Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
CASE STUDY

“I'm able to do more in the day, which means I'm providing more value to my clients - and it's helped my margins in terms of how much I can bill. LexisNexis is helping me make money.”

ParrisWhittaker

Access all documents on Liabilities

Liabilities meaning

What does Liabilities mean?
In practice, a scheme’s liabilities are what it owes: the future benefit payments (for example, pensions and lump sums) and the scheme’s expenses. They are usually measured as the present value of expected cashflows, determined by an actuary using assumptions on discount rate, longevity, inflation and expenses. Comparing liabilities with the market value of assets gives the funding level: a deficit arises where liabilities exceed assets; a surplus where assets exceed liabilities. “Liabilities” is a descriptive term used across legal, actuarial and accounting contexts rather than a single statutory definition. However, valuation bases are prescribed for particular purposes. In England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, scheme funding is assessed against “technical provisions” under the Pensions Act 2004 (with corresponding NI legislation); the Pension Protection Fund section 179 basis applies for levy and eligibility assessments; a buy-out (solvency) basis estimates the cost of securing benefits with an insurer; corporate accounts use IAS 19 or FRS 102. In Ireland, the Pensions Act 1990 provides the statutory Minimum Funding Standard, with additional solvency and winding‑up measures; employer accounts also use IAS 19/FRS 102. Usage is broadly consistent across the UK and Ireland. Always state the valuation basis when citing scheme liabilities, as results can...
Speed up all aspects of your legal work with tools that help you to work faster and smarter. Win cases, close deals and grow your business–all whilst saving time and reducing risk.

View the related Checklists about Liabilities

CHECKLISTS
Pre‑drafting checklist for private trusts: parties, assets, powers, administration and tax (England and Wales)

1. Settlor Gather the following details about the settlor (or each settlor, where there is more than one): full name and courtesy title status date of birth address domicile nationality usual residence a schedule of assets and liabilities (for this purpose, a separate schedule is useful) 2. Name of the trust Confirm with the settlor what the trust should be named 3. ...

Read More Right Arrow
CHECKLISTS
Going‑concern business and asset sales from administration: solicitor’s information, due diligence and drafting checklist (pre‑pack and post‑appointment)

General checklist What follows is a checklist highlighting matters that a solicitor representing a company’s administrator (and, in some pre-appointment cases, the directors/company) disposing of a business and its assets ought to bear in mind when preparing a sale and purchase agreement (the Agreement). This checklist is suitable for both pre-pack scenarios and sales of the business and/or assets completed after administrators are in office. It is not comprehensive and, depending on the nature of the business, numerous additional points may arise. For further detail, see: Sale and Purchase of Assets—overview and Pre-packs—overview. We also, at points, refer to seeking information from the directors. That will not invariably be feasible, eg where the situation is hostile. Accordingly, if the directors are engaged, they should be able to provide the information and will often be best placed to do so; however, where the position is hostile, or if you act solely for the administrators, any enquiries should be directed to the administrators, or at least channelled via them to the...

Read More Right Arrow
CHECKLISTS
Scottish commercial leases: practical checklist for negotiating repair and dilapidations provisions (FRI, latent defects, schedules of condition, common parts, insurance/rei interitus, consents, inspection rights and enforcement)

Repair under the common law Under the common law, a landlord, relative to a tenant, bears notably heavy duties regarding upkeep and repair of the leased premises, see Practice Note: Repair clauses in commercial leases in Scotland—Repair under the common law. Within commercial leasing, landlords will almost invariably aim to exclude all such common law repairing liabilities for the demised premises, though not for common areas in multi-let buildings; see Practice Note: Service charge and outgoing provisions in commercial leases in Scotland. Consequently, tenants usually shoulder substantial repair commitments. The prevalent model is the full repairing and insuring (FRI) lease, under which the tenant assumes responsibility for repairs of every kind save for damage arising from insured risks; see Practice Note: Repair clauses in commercial leases in Scotland—Contracting out of the common law—the full repairing and insuring (FRI) Lease and The modern commercial lease: Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia [466]...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Flowcharts about Liabilities

FLOWCHARTS
Shariah inheritance flowchart for practitioners: steps on death, fixed-share beneficiaries, and one-third testamentary freedom (with share calculator link)

Flowchart This flowchart outlines a clear method for deciding how payments from a solvent debtor, owing multiple debts to a single creditor, ought to be properly allocated among those liabilities...

