Swinburne Maddison LLP

13/10/2026

Could your pension increase your Inheritance Tax bill?
A major change is coming from April 2027, with most unused pension funds and certain pension death benefits set to be included in an estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

For many people, pensions have long been viewed as a tax-efficient way to pass wealth to the next generation. Danielle Cruickshank explores what the new rules mean, who could be affected, and why now is the time to review your Will, pension nominations and wider estate planning arrangements.

Read the full article here 👇
https://www.swinburnemaddison.co.uk/insights/article/could-your-pension-increase-your-inheritance-tax-bill-how-the-2027-legislation-change-affects-you/

07/10/2026

We're proud to announce the expansion of our Private Client team, following significant investment in people, expertise and resources.
Now stronger than ever, the team brings together experienced STEP-qualified specialists, talented lawyers and dedicated support staff, enhancing our ability to support individuals, families, landowners and business owners with complex Wills, Trusts, Probate and succession planning matters.

The expansion comes alongside further recognition in the Legal 500 2027 rankings, with our Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate team once again recognised as a leading practice.

Read more about the growth of our team here 👇
https://www.swinburnemaddison.co.uk/insights/news/swinburne-maddison-expands-private-client-team-following-major-investment/

Award-winning law firm in Durham, providing expert commercial and private legal services to businesses and individuals nationally. Call us today.

02/10/2026

From a £31 million private equity-backed transaction to complex cross-border acquisitions and business exits, 2026 has been a significant year for our Corporate & Commercial team.

In our latest press release, we take a closer look at the story behind Martyn Tennant's Corporate Lawyer of the Year award at the Insider Media North East Dealmakers 2026, exploring the landmark transactions, sustained growth and specialist expertise that helped secure the recognition, alongside the evolution of our Corporate & Commercial team into one of the North East's most active corporate practices.

Read the full story 👇
https://www.swinburnemaddison.co.uk/insights/news/martyn-tennant-named-corporate-lawyer-of-the-year-following-landmark-year/

Award-winning law firm in Durham, providing expert commercial and private legal services to businesses and individuals nationally. Call us today.

02/10/2026

A huge congratulations to Imogen Bosanko, who officially qualified as a Solicitor yesterday and begins the next chapter of her career within our growing Private Client team. 🍾

Imogen joined Swinburne Maddison in October 2024 and has quickly become a valued member of the firm. Throughout her training contract, she has approached every opportunity with enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved, making a fantastic impression on colleagues and clients alike.

Alongside her legal work, Imogen has played a key role in some of the firm's biggest CSR initiatives, with another exciting project just around the corner. She has brought huge energy to the firm since day one, particularly when hosting our annual trainee quizzes, which have become a highlight of the calendar and are always fiercely contested!

Imogen now joins our Private Client team at an exciting time. The team has grown considerably over the past year, expanding its capacity to support individuals and families with wills, trusts, estate planning and probate matters. We're delighted that Imogen will be part of that journey and look forward to seeing her continue to develop her career while supporting clients across the region.

Congratulations, Imogen, on a fantastic achievement. We can't wait to see what comes next. 👏🎉

01/10/2026

We’re incredibly proud to share our results in the Legal 500 UK 2027.

This year, we’ve achieved 25 rankings in total, including 10 firm rankings and 15 individual rankings across our teams.

Four of our practice areas have retained Tier 1 status, alongside further rankings across the firm and a new Firms to Watch recognition for our Contentious Trusts & Probate team.

We’re also delighted to see so many of our colleagues recognised individually, with rankings across Leading Partners, Next Generation Partners and Leading Associates.

These results mean a great deal to us, and we’re especially grateful to our clients and referees who took the time to share their feedback with Legal 500.

A huge congratulations to everyone across Swinburne Maddison. We’re very proud of what the team has achieved.

https://bit.ly/3Tjzw1k

24/09/2026

Bereavement Leave Reform: A step in the right direction for employers and employees.
The Government has announced a new statutory right to bereavement leave from April 2027, including a day-one entitlement for employees who lose a close family member and, for the first time, up to two weeks' leave following pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.

While many employers already offer compassionate leave, these changes represent an important shift in how the law recognises grief, loss and the support employees need during some of life's most difficult moments.

Employment Lawyer Sharney Randhawa explores what the new rights mean for employers and employees, the practical steps businesses should be taking now and whether unpaid leave goes far enough.

Read the article online. 👇
https://www.swinburnemaddison.co.uk/insights/article/bereavement-leave-reform-a-step-in-the-right-direction-for-employers-and-employees/

Award-winning law firm in Durham, providing expert commercial and private legal services to businesses and individuals nationally. Call us today.

10/08/2026

You've reserved your dream new-build home... what happens next? 🏡
For many first-time buyers, the period between reservation and completion can feel unfamiliar. From mortgage applications and conveyancing to exchanging contracts, snagging and finally collecting the keys, there's still plenty to navigate before move-in day.

In our latest article, Holly Brennan explains what to expect after you've reserved your plot and shares practical tips to help keep your purchase on track.

Read the full article
👉 https://bit.ly/4i19SrP

07/08/2026

As Surrogacy Week comes to a close, it's an important time to raise awareness of the legal realities that many intended parents face on their journey to parenthood.

While surrogacy can be a life-changing route to starting or growing a family, recent Family Court decisions have highlighted that legal parenthood, parental responsibility and surrogacy arrangements can be far more complex than many people realise, particularly where international arrangements are involved.

In her latest article, Catherine Lowther explores the legal framework surrounding surrogacy in England and Wales, the significance of Parental Orders, and why obtaining specialist legal advice at an early stage can help provide certainty and protect the interests of both parents and children.

Read the full article here 👇
https://bit.ly/4wGd5S9

07/08/2026

Is breastfeeding in the workplace a right or a choice?
During World Breastfeeding Week, it's worth asking a different question: have we created workplaces where employees feel confident that reasonable needs will be taken seriously?

In her latest article, Sharney Randhawa discusses the legal and practical considerations for employers supporting breastfeeding employees, including risk assessments, workplace facilities, flexible arrangements and the potential consequences of getting it wrong.

Read the full article here 👇
https://bit.ly/4w9v4PN

30/07/2026

We’re delighted to have secured six shortlist places across four categories at the Insider North East​ Dealmakers Awards 2026.

Swinburne Maddison has been shortlisted for Corporate Law Firm of the Year, while Partner and Head of Corporate & Commercial, Martyn Tennant​, is shortlisted for Corporate Lawyer of the Year.

Four transactions on which our team advised have also been recognised:

• MBO of Advantex – Deal of the Year (sub £5m)

• Sale of Tyre Spot to Micheldever Tyre Service – Deal of the Year (sub £5m)

• Sale of Noted. Aromas, SE Retail and Malton Holdings to NA Bidco – Deal of the Year (£20m+)

• Volue’s acquisition of Quorum – Deal of the Year (£20m+)

These shortlists reflect the strength of our Corporate & Commercial team, the trust placed in us by our clients and the contribution of every adviser involved in bringing these transactions to completion.

Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists. We look forward to the awards evening on 24 September.