client specialist Dominic Mackenzie explains why…
Exit Strategies: Planning Your Exit from a Commercial Property Lease
Signing a commercial property lease is a significant commitment but planning how the lease will end can be just as important as negotiating how it begins. Whether a business is relocating, reducing its property footprint or simply responding to changing commercial priorities, an orderly exit can help avoid unnecessary cost and disputes. Once a business…
Ryan Passey Case: High Court Grants Permission for Judicial Review in Double Jeopardy Challenge
The family of Ryan Passey took an important step forward in their long-running pursuit of justice on 3 November 2026, when the High Court in Birmingham granted permission for their judicial review challenge to proceed to a substantive hearing. Background to Ryan’s case Ryan was just 24 years old when he was fatally stabbed during…
Child Protection Proceedings in Bradford: A Guide for Parents
Few things are more frightening for a parent than receiving a call, letter or unexpected visit from Children’s Services. Suddenly, you are faced with unfamiliar terminology, difficult decisions and a great deal of uncertainty. Questions often begin to race through your mind. Will my child be taken away? Will I still be able to see…
Earned Settlement: What the New UK ILR Framework Means for Migrants and Employers
The UK Government has confirmed a major reform of the settlement system which is expected to fundamentally change how many migrants qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). On 2 November 2026, the Government confirmed its Earned Settlement policy following consultation. The central principle is that settlement should be earned through contribution, integration and compliance,…
Budget 2026: What Do the Latest Immigration Changes Mean for Businesses and Individuals?
The Government has announced a number of proposed immigration changes as part of the Autum Budget 2026, many of which are aimed at supporting UK employers who recruit overseas workers. Although most of the changes are not expected to take effect until Spring 2027, they provide a useful indication of the Government’s current direction of…
HMRC Data Matching and Sponsor Licences: Is Your Payroll Putting Your Licence at Risk?
In the final article in our three-part series on sponsor licence compliance, we look at how HMRC payroll information can affect an employer’s sponsor licence and why accurate employment records are so important. If you hold a sponsor licence, the salary stated on a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) cannot simply be forgotten once the worker’s…
Budget 2026: What Business Owners Need to Know
After much debate as to what may or may not have been covered in the budget, we now know the outcome, well at least in part. The Budget 2026 contains several important proposals for business owners, founders and those considering buying or selling a company. For many privately owned businesses, however, two areas stand out:…
Financial Rights for Stay-at-Home Parents During Divorce
The period following a separation can be a worrying time for stay-at-home parents, who may be adjusting to new circumstances and additional financial responsibilities. It is easy to develop anxieties regarding income and costs when you no longer have financial support from your spouse. However, in England and Wales, stay-at-home parents have legal rights in…
Sponsor Licence Reporting Deadlines: What Employers Must Report and When
In the second of our three-part series on sponsor licence compliance, we look at the changes employers must report to the Home Office, the deadlines involved and how to avoid common reporting mistakes. Reporting changes to the Home Office is a fundamental part of maintaining a sponsor licence. Even where a sponsored worker’s employment is…
Number 10 in the North: What Could the Autumn Budget 2026 Mean for Manchester Businesses?
