Frequently asked questions

It’s possible. The standard terms of most bounce-back loans did not require personal guarantees; however, there are situations where personal liability may still arise. This can include wrongful trading, misfeasance or unfit conduct, guarantees on other debts or a compensation order made after director disqualification. Complex Law can review your agreement and any contributing factors to confirm your legal position.

Funds supplied under COVID-era bounce-back loans were intended to support legitimate business purposes, such as working capital, covering overheads, or making payments to suppliers. Any personal spending can be subject to legal challenge. Our specialist team can help you review your financial records and prepare the necessary evidence to explain the business rationale behind any transactions that might be in question.

Yes, this is often possible. Lenders and liquidators are usually open to accepting a structured plan or settlement that may include a reduction in the total amount owed, as long as there is clear evidence of affordability. Complex Law will handle any settlement negotiations on your behalf, ensuring you have the best chance of reducing the immediate impact of any repayment.

It’s vital to secure legal representation as soon as possible, as timelines are short. If you choose to work with Complex Law, we’ll assign you a specialist solicitor experienced in company law. They will act quickly to respond to the Insolvency Service on your behalf, assess the options available to you in terms of settlement (and the potential consequences, such as compensation orders) and work with you to plan your defence.

It depends on the outcome, but generally speaking, yes, court judgments and insolvency outcomes can negatively impact your personal credit status and your eligibility for future directorships. Complex Law can advise on the precise impact based on the facts of your case, and any mitigation strategies available to you.

It’s possible. If your neighbour has been treating a portion of land that you own as theirs for a long period of time – for example, using part of a shared driveway that is technically on your land – then they may seek to acquire title. If you suspect that this is the case, then you should speak to Complex Law as soon as possible: early advice is essential to reduce the risk of losing ownership.

Boundary disputes can be extremely frustrating, especially where the disagreement is over a fence or wall being a few inches over the line, but we would strongly advise against attempting to resolve the matter by physically altering or removing any structures. As well as escalating the disagreement, this type of action could amount to trespass or criminal damage on your part.

Most likely, yes. It’s obligatory to disclose any ongoing boundary disputes to buyers (and, by extension, mortgage providers). Unfortunately, this will tend to reduce the perceived value of the property and increase the risk profile from a lender’s perspective. Resolving any issues prior to putting a property up for sale, or at least obtaining a clear expert report and a documented agreement, can help protect the property's value.

Simple matters can be resolved in weeks if neighbours are cooperative and clear evidence is available. Contested cases requiring expert reports and court directions can take anything from several months to years. If you choose to work with Complex Law, we’ll provide you with a realistic estimated timeline once we’ve assessed your evidence in detail.

Costs vary depending on the complexity of the dispute and whether expert evidence and court action are required. In litigation, the losing party often pays a portion of the winner’s reasonable costs, but outcomes vary. We’ll explain funding options, including fixed fees, staged fees, and potential no‑win‑no‑fee for suitable damages claims, at the outset of any engagement.

Not necessarily. Verbal agreements can be enforceable if they include the key elements that define a contract: offer, acceptance, consideration, and intention to create legal relations. However, they can be difficult to prove in a dispute (which is why having a written agreement in place is always recommended). Evidence that can assist in proving the existence of a verbal contract includes notes of any relevant conversations with dates and times, emails or texts discussing the matter, or bank records that show payments made relating to the agreement.

Compensation for a breach of contract is typically based on the principle that you should be put in the position you would have been in if the breach had not occurred, i.e. the contract had been fulfilled. The most common type of compensation awarded covers direct financial losses, for example, costs incurred by you as a result of the breach, and foreseeable losses, for example, lost profits from future work or contracts you lost due to the breach.

Yes, in most cases, this is the best approach. You have a duty to mitigate your loss – that means taking reasonable steps to minimise any losses, not incurring unnecessary extra costs, and this can include allowing the other party to put matters right or refund a payment before taking legal action. Complex Law can help you draft a clear letter setting deadlines and conditions for remedial work or refunds.

Usually, the time limit on claims for breaches of contract is six years from the date of breach for simple contracts. However, it’s best to take legal advice as soon as you’re aware that a breach has occurred, as the process of gathering evidence is much more straightforward when the breach is still recent.

