Guest Walker Solicitors

25/03/2026

At Guest Walker, we’re redefining the home moving experience by embracing cutting-edge technology designed to make your journey smoother and less stressful.

We understand that moving day can be one of life’s most challenging moments—boxes packed, house plants in hand, and excitement tinged with uncertainty. One of the biggest frustrations is waiting for funds to transfer along the property chain, often leaving you sitting in your car behind the moving van, unsure when you’ll finally receive your keys.

That’s why we have onboarded to PEXA’s regulated digital completions platform. With PEXA, financial property completion can be coordinated at a scheduled time, giving greater clarity and confidence around when keys will be released and you can move into your new home.

We’re proud to be the first UK law firm to successfully complete a property transaction without mortgage finance using PEXA. This milestone demonstrates how digital completions can support different transaction types and marks an important step as the platform progresses in the UK market. PEXA has a strong track record for transforming the conveyancing process in Australia since 2014, and is bringing that experience to the UK, working alongside law firms, lenders, regulators and government, Guest Walker is pleased to be at the forefront of adopting this more certain and secure way to complete your property transactions.

Innovation and exceptional client service are at the heart of everything we do. By adopting PEXA as it expands into the UK, we’re ensuring our clients benefit from the very latest in digital technology—making moving day quicker, easier, and far less stressful.

Let Guest Walker take the stress out of your next move—because you deserve a seamless start in your new home.

Guest Walker is embracing cutting-edge technology designed to make your journey smoother and less stressful.

13/01/2026

We’re Hiring – Private Client Fee Earner (4+ Years PQE)

Guest Walker, a well-established firm in the heart of York, is looking for an experienced Private Client fee earner to join our busy Life Planning team.

You’ll manage your own varied caseload (Wills, LPAs, estates and trusts), work closely with high-net-worth clients, contribute to business development, and be part of a friendly, supportive team offering an excellent work/life balance.

About you:
- Qualified solicitor or legal executive (4+ Years PQE)
- Strong private client experience, including complex estates and trusts
- Confident, organised, client-focused and keen to grow with the firm

What we offer:
• Competitive salary + tax-free bonus
• Pension scheme
• Genuine career progression
• Central York location
• Full-time preferred, with some flexibility (part-time considered)

Interested? Contact Alice McLuckie, Head of Business Operations, at [email protected] with your CV and covering letter.

If you want to know more please look at our website

We are looking for a full-time Solicitor to join our friendly York city centre Commercial Property team.

07/01/2026

We are expanding our Commercial Property Department with New Appointments

We are delighted to announce the expansion of our Commercial Property Department, reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients in this growing sector.

As part of this development, we are pleased to welcome Tom Milner, who joined us as a solicitor on 5 January 2026. Tom brings over 15 years of experience and expertise in Commercial Property that will further strengthen our team and enhance the breadth of services we provide.

In addition, we are proud to celebrate the success of one of our talented trainees, Cara Wilson, who has recently qualified and joined our team as a solicitor in October 2025. This achievement reflects our dedication to nurturing talent and supporting professional growth within the firm.

These appointments mark an exciting chapter for Guest Walker as we continue to expand our capabilities and deliver outstanding results for our clients.

01/12/2025

New Blog!

Autumn Budget 2025: Tax Allowances and Life Planning Considerations - Emma Hartley

The Budget announced on 26th November 2025 has made changes in relation to tax allowances and life planning considerations. We have provided an overview of the important changes below.

Inheritance Tax

During the Budget, the government have announced the freezing of the Nil Rate Band (“NRB”) and Residence Nil Rate Band (“RNRB”) thresholds until April 2031 – but what does this mean for you?

Upon your death, assuming you are domiciled in the UK, your worldwide assets will be liable to UK inheritance tax. To the extent that your estate exceeds the available nil rate band at the date of your death, inheritance tax will be charged at a flat rate of 40%.

Basic Nil Rate Band (“NRB”).

For each person, assets up to the value of the NRB will suffer no change to tax because the tax rate on that band is 0%. The NRB is currently £325,000 and will be frozen at that rate until April 2031. This means that the NRB would have been frozen at this rate for over two decades.

Residence Nil Rate Band.

This is an additional NRB available affecting deaths on or after 6 April 2017, when a residence is passed on death to a direct descendent. This will be a 0% interest tax charge on £175,000 and again, this is frozen at that rate until April 2031.

Income Tax

Changes to Dividend Income

There will be an increase to the ordinary rate of income tax payable on dividends received. This will also impact in estates where the deceased has held shareholdings and the estate continues to receive income from those shareholdings during the administration. The increase is from 8.75% to 10.75% and is to take effect from 6 April 2026.

Changes to Savings Income

Ordinary savings income basic rate will also increase, this