Read More Right Arrow
FLOWCHARTS
Flowchart: Director’s duty to declare an interest in an existing company transaction or arrangement

View or print a full-size PDF version:...

Read More Right Arrow
FLOWCHARTS
Declaring a Director’s Interest in a Proposed Transaction or Arrangement: Compliance Flowchart

This flow chart outlines standard process to complete a transfer of certificated shares. Open or print a full-size PDF version:...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related News about Liabilities

NEWS
UK commercial law weekly update: contract judgments, ASA ruling, ICO enforcement consultation, HMRC customs guidance and Russian sanctions advice—6 November 2025

In this issue: Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Contracts Data protection International Supply chain LexTalk®Commercial: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Advertising, marketing and sponsorship ASA rulings—5 November 2025 The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received a single complaint about advertising by On The Beach Ltd, which stated that customers booking particular holidays would be given free access to airport lounges. The ASA upheld the complaint. See: LNB News 05/11/2025 27... Contracts Ms Amlin Marine NV (on behalf of Ms Amlin Syndicate AML/2001) v King Trader Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 1387 The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) dismissed the appellants’ challenge and confirmed that a ‘pay first’ clause in a marine insurance policy was enforceable against the Charterer. The policy had been issued by MS Amlin Marine NV to Bintan Mining Corporation (the Charterer), which had chartered the vessel Solomon Trader...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
Delay in SIPP crystallisation was maladministration, but no liability for later LTA tax; Pensions Ombudsman applies Khan v Meadows to limit duty; overall tax improved

Original news Mr R (CAS-54306-K6B1) – 26 October 2024. Summary The Pensions Ombudsman dismissed a complaint concerning a scheme’s delay in crystallising pension benefits during a transfer, which the member argued caused higher-rate tax on future withdrawals and used more of his lifetime allowance than would otherwise have been necessary. Although the delay was held to be maladministration, responsibility for tax liabilities arising from subsequent crystallisation events did not fall on either the transferring or the receiving scheme. In addition, any loss he said he suffered was offset by growth in his fund over the period, which produced a larger tax-free lump sum and, in total, a lower tax bill. This decision is a reminder that a professional will not be accountable for every loss flowing from a breach of duty... What were the facts? ...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
Property litigation weekly: injunction to restrain sale fails; common intention constructive trusts; committal bid dismissed; RTM notice service; Responsible Actors Scheme update (England and Wales) — 29 August 2024

In this issue: Disputes and remedies Enfranchisement and right to manage Repairing obligations and dilapidations LexTalk®Property Disputes: a Lexis®Nexis community Additional Property disputes updates Daily and weekly news alerts Dates for your diary Trackers Latest Q&A Disputes and remedies Application for an injunction to restrain the sale of properties failed (Matthews v Matthews (a protected party, by his deputy Anne Minihane)) In Matthews v Matthews (a protected party, by his deputy Anne Minihane) [2024] EWHC 2182 (Ch), the Chancery Division refused the claimant’s (R’s) bid for an injunction preventing the disposal of the defendant’s (F’s) properties. F, an elderly individual lacking capacity to manage his property and financial affairs, was represented by an interim deputy (M). R and F were second cousins with a long-standing connection through their farming interests. R had also previously served as F’s health and welfare attorney. To discharge F’s liabilities, M was instructed to sell three plots of agricultural...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Practice Notes about Liabilities