Yes, and this is often the preferred option for both parties, especially considering that the small claims court does not award legal fees, so any cases brought there will result in costs for each side. Many cases can be satisfactorily resolved after a strong pre-action letter and negotiation or mediation. At Complex Law, we prioritise this type of resolution wherever possible, seeing court action as a last resort to protect your rights if other routes have failed.

When you join Complex 360, you’ll have immediate access to contracting support — including drafting and review, as well as templates and negotiation support. You’ll be appointed a named point of contact to discuss how to approach or respond to any live disputes as they occur, and have specialist solicitors on hand if escalation to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services or litigation is necessary to protect your interests. Our aim is always to help you achieve faster deal cycles, fewer disputes, and better outcomes when conflict arises.

We know that getting robust contracts in place quickly is vital to closing key deals. To ensure the process is as smooth as possible without introducing risk, we design templates and clause libraries tailored to your business to accelerate routine deals – and introduce personalised support from expert commercial lawyers for complex or high‑value negotiations. Our mantra is always speed with control, not speed at any cost.

We always prioritise the course of action that best protects value and avoids disruption to your core business. When choosing to pursue settlement or litigation, we’ll weigh factors including the specific merits of the issue, cash flow and likely costs, and counterpart behaviour against your business objectives and timeline. If swift enforcement or precedent value outweigh the benefits of settlement, then we’ll recommend court action. If not, we’ll negotiate vigorously for an appropriate settlement.

Yes – when the situation requires prompt action, we’ll assign an experienced team to assist you without delay. We can move quickly on freezing and springboard injunctions, delivery‑up, and search orders, and we run construction adjudications and payment disputes to tight timetables. We can expedite the preparation of evidence packs, brief counsel where needed, and manage parallel PR and stakeholder communications.

With Complex 360, you’re in full control of your legal costs. When you join, we’ll consult with you to determine the right package for your needs and give you a clear monthly retainer cost. If your need for legal support increases, get in touch with us to increase your available provision. If you find you’re not using our services as much, we can arrange to reduce your monthly subscription. We can also offer ad hoc support for one-off events, such as a major court case or dispute that exceeds your usual usage. In this case, we’ll provide you with transparent information on costs upfront and work within your available budget.

We work with you to assess the best governing law and jurisdiction based on your business objectives, the markets in which you operate, and any partnerships or supplier relationships. We’ll balance costs and enforceability against leverage and appetite for risk to develop a strategy that works in your interests – as well as drafting contracts and recommending court or arbitration options where needed.

Yes, many of our clients have business interests in more than one other country, and we’re experienced in handling multiple cross-border claims in parallel, or those which span two or more jurisdictions. With Complex 360, you’ll have access to a named contact in the UK who will coordinate local counsel in the relevant countries, work with you on strategy and objectives, and manage communications and evidence gathering on your behalf, as well as manage the process for court actions or arbitration if needed.

Cross-border movement of goods and services, transactions, and data transfer can be complex in terms of regulatory compliance and navigating legal restrictions – and the more jurisdictions involved, the higher the risk. Complex 360 makes it simple – reviewing your business activities against the relevant laws, ensuring contracts or purchase orders are screened for compliance, and advising on data protection and transfer standards, so you can be confident that you haven’t left yourself open to legal claims.

Complex 360 gives you full transparency over costs: in most cases, the legal support you receive for cross-border claims is covered by your usual monthly retainer. In cases where you need additional services outside your planned allowance, we’ll discuss this with you in advance and provide a clear breakdown of any fees. Depending on the details of the case, we may be able to offer fixed-fee or staged payment structures to reduce the immediate impact on your budget.

Our service isn’t just about putting you in touch with local counsel; we offer wrap-around support from instruction to resolution. As a member of Complex 360, you’ll receive dedicated, plain English legal advice from a UK-based team, personalised to the unique needs of your business. We’ll manage the relationship with outside counsel where needed, and represent you in interactions with regulatory bodies or legal systems, allowing you to focus on business as usual. From legal strategy to documentation, negotiations, and court action, our aim is to make each cross-border claim as straightforward as possible and secure the best outcome.

