Winckworth Sherwood LLP

Time for landlords to get their houses in order on renters’ rights Thomas Jeniec, associate, Winckworth Sherwood, explores how the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will reshape the private rental sector, increasing tenants’ powers while...

WS solicitor Tom Jeniec, explores how the govt’s Renters’ Rights Bill will reshape the private rental sector, increasing tenants’ powers while presenting landlords with new challenges around rent increases and possession. #RentersRights #RentalSector
www.propertyreporter.co.uk/time-for-lan...

Court room or soap opera? Employment tribunals aren’t as boring as they sound Can you call the boss a ‘dickhead’ or argue that being called messy is harassment? Tribunal judges have their work cut out

Court room or soap opera? WS Partner Andrea London comments in @theguardian.com on the recent cases asking unique questions like can you call the boss a ‘dickhead’ or argue that being called messy is harassment? #EmploymentLaw #HRadvice www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s...

The free @housinglin.bsky.social autumn/winter #HAPPIhour listing is now out. We’ve moved the #Almshouse webinar with @ws-law.bsky.social & #UnitedStSavioursCharity will be on 7/10. Join us www.housinglin.org.uk/News/Your-in...

Licensing taskforce report and government response

After 20 years of being in force in the UK the Licensing Act 2003 has been reviewed by a special govt taskforce in a new report. Robert Botkai & Emma Dangerfield comment on the report's recommendations, the govt's response to them and what they could mean for retailers.
wslaw.co.uk/insight/lice...

Our new White Paper published today: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 – 𝗔 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
Read the full report to explore how partnerships are shaping the future of housing. wslaw.co.uk/publication/...
#AffordableHousing

Reformed BSR must rebuild confidence | Property Week The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG’s) plans to speed up the backlog at the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) have been received optimistically by a high-rise development ...

The Govt’s plans to speed up the backlog at the Building Safety Regulator have been received optimistically by a high-rise development sector in great need of a confidence boost, writes WS Partner Charis Beverton for Property Week.
#BSR #UKHousing
www.propertyweek.com/insight/feed...

Can I marry my friend to benefit from the IHT spouse exemption? Find out if marrying a friend to benefit from the IHT spouse exemption is a viable way to save on inheritance tax.

One of the most valuable inheritance tax allowances in the UK is the spouse exemption, but can you marry a friend to secure the tax benefits instead? Samantha Warner explains the legality of such an approach, and the risks involved. #IHT #EstatePlanning wslaw.co.uk/blog/can-i-m...

Winckworth Sherwood joins network of European law firms

Winckworth Sherwood LLP is pleased to announce we have joined the European Law Firm (ELF) network, strengthening our ties with independent law firms across the European continent.
wslaw.co.uk/in-the-press...

Happy Pride Month from Winckworth Sherwood LLP! 🏳️‍🌈
We stand proudly with the LGBTQ+ community, and hope our colleagues, clients and acquaintances enjoy the celebrations this June, as we all continue to foster a culture where authenticity and acceptance thrive.
#PrideMonth #Inclusion #Diversity

Need to Know: May 2025

Don't miss the most recent edition of our Need to Know newsletter in which we cover the important employment law updates from the past month, including significant rulings from the Employment Appeal Tribunal. #EmploymentLaw #HRadvice
wslaw.co.uk/publication/...

RPs are under pressure. What should they do to raise funds? Sovereign Network Group’s Anup Dholakia and Winckworth Sherwood’s Matt Cowen and Rebecca Jason explore the range of options not-for-profit RPs are looking at to raise additional funding

WS Partners Matt Cowen and Rebecca Jason explore the range of options not-for-profit RPs are looking at to raise additional funding as the sector faces increasing financial pressures, in Social Housing Magazine (£).
#SocialHousing #RPs #HousingDevelopment
www.socialhousing.co.uk/comment/regi...

Our Education Law team is pleased to welcome Jack Howes to WS. As a growing number of parents & schools look to address the special educational needs of students, Jack with his 6+ years’ experience in SEND law, will join our School Support Service team in helping them address the issues they face.

Being healthy & happy with a good #worklifebalance is an important part of the culture at WS, so it was great to see so many participating in our #Wellbeing week with sessions of yoga, mediation, healthy eating and exercise talks, massages, painting parties and even a Lego building session!

IHT receipts soar to £8.2 billion - Professional Paraplanner Inheritance tax receipts reached a fourth consecutive annual record high in the last tax year, as frozen thresholds and rising property prices dragged more people into the net. The latest figures from...

WS Partner Tim Snaith explains to Professional Paraplanner one of the reasons inheritance tax receipts reached a fourth consecutive annual record high in the last tax year. #IHT #EstatePlanning
professionalparaplanner.co.uk/iht-receipts...

Winckworth Sherwood announces three new partners

Winckworth Sherwood is pleased to announce the promotion of three new partners on April 6th, Matt Cowen, David Emery and Alex Woolcott.
wslaw.co.uk/in-the-press...

The Chancellor’s Spring Statement 2025 - Private Client Tax implications Understand the financial planning implications of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement 2025 and the freeze on personal tax allowances.

