News - Sills & Betteridge Solicitors

Buying a Property via a Conditional Contract

Buying a property can often take longer than you would like and, until the exchange of contracts, there is always the risk that the seller can back out. This period, between acceptance of your offer and exchange of contracts, can leave you on tenterhooks, especially if your purchase depends on another event, such as the grant of planning permission. So, what are your options? ‘One possibility is the use of a conditional contract,’ says Edward Sharpe, a Partner in the Residential Property with Sills & Betteridge. ‘This can give you a degree of certainty, as it means the seller cannot simply walk away from the deal and you only have to proceed once a stipulated condition is satisfied.’ Here Edward answers some of your questions, including when a conditional contract may be suitable.

Six Points in the Post: Don’t Ignore a Section 172 Notice

Why ignoring a Section 172 letter can cost you more than the speeding ticket itself, by Motoring Offences Expert Justin Atkinson

Family Lawyer Sarah Rowe Shortlisted for Partner of the Year in the 2025 Yorkshire Legal Awards

Awards season is off to a strong start this year, with Sarah Rowe being shortlisted for Partner of the Year in the 2025 Yorkshire Legal Awards.

Switch, Let or Sell a Second Home

For some, owning a second home is a dream, evoking thoughts of seaside cottages and impromptu getaways. The reality though can be rather different. Not only is there the issue of ongoing maintenance, but recent changes have made ownership more expensive, something which could account for the recent surge in sales of second homes . Alternatively, a second home may be necessary for work, or you may find yourself with more than one property via an inheritance. In a slow-moving property market, some people occasionally complete the purchase of a new home before they are able to sell their old property. Over the course of your lifetime the way you use the properties may change, for example if a holiday home becomes your main residence when you retire, and this could have unintended consequences.

What is Fraudulent Calumny and can it invalidate a Will?

Karen Bower-Brown
31 Jul 2025
Law Blog
Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Do you believe that a loved one who has passed away has been tricked into a leaving a Will to exclude you on the basis that their mind had been poisoned against you? Whilst there are several grounds upon which a Will can be contested, one lesser-known ground that may be relevant to you is fraudulent calumny.

AI at Work | What Employers Need to Know about the Legal Risks and Responsibilities

28 Jul 2025
Law Blog
Employment Law

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming workplaces across the UK, thereby providing increased efficiency, enhanced decision making and automation of many routine tasks. There are now recruitment tools that can scan CVs to AI through Performance Management Systems, so there is a wide range of potential benefits for employers. However, with this advancement in AI technologies, there comes legal risks and responsibilities.