No, there’s no requirement to have suffered financial loss to bring a claim – in many cases, such as breaches relating to medical data, leaking of personal documents, or misuse of data for marketing, there is no direct financial impact. However, you may still claim for non-material loss, such as distress caused by the breach, or time spent fixing or responding to issues that occurred as a result.

As the party suffering the breach, you’re not obliged to inform the ICO yourself. However, while the ICO does not award compensation, informing them can be helpful, as their findings may be useful as supporting evidence if you later make a claim for compensation. Complex Law can guide you through the process, including escalating the matter to the ICO if needed.

Yes, it may still constitute a breach. Data protection laws consider both personal and professional email addresses to be personal data, as they can be used to identify an individual. This does not usually apply in the case of a generic company address that you may have access to – such as sales@(company) or info@(company), as these cannot be linked to an individual. As with other forms of data, businesses must handle email addresses with care, including secure collection, storage, and use, and comply with GDPR rules when processing this data.

If your personal data was disclosed to other people at your workplace without your consent, you may have grounds for a data breach claim. Common examples include employers inadvertently sharing HR, payroll, or health information by sending emails to the wrong recipients or failing to manage access to company databases correctly. There are also cases of malicious breaches, for example, a disgruntled employee sharing salary details with the wider organisation. If you believe you have been the victim of a workplace data breach, speak to Complex Law to assess your options.

It shouldn’t – you have the right to protect your personal data by taking legal action where a breach has occurred, and you should not be treated differently by employers or service providers such as banks or insurance companies simply for raising a breach or making a claim. In fact, retaliation for exercising data rights can create further legal issues for the organisation responsible for the alleged breach.

A personal data breach is defined as an incident where personal data is either lost, destroyed/deleted, altered or disclosed to someone not authorised to access it. Breaches may be deliberate or accidental. Common scenarios leading to data breaches include phishing, hacking and ransomware attacks, lapses in cybersecurity, staff training issues or mishandling of communications – such as sending an email or text to the wrong recipient.

No, it’s not always mandatory to notify the Information Commissioner’s Office of a data breach – only those breaches that are likely to result in a risk to individuals’ rights or freedoms. If you’re concerned about a data breach that has occurred at your business, Complex Law can run a structured risk assessment, document the rationale, and, if we believe that notifying the ICO is required, draft and submit it within the deadline.

Once you receive a subject access request (SAR), the clock starts ticking – you have one month to respond in the correct format, or you may face a fine. With Complex 360, we’ll manage everything for you. We’ll collect and search data sources, apply legal exemptions, and redact data appropriately to protect third-party data and privilege. Then, we will manage deadlines and correspondence to narrow the scope where possible. We can also enhance your SAR process and templates to make future requests easier to manage.

We tailor our service to the needs of your business and the types and volumes of data that you handle. You’ll be assigned a named contact for continuity and quick decisions. Common services include providing and updating your privacy, cookies, and data retention policies, RoPA support, DPIA templates and reviews, transfer tools (IDTAs/SCCs), vendor due diligence packs, and staff training. We can schedule periodic data audits, simulate incidents, and keep documentation aligned to operational changes.

In the event of a breach which might expose you to both legal liability and reputational damage, our team will coordinate legal, IT, PR, and insurer stakeholders under legal privilege, ensuring consistent messaging and ensuring that all decision‑making is legally defensible. We prioritise containment as far as possible – always in line with legal and regulatory obligations – while protecting your litigation position and commercial relationships. If it is necessary to make a public statement about any breach, we’ll help you draft the relevant communications to uphold your brand position and minimise loss of trust.

No, it’s not always necessary to go to court to settle a dispute – and it’s usually better for both parties to avoid the time and cost a court case involves. In many cases, the matter can be settled through a well-drafted pre-action letter. In other cases, mediation or negotiation can help the two parties come to an agreement. However, where necessary, we will pursue your case through the courts if other options have failed to protect your position or secure a satisfactory resolution.

Yes, but it’s essential that you get in touch with us promptly. Depending on the specifics of the case and the area of law involved, deadlines can be short, so it’s crucial that we have as much time as possible to work on your response. We’ll assess your position, taking into account the available evidence, and draft a legal defence that protects your rights.

