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The Things That Matter

Issue 7: December 2025

The Things That Matter

Editor's note

Idina Glyn

Welcome to the Christmas edition of The Things That Matter.

We have explored a range of topics in this issue, including recent research on how mid-life women are affected by divorcing later in life, how the failure to prevent fraud offence raises the stakes on greenwashing.

We took an in-depth look at the Autumn Budget, the evolving landscape of art market regulation, estate planning and the benefits of including charitable gifts in your Will, and how UK tech and life sciences firms are adapting to new challenges in relocating global talent, and more.

And for those of you looking for something a bit more light-hearted, I hope you enjoy my tongue-in-cheek take on the “12 days of Christmas” from the world of Landed Estates.  

News
Festive drinks

12 days of Christmas - as seen by a landed estates lawyer

From post-Budget claret and frantic pre-Christmas property deals, to urgent remortgages, newt-related planning dramas and last-minute farm restructures, our Landed Estates expert provides a witty “12 days of Christmas” recap offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the challenges and quirks of rural and prime London property law.

11 mins
News
Sandra Davis

Sandra Davis contributes to The Times with Beyond the Break: the truth about divorce for midlife women

New research commissioned by Mishcon de Reya, Julius Baer and NOON shows that nearly a third of midlife women who divorce feel happier, more relieved and experience personal growth. The study highlights a rise in later-life divorce, financial challenges, and women taking control of their futures. Our family expert, Sandra Davis, explains that midlife women are increasingly choosing to leave marriages that no longer serve them.

1 min
News
Person typing on a lit up laptop

How does the failure to prevent fraud offence raise the stakes on greenwashing?

In this article, we explore how the new failure to prevent fraud offence significantly raises the stakes for greenwashing, turning misleading sustainability claims from a regulatory risk into a potential criminal liability. They outline the need for robust fraud prevention procedures and advise businesses to review and strengthen their practices to ensure all sustainability claims are clear, accurate and properly evidenced.

5 mins
News
abstract white building

Don't estop me now - when the law will step in to enforce a broken promise

"One day, all this will be yours" - this familiar promise echoes through countless family businesses, but what happens when the promisor changes their mind? Our team look at how the informal promises to pass on property to the next generation can become legally enforceable if someone has worked to their detriment in reliance on those assurances, making proper planning crucial to protect both business and family relationships.

5 mins
Hub
big ben reflecting in the river thames

Autumn Budget 2025

Our experts review the Chancellor’s second Budget, highlighting extended tax freezes, targeted increases on non-labour income, and new measures for property and pensions. While headline rates stay the same, more people will pay higher taxes due to fiscal drag. The Budget signals steady, incremental changes rather than major reforms.

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