Battens Solicitors

For many business owners, a family business is more than a financial asset. It may represent years of hard work, family commitment and future security. When divorce is involved, it is understandable that people often feel concerned about what will happen to the business and whether it can be protected. The position is not always straightforward. A business owned by one or both spouses will usually be considered as part of the wider financial picture when resolving finances on divorce.

My route into law has not been a straightforward one, but it is a journey that has shaped both my career and who I am as a person. I am now a Licensed Conveyancer, helping clients navigate what is often one of the most significant transactions of their lives. Property transactions can be exciting, stressful, complex and emotional, and I enjoy being able to guide clients through the process and help make their experience as smooth as possible.

Writing a will is one of those important life tasks that many people know they should do but often put off. It can feel emotional, expensive or complicated. With tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude now able to produce formal-looking documents in seconds, it is understandable that some people are asking whether they can use AI to write their will. The simple answer is that a will is not automatically invalid just because AI helped create it.

Owning a holiday home overseas is a dream for many people. But while buying property abroad is exciting, it's also worth taking the time to consider how that property will pass to your loved ones in the future. Many people assume that once they have made an English Will, everything is taken care of. In reality, owning property in another country can make matters more complicated, and a Will that works perfectly well in England and Wales may not have the same effect overseas.

An amicable divorce should always be the goal. It helps to minimise stress, reduce costs and, where children are involved, keep conflict to a minimum while maintaining constructive communication. One of the best ways to achieve this is to seek early advice from a lawyer who is committed to a constructive and non-confrontational approach.

Background and overview Our client was a company landlord with four residential properties in a cul-de-sac, each let under separate Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreements. The tenants of the four properties shared a communal garden and all of the tenancies were managed by a letting agent.

Battens Solicitors is delighted to announce the promotion of four colleagues to Associate Director, recognising their outstanding contributions to the firm, their clients and their teams. The promotions of Gemma Galvani, Cath Knapman, Samantha Pattle and Jacqui Swann reflect Battens' commitment to developing talent and recognising excellence across the business. Gemma Galvani, Solicitor and Family Team Leader, joined Battens in 2016.

The Situation We acted for a client in the sale of their leasehold flat, where the freehold was jointly owned by two individuals. One of the joint freeholders had left the country, making it difficult to obtain the leasehold information required for the sale. The required leasehold information could not be finalised without input from both joint freeholders, meaning the transaction was unable to progress.

Taking on a commercial lease is a major commitment for any business. Whether you are opening your first premises, relocating or planning for growth, it is important to understand what you are agreeing before you sign. A commercial lease can affect your cashflow, your ability to leave the property, your repair responsibilities and your future plans.

The High Court has recently delivered a significant reminder of the risks associated with unauthorised director withdrawals from company funds.