That depends on the court in which your case is heard. In the small claims court, costs recovery is typically limited to specific fixed costs, including court fees, travelling expenses, and loss of earnings. On fast-track and multi‑track cases, the losing party typically pays a proportion of the winner’s reasonable costs, subject to court assessment.

Limitation periods dictate how much time you have to make a legal claim after an event has occurred. The length of the period varies according to the specific issue and the relevant legislation. For example, the usual limitation period for contract disputes is six years, whereas for defamation cases, it is only twelve months. You should always seek legal advice as early as possible to understand the timelines that affect your case.

An injunction is a court order that legally requires someone to do something or stop doing something. It can include more than one instruction. For example, in a case involving online defamation, the courts may grant an injunction that requires someone to delete specific social media posts (do something) and also bar them from publishing further posts about the other party (stop doing something).

In some cases, landlords have been known to evict tenants as a result of them bringing a claim for housing disrepair, but there are legal protections in place to prevent this. Retaliatory eviction is restricted in certain circumstances, particularly where local authorities have served improvement notices. We’ll advise you on any steps you need to take to protect your tenancy or respond to a threatened eviction, should it arise.

It’s not always necessary to involve Environmental Health in a claim for housing disrepair, but in some cases, it can be helpful, as they can conduct an inspection of the property under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and issue notices for Category 1 or 2 hazards. We can assist you in requesting an inspection if it’s beneficial to your case and collect the findings to use as evidence.

The timeframe of any court order instructing a landlord to carry out repairs will be based on the severity of the issue and the associated risk. For example, exposed live electrical wires or a broken heating system during the winter months will be treated more urgently than minor damage to fixtures or fittings. If landlords are slow to act, Complex Law can seek an emergency order on your behalf to speed up resolution.

Yes, you should pay any rent due as usual. It’s a common misconception that tenants should withhold rent when involved in a dispute with their landlord. By getting into arrears, you can put your tenancy at risk. The best course of action is always to pursue the matter through the proper legal channels. Speak to Complex Law and we’ll help you navigate the housing disrepair claim process.

We understand the distress caused to tenants by unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, and we prioritise housing disrepair cases to get you the resolution you need as quickly as possible. Once instructed, we’ll send a formal notice and, where possible, push for urgent interim works to improve your living situation. In severe cases, we’ll apply to the court to obtain an emergency order.

You should gather as much information as possible about the suspected scam, including any evidence of payments or bank transfers you have made. This can include screenshots of the website or social media page where the investment opportunity was offered, emails, texts or private messages discussing the investment, and bank or credit card statements detailing payments made. Then, speak to Complex Law to review your evidence and plan the best response.

It’s a common misconception that once any funds have left the UK, you’re unable to recover them. In most cases, it is still worth pursuing recovery, and we have a number of options available depending on the specific facts of the case. We may be able to target UK receiving accounts, intermediaries, and platforms and apply for disclosure to trace the path of funds moving abroad. In some cases, we can use cross-border orders and liaise with law enforcement agencies and financial institutions overseas to recover your money.

In some cases, you may be able to claim reimbursement of lost funds through your bank under the CRM code for APP fraud. Whether or not you are eligible will depend on a number of factors, including the bank’s and your conduct against the Code and regulatory expectations. If your bank is not cooperative, we can prepare detailed complaints on your behalf and escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service if necessary.

The time limits vary according to the specific claim and the area of law involved. Cases involving deceit or misrepresentation often have a limit of six years from when the scam occurred, but it’s always advisable to seek legal advice immediately, as soon as you realise that you have been defrauded. The faster that we can apply for injunctions and disclosure, the higher the chance of you recovering lost funds.

If you have been targeted by cryptocurrency investment scams and transferred funds, then there are recovery options available. Depending on the details of the case, we may be able to trace on‑chain flows, seek disclosure from cryptocurrency exchanges, and apply for freezing or proprietary relief against wallets or exchanges that have received the disputed payments.

The plant has distinctive features: tall, hollow stems resembling bamboo, large heart-shaped or shovel-shaped leaves, and clusters of small, creamy-white flowers in late summer. During the winter, the plant dies back, leaving brown, woody stems. If you’re not sure whether the plant you’ve noticed is definitely Japanese knotweed, it’s best to seek expert advice. Complex Law can put you in touch with a horticultural expert who can make a positive identification.