PRACTICE NOTES
CVAs and commercial leases: landlord impacts on rent, moratoria, termination options, forfeiture, surrender, guarantees, rent reviews and LTA 1954 issues (England and Wales)

What is a CVA? A company voluntary arrangement (CVA) is a form of insolvency that permits a company to enter a binding agreement with its creditors to compromise unsecured debts or otherwise agree how its affairs are handled. The directors continue to run the business, under the oversight of an insolvency practitioner. Retailers, particularly those with extensive property portfolios, frequently adopt so‑called ‘landlord CVAs’ to reset rental commitments and shut loss‑making stores. This note outlines how property law and landlord and tenant considerations may emerge under such a CVA. It highlights provisions commonly included in CVAs and explains how they tend to work in practice. Nevertheless, each CVA will vary according to the precise terms proposed. It is therefore vital to examine the CVA proposal carefully to assess its effect on creditors. This note does not provide detailed guidance on the mechanics of approving and implementing a CVA. For Practice Notes addressing the CVA procedure, see: Company voluntary arrangements—an introductory guide The CVA proposal and...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
Winding up UK trust-based DC occupational pension schemes: classification, triggers, expenses, data cleansing, securing benefits, disclosures, trustee protections and completion

This Practice Note sets out the principal steps for properly bringing to an end a defined contribution (DC) occupational pension scheme—also described as a money purchase occupational pension arrangement or a trust-based defined contribution plan. Throughout this Practice Note, this type of arrangement is termed a ‘DC scheme’. The guidance applies across a range of DC schemes, including trusts that sit outside the authorised master trust framework and small self-administered pension schemes (SSASs), although the latter may, in certain cases, be excluded from particular statutory obligations or requirements. This Practice Note does not cover the winding-up of any: an ‘authorised master trust’ under the Pension Schemes Act 2017 (PSA 2017)—for further detailed information, please see Practice Note: The authorisation and supervisory regime for master trusts, contract-based DC arrangements (eg group personal pension arrangements)—for further details and guidance, see Practice Note: Winding up of personal pension schemes Statute makes distinct and specific provision for hybrid schemes (combining defined benefit (DB) and DC...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
Water pollution liabilities and enforcement in England and Wales: offences, permitting, agricultural controls, nuisance claims, penalties and remediation, including corporate and officer liability

Water pollution Polluted water can kill fish and other aquatic life, harm habitats, threaten drinking supplies, lower water quality and foul beaches. Many kinds of contaminant can enter waters—chemicals, microplastics, petrol, oils and fats, ammonia in sewage, mine waste, nitrates from farming and solid waste. Definitions of water ‘Controlled waters’ Relevant territorial waters (seawater to three nautical miles) Coastal waters (eg tidal waters) Inland freshwaters (rivers, streams, watercourses, lakes and ponds) Groundwaters (water stored in rock layers beneath soil) Section 104 of the Water Resources Act 1991 (WRA 1991) ‘Surface water’ Inland waters (all standing or flowing surface water, except groundwater) Transitional waters (partly saline estuaries substantially influenced by freshwater flows) Coastal waters (water up to one mile seaward) The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017, SI 2017/407, Sch 1 ‘Groundwater’ — all water below the ground surface...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Precedents about Liabilities

PRECEDENTS
Buyer-favourable warranty and tax covenant limitations schedule for corporate seller SPAs: periods, caps, de minimis, specific exclusions, claims conduct, third-party recoveries and mitigation

Insert the following as new definitions (if not already included) in the definitions and interpretation clause of the share purchase agreement: 1 Definitions and interpretation Fairly Disclosed • means information [ fully, fairly and accurately ] disclosed [ (relating specifically to the subject matter of the Warranty and without omitting any fact which may render the Warranty and the matter disclosed untrue, inaccurate and misleading) ] and presented with sufficient clarity and detail to allow a buyer to reach a clear, informed and accurate evaluation of the relevant facts, matters or circumstances concerned; Losses • means any and all liabilities, costs, outgoings (including legal expenses), claims, actions, proceedings, damages, fines, penalties, loss of profit [ and Consequential Loss ]; Tax Warranties • denotes the warranties [ and representations ] contained in paragraph [ insert number ] of Schedule [ insert number ], and Tax Warranty refers to any one of them; Warranties • signifies the warranties [ and representations ] included in Schedule [...