What are the personal financial planning implications of the Chancellor's 2025 spring statement? WS Partner James Mabey provides 5 key insights into the tax changes to expect. #SpringStatement #FinancialPlanning
wslaw.co.uk/insight/chan...

What's the law on protecting teachers from harassment? Amid growing complaints, here's the range of legal recourse for schools dealing with the vexatious and the extreme

Amid growing complaints from educators of an increasingly serious nature, WS partner Andrea Squires explains what legal recourse schools have in the face of extreme and vexatious harassment of teachers #EducationLaw #TeacherHarassment
schoolsweek.co.uk/whats-the-la...

The Government’s planning reforms: A fundamental shift in planning policy The UK government's planning reforms focus on delivering 1.5 million homes through the revised National Policy Planning Framework.

The UK Govt's new #planning reforms are significant, and aimed at accelerating housing delivery, modernising planning committees, and streamlining environmental regulations. Our planning team breakdown the key changes & their potential impacts for developers. #UKhousing
wslaw.co.uk/blog/the-gov...

How to phrase an 'Endeavours clause' in contracts The essentials of how to phrase an 'Endeavours clause' in contracts for clearer agreements, explained by our legal experts.

'Best endeavours', ‘reasonable endeavours’ or even ‘reasonable but commercially prudent endeavours’ – which is right for your contract? We explain the variety of 'endeavours' clauses you can use and the obligations they entail.
#UKContractLaw #PropertyLaw #Contracts
wslaw.co.uk/blog/how-to-...

Our LGBTQ Network 'Q+' were delighted to host a bingo night for our WS colleagues last week, raising over £300 for the Albert Kennedy Trust. Thank you to everyone involved for such a fun evening, we're looking forward to the next one!
🏳‍🌈🎉

Need to Know: January 2025

Are you up to date with the latest rulings from the Employment Tribunal? As well as explanations of the latest rulings, our 'Need To Know' Employment Newsletter this month also provides a handy reference for all the upcoming #EmploymentLaw legislation expected this year
wslaw.co.uk/publication/...

Forget MEAT, embrace MAT: A Charity's guide to the Procurement Act 2023 Unlock the benefits of the Procurement Act 2023 for charities. Our guide covers everything you need to know to maximize your organization's procurement practices.

Why does the Procurement Act matter to #charities?
With the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act) finally coming into force next month, WS solicitors Ruo Wu & David Emery explain how it will impact, and ultimately benefit, charitable organizations. #Procurement #NonProfits
wslaw.co.uk/insight/forg...

Bad regulatory communication could stymie Britain’s housing target Charis Beverton is a partner at law firm Winckworth Sherwood Since last summer’s general election...

Bad regulatory communication could stymie Labour’s target of building 1.5 million homes over the next five years, writes WS Partner Charis Beverton in Construction News. #Housing #BuildingSafetyRegulator
www.constructionnews.co.uk/legal/bad-re...

Do men face prejudice for taking extended parental leave and what protections do they have? Understanding the legal protections for men who take parental leave and challenging the prejudice they face. Read more.

Do men face prejudice for taking extended parental leave?
WS Solicitor Aleksandra Davidson looks at a recent Employment Tribunal case and explains what legal protections are available to men taking paternity leave.
#EmploymentLaw #PaternityLeave #ParentalLeave
wslaw.co.uk/blog/do-men-...

How new government policy could turbocharge for-profit social housing The Reserved Investor Fund has potential to unlock greater investment across the sector

The Reserved Investor Fund has potential to unlock greater investment across the social housing sector, WS partner James Duncan argues in his article for Green Street News (£). #SocialHousing #RegisteredProviders #HousingDevelopment
greenstreetnews.com/article/how-...

Winckworth Sherwood employment law team sitting together, smiling at the camera

We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Employment Law Team of the Year at the 2025 Lexis Nexis Legal Awards. #EmploymentLaw #LegalAwards
www.lexisnexislegalawards.co.uk/website/1456...

How can we get greater private funding into affordable homes? In Camargue's latest podcast they discuss the rise of institutional investment into the sector and the opportunity to accelerate development across the UK with WS Partner James Duncan. #socialhousing
creators.spotify.com/pod/show/the...

How can we get greater private funding into affordable homes? Listen to WS Partner James Duncan with Anette Simpson from Legal & General Affordable Homes and Findlay MacAlpine from Preferred Homes Ltd on the rise of institutional investment into the sector: creators.spotify.com/pod/show/the...

Should I give my house to my children now to avoid inheritance tax? The family home is likely to be one of your most valuable assets. This begs the question: 'Can I gift it to my children now? Lawyer Philip Sillars explains the risks.

WS solicitor Philip Sillars explains four problems to watch out for if you're considering giving your house to your children now to avoid inheritance tax, in This Is Money. #IHT #InheritanceTax #EstatePlanning
www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensio...

With 2024 behind us let’s hope this year will deliver a similar level of exciting work in Affordable Housing. The last 12 months saw us work on some of the sector’s highest profile projects. Please do get in touch if our specialist teams can assist you, we are always glad to help. #socialhousing