Lexel
We passed our annual inspection in May 2010

Client Feedback
If we have recently acted for you we would be pleased to hear your views on our client care and professional services. You can download a survey form from our 'Contact Us' page.

New Partners
New LLP Member - we are pleased to announce that April Chamberlain has been appointed to our Partnership as from 1 March 2010. April has set up our Litigation Department covering Court Proceedings, Commercial Contracts, Debt Recovery and Insolvency.

We are also delighted to announce our new partner David Tear who has joined our Litigation Department

Stamp Duty Land Tax
The March 2010 Budget introduces for two years a first time buyers’ Stamp Duty exemption on properties up to £250,000.

SDLT rates on purchase transactions are as follows:
Transactions over £125,000.00 up to £250,000.00 at the rate of 1%
Transactions over £250,000.00 up to £500,000.00 at the rate of 3%
Transactions over £500,000.00 at the rate of 4%
Transactions over £1 million at the rate of 5%.

The VAT Standard Rate
Reverts to 17.5% on 1st January 2010.

Revised Lasting Power of Attorney
Forms came into effect on 1st October 2009

HIPS abolished
Following the change of Government, Home Information Packs have been abolished with immediate effect from 21 May 2010.

Homes marketed for sale on or after 21 May 2010 will no longer require a Home Information Pack, but the Energy Performance Certificate will be retained and will have to be produced within 28 days of the marketing of residential property. Contact AWB for an EPC to be arranged.

Lasting Powers of Attorney
Introduced 1 October 2007 replacing Enduring Powers of Attorney

Collaborative Law
A new approach to divorce property and financial provision settlement.

Inheritance Tax
By the March 2010 Budget the nil-rate band remains at £325,000 until 2015.
Allowances are now transferable between Spouses and Civil Partners

Commercial Property
Energy Performance Certificates are required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings from 6 April 2008.

Mortgage Arrangements
As well as regular mortgages, we can advise and act in arranging sharia law compliant mortgages.

FreeWill Service with Cancer Research UK
We subscribe to this Charity Will writing service. If you are interested in leaving a legacy to Cancer Research UK and using the FreeWill service please contact Roger Armstrong.

Statutory Legacies
From 1st February 2009 where there is no Will, statutory legacies will increase. Where the intestate leaves a spouse and children, the spouse’s legacy will be £250,000 (up from £125,000) and where there are no children but the intestate is survived by parents or brothers or sisters, the spouse’s legacy will be £450,000 (up from £250,000). It is important to make a Will and ask Roger Armstrong for details.

Wills & Manorlands
AWB have agreed to support Manorlands Sue Ryder Care to waive its normal Will making fee for clients leaving a legacy to Manorlands. This applies to standard Wills. For more details please contact Liam O’Neill or Roger Armstrong.

For further information and advice about any of the above and other matters, please contact us.

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