Read More Right Arrow
PRECEDENTS
Board memorandum: approval of policy to prevent facilitation of tax evasion (failure to prevent offence) under the Criminal Finances Act 2017 (UK): scope, responsibilities, procedures and sanctions

Introduction The Criminal Finances Act 2017 (CFA 2017), effective in the UK since 2017, establishes a corporate offence for failing to stop the criminal facilitation of tax evasion. Tax evasion means unlawfully not paying, or paying less than, the taxes due. It commonly occurs through non-declaration or false declaration of liabilities to the appropriate tax authority. Tax evasion is a criminal offence. Responsibility may arise for an individual, for example in respect of income tax or VAT, or for a corporate body, for instance regarding corporation tax. Enclosed, for your review and approval, is a [ n updated ] [ Group ] policy on preventing the facilitation of tax evasion. This policy, which covers all of our businesses, opens with a brief message from [ insert name of relevant individual ] underlining its significance and calling for the personal commitment of every member of staff to put it into practice. It has received formal approval from [ insert name of relevant individual and/or team ]...

Read More Right Arrow
PRECEDENTS
Property sale clauses: seller retains contaminated land liabilities; indemnity and allocation under Part IIA EPA 1990 (England and Wales)

1 Definitions Within this clause [ 1 ] the following meanings apply: Contaminated Land Regime • Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as amended from time to time, and the Statutory Guidance Contamination • the existence or build-up of any Hazardous Substances at, in, on or under the Property [ at or prior to the Completion Date ] [ at any time whether before or after the Completion Date ] Environment • any or all of the following media, namely air, land, water (including surface water and groundwater) and any living organisms (including man) or systems sustained by those media Environmental Law • all applicable laws, statutes, secondary legislation, common law, directives, regulations, codes of practice and guidance notes that have legal effect [ and are in force at the Completion Date ] in ...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Q&As about Liabilities

Q&As
Overriding interests on registered land: chancel repair liability and 5‑year LTA 1954 lease after transfers for value

This response addresses a situation where a party asserts the benefit, as overriding interests, of a five-year business lease and of chancel repair liability. Both arose before the land was registered yet were not recorded against the title, and the question is whether they could constitute overriding interests. Chancel repair liability Chancel repair liability has historically been difficult to pinpoint or verify because there is no single central register that sets out all such liabilities (see Practice Note: Chancel repair liability)...

Read More Right Arrow
Q&As
Do buyer's warranty-claim costs count in liability thresholds?

Contract law regulates the recoverable loss arising under a limitation of liability provision in a share purchase agreement where a warranty is breached. Warranties comprise contractual declarations or assurances concerning the state of the target company, its operations, assets and liabilities. Should a seller provide a warranty in a share purchase agreement that later turns out inaccurate, untrue or misleading, the buyer may pursue a breach of warranty claim and seek damages from the seller for losses thereby suffered by the buyer...

Read More Right Arrow
Q&As
Sale contract silent on environmental liabilities: post-sale actionable nuisance liability and precedent seller‑retained clause

Position where the contract for sale is silent in relation to environmental liabilities If a land sale contract says nothing about environmental liabilities, allocation of responsibility turns on various factors, including the nature of the liability, who caused or knowingly permitted the issue, and when it took place, depending on the circumstances in which it occurred. By way of illustration, there are several liability regimes for land contamination, including liability for contaminated land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990) (see Practice Note: Land contamination—potential liabilities). Under EPA 1990, Part IIA, liability is both strict and retrospective. Class A persons, namely those who cause or knowingly permit the contamination, will be liable...

Read More Right Arrow