12 Days of Christmas

To celebrate the 12 days of Christmas we have twelve interesting legal facts! Do you know when the 12 days of Christmas actually starts?

First
Did you know that your decree absolute does not end financial claims?

Second
Did you know there is no such thing as a common law wife or husband?

Third
Did you know an unmarried father does not have parental responsibility for his children unless he is on the birth certificate?

Fourth
Did you know that business tenants often have legal rights to remain as a tenant after the expiry of their lease?

Fifth
Did you know that a Company is no longer required to have a Company Secretary?

Sixth
Did you know that the Crown owns all land in the United Kingdom, you simply own an Estate in the land? Luckily the Crown does not exercise its powers to seize land on a regular basis!

Seventh
Did you know you are required to have held a Lease for at least 2 years before you have the legal right to extend it?

Eighth
Did you know you only have three months to bring your employment claim?

Ninth
Litigation - Did you know that in a civil litigation the parties have a duty to consider alternative dispute resolutions, such as mediation, to resolve matters before going to court?

Tenth
Did you know that if you don’t leave a Will it is possible that not all of your assets will pass to your spouse?

Eleventh
Did you know that spouses can now transfer any unused inheritance tax allowance between them, so together they have £650,000 tax free?

Twelfth
Did you know you should ensure you have an up to date nomination of any pension and death in service benefits as these will pass outside of your Will and so will not be subject to inheritance tax?

The twelve days of Christmas according to many traditions actually starts on Christmas Day – here’s wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!