You should not try to remove it yourself, as damaging or disturbing the plant can cause it to spread further, including to neighbouring properties. The UK has laws in place to control the spread of Japanese knotweed, so you should always use professional services to ensure compliance. If you think you’ve identified Japanese knotweed on your property, speak to Complex Law and we’ll advise you on the best course of action.

Yes, property owners can be held liable if Japanese Knotweed from their land spreads to neighbouring properties. It's important to manage and control its growth responsibly. If it encroaches onto adjoining land, you could face legal action for any damage caused or costs incurred due to its removal.

The presence of Japanese Knotweed can significantly impact property transactions – it can deter buyers, affect mortgage eligibility, and potentially lead to decreased property values. Sellers are legally required to disclose its presence, and failure to do so can result in legal disputes. Buyers are advised to conduct thorough surveys to verify the absence of the plant.

Japanese knotweed primarily causes property damage through its extensive root growth – the plant has a dense network of fast-growing roots that can undermine building foundations, paved areas, and walls, and damage drainage or sewage systems. If you find Japanese knotweed on your property, it’s essential to act fast, as this type of invisible damage may already be occurring.

Essentially, failure to maintain the structure or exterior, or failure to ensure the property is fit for human habitation. This can range from serious safety issues, such as blocked drains, leaks, and unsafe electrics, to structural problems like crumbling brickwork and damp and mould caused by underlying structural faults. Minor issues, such as a draughty window (which is not actually broken), usually do not meet the legal definition of disrepair.

If your landlord has failed in their duty to make essential repairs, we can send a formal letter, set inspection and access arrangements, and issue a claim or injunction for urgent works. In some cases, we recommend reporting the dispute to the local council or Environmental Health to expedite resolution.

The most important thing you can do is to keep a clear written record of your attempts to access the property and your reasons for doing so, as well as any communication – emails, messages, etc – received from the tenant refusing to grant access. Then, speak to Complex Law. We can set out reasonable notice and arrangements, and seek an order compelling access for essential works.

Most cases involving disputes over rent or service charge payments, such as arrears, missed payments, or disagreements over increases, can be resolved through negotiation and the exchange of evidence, saving time and money for both parties involved. However, in more serious or complex cases, this may not be possible, and disputes may be escalated to the First‑tier Tribunal or the County Court.

It can constitute both a civil and a criminal matter. Harassment is a criminal offence, and it can also form the basis for civil claims seeking injunctions or damages. If you’re suffering harassment from a landlord or a tenant, then it’s essential to seek legal advice as quickly as possible to resolve the situation and ensure your rights are upheld.

It depends on the specific nature of the dispute with your tenants. We’ll review your evidence and timeline, as well as taking into account your compliance with statutory obligations, in order to plan the best course of action. Once we’ve agreed on a strategy, we’ll prepare Section 8 (breach/arrears) or Section 21 (no-fault) notices and court papers promptly, and advise you on accelerated routes if available, so you can regain possession of your property within the shortest timeframe possible.

Yes, with Complex 360, you can pursue both strategies in parallel where it’s appropriate to your case. We’ll manage both processes to minimise the impact on your time, preparing notices, evidence and court papers as well as securing enforcement via High Court Enforcement Officers, attachment of earnings, or charging orders. We can also review guarantors and deposit deductions to optimise recovery.

If your property has fallen into disrepair, it can impact your ability to regain possession and, in some cases, lead to rent arrears. Complex 360 can help you move swiftly from disrepair to compliance, working on your behalf to coordinate inspections, arrange for remedial works to take place, and document all actions in case they are needed as evidence later. We’ll defend or negotiate any counterclaims brought by your tenants while keeping your possession on recovery proceedings on track.

Incorrect paperwork or failure to protect tenant deposits in an approved scheme can create a roadblock when it comes to repossession claims. If you’re not sure you have everything in order, speak to Complex Law before serving any notices. We’ll audit your documents for compliance and advise on fixing defects, returning deposits if necessary, or adjusting strategy to protect the claim. We can also implement improved processes and templates to prevent similar issues from recurring in future lets.

