Added years meaning

Aon Plc reported that merely 2% of those polled from defined benefit-style schemes plan to allocate to UK productive finance during 2025–26, overall. The firm noted, notably in comparable surveys run in recent years, a waning appetite among pension schemes for illiquid assets, according to Aon. We expected this pattern to create a major obstacle to the UK government’s aims of boosting pension scheme investment in UK productive finance, the company added...

Southwark Crown Court: Judge Philip Bartle KC sentences Narinder Sandhu Judge Philip Bartle KC sentenced Narinder Sandhu to a custodial term at Southwark Crown Court. His brother, Parmjeet Sandhu, and postage logistics director James Mooney received suspended terms for cheating the mail service. In 2023, the trio admitted fraud and conspiracy after prosecutors said they had exploited Royal Mail's self-declaration system for major postage-service firms by undervaluing consignments and keeping the difference. The judge said the men achieved 'substantial personal gain as a result of their involvement' in the fraud. Identified as the 'leading' participant, Narinder drew a £1m salary, the court was told. He owned a mansion outside London, a Rolls-Royce, a Bentley and sports memorabilia. Parmjeet, whom Judge Bartle described as 'middle-management', took a £495,000 salary for one year and held £2.6m in property, the judge added. Both men, the judge remarked, had enjoyed lifestyles reflecting the proceeds of the scheme...

Signature Litigation LLP v Ivanishvili [2024] EWCA Civ 901 What are the practical implications of this case? The Court of Appeal used this case to restate a well-known worry: as Lord Justice Coulson observed at [22], the 1974 Act has been widely criticised for not being updated to reflect modern practice. When the SA 1974 came into force, conditional fee agreements (CFAs) were unlawful, and retainers were largely based on an ‘entire contract’ model, allowing costs to be fully quantified for any period while litigation was ongoing. That is not the position with conditional fee retainers, where the total costs payable (covering all additional liabilities) cannot be fixed until the litigation has concluded. Accordingly, solicitors should note that under any CFA—even a ‘discounted CFA’—interim invoices will not be final statute bills if an additional fee is intended to be added to that invoice once the case ends. In practical terms, this means an interim bill, even if presented and paid, may not be final for a considerable time,...

The legislative and policy agenda of the 2024–2029 Commission During President von der Leyen’s second term, the 2024–2029 Commission has set a twin, closely connected focus: sharpening EU competitiveness and growth, and pursuing regulatory simplification. On 12 February 2025, it signed off its 2025 Work Programme, mapping the year’s flagship actions, including a raft of steps to streamline existing regulatory frameworks. That programme builds on the longer-range structure provided by the Competitiveness Compass, released in January 2025. In parallel with the Work Programme, the Commission issued a Communication on Simplification and Implementation, explaining how it intends to make day‑to‑day application of EU rules more straightforward, and supplying added detail on plans to prune and clarify a range of EU legislative instruments. As set out in that Communication, a central objective for the next five years is to cut administrative burdens (reporting included) by at least 25% for all companies, and by no less than 35% for small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs). The simplification drive is meant to materially advance...

THIS PRACTICE NOTE APPLIES IN RELATION TO OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMES What are additional voluntary contributions? Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) are contributions that members of occupational pension schemes choose to pay, beyond those required by the scheme rules, which therefore give the member extra benefits on top of the basic benefits of the relevant scheme. The nature of benefits funded by AVCs is determined by the scheme’s rules. They may provide extra defined benefits (often referred to as ‘added years’), but in most instances AVC entitlements build up on a money purchase basis. Why distinguish them from other contributions? For several purposes the contributions, and the benefits purchased with them, are treated as a distinct class separate from normal contributions and benefits. In some areas this produces more restrictive treatment than applies to other benefits; in others, more favourable rules apply. Notably, on a winding up of the pension scheme, funds arising from AVCs have been handled differently from other scheme assets. This reflects that not every...

This Practice Note sets out the timeframes for undertaking several frequently encountered tasks by property disputes practitioners, alongside links to added guidance. It is not a complete catalogue of all deadlines relevant to the areas noted, and supplies only concise points. Full particulars of the applicable law and procedure in each instance should be obtained from the supplementary materials. For wider guidance on limitation periods, see Practice Notes: Limitation—the principal limitation periods and Limitation Act 1980—general application. Step required Time limit Reference Further information Limitation periods for common court proceedings Court proceedings to recover rent (including sums reserved as rent). Six years from the date the arrears fell due. Section 19 of the Limitation Act 1980 (LA 1980). See Practice Note: Recovering rent arrears. Court proceedings for breach of lease other than non-payment of rent. 12 years if the lease was executed by deed; otherwise six years. LA 1980, ss 5 and 8. See Practice Note: Quick guide to landlord’s remedies for breach of...

1 Definitions Within this Agreement, certain expressions carry specific meanings. Illustrative terms include: AA 2020: the Agriculture Act 2020; ATA 1995: the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 Adjoining Property: Retained Land and nearby premises; Adjoining Property Rights: rights over the Holding benefiting such land Agreement: this instrument and any supplementary or collateral document Annual Rent: yearly sum payable from the Rent Commencement Date on Rent Days Authority: any statutory, public or local body, court, government department or duly authorised officers Conduits: media and equipment for carrying energy, data or substances Costs: losses, expenses, damages and liabilities Direct Payment: any BPS Payment or SFS Payment, as applicable Eligible Holding: parts of the Holding qualifying for a Rural Support Payment Forfeiture Event: designated insolvency processes, non-payment, or breach Genetically Modified Organisms: as defined by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, including modified or derived crops Holding: the identified property shown on the Plan Insured Risks: perils the Landlord...

1 Compliance 1.1 Returns The Company has, in a proper and timely manner, filed all [ material ] computations and returns (including all returns relating to land transactions), furnished every item of information, made all statements and disclosures, and served all notices on each relevant Tax Authority as reasonably requested or required by law for the purposes of Tax within applicable time limits. All such computations, returns, information, statements, disclosures and notices were prepared on an appropriate basis and, when lodged and as at the date of this Agreement, are complete, correct and accurate in all respects. None of the computations or returns are, or [ so far as the Seller is aware, ] are likely to be, the subject of any dispute with any Tax Authority. 1.2 Payment The Company has duly paid, within the applicable deadlines, all Tax for which it has become liable to pay or account. Furthermore, the Company is not liable, nor has it within the six years preceding the date...