Although writing a will can appear to be a straightforward procedure, it is always recommended to recruit the help of experts. Otherwise, your loved ones could end up with massive costs caused by disputes if absolutely everything isn’t covered within the poorly-drafted document.

A client recently raised an intriguing proposition based on a suggestion from his IFA; could he put his inheritance due from his mother’s estate into a Discretionary Trust, and then borrow it back?  

In the recent Upper Tier Tax Tribunal (UT) decision in Elborne v HMRC [2025] UKUT 00059 (TCC), the UT set aside the First Tier Tax Tribunal’s (FTT) decision in favour of HMRC to declare the ‘home loan’ tax avoidance scheme a success.

It is often assumed that the tax-free compensation of up to £30,000 for ‘loss of office’, available under s403 (1) of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (‘ITEPA’) is an automatic right; however the recent decision of the First Tier Tribunal in Simrajsar Ltd v HMRC [2024] has reminded us that this is not the case.

Whilst the joyful festivities of the ‘Christmas party season’ offer employees an opportunity to ‘let their hair down’, enjoy socialising and lift team morale; employers must navigate the yuletide period with caution, ensuring that ‘harmless banter’ does not encroach on inappropriate behaviour or worse, sexual harassment.