Will I be named and shamed?

Posted by Justin on Jul 25, 2012 in Nelsons' Column | 0 comments Apparently, HMRC/the government plans to “name and shame” people who engage in legal tax avoidance (not tax evasion, which is illegal) and their advisers. This is odd: why should people or their advisers be ashamed of legitimately arranging their affairs to reduce their tax bill? Is there some moral obligation to pay tax unnecessarily? It is also quite worrying. I do not normally...
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It’s good to talk – to the neighbours

Posted by Justin on Jul 21, 2012 in Nelsons' Column | 0 comments When buying a new home, the legal searches, surveys, etc, can only go so far: they can find out what is on various official records, or what is physically observable.  However, they cannor reliably find out whether there are any problem neighbours or disputes with neighbours – though disputes should be disclosed by the seller, sometimes they “forget”. To try to protect buyer...
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Not R2D2, but RX3

Posted by Justin on Jul 15, 2012 in Nelsons' Column | 4 comments EDIT: In this post, I should have referred to form RX4 – an application by the lender or its conveyancer to withdraw a restriction.  Form RX3 is used by someone else to cancel the restriction.  Apologies for my error and any confusion I caused. On to the post itself: “RX3” refers to the Land Registry form (a form RX3) for applying to withdraw a restriction that has been...
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Private drainage system? Get it registered!

Posted by Justin on Jun 21, 2012 in Nelsons' Column | 1 comment Many rural properties are not connected to the public sewerage system, but have their own private foul drainage system: a septic tank, cesspit or biological treatment unit. It used to be that only systems that drained or overflowed into a watercourse (which includes a ditch) needed a Consent to Discharge (or exemption certificate) from the Environment Agency, but the regulatory system is...
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How can you extend a residential “long lease” that is starting to run out?

Posted by Justin on Jun 8, 2012 in Nelsons' Column | 0 comments When the lease period (“term”) under a long (more than 21 years term at the date of grant) residential lease drops below 80 years, it can get difficult to mortgage and therefore difficult to sell.  However, it need not be a major problem, as almost all tenants who have held the lease in their own name for at least 2 years will have a statutory right to extend it.  This does not apply...
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Commercial websites and electronic trading

Posted by Justin on Apr 10, 2012 in Nelsons' Column | 0 comments Website trading Websites must provide “in a clear, comprehensive and unambiguous manner” the following information – the different technical steps to follow to conclude the contract whether the contract will be (a) stored and (b) accessible the technical means to review and correct an order before it is placed the languages in which the order can be placed Website owners must also ensure there...
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