Conference Agenda

Family Law Key Developments

Presented by Safda Mahmood.

There have been many developments in 2023 relating to all aspects of family law and practice and which are continuing into 2024.

We have continued to embrace further ways of working and there had been the significant move towards digitilisation and online portals.

There have been continued developments in the area of divorce, children, finances and domestic abuse

This course will provide a comprehensive ‘round up’ of key principles and legal developments in family law and practice during 2023 and into 2024.

PLEASE NOTE: The 4 areas covered below do overlap and will be covered in the order set out below throughout the day with adequate breaks provided.

Divorce, Nullity and Separation Law and Practice – Nuts and Bolts!

Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act – The essentials

Practical Aspects

Nullity and Separation

Private Children Law Developments

Section 8 Applications and Enforcement – Developments

Fact finding hearings – When and how?

Specific Issue and Parental Responsibility

Procedure and Case Law Update

Domestic Abuse Law and Developments

Developments in Procedure - The current position and what has changed?

Non -molestation and Occupation Orders – Developments

Enforcement and Participation

Personal Protection Order Developments

Financial Remedy and Cohabitation Law Cases – Key Principles and Developments

Use of Trusts and Estoppel

Running cases under TOLATA 1996

Use of Nuptial Agreements

Non- Disclosure

Conduct Issues in Financial Remedy Cases

Costs and Procedure

Procedural Changes

Wills & Probate Key Developments

Presented by Professor Lesley King

Private Client Update

This session will provide a review of current issues in Private Client Practice. The session will focus on good practice and avoiding pitfalls. The content will depend to some extent on developments in the next few weeks but is likely to include:

• The latest on the Trust Register

• The changes to the income tax treatment of low income estates and trusts

• Will making errors and how to avoid them

Working with the Residence Nil Rate Band

The Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) has been with us for some time now but there are a number of pitfalls. This session will provide a brush up on the legislation and highlight pitfalls and opportunities.

It will also deal with downsizing and how to calculate the allowance.

Simple steps to reduce IHT on death

Death and Taxes are the two certainties. This session will consider some straightforward ways to reduce the IHT Bill on death. It will look at the following:

• Using lifetime exemptions

• Normal expenditure out of income
• Gifts for family maintenance

• Getting the best out of business and agricultural property relief

• Loss on Sale Relief

• Lifetime gifts

- Opportunities and pitfalls

- Avoiding gifts with reservation of benefit

Residential Property Conveyancing Update

Presented by David Keighley

David Keighley was admitted as a solicitor in 1982. Having done so part time whilst in practice, he is now renowned for using his extensive experience and understanding of practical conveyancing to cut through the academic niceties and make things relevant for the busy practitioner.

This full day seminar will provide a review of current issues impacting on Residential Property transactions.

The precise content of the session will depend on developments prior to the event but will look at recent case law and statutes and examine the implications for property law practitioners.

Issues covered may include:

• Building Safety Act 2022 Update
• The Updated formulae for Exchange of Contracts
• The “BASPI” Upfront Information
• Planning & Building Regulations
• Leasehold Reform
• Adverse possession of house by fraudster: Rashid v Nasrullah
• Contract by email: Neocleous v Rees
• Capital Gains Tax on Residential Property
• The 2023 Shared Ownership Lease
• Defining the Retainer: The Terms of Business Letter
• Law Society Climate Change Practice Note
• Miscellaneous Practice Points & Cases

Topics to follow.