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Can a Power of Attorney Be Challenged or Overruled? Understanding Legal Grounds and Procedures
Yes, a power of attorney can be challenged, but the routes are narrower than many families expect. In England and Wales, a lasting power of attorney, or LPA, gives attorneys real legal authority once it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. It cannot simply be overruled by a relative, a next of kin, or another family member who disagrees with a decision. While the donor still has mental capacity, they can change or revoke their own arrangement. If the do
ATHILAW
4 days ago5 min read


Dual Citizenship Rules for EU and Commonwealth Citizens in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide
The UK allows dual citizenship, so as an EU or Commonwealth citizen you can usually become British without giving up your existing nationality under UK law. The decision that often causes problems sits with your home country, not the UK. Some countries let you hold 2 passports freely, others restrict it, and some ask you to take extra steps before or after naturalising. This guide explains how the rules work, what changed after Brexit, and where the common traps are. If you w
ATHILAW
5 days ago4 min read


Who Can Override a Power of Attorney in the UK—and When It Is Legally Permissible
In England and Wales, very few people can override a power of attorney, and only in defined circumstances. While you still have mental capacity, you hold the final say. You can overrule your attorney, change your instructions, or cancel the power of attorney yourself. Once capacity is lost, the Court of Protection is the body that can formally remove an attorney, cancel an LPA or make a decision that overrides what an attorney is doing. Family members and next of kin have no
ATHILAW
Jul 14 min read


How to Revoke or Change a Power of Attorney in the UK: Complete Guide
You can revoke or change a lasting power of attorney, or LPA, if you still have the mental capacity to make that decision. In England and Wales, the Office of the Public Guardian sets out the process for ending or changing an LPA. You cannot quietly cross out a name, change decision-making instructions, or write a new attorney onto a registered document. To cancel a registered LPA, you normally sign a written deed of revocation, send it to the Office of the Public Guardian wi
ATHILAW
Jun 294 min read


Travelling on two passports: an essential guide for UK dual citizens
As a UK dual citizen, you can legally hold and travel with more than one passport. The practical rule is simple. Use a valid British passport, Irish passport or Certificate of Entitlement when travelling to the UK, and use your other passport where that country requires or expects its own citizens to enter as nationals. Since the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation system has moved into full enforcement, this matters more than before. British and Irish citizens, including du
ATHILAW
Jun 244 min read


Domestic Abuse and Social Housing: Could the New Bill Help Survivors Stay Safely at Home?
If you share a social tenancy with someone who has abused you, the Social Housing Bill could make it easier for the perpetrator to be removed without ending your housing security. However, the proposals are not yet law. As at 17 June 2026, the Bill is at committee stage in the House of Lords. The Government intends the social-rented-sector reforms to begin from October 2027, subject to parliamentary approval, Royal Assent and commencement. Among households receiving a new soc
ATHILAW
Jun 173 min read


What the June 2026 Divorce Finance Consultation Could Mean for Separating Couples
The government's consultation on divorce finance, launched in June 2026, is one of the most significant reviews of matrimonial financial law in England and Wales in over fifty years. If you are going through a separation, planning to start proceedings, or have recently reached a financial settlement, this consultation is worth your attention. The rules that govern how money, property, and pensions are divided on divorce have not had a fundamental overhaul since the Matrimonia
ATHILAW
Jun 125 min read


Navigating the UK’s transition to eVisas in 2026: A guide for employers and employees
The UK’s immigration system is now largely digital, which means many people must prove their immigration status through an eVisa rather than a physical BRP, BRC or passport vignette. If you are an employer, you should not rely on screenshots, email confirmations or old physical documents alone. If you are an employee, you should check that your UKVI account works, your passport details are up to date, and you can generate a share code before you need it. This matters because
ATHILAW
May 2712 min read


How to Navigate the UK Immigration System for Entrepreneurs: A Comprehensive Guide
The UK has long been an attractive destination for international entrepreneurs. It offers access to world-class talent, a well-established legal and financial infrastructure, a relatively straightforward business registration process, and a growing ecosystem of investors, accelerators, and support networks across cities like London, Manchester, and Sheffield. But before you can set up, scale, or relocate your business here, you need to understand the immigration framework — a
ATHILAW
May 119 min read


How Conveyancers Help First-Time Buyers Navigate the Housing Market Effectively
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. It is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming — especially when you start coming across terms like "exchange of contracts", "completion", "searches", and "title register". If you are not sure what any of that means, you are not alone. That is exactly where a conveyancer comes in. A good conveyancer does far more than shuffle paperwork. They protect your interests at every stage of the tra
ATHILAW
Apr 249 min read