Yes, many of our clients rely on Complex 360 to ensure compliance across multiple properties within a portfolio. We’ll map your properties, identify the relevant licensing requirements, and liaise with local authorities on your behalf to rectify any gaps or omissions. Our team can assist in aligning or updating safety certificates and records. We can also develop reusable templates and renewal calendars to ensure future compliance.

You should gather as much information as possible. The types of evidence we would expect to see relating to a mis-sold ATE claim include engagement letters, funding agreements (CFA/DBA), ATE policy documents, advice emails/letters, costs risk assessments, settlement statements, and invoices showing deductions. If you don’t have every item on the list, don’t worry, just provide us with all the documentation you can access, and we’ll take it from there.

Yes, you’ll need to raise a formal complaint with your previous solicitors as a starting point. We can help you with that – we’ll draft a detailed complaint letter based on the information you’ve provided. If we can’t resolve your issue by negotiating with the firm, we’ll escalate the case to the Legal Ombudsman. In some cases, the best course of action may be to pursue a court case.

You may still have a valid claim if you didn’t properly understand what you were signing up for – for example, you weren’t aware of the premium size, commissions, or the existence of alternatives. If this was because the advice that you received from your solicitors was inadequate or the documentation provided was unclear, you may have grounds to argue the policy was mis-sold.

Yes, depending on the approach we take, different time limits will apply to your claim. For example, Legal Ombudsman complaints have specific deadlines from the date of awareness and/or the firm’s final response. Court claims have their own limitation periods. If you believe you have been mis-sold an ATE insurance policy, it’s therefore essential to seek legal advice promptly.

No. Any claim you make is only targeting the deductions and the people (or firm) responsible for mis‑selling the policy. Our action focuses on the funding arrangement and deductions made after your case concluded, so the outcome is unaffected, and your compensation award and the defendant’s liability remain as they were.

Yes – financial institutions are now required to reimburse customers who fall victim to Authorised Push Payment (APP) purchase scams in cases involving the Faster Payments and CHAPS systems. We can help you seek reimbursement via APP fraud complaints if your bank missed red flags, and if the bank’s response is unsatisfactory, escalate your claim to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which has the power to compel banks to compensate victims of purchase fraud.

Credit card payments may be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which applies to purchases between £100 and £30,000. You may also be able to recover funds if a credit or debit card was used, by following the chargeback process set by your card issuer or bank. PayPal payments can be disputed via the Resolution Center within your account dashboard. If you’re not confident on how to report a scam purchase, speak to Complex Law. We’ll advise on the quickest recovery route and handle any correspondence on your behalf.

Victims of purchase scams who made payments in cryptocurrency may worry that the nature of these digital currencies makes recovery unlikely. In fact, with the right evidence, we may be able to trace on‑chain flows, seek disclosure from exchanges, and apply for proprietary and freezing relief against wallets or exchanges. It’s therefore essential that you keep a record of any cryptocurrency exchanges or wallet addresses given to you by the scammer.

Yes, if the purchase scam occurred via an established online marketplace, recovery can be more straightforward, as the platforms can preserve data and, with the right justification, be compelled to disclose the seller's identity. We can help you draft and direct preservation requests and, if needed, seek court orders to obtain information relevant to your case.

In cases involving purchase scams, the more evidence that you can preserve, the higher the chances that you will be able to recover the funds or have them reimbursed. Typical evidence we can use to aid recovery includes screenshots of the original product or service listings, online messages or texts, URLs of the relevant websites, order confirmations, bank transaction details, wallet addresses, and any photos or videos used to promote the product or service you expected to purchase.

Romance scammers employ various tactics to rapidly build trusting relationships, including mirroring your interests and using compliments and flattery to appear invested from the outset. The most obvious sign that a relationship might be fraudulent is when requests for money begin – often within a few weeks of meeting. Be especially cautious when there’s a complicated story to explain the urgency, or the request involves non-standard means of transferring funds, for example, cryptocurrency, online gift cards, or payments to a third party.

In romance fraud cases involving loss of funds, the faster you take action, the higher the chance of recovery is, so it’s important to speak to Complex Law or take other legal advice as soon as you realise something is amiss. Once instructed, we’ll promptly assess the case facts and initiate engagement with banks or crypto exchanges. Where the evidence supports it, we can prepare urgent disclosure or freezing applications within a matter of days to help gather evidence and prevent onward transfer of any funds.

