The list below is a collection of articles that refer to, mention or discuss Law.
Giving someone the authority to look after your financial affairs if you fall ill is a good idea that is overlooked by most expats. Many expats have property, cash and investments in more than one country and this complicates legal matters even more if they are viewed as incompetent in managing their affairs. That’s why … Read more
The rights of creditors grabbing a slice of a pension of someone who is bankrupt to repay their debts have been thrown into doubt. The confusion involves the status of a pension fund held by a bankrupt. In 2012, a court ruled that bankruptcy trustees could apply for an income payment order against a pension … Read more
The British government is warning expats and property investors buying homes in Egypt to watch out for fraudsters and dodgy dealings. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has published a lengthy guide to buying a home in Egypt. The guide explains that estate agents are not regulated in Egypt, so no form of redress is … Read more
British expats and second homers have won a landmark victory in Turkish courts to reclaim millions of pounds paid to a holiday resort developer who went bust. Around 55 property investors joined together to sue the landowner and developer of the Golden Beach Resort, in Didim, Turkey. The property buyers put £3 million into the … Read more
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is taking on lawyers who are avoiding tax in a new high-profile campaign. Solicitors are invited to volunteer any undeclared earnings in return for discount penalties. HMRC says the campaign is intelligence led and that they have details of undeclared income about solicitors. The campaign is open until March 9, … Read more
Tax avoidance and money laundering laws are stopping expats opening bank accounts in many countries around the world. British expats have already complained to the European Commission about problems with opening accounts with UK banks and building societies without having a UK address. American expats are also facing a banking crisis due to the new … Read more
The Financial Ombudsman and lawyers are urging consumers with complaints against financial services firms to take their grievances to court to gain more compensation. The free ombudsman service has a top limit award of £150,000, but a legal loophole allows consumers to accept a financial award from an adjudicator and chase further damages in court … Read more
Collapsed investment fund Axiom Legal Financing is facing an investigation by fraud detectives. The £120 million fund promised investors 11% a year returns on their cash but failed to deliver and was suspended in 2012 after investors tried to withdraw their money. The run on the fund’s cash was prompted by allegations about founder Tim … Read more
Grumbling about the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is growing around the world. After a Canadian pressure group launched a legal challenge against the government signing a FATCA treaty with the USA, now Russian regulators are hitting out against the tax reporting law. FATCA is aimed at making foreign financial institutions opening their … Read more
Families and loved ones of expats living in Spain should no longer have to pay higher death taxes than the Spanish. The European Court of Justice has demanded the Spanish government change tax rules and charge all European Union nationals the same rate of inheritance tax. Judges ruled that the Spanish government was discriminating against … Read more