Green Shoots of Recovery in the North London Property Market

At last some good news for those seeking to buy or sell in North London: it seems that sales and house prices are picking up.

Contact our very popular Richard McConnell, Head of our Property Department.

Newly Establised Tax Tribunal

The Government has established the Tax Chamber, a newly established tribunal which will deal with tax disputes. This  coincides with HRMC’s latest tax amnesty in relation to off-shore deposits. This amnesty allows off-shore account holders to pay a maximum penalty of 10% and thereby avoid either prosecution or ‘naming and shaming’ the individual or company concerned.

Inheritance Tax – Latest Developments

The Government has recently announced that 3% interest will be attached to outstanding / unpaid inheritance tax liabilities to HRMC. The insurance industry now has a range of insurance products which will pay out to meet any such liability.

Contact Prue Abrahams, Head of our Private Client (Wills and Probate) Department.

MTIC Fraud in Another Guise?

Seven people have been arrested in relation to an alleged MTIC (carousel) fraud as a result of a longstanding joint investigation by HRMC and Europol. It concerns credit swaps in the European Union carbon emissions credit market.

These arrests mark a reversal in policy by HRMC, who until recently have sought to deal with MTIC frauds by way of VAT tribunals.

MTIC frauds have, historically, been difficult for the Crown to prosecute successfully. They do not, however, present any problems for our team of defence specialists who have a tremendous record of success in this area. Contact Jeffrey Lewis.

Huge Mortgage Frauds Uncovered

Chelsea Building Society has revealed that it has lost £41 million as a result of suspected frauds perpetrated by some of its buy to let  borrowers.

We have a very approachable, experienced fraud defence team who can assist anyone investigated or prosecuted for such matters. Contact Jeffrey Lewis.

Interesting Development in Confiscation

Keith Wood recently acted alongside Sam Stein QC in a complex confiscation case at Wood Green Crown Court. After careful work and research, the Court accepted our argument that the defendant’s potential entitlement to a substantial sum of money under the terms of a trust fund should not form part of his realisable assets for the purposes of a confiscation order. The Crown are considering appealing.

Road Traffic Case Success

Keith Wood recently successfully acted for a new driver facing prosecution for a number of speeding matters for which, if convicted, the driver would have received 6 points and would have lost his entitlement to drive. We successfully managed to persuade the Court to proceed on one matter only, thus preserving the driver’s full licence.

Another Court Success for Lewis Nedas

Siobhain Egan recently represented a client facing allegations of fraud; the case was discharged against our client after a six-week trial.

He was ably represented by Gerry Mohabir of counsel (Great James Street Chambers).

Lewis Nedas Launch Russian Website

Lewis Nedas & Co are delighted to announce the launch of their Russian website at www.lewisnedas.ru which is specifically aimed at our large Russian-speaking client base, both here and abroad.

Our grateful thanks go to Jemma Rapley who is responsible for the site, which we feel is a tremendous credit to her Russian language skills.

Important Success for LN in Parental Rights

Nick Wragg recently represented a woman facing an allegation of child neglect. Police had attached a condition of her bail forbidding contact with her children other than via an approved social worker, however her next bail to return date was set for many months in the future whilst police carried out further investigations, and this effectively increased (by the back door) the statutory period depriving parental rights in such a situation.

Nick successfully applied to the Court arguing that this  condition necessarily offended s3(a)5 of the Bail Act 1976 and breached the European Convention on Human Rights. Additionally the police had failed to carry out ABE interviews expeditiously.

The Court agreed with Nick’s submissions and drastically reduced the next bail period. The date expired and Nick again sucessfully argued that the condition be withdrawn.

Nick was assisted by the very able James Stansfield of Great James Street Chambers who acted and advised pro bono in this case.

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