Nockolds Solicitors

In 2013, Deutsche Bank obtained a judgment in the sum of $243 million against a defendant, Sebastian Holdings Inc. (“Sebastian”), on account of losses from foreign exchange and derivates trading. The bank sought to enforce the judgment but a former director of Sebastian, Mr Vik, is alleged to have stripped the company of nearly $1 billion in assets.

The hospitality industry has long faced a dual challenge: attracting new talent while retaining skilled staff in a fast-paced, high-demand environment. With skills shortages continuing to impact hotels, restaurants, and leisure businesses, apprenticeship programmes present a powerful and practical solution. They not only open doors for new entrants but also build a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, usually called MEES, apply to many privately rented commercial properties in England and Wales. In essence, if a property has an EPC rating below E, landlords will usually need to carry out works to improve the rating before it can be let, unless a valid exemption has been registered. For landlords, an EPC is more than just a document to file away.

I had the pleasure of presenting at a wellbeing conference last month, to provide insights into how organisations can create a culture that truly engages with their people. A wellbeing strategy is focused on embedding a culture that enables employees to thrive physically, mentally and emotionally while aligning with the organisational goals. This blog explores the value of a wellbeing strategy and sets out practical steps to integrate this practice into your organisation’s practices and vision.

We are delighted to announce that Nockolds has successfully retained the Lexcel legal practice quality mark following its annual assessment in June 2026, marking the 23rd consecutive year that the firm has achieved this prestigious accreditation. Awarded by the Law Society, Lexcel is the recognised quality mark for excellence in legal practice management and client care.

Anyone who has bought or sold a home in England and Wales will know just how stressful the process can be. One of the biggest frustrations is gazumping: you make an offer on a house or flat, it is accepted, and then another buyer comes along with a higher offer before contracts have been exchanged. At the moment, an accepted offer is not legally binding. Either party can walk away before exchange of contracts, often after weeks or months of time, legal work and expense.

Many Spanish citizens come to the UK for work purposes. Many of them will need a certificate to confirm whether or not they have any criminal record. The official translation into English of the certificate has to be submitted as well. Equally British citizens living in Spain may need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and its official translation in Spanish. There are important differences between the certificate in Spanish and the certificate in English.

“I have 9 hours of screen time over the weekend.”- Child “So suddenly, you’re going to have a lot more time to fill. What will you do?”- Reporter “Stare at a wall.”- Child This arid response by a member of the UK youth is just one example of the affected children’s opinions on the government’s proposal to ban social media for under-16s. The government says it hopes the social media ban for under-16s will come into force next spring.

The short answer to the question is NO! Buying, leasing or refinancing a commercial property is a big step and financial commitment for any business or individual. Whether you are taking on an office, shop, warehouse, industrial unit or development site, you will want to know exactly what you are committing to before you proceed. Commercial property searches assist and help give you a clearer picture.

For many couples, living together without marrying is a conscious choice. For others, marriage is simply not a priority. Whatever the reason, cohabitation has become one of the most common family arrangements in England and Wales. Yet despite society changing, the law has not kept pace. Many people are surprised to discover that there is no such thing as a “common law marriage”.