The Role of Immigration Solicitors in Human Rights Cases: Navigating Legal Complexities for Justice
If you are dealing with an immigration problem that affects your safety, your family life, or your future in the UK, the legal position can become complicated very quickly. A human rights case is rarely just about one form or one refusal. It is often about whether a decision is lawful, proportionate, and fair in light of your personal circumstances. That is why getting support from experienced immigration solicitors can be so important. In immigration law, human rights argum
ATHILAW
Apr 155 min read


The Importance of Legal Representation in Contested Divorces: Safeguarding Your Rights and Ensuring Fair Outcomes
Going through a divorce is rarely easy, but it can feel even more overwhelming when matters become disputed. In England and Wales, the law now follows a no-fault divorce system, which means the divorce itself is no longer usually argued over in the old way. Even so, many divorces still become heavily contested in practice because you and your spouse may disagree about finances, the family home, pensions, arrangements for children, or the wider shape of your future. The legal
ATHILAW
Mar 306 min read


How to Apply for British Citizenship: Essential Steps and Tips
Applying for British citizenship is a big step. It can give you the right to live in the UK without immigration control, apply for a British passport, and take a fuller part in life here. But the process is not just about filling in a form. You need to apply under the right route, get your timings right, and support your application with clear evidence. If you want tailored advice from the outset, speaking with immigration solicitors can help you avoid common mistakes and mo
ATHILAW
Mar 206 min read


Understanding the Divorce Process in the UK: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide
If you are thinking about divorce, it is completely understandable to feel overwhelmed. Even when you know the marriage has come to an end, the legal process can still feel unfamiliar and emotionally draining. The good news is that divorce in England and Wales is now more straightforward than it used to be. Since 6 April 2022, the law has operated on a no-fault basis, which means you no longer need to blame your spouse or prove misconduct to start the process. You simply conf
ATHILAW
Mar 166 min read


Lease negotiations for SMEs: managing repairing obligations, rent reviews and break clauses effectively
If you run an SME, your premises are usually one of your biggest overheads — and one of the easiest places for hidden legal risk to creep in. A lease can look “standard” until you get hit with a roof repair you didn’t budget for, a rent review that jumps your costs, or a break clause that fails because you missed a technical condition. You’re not the only one dealing with this. In 2025 there were around 5.7 million SMEs in the UK, making up 99.9% of all UK businesses. That me
ATHILAW
Mar 119 min read


Environmental and ESG in Commercial Deals: Phase 1 Reports, Asbestos, and Sustainability Clauses Explained
If you’re buying, selling, leasing, or refinancing a commercial property, environmental risk and ESG obligations can land right in the middle of your deal. Sometimes it’s obvious (a former industrial site, an older warehouse, a floodplain location). Other times it’s hidden in the paperwork: a lender insisting on a Phase 1 Environmental Report, an asbestos register that’s out of date, or “green” lease clauses that quietly shift cost and responsibility onto you. The good news i
ATHILAW
Mar 69 min read


Navigating the Family Visa Application Process: Essential Steps and Tips
Applying for a UK family visa can feel overwhelming because it’s not just an application — it’s your family life, your home, and your future plans. The good news is that most family visa problems are avoidable when you take a structured approach: pick the right route, understand the rules that apply to you, and build a document pack that tells one consistent story. This guide walks you through the essential steps, the key evidence, and the practical tips that help you submit
ATHILAW
Feb 207 min read


What Responsibilities Come with Acting as a Power of Attorney? Clear Duties and Legal Obligations Explained
Being asked to act as someone’s attorney can feel like an honour — and it often is. But it’s also a legal role with real responsibilities, clear limits, and potential consequences if you get it wrong. If you’re stepping in under a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), you’re not “helping out” informally. You’re taking on duties set by the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and your actions can be scrutinised by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and, in serious cases, the Court of Pro
ATHILAW
Feb 2010 min read


Conveyancing for First-Time Buyers: Essential Steps to Navigate the Process
Buying your first home is exciting… and also a bit surreal. One minute you’re browsing Rightmove at midnight, the next you’re being asked for ID, mortgage paperwork, and a dozen signatures you didn’t know existed. Conveyancing is the legal process that makes your purchase real. It is how ownership transfers from the seller to you, and it is where most of the “boring but crucial” details get checked: title, searches, contract terms, mortgage conditions, and anything that could
ATHILAW
Feb 47 min read


Renewing a Sponsor Licence on Time and Avoiding Downgrades or Revocation: Practical Steps to Maintain Compliance and Protect Your Sponsorship Status
You need a clear plan to keep your sponsor licence valid, avoid downgrades and prevent revocation. Stay audit-ready, meet record-keeping and reporting duties, and act on any Home Office concerns quickly to protect your right to sponsor skilled workers. This article shows how UK renewal rule changes affect your licence, what core duties the Home Office expects, and practical steps to maintain an A rating. Follow the guidance here and you will spot risks early, fix problems fa
ATHILAW
Jan 236 min read
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