header-logo header-logo

02 May 2025 / Stephen Gold
Issue: 8114 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice , Civil way
printer mail-detail

Civil way: 2 May 2025

Unpaid tax interest up; CPR 183rd update notched up; appeal trap you (should) know; a bit of tax avoidance; IVA protocol revised.

LAWBITES

‘Dear Child’ The Family Justice Young People’s Board has come up with a commendable toolkit for judges writing to children about the outcome of proceedings concerning them. It has been put out by the president. He recognises that ‘blank page’ inertia may have inhibited judges from communicating in this way in the past.

Interesting The HMRC interest rate on the main taxes and duties rises to 8.5%—1.50% up—as from 6 April 2025, (no) thanks to SI 2025/386. The current interest rate on what HMRC repays is 3.50%. Just saying. The official line is that the latter compares favourably with commercial practice for interest charged on loans and overdrafts and interest paid on deposits. But not compared with the late payment rate, eh? Penalties will be chargeable on top of interest after the end of 15 and 30 days from the due date. The just-made SI 2025/399 enables

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Ken Fowlie, Stowe Family Law

NLJ Career Profile: Ken Fowlie, Stowe Family Law

Ken Fowlie, chairman of Stowe Family Law, reflects on more than 30 years in legal services after ‘falling into law’

Jackson Lees Group—Jannina Barker, Laura Beattie & Catherine McCrindle

Jackson Lees Group—Jannina Barker, Laura Beattie & Catherine McCrindle

Firm promotes senior associate and team leader as wills, trusts and probate team expands

Asserson—Michael Francos-Downs

Asserson—Michael Francos-Downs

Manchester real estate finance practice welcomes legal director

NEWS
Children can claim for ‘lost years’ damages in personal injury cases, the Supreme Court has held in a landmark judgment
The Supreme Court has drawn a firm line under branding creativity in regulated markets. In Dairy UK Ltd v Oatly AB, it ruled that Oatly’s ‘post-milk generation’ trade mark unlawfully deployed a protected dairy designation. In NLJ this week, Asima Rana of DWF explains that the court prioritised ‘regulatory clarity over creative branding choices’, holding that ‘designation’ extends beyond product names to marketing slogans
From cat fouling to Part 36 brinkmanship, the latest 'Civil way' round-up is a reminder that procedural skirmishes can have sharp teeth. NLJ columnist Stephen Gold ranges across recent decisions with his customary wit
Digital loot may feel like property, but civil law is not always convinced. In NLJ this week, Paul Schwartfeger of 36 Stone and Nadia Latti of CMS examine fraud involving platform-controlled digital assets, from ‘account takeover and asset stripping’ to ‘value laundering’
Lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) are not ‘set and forget’ documents. In this week's NLJ, Ann Stanyer of Wedlake Bell urges practitioners to review LPAs every five years and after major life changes
back-to-top-scroll