Richard Coulthard, Director and Head of Corporate and Commercial, reflects on how the up and coming budget could affect Manchester businesses as the firm enjoys a successful first few months of trading from their Spinningfields office. Manchester has never been short of ambition. Over the past two decades, the city has strengthened its position as…
Plot Sales: Key Considerations When Developing a Site for Plot Sales
For many developers, a successful residential development is not simply about obtaining planning permission and constructing homes. The legal structure put in place before the first plot is sold can have a significant impact on profitability, transaction times, post completion requirements and the smooth delivery of the project. Whether you are developing a small scheme…
Yorkshire Solicitor Secures Elite Chambers Ranking as Ison Harrison Solidifies National Inquest and Inquiry Practice
Press release – October 2026 Specialist inquest solicitor Gemma Vine has achieved Band 1 status in the latest Chambers UK directory rankings for inquests, securing UK-wide top-tier recognition for her high-profile human rights and public inquiry work. The ranking reflects Gemma’s national reputation for representing bereaved families and vulnerable individuals in complex coronial proceedings and…
Sponsor Licence Compliance Visits: What Employers Need to Know
In the first of a three-part series exploring sponsor licence compliance, we look at what employers can expect from a Home Office compliance visit and how they can prepare. For employers holding a sponsor licence, a Home Office compliance visit should never be treated as a routine administrative exercise. Visits can be announced or unannounced,…
Getting Family Law Help in Middlesbrough When You Cannot Afford a Solicitor
Family difficulties can be stressful enough without the added worry of legal fees. If you need help with your children, domestic abuse or social services, you may be wondering whether you can afford to speak to a solicitor. The reassuring news is that legal aid may be available, and Ison Harrison’s Middlesbrough family law team…
What Can You Put in a Will? 7 Things You May Not Have Considered
When it comes to making it will, it’s not unusual for the primary focus to be on who is going to inherit your money and your assets. But a will can actually do much more than just divide up your savings. It can also help you make important decisions about your family, your home and…
Do I Need Evidence of Domestic Abuse to Get Legal Aid?
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need help with a family law problem, worrying about how to prove what has happened can feel like another barrier. You may also be concerned about how you will pay for legal advice, particularly at an already difficult and uncertain time. The short answer is that you will…
Who Is His Honour Judge John Potter? The Judge Leading the TEWV Public Inquiry
When His Honour Judge John Potter was named Chair of the public inquiry into Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), his appointment was welcomed by families and individuals affected by failings at TEWV. HHJ Potter will oversee the independent statutory inquiry examining serious concerns about mental health care at TEWV. It is…
5 Minutes With…Kirsty Nelson, Family Law Solicitor in Middlesbrough
Today we are chatting to Kirsty Nelson, our Partner and Family Law Solicitor at our Middlesbrough branch, to find out more about her role at Ison Harrison and her approach to family law matters. Q: What made you want to become a family law expert? I actually fell into family law by accident when I…
Gifting Money Before You Die: What Are the Rules?
If you are making long-term plans to pass on money and assets to your loved ones, you might be considering making gifts during your lifetime. There may be many reasons why you would want to make significant gifts to friends and family, but a common question which arises is: will this avoid inheritance tax? Or…
Dealing with a Difficult Spouse? Here’s 6 Tips for Resolution
Few things can affect your life so comprehensively as going through a divorce. But if your soon-to-be-former spouse is being difficult, it can make the whole process much more emotionally challenging. It could be that they are being unreasonable, vindictive, aggressive, or otherwise firmly set against you and the idea of bringing the relationship to…
Getting You Over the Line: Conveyancing Explained
Buying or selling a property is one of life’s biggest milestones, but the legal process behind moving home can sometimes feel complicated. Behind every successful move is conveyancing – the legal process that transfers property ownership from seller to buyer. At Ison Harrison Solicitors, we understand that clients don’t just want the legal work completed….
Military Injury Claims & Knowing Your Rights After Service-Related Injury
Serving in the Armed Forces carries obvious risks, but that does not mean every injury has to be accepted as simply part of military life. Where an injury has been caused by negligence, unsafe systems, inadequate equipment, poor supervision, bullying, harassment, assault, or a failure to follow proper procedures, service personnel and veterans may be…
New Government Process Allows Owners to Withdraw XL Bully Certificates of Exemption
The Government has announced a new process allowing some dog owners to withdraw their XL Bully Certificate of Exemption if they no longer believe their dog meets the official XL Bully type definition. The new guidance was published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on 1 October 2026. Our specialist team…
Prime Minister Commits to “Fullest Possible Inquiry” into County Durham and Darlington NHS Breast Cancer Failings
The Prime Minister has indicated that those affected by the County Durham and Darlington NHS breast cancer failings should receive the “fullest possible inquiry” into what went wrong. Although the form of any investigation has not yet been confirmed, the announcement is an important opportunity for patients and families to press for a full statutory…
Angela M Inquest: Communication Failures Prompt Prevention of Future Deaths Report
Ruth Bundey of our Inquest Team recently acted for the brother of Angela M, who died by drowning in Low Newton Prison on the 25th February 2024. Angela had three periods in Low Newton Prison in 2023, and a fourth from December 30th 2023 until her death on 25/02/24. She had been in and out…
Ison Harrison Boosts North West Presence with Acquisition of Dootsons Solicitors
Press release – September 2026 Employee-owned law firm Ison Harrison has acquired long-established North West solicitors Dootsons, marking its first major acquisition outside its Yorkshire heartland in its 48-year history. The deal, which completed on 18 September, adds three historic high street offices across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside to Ison Harrison’s growing Northern network….
