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Month: August 2024

Blaser Mills Law joins Charlton Athletic as official legal partner

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We are excited to announce a new partnership with Charlton Athletic,  a professional association football club based in Charlton, south-east London.

As we advance into the 2024/25 season, we join as the club’s official legal partner, marking the beginning of a collaboration based on shared values and our sports sector expertise.

Blaser Mills Law will be providing vital commercial support to the club, with the potential to extend services to players for personal legal needs as they arise. Additionally, we will take on the role of match ball sponsors for several home games throughout the season, further strengthening our presence within the club and community.

Hiren Gandhi, partner at Blaser Mills Law, shared his excitement about the new partnership: “We are delighted to work with Charlton Athletic this season and contribute to the success of the club both on and off the pitch. Charlton’s recognition as Community Club of the Year for 2024 aligns perfectly with our mission to operate as a responsible business and make a positive impact on the local community.”

Barry Higson, Head of Commercial at Charlton Athletic, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “We are incredibly pleased to welcome Blaser Mills Law to the Charlton family. Their expertise in sports law and their commitment to supporting both the club and the community make them a perfect fit for us. This partnership is not just about legal support; it’s about aligning with an organisation that shares our values and vision for the future.

Read the full press release from Charlton Athletic here: Club announce Blaser Mills Law partnership | Charlton Athletic Football Club (charltonafc.com).

For all sports enquiries please contact us on enquiries@blasermills.co.uk.

Blaser Mills Law joins the BritishAmerican Business

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We are delighted to have joined BAB (BritishAmerican Business) – the leading transatlantic trade association incorporating the British-American Chamber of Commerce in the US and the American Chamber of Commerce in the UK. 

BAB are committed to strengthening the economic corridor between the United States and the United Kingdom by supporting policies and actions that protect and enhance the environment for transatlantic trade and investment.

Blaser Mills Law has a strong international capability and we frequently advise US and other international clients on a broad range of cross-border legal issues.

Oksana Howard, Partner in our international M&A team comments:

“This membership will compliment and strengthen our already very strong US relationships, given that we regularly work with many US professionals and clients on various cross-border transactions and matters involving US/UK element.”

Blaser Mills Law ranks in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2024

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The Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) Guide has announced the results of its latest rankings for 2024. The guide ranks solicitors in specialist areas of law within the High Net Worth category.

Recognised as the most commonly used directory in the legal sector, the Chambers HNW Guide has moved up our Wills, Trust and Probate team to Band 1, having ranked previously for eight consecutive years, and sees the team as a ‘Leading Firm’ in Private Wealth Law , with feedback highlighting various strengths of the department:

“Their level of expertise has given me every confidence that I am in a winning position and am in no doubt that I have the best people behind me.”
“I have always found Blaser Mills quick to marshall the client for instructions, become available for conferences, and in facilitating counsel to make difficult deadlines under pressure.”
“Blaser Mills are always very responsive, supportive and knowledgeable.”

Jonathan Gallop, Partner and Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate, has ranked for three consecutive years as a Band 3 Individual in Private Wealth Law. In the guide Jonathan’s private wealth law clients left him great feedback: “Jonathan is very approachable, he listens and seems genuinely kind and appreciates your situation if lots of bereavements.”

Senior Associate, Sara Rendell, has been ranked as an ‘Associate to Watch’ in Private Wealth Law, four years running. The guide describes Sara as a “… efficient, clear, responsive, knowledgeable and cheerful.”

We are also delighted to announce that our Partner, Karen Woodison, has ranked for the first time in Band 3. A client said: “It’s a good working relationship and I’m always pleased to speak with Karen, who is always helpful.”

Partner and Head of department, Jonathan, commented: “I am delighted that our team has been recognised as leaders in its field by Chambers, assuring our clients that we provide an excellent level of service and specialist legal advice to High Net Worth individuals. It is great to see the team rank in Band 1, moving up two positions over the last few years is a great testament to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes”.

For any enquiries related to our Wills, Trusts and Probate team contact us on 020 3814 2020 or email enquiries@blasermills.co.uk.

The importance of postnuptial agreements

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In today’s evolving legal landscape, postnuptial agreements are becoming increasingly relevant. These agreements, drafted and signed after a couple is already married, serve as a vital tool in managing marital assets and clarifying financial responsibilities. Their significance lies in the protection they offer, not just in the event of a divorce, but throughout the marriage itself.

A postnuptial agreement, much like its counterpart, the prenuptial agreement, outlines the distribution of assets, financial duties, and other pertinent financial issues between spouses. However, the distinction is that a postnuptial agreement is created after the marriage has taken place. This timing allows couples to base their agreement on the realities of their marriage rather than pre-marital assumptions.

