SJP Law ranks in Legal 500 UK 2026

We are pleased to announce our Legal 500 2026 rankings for Yorkshire and the Humber: We are delighted to have moved to Tier 2 in the Private Client – Agriculture and Estates category as well as maintain our rankings in Clinical Negligence: Claimant – Tier 2 and Personal Injury: Claimant – Tier 3.  We are … Read more

Cohabiting couples face legal blind spots as reform drags on

With cohabiting couples now the fastest-growing family type in the UK, many believe they have similar legal protections to married couples – especially after long relationships or where there are children involved. But the reality can come as a shock when those relationships end. Despite ongoing pressure from legal and policy bodies, meaningful reform still … Read more

A ‘To Do’ list for making your will

Deciding to make your will might be one of the best things you ever do. But where do you start? This short guide to making your will provides you with a ‘To Do’ list to help you prepare for drawing up your will. List Your Assets Before creating your will, you must consider what makes … Read more

Can you make your will on WhatsApp?

Making a will is one of the most important things anyone can do. In England and Wales, the law surrounding making a valid will is contained in the Wills Act 1837. WhatsApp wasn’t even a digital dream in its designer’s eye when the Wills Act came into force! This article will seek to answer whether … Read more

Strategic lifetime gifting and how to minimise your IHT liability during your lifetime.

The Autumn Budget 2024 introduced some unexpected provisions regarding Inheritance Tax (IHT) that have wide-ranging implications for those whose estates are likely to be subject to IHT following their death. Inheritance Tax is payable on an estate with a net value of more than £325,000. Any estate above that figure is charged at a flat … Read more

How to avoid making mincemeat of estate planning

A will that was hand-written on the back of two cardboard food packages has been confirmed as legally binding by the High Court. In an unusual twist, Malcolm Chenery used a Young’s frozen fish box and a Mr Kipling mince pie box to set out his wishes, leaving his £180,000 estate — including a three-bedroom … Read more

Trustees – what responsibilities do they have?

Trustees have a wide range of responsibilities when administering the trust estate under their charge. What is a trustee? A trustee is a person or a firm that holds and administers property or assets held in a trust for the benefit of a third party. A trust can be created for a variety of purposes. … Read more