Planning Ahead: How Wills and Powers of Attorney Protect Your Family
Life is busy, vibrant and ever-changing. Between work, family life and day to day commitments, it is easy to put planning for the future to the bottom of the list. Many people assume that making legal arrangements is something to think about later, but in reality, planning ahead is one of the most practical and…
Your Rights When Social Services Are Involved With Your Children
If social services have contacted you about your child, it is completely understandable to feel worried, upset or unsure about what might happen next. Many parents fear the worst straight away, but social services involvement does not automatically mean your child will be removed from your care. Often, the aim is to understand what support…
Long-Awaited Appointment Of Public Inquiry Chair Offers Hope To Individuals And Families Affected By Failings At TEWV NHS Foundation Trust
Press Release – September 2026 Law firm Ison Harrison, which represents hundreds of patients and bereaved families affected by failings at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), has today welcomed the appointment of His Honour Judge John Potter as Chair of the statutory public inquiry into the Trust’s services. This news comes…
Caught on a Dash Cam? Can Footage Be Used as Evidence?
The short answer is: yes, it is possible for dash cam footage to be used as evidence against you. However, there’s often more to it than that. In this article, we’ll look at how and when dash cam footage might be used and when it might be challenged. If you have been accused of a…
Relationship Breakdown in Armed Forces Families: What Happens Next?
A relationship breakdown can bring additional practical challenges when one or both partners serve in the British Armed Forces. Issues around accommodation, finances, pensions and children can all be affected by military life and may need to be considered alongside the usual arrangements following separation. Many non-serving partners move frequently to accommodate their serving partner’s…
Fact or Fiction? Can Social Workers Remove Children from Their Parents?
It is a common misconception that social workers have the power to remove children from their families. In reality, it is much more complicated. The removal of a child from their family is a very serious matter and, in most cases, can only be forced by having an order from the Family Court. There are…
Family Law Surge Drives Major Middlesbrough Expansion for Ison Harrison
Press Release – September 2026 Leading law firm Ison Harrison is to quadruple the size of its Middlesbrough operation and significantly expand its regional team, driven by a surge in demand for family law and domestic abuse legal services across Teesside. Just twelve months after opening its doors in the region, the firm will take…
Contesting a Will: The Main Grounds, Evidence Needed and Early Steps to Take
Discovering that a loved ones will does not reflect what you expected can be upsetting and confusing. You may have been left out unexpectedly, received much less than you anticipated, or simply feel that something about the circumstances in which the will was made doesn’t seem right. In some cases, there may be legitimate reasons…
Settlement Agreements Explained: What Every Employee Should Know Before Signing
Settlement agreements are often associated with workplace disputes, but in reality, they are commonly used in a wide range of employment situations, including redundancies and mutually agreed exits. In a recent episode of The Legal Compass podcast, Employment Solicitor Sanjay Rall discussed the practical realities of settlement agreements and explained why employees should never assume…
5 Tips for Simplifying the Divorce Process
Going through a divorce can often be a very difficult time, filled with complicated emotions and upheaval. This does not mean that the mundane practicalities of the legal divorce process have to be difficult, however. In recent years, the divorce procedure has been made more straightforward and less antagonistic by the introduction of No Fault…
£325,000 Personal Injury Settlement Secured After Client Was Previously Advised to Accept £110,000
Personal injury solicitor Simon Helliwell has secured a £325,000 settlement for a client who suffered significant and permanent injuries in a serious road traffic accident. The client approached Ison Harrison following a recommendation from a relative after she and her family became concerned about the advice she had received during the handling of her claim…
What Happens If an Executor Fails to Carry Out Their Duties?