Lucinda Holliday, Partner and Head of the Family and Divorce team, outlines the key benefits.

Financial clarity and security
One of the primary benefits of a postnuptial agreement is its ability to provide financial clarity and security. Marriages often face unexpected changes, whether due to career shifts, inheritance, or other life events. A postnuptial agreement can address these changes by updating the financial terms and responsibilities agreed upon by both parties. This not only helps in managing expectations but also reduces the potential disputes, ensuring that both partners are on the same page regarding their assets and liabilities.

Safeguarding individual interests
Postnuptial agreements can be particularly advantageous in safeguarding individual interests. For instance, if one spouse starts a business after marriage, a postnuptial agreement can delineate the ownership and financial rights related to the business. This can prevent future conflicts and protect the business from being subject to division in the event of a divorce. Similarly, if one partner receives a significant inheritance or gift, a postnuptial agreement can ensure that these assets are preserved and remain separate from the marital property.

Protecting children’s interests
The importance of postnuptial agreements also extends to protecting children, whether from a previous relationship or the current marriage. By clearly defining the financial provisions for children, such as inheritance rights and educational expenses, postnuptial agreements can provide a sense of security and stability. This is particularly crucial in blended families, where the financial dynamics can be more complex.

Fostering marital improvement
Postnuptial agreements can serve as a tool for marital improvement. The process of creating a postnuptial agreement requires open and honest communication about finances, which can help to build trust and transparency between partners.

Legal enforceability and fairness
Legally, the enforceability of postnuptial agreements has seen a positive shift. Courts are increasingly recognising these agreements, provided they are entered into freely by both parties, with full disclosure of assets, and without any form of coercion. Ensuring that the agreement is fair and reasonable at the time of its creation and at the time it is intended to be enforced is crucial for its validity.

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the importance of these agreements is likely to grow, making them a prudent consideration for married couples.

To speak to the Family and Divorce team regarding pre or post nuptial agreements call 01494 478603 or email Lucinda Holliday on lucinda.holliday@blasermills.co.uk.

Understanding unregistered land titles

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Unregistered title, although not as common as it used to be, is common in many parts of the UK and makes up approximately 15% of land in England and Wales. Compulsory registration was gradually phased in by virtue of the Land Registration Act 1925 and became compulsory for any transfer of land or property by 1990.

This means for those who purchased their property before compulsory registration, their title deeds may still be unregistered. The safe keeping of title deeds is always one of concern as if they become lost or mislaid it can be incredibly difficult, time consuming and costly to try to reconstitute the title.

The purpose of registration follows three basic principles:

  1. The insurance principle refers to the guarantee secured by the State that any loss incurred by a registered land resulting from reliance on the conclusiveness of the Land Registry by a land purchaser will be compensated through a statutory indemnity system.
  2. The curtain principle, on the other hand, is the concept that land registration may allow certain equitable interests attached to the land hidden from a purchaser’s view. This ‘curtain,’ however, does not affect the validity of any transaction on the registered land so long as the details of the registration reflects the validity of the title.
  3. The mirror principle. The mirror principle refers to the idea that the due registration of a land title must reflect all the important and significant details that a purchaser must know before buying the land. These details refer to the identity of the owner, the nature of his ownership, any limitations on his ownership and any rights enjoyed by other persons over the land that are adverse to the owner.

The electronic register keeps a record of owners of property and land together with the interest of any mortgage lenders and which can be downloaded at the ‘touch of a button’. This means subject to completing satisfactory identity checks, a seller can instruct any solicitor who can readily download their title documents from His Majesty’s Land Registry (HMLR) in preparation for a sale/transfer.

Once a property is registered you can sign up to Land Registry alerts so that you are notified if there is significant activity on your property. The alerts can help prevent property fraud.

Unregistered deeds used to be kept in safe storage by the mortgage lender as security for their loan during its lifetime. Once the mortgage was repaid in full, the lender would ordinarily release the deeds to their client.

Keeping unregistered title deeds carries the risk of loss or destruction. Once unregistered deeds are gone, they cannot simply be replaced. Reconstruction results in extensive work being carried out. The identity of the true owner and the history of how the deeds came to be lost needs to be established and evidenced to HMLR in order for them to consider an application to reconstitute the title and which may or may not be successful.

The decision whether to voluntarily register your title deeds is something to be carefully considered. HMLR offer a reduced fee to process a voluntary registration in an effort to encourage people to do so.

If you have unregistered deeds and are contemplating registering them, we would strongly recommend that you do so and would be very happy if you would like to give us a call so that we can assist you.

Speak to Sarah Corsby from our Residential Property team today on 01494 781357 or email sarah.corsby@blasermills.co.uk.