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Can a barrister say anything to win a case? Can allegations be advanced without proper foundations? And what happens when the pursuit of victory takes precedence over professional integrity? Litigation is adversarial. Barristers are instructed to defend their clients’ interests, challengeevidence and present the strongest possible arguments. But there is a fundamentaldistinction between robust advocacy…

By Tatiana Svetlova, a Partner at Svetlova LLP How far can an estate or letting agent go when carrying out anti-money laundering checks on a landlord? Can they ask how the landlord accumulated their wealth, demand evidence showing how a property was purchased many years ago, and – perhaps most importantly – can they stop…

By Tatiana Svetlova, partner at Svetlova LLP and composer I grew up in Latvia (at that time part of the Soviet Union), and my grandparents were teenage survivors of WWII. We were raised believing that peace, once won, would last forever. Now the children of our generation live with wars raging on our continents, while…

By Tatiana Svetlova, a partner at Svetlova LLP The P&ID case shows that an award obtained on a false account is not a safe harbour, but an open door. Enforcing it invites the scrutiny that arbitration was meant to avoid, and in time the truth tends to follow. “The difficulty with a fraud that succeeds…

Since replacing the old Innovator and Start-up visas in April 2023, the Innovator Founder visa has created a more streamlined route for foreign entrepreneurs to work in the UK. For a successful applicant, it offers something few other visa categories can match: no minimum investment requirement, the freedom to take on additional work, and a…

The Investor and Entrepreneur visas are long gone. What remains — and what is about to change? It is the question we are asked most often by internationally mobile clients, usually in the same slightly bewildered tone: the Investor visa closed, the Entrepreneur visa closed, the Start-up visa closed — so what is actually left?…

Artificial intelligence in legal work: what it is doing well, where it is going wrong, and where the rules are heading Tatiana Svetlova · Founder and Principal Solicitor, Svetlova LLP · July 2026 In R v FGD [2026] EWCA Crim 918 a criminal trial was stayed part-way through after a download of the complainant’s phone…

Why “can I still transfer money from Russia?” is the wrong question — and what the right one gets you Ask most people whether money can still move from Russia to the UK, and you’ll get a flat “no.” It’s an understandable assumption — four years of escalating sanctions packages will do that. It’s also,…

The old workaround — six or twelve months upfront — is now unlawful. Here’s what replaces it. Until 1 May 2026, a landlord unsure about a tenant — no UK credit history, self-employed, relocating from abroad — had a simple tool available: ask for several months’ rent upfront, sometimes a full year, and skip the…

A Practical Guide to Probate for International Families By Tatiana Svetlova — Founder & Solicitor, Svetlova LLP Introduction Losing a loved one is always difficult. For international families, however, the emotional burden is often accompanied by legal uncertainty. Questions commonly arise such as: Can I deal with an estate if I live outside the United…

Outline guide — UK sanctions, professional conduct and related considerations Prepared by Svetlova LLP — 7 July 2026. This is a working outline, not a substitute for a full sanctions risk assessment or specific advice on any transaction. The regime changes frequently — always check OFSI/OTSI’s current guidance and the Consolidated List before acting. 1.…

Thousands of Russian nationals living legally in Britain — many of them British citizens, many of them critics of Putin — are being denied bank accounts, mortgages and professional services. None of them are sanctioned. Is this lawful? Picture this: a woman who has lived in London for fifteen years, holds a British passport, pays…

The Renters’ Rights Bill became law on 27 October 2025, after completing its passage through Parliament on 22 October 2025. The Act applies to England. Crucially, many measures are not yet in force: the Government says it will publish a separate timetable setting out when each part starts. Until then, the current rules continue to…

Automatic renewal clauses—commonly referred to as “evergreen clauses”—are widely used in contracts for services, subscriptions, and commercial leases. These clauses automatically renew a contract unless the customer provides written notice of cancellation within a specific period—often 60 to 90 days before expiry. While such clauses are legally permitted, their enforceability is increasingly being challenged under…

UK law imposes no legal restrictions on non‑UK citizens purchasing residential property. However, foreign buyers must manage tighter regulatory, financial, and tax-related requirements than UK residents. Legal and Regulatory Requirements While not a legal requirement, retaining a solicitor or licensed conveyancer is essential—particularly for foreign purchasers. They conduct searches, review title, draft contracts, verify property…

Status date: 30 July 2025. Legislation is still before Parliament and subject to change. Always obtain tailored advice before taking action. Section 21 is still available today (subject to all validity requirements) but is set to be abolished when the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law. This is expected to happen in third quarter of 2025…

In July 2025, England is poised to enact the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill, a sweeping overhaul of private residential tenancies that significantly recalibrates the balance between landlords and tenants. While tenants gain greater security and rights, landlords must adapt to new legal standards and stricter enforcement measures. This article breaks down the Bill’s key provisions…

A new legal proposal published by the UK Law Commission could mark one of the most significant transformations in company law in recent years. The suggested reform aims to bring greater clarity and accountability to the way company directors consider the broader impact of their decisions—beyond just shareholder profits. At Svetlova LLP, we’re following these…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape professional practices across numerous sectors, including legal services, healthcare, finance, and consultancy. While the advantages of integrating AI into professional workflows are significant—enhancing productivity, accuracy, and innovation—the legal implications surrounding responsibility and liability require careful consideration by both individuals and corporate entities. Understanding the Legal Framework In the UK,…

The UK Data (Use and Access) Bill 2025 is a significant piece of legislation set to reshape the data landscape and, by extension, the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence in the UK. Having received parliamentary approval on June 11, 2025, and now awaiting Royal Assent (after which it will officially become the Data (Use…