Yes, in some cases, you may be able to have lost funds reimbursed by your bank – depending on whether they correctly followed industry procedures to prevent fraud, such as the CRM Code for APP fraud. Reimbursement depends on the bank’s and your conduct against the Code and regulatory expectations. We can assist by preparing detailed complaints and escalating to the Financial Ombudsman Service where necessary.

Yes, just because funds have been moved out of the UK doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to recover them, although it does depend on the destination country and the level of cooperation from local banks and agencies. We may be able to use Norwich Pharmacal/Bankers Trust orders to compel foreign banks to disclose information about the movement of funds and the identity of recipients, which can help us to trace and recover funds.

Of course. We appreciate the need for privacy and discretion in romance scam claims, and you can be assured your case will be handled in complete confidentiality. We will advise you on any reporting or disclosures that may need to be made in liaising with banks or other institutions, and seek your approval before contacting any outside agencies or advisors as part of our handling of your case.

Typically, the landlord must give a minimum of two months' notice that they want to regain possession of the property, using form 6A. That two-month period must not expire earlier than the end of the tenancy, if it is a fixed-term tenancy. Speak to Complex Law to understand the requirements in detail for your specific tenancy if in doubt.

Section 21 is known as a “no‑fault eviction” and does not require the tenant to be in breach of any agreement. Section 8 is based on breaching the terms of a tenancy, for example, not paying rent, causing damage, or anti-social behaviour. It requires specific grounds and can result in a monetary judgment. You can find more information on Section 8 possession claims at our dedicated page here.

The accelerated possession route is a faster alternative to a standard possession claim. It is a paper-based court process which doesn’t require a hearing for a possession order to be granted (although judges may require a hearing if there are any queries or ambiguity in the paperwork). Accelerated possession claims relate only to regaining possession of the property, and do not include provision for claiming rent arrears.

The UK government has indicated plans to repeal Section 21, under the new Renters' Rights Bill, which will eliminate “no-fault” evictions. This is expected by late 2025 or early 2026, although there is currently no confirmed date. At the time of writing, Section 21 is still in force. Landlords or tenants affected by Section 21 matters should speak to Complex Law for the most up-to-date advice on the legal situation.

The notice periods applicable to a Section 8 possession claim vary depending on the grounds. For example, Ground 6 (property required for redevelopment) typically requires two months’ notice, while Ground 14 (nuisance, annoyance, illegal or immoral use of the property) can proceed with no minimum period once served. We’ll confirm the correct period for your case.

If the tenant doesn’t resolve the breach, the landlord can issue court proceedings. The court will consider the notice’s validity, the evidence, and any defences. The possible outcomes range from outright possession (the tenant must vacate the property) to suspended orders (the tenant can remain in the property as long as they comply with the order, e.g. pay back rent arrears) or dismissal.

What’s the difference between Section 8 and Section 21?

Section 8 is based on breaching the terms of a tenancy – it requires specific grounds, and can result in a monetary judgment. Section 21 is known as a “no‑fault eviction” and does not require the tenant to be in breach of any agreement. You can find more information on Section 21 possession claims at our dedicated page here

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The timeline for a Section 8 case varies according to the grounds on which the notice was served, whether the notice was fully compliant with the law, and the nature of the tenant’s defence or counterclaim (if any). Simple rent arrears cases may be resolved within a few weeks, whereas more complex cases which require court decisions can take months. If you work with Complex Law, we’ll give you a realistic timeline once we’ve reviewed the facts of the case.

Not in every case – it depends on the court’s decision. In the case of an outright possession order, you will usually be required to vacate the property within 14 days of the order. However, you can use the defence form to appeal to the court to be allowed more time if you have a good reason (for example, serious illness or disability) – usually up to 6 weeks. The court may also decide to apply a conditional possession order, in which case you will be allowed to remain in your home as long as you follow the terms of the order, for example, paying off any rent arrears.

Yes, whether you are still living in the property or have received all or part of your deposit back from the landlord does not affect whether you have grounds for a tenancy deposit claim. You may still claim for past non‑compliance even if the deposit has been repaid, and you can also challenge unfair deductions separately.