An executor is someone appointed in a person’s will to carry out the terms of that will. It is a significant responsibility, and if the executor does not fulfil their duties properly it can cause a huge amount of disruption to the process of dealing with the estate of the person who has passed away….
Menopause in the Workplace: Employer Responsibilities and Legal Considerations
In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the ways in which menopause can negatively affect women in their working lives. In 2024, we highlighted new guidance that had been issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission surrounding menopause symptoms in the workplace. And with ever-increasing acknowledgment of these difficulties, it is important…
A Balanced Look at Recognition, Evidence and Early Intervention in Cases Where Alienating Behaviour Is Suspected
It is not uncommon for tensions to arise between separated parents which can have an unfortunate knock-on effect on the relationship between a child and one of their parents. In some cases, there can be concerns that a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance and refusal to spend time with a parent can be explained by a…
The Experienced Team Behind Our Military Injury Claims Service
Military claims are unlike most other personal injury cases. They require an understanding of military life, specialist legislation, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and the unique challenges faced by serving personnel, veterans and their families. As more members of the Armed Forces community seek legal advice following service-related injuries and illnesses, building a team with…
Assigning and Subletting a Commercial Lease: Legal Risks and Landlord Consent
Commercial leases do not always run their full course with the original tenant. Businesses relocate, expand, downsize, restructure, or sell their operations. When this happens, assigning or subletting a commercial lease can provide flexibility, but it is rarely as simple as handing over the keys. Both tenants and landlords must understand the legal and commercial…
Immigration Rule Changes from July 2026: A Guide for Applicants and Families
If you’re planning to make a UK immigration application this summer, it’s worth checking whether the latest Immigration Rule changes could affect you. The Home Office has published a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, with amendments taking effect from 30 July and 3 August 2026. Some of the updates clarify existing rules,…
Child Arrangements and the Pathfinder Approach, Putting Children First After Separation
Child Arrangements and the Pathfinder Approach, Putting Children First After Separation When parents separate, one of the most important issues to resolve is what happens in relation to the children. This can include where a child lives, how much time they spend with each parent, and how important decisions about their welfare are managed. In…
How to Negotiate on Price During a Property Transaction
Practical tips for buyers when survey or search results reveal unexpected issues Negotiating the purchase price of a property is often part of the conveyancing process, particularly when new information comes to light. In England and Wales, the agreed price is not legally binding until exchange of contracts, which means buyers can renegotiate where survey…
Statement on Behalf of the Family of Ricky Swindells Regarding His Death Following Contact with Greater Manchester Police
The family of Ricky Swindells are devastated by his death following contact with Greater Manchester Police in Salford on 24 July 2026. Ricky was 28 years old. He was a much-loved son, brother, uncle and friend, and his loss has left his family heartbroken. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is now investigating the circumstances…
Common Types of Professional Negligence and How to Seek Compensation
When you instruct a professional to help you with something, you expect them to get it right. Whether it’s a surveyor in a house purchase, an accountant giving tax advice, or a solicitor helping you with a legal case, you rely on their judgment and skills to get the job done properly. So if things…
Your Roles and Responsibilities as a Trustee and How to Administer a Trust Properly
Acting as a trustee is often seen as an honour. It usually means someone trusts you to look after their assets and carry out their wishes. However, many people don’t realise that becoming a trustee also brings important legal responsibilities. If a trust is not administered properly, trustees can, in some circumstances, be held personally…
The Legal Implications of Remote Working for UK Businesses
Years after the Covid-19 pandemic, remote working remains an important fixture of the UK employment landscape. Whilst the proportion of employees who work remotely has fallen from the days of lockdowns and social distancing, ONS figures from May 2026 suggest that working from home (in some form) remains in the lives of roughly 41% of…