This means the landlord or freeholder who owns the freehold title and is entitled to the ground rent under the lease and possession of the property at the end of the lease term.

Legal authority to administer the estate of someone who has died without having a valid will in place.

Money that is owned to lenders and suppliers.

When a person (the settlor) puts something in trust (like their share of a property), giving an interest in it to someone (the life tenant) but only for a period of time. The person who will benefit from it eventually is the ultimate beneficiary.

An illness which shortens a sufferer’s life.

Gifts given in a person's lifetime.

The specific time-limit in which you must issue proceedings in your claim.

This is the title guarantee given by a seller where, because of their limited knowledge of the property, the full title guarantee cannot be given (e.g. a personal representative of a deceased owner or a mortgagee in possession).

When a hearing date has been fixed for a case.

The risk that all parties face in the possibility of losing their case.

A written statement which explains a person's wishes regarding future medical treatment to be used if they are unable to express consent. Sometimes also known as an advance directive.

This represents a list of questions about the property which are sent to the local authority. It covers item such as, whether the road serving the property should be maintained by the council, whether there have been any planning applications on the property, and a number of other things.

When somebody is injured they are often unable to work while they recover from their injuries. If the injury is serious they may never return to their pre-accident employment or perhaps never be fit for any sort of paid work again. As a consequence of any of these situations the injured person will suffer a loss of earnings. The precise nature of the loss will depend on the circumstances. Loss of earnings can be ‘claimed for’ losses that have already occurred and those that may occur in the future.

An order of the Court that you or your spouse/civil partner pay a fixed amount of money. The Court can order you or your spouse/civil partner to pay a lump sum in one payment or in instalments.

Employees who are expectant mothers have the statutory right to a minimum amount of maternity leave. Employers may also offer their own maternity leave scheme in addition to this.

Statutory Maternity Leave is for 52 weeks. Employees may also be entitled to receive Statutory Maternity Pay for up to 39 weeks of the leave.

The term used to describe the house that you lived in whilst married.

A formal method of trying to resolve a dispute or negotiate a settlement.

In certain cases, such as disability discrimination claims, medical evidence may be required. This can be in the form of simply providing medical records, obtaining a medical report or calling an expert witness.