Making a claim for an incorrectly protected deposit, or for non-return or unfair deductions, does not affect your rights as a tenant. If you’re still occupying the property during or after the claim and face unfair treatment, threats of eviction, or further disputes with your landlord or agency, speak to Complex Law and we’ll advise on the best way to handle the issue.

We always strive for fair and prompt settlements, but exact timelines depend on the complexity of the claim and the level of cooperation from the landlord or agency. Many tenancy deposit claims are settled within a matter of weeks after sending a formal notice of claim. If the case must go to court, however, the timeline may be closer to several months.

If your landlord protected your deposit in an approved scheme, but did so outside the permitted window – 30 days from receipt of the deposit, then a court may still decide to apply a penalty, depending on the exact facts of the case. As with failure to protect the deposit, this can still trigger a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit and can invalidate a Section 21 notice until compliance is made.

Yes. Failure to serve prescribed information within 30 days constitutes a breach that may result in a penalty. If you never received the prescribed information about the scheme your landlord used to protect your deposit, or you received it more than 30 days after paying your deposit to the landlord, then you may have grounds for legal action. Speak to Complex Law to explore your options

Documents that you should gather if you have access to them include credit agreements, statements, pre‑contract information, and any affordability assessments or income/expenditure forms you completed. It’s also useful for us to have copies of any emails, messages, or call notes relating to the loan or credit, particularly any communication pressuring you to sign, increasing credit limits or mentioning additional charges or fees.

Yes, time limits apply to these types of claims, and they are usually calculated from the date that you can be reasonably assumed to have been aware of the issue – rather than the date you first reported it or sought legal advice. Complaints must be raised with the lender first, then escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service, and, if necessary, to the courts – and each stage has fixed deadlines. It’s therefore important to act as soon as you realise there is a problem.

Yes, you are still entitled to make a claim regarding a fully paid-off loan or credit card if the original lending practices were unfair. If successful, you may be able to recover interest and fees paid on the loan, and have negative markers removed from your credit file.

We would advise that you don’t stop or cancel payments before seeking legal advice, as it may cause you additional issues. However, if you choose to work with Complex Law, we can contact the lender to agree a hold on further payments or fees while the claim is being assessed to minimise further financial impact.

Yes, you can still bring a claim even if the credit was arranged through a broker or comparison site. Hidden commissions, pressure selling, or failure to explain costs and risks can contribute to an “unfair relationship” and support redress against the lender and, where appropriate, the broker. We’ll obtain your data from both parties, examine commission arrangements, and challenge any practices that inflated costs or bypassed proper affordability checks.

Safe account scams use sophisticated techniques to make themselves appear like genuine representatives of your bank or a company you do business with. This can include faking email “from” addresses or incoming phone numbers, inserting fake SMS messages into real threads, and copying the same branding and templates that the company they are impersonating uses for genuine emails or letters.

If you’re unsure about an email, call, or message, stop the conversation and explain that you will call or email back via a verified number or address. If the suspected scammer tries to convince you to continue dealing with them, this is a warning sign of fraud. Genuine businesses will understand your concern and encourage you to get back in touch on an official channel. If in doubt, always initiate contact using an email address or number printed on a physical bill or statement you have received.

Possibly – it depends on whether the bank acted appropriately to protect your interests and identify fraud when processing the payment(s). Most high street banks in the UK adhere to the CRM Code for APP fraud – reimbursement will depend on both the bank’s and your actions against the Code and regulatory expectations. We can prepare detailed complaints and, if we don’t obtain a satisfactory resolution from the bank, escalate your case to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Contact your bank immediately to report the date and time the code was issued, and ask them to freeze your accounts and cards until your account can be secured. You will likely be asked to change any login credentials, such as passwords or security questions. If you suffer a financial loss and choose to work with Complex Law, we will document the circumstances and may be able to argue that systemic “red flags” should have triggered intervention.

Yes, victims of impersonation or safe account scams are often at greater risk of follow-up attempts, either by the original scammer or by another criminal who has purchased your data on the black market. Complex Law can advise you on credit file protection, CIFAS protective registration, and communications hygiene in order to reduce the risk of further fraud.