In The Press

Buying a new build property in the UK can be an exciting venture, offering modern designs, energy efficiency, and the opportunity to be the first owner. However, purchasing a new build comes with its own set of considerations that buyers should be aware of. Research the developer and their track record Look into their reputation, previous projects and customer reviews. Establishing the developer’s credibility will provide reassurance about the reliability of the project.

Many of us will have experienced the increasing pressure to be “always on” when it comes to our jobs – with the ability to check and deal with emails at any time, and from anywhere, making it difficult to switch off...

The Surrey Property Awards are held every year and on 30th November, representatives from law firms, residential and commercial estate agents, surveyors and many other property professionals all came together at G Live to attend the 2023 awards. Hart Brown LLP was nominated alongside many other leading names in the industry for the category ‘Property law Firm of the Year.’ We were absolutely delighted to be named as the award winners and to receive this wonderful endorsement from our clients and contacts who voted for us as their first choice within Surrey.

"It is with some relief in the legal profession that the uncertainty over the increase in probate court fees was ended last autumn following the announcement from the Ministry of Justice that the fees would not be increased" says Sue MacLeod, Associate at Hart Brown Solicitors.

The Fawcett Society wants women to have the legal right to know their male colleagues pay. Georgia Aspinall explores what we're actually allowed to ask now, featuring Jane Crosby...

Surrey firm Hart Brown is celebrating its 100th anniversary, after founder Cecil Hart opened its first office in Godalming in 1919.

Despite the fact it makes the world go round, over half of Brits believe that that talking about money is a bigger taboo than politics. And unlike those in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where financial transparency is openly encouraged, we have no idea how much our colleagues are earning. Jane Crosby comments...

Sarah Osborne, Partner and Head of Leasehold Enfranchisement at law firm Hart Brown, explains how commonhold works, and if it is for the common good.

When settling a dispute, Paul Grimwood, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, explains the dos and don'ts of mediation...

Times are changing for the high street and a shift in consumer spending, as well as the way in which we shop, is having a drastic effect says Tamzin Mandelli, Partner at Hart Brown Solicitors.

Employee photos for use within the business could be defined as personal data and therefore fall within the scope of the GDPR. Jane Crosby, Partner and Employment Law expert at Hart Brown Solicitors, discusses.

The mergers and acquisitions market in Surrey remains robust says James Lamont, Head of Commercial & Corporate Services at Hart Brown.

Sue MacLeod of Hart Brown, a legal firm, says: “It’s important to plan how to pass on access to digital assets when writing a will.” She cites the example of a widow who recently won a court case against Apple to access photos of her daughter, which were stored on her deceased husband’s iPhone. She had known the pass code for her husband’s phone, but had forgotten it.

Pages 32-33: A solicitor who returned from the First World war set up a legal practice which has remained in the same town for 100 years.

Sarah Osborne examines why the law that allows flat owners to manage their block hasn't been as successful as expected...

What can trapped leaseholders do? Here's what Sarah Osborne, a partner at Hart Brown and the firm's head of leasehold enfranchisement, recommends...

John Guthrie, Senior Solicitor specialising in Commercial Property at Hart Brown, on the four key things a logistics operator should consider before taking on a new lease. Pages 22-23.

Jane Crosby, of law firm Hart Brown, says that one solution to the debate around employee representation is to give an existing director who is also an employee the role of dealing with HR issues, consulting regularly with employees about any issues they are facing, or to allow an employee representative the opportunity to join board meetings when decisions affect the general workforce, such as redundancies.

Hart Brown's Chief Operating Officer, Nigel Maud, explains to Ian Trevett how the firm has successfully served the county for 100 years, and is looking ahead to the future.

David Knapp calling for referral fees that are paid to Estate Agents to be banned

Roderick Campbell, Partner and Head of Commercial Property at law firm Hart Brown, explains how ATED works, and what reliefs and exemptions apply.

David Knapp, Partner and head of residential property at law firm Hart Brown, comments on the ongoing “referral fee” debate

A housing lawyer has said that telling agents they must disclose referral fees, including for the first time the actual amount and who will be paying them, does not solve the basic problems.

The idea that firms could microchip their staff raises a set of complicated questions, says Jane Crosby, partner at law firm Hart Brown.

Families are asking why the leasehold homes come with hefty charges. Hannah Start was 80 when she moved into the Mayford Grange retirement village in Woking, Surrey. She was fit and healthy for her age, but the family home had become too much to manage by herself after the death of her husband.

Given the ageing population, employees increasingly need to balance their work and life to deal with caring responsibilities

There's a growing movement within educational establishments that school must be made more relevant if pupils are to thrive and survive what is being termed "the fourth industrial revolution".

There’s always the fear before you pipe up that you might be earning more or drastically less than the person you’re speaking to.

The BBC’s recent pay disclosures revealed two thirds of its highest-paid stars are male – and none of the top seven earners are female.

Jane Crosby from Hart Brown comments on the recent pay audit at the BBC, and warns companies to ensure they are compliant with equal pay legislation.

The court has approved the settlement on a long running case in Hart Brown's specialist clinical negligence team. Involving a number of highly experienced specialists.

Borrowers are scrambling in record numbers to take out fixed-rate mortgages before an expected rise in the Bank of England base rate.

David Knapp from law firm Hart Brown, weighs up whether they are a good business model, or a lifeline for those failing to acquire business by merit.

Recent events have brought more attention to sexual harassment in the workplace, but knowing how to fight against such issues is still not fully understood.

Developers' lawyers are getting away with extortionate engrossment fees which are at odds with rules justifying charges to clients.

INHERITANCE tax (IHT) can be a tricky tax to understand for many families looking to gift money to younger generations. How much can you gift to your family without incurring the dreaded tax?

Official warnings are telling people to stay out of the sun, but what happens if your job means you NEED to be outside, or if you're trapped at your desk as temperatures soar?

With the help of Jane Crosby, Peter Done answers a reader questioning whether they can insist that an employee has their photo taken for a new HR system.

Many people are facing job uncertainty and could be facing a redundancy process. There is a set of procedures that a company needs to adhere to when it comes to redundancy, to avoid the risk of a costly employment tribunal claim.

Snow - we wish for it all year round, but when it actually arrives the novelty soon wears off as we have to try and get on with our day-to-day lives.

The Gender Pay Gap has been the talk of the town this week ahead of the submissions deadline for more than 9,000 UK companies.

Lawyers who pay estate agents referral fees do so only because they can’t win the business on their own merit. That’s the claim from a legal expert who has renewed the call for a ban on the practice.