Howard Fairbairn Clear guidance. Established counsel.

Howard Fairbairn

Clear guidance. Established counsel.

Latest Articles

When Power Is Misused: Challenging an Attorney Who Oversteps the Mark
Wills & Estate Planning

When Power Is Misused: Challenging an Attorney Who Oversteps the Mark

A lasting power of attorney is a document of trust, but trust can be abused. This guide explains the attorney’s duties, the warning signs that matter, and the practical steps families and advisers can take when an attorney appears to have overreached.

The Line on the Ground: Boundary and Adverse Possession Claims in 2026
Residential Property

The Line on the Ground: Boundary and Adverse Possession Claims in 2026

When a fence, hedge or long-held strip of land no longer matches the registered title, neighbours can find themselves in a dispute that is both personal and expensive. This guide explains the rules for registered and unregistered land, what counts as factual possession, and how to respond to a Land Registry notice.

The Handshake Behind the Contract: When a Side Letter Becomes Binding
Commercial Property

The Handshake Behind the Contract: When a Side Letter Becomes Binding

Side letters, email assurances and oral promises are often treated as commercial courtesies. In law, they can be contractual obligations. This opinion piece examines when informality binds, when it fails and how property owners and occupiers can manage the risk.

When the Named Executor Cannot Be Found: Remedies for a Stalled Estate
Wills & Estate Planning

When the Named Executor Cannot Be Found: Remedies for a Stalled Estate

A missing, unwilling or incapacitated personal representative can leave an estate frozen at the worst possible moment. This practical guide explains the probate steps, court applications and protective measures available to beneficiaries in England and Wales.

Residential Property

Reading the Bill Before It Bites: A Leaseholder’s Guide to Service Charges in 2026

Service charge bills rarely arrive at a convenient moment. A structured check of the lease, budget, reserve fund, major works and building safety can turn a confusing demand into a series of clear questions—well before the next invoice lands.

The Trustee’s Compass: Drafting a Letter of Wishes That Endures
Wills & Estate Planning

The Trustee’s Compass: Drafting a Letter of Wishes That Endures

A trust deed gives trustees power; a letter of wishes gives them context. This note explains how families can set out their hopes for education, housing and business interests without turning guidance into a binding instruction—and when the document should be refreshed.

Handing On the Family Firm Without Handing Over Trouble
Business Succession

Handing On the Family Firm Without Handing Over Trouble

Family businesses rarely fail because the next generation lacks ability. More often, the handover stalls because the paperwork, the timing and the family conversation were left too late. A practical succession checklist helps owners protect the business and the relationships around it.

Before You Sit Down: Making Your First Solicitor Meeting Count
Wills & Estate Planning

Before You Sit Down: Making Your First Solicitor Meeting Count

A first consultation with a solicitor need not be a leap into the unknown. With the right papers, a rough timeline and a few direct questions about fees and next steps, the meeting becomes a focused conversation that saves time, cost and uncertainty later.

The Estate That Lives Online: Planning for Digital Assets, Pensions and Property
Wills & Estate Planning

The Estate That Lives Online: Planning for Digital Assets, Pensions and Property

A will remains the foundation of estate planning, but it no longer tells the whole story. Digital accounts, cloud storage, cryptocurrency and pension nominations sit alongside property and savings—and each needs clear instructions. This guide offers a practical checklist and conversation guide for UK families.

Before the Next Signature: A Commercial Tenant’s Guide to Six Lease Clauses
Commercial Property

Before the Next Signature: A Commercial Tenant’s Guide to Six Lease Clauses

A lease renewal is rarely just about rent. The clauses around break options, dilapidations, service charges and repair can shape the cost of occupancy for years. This guide sets out a practical clause-by-clause review for UK business tenants preparing to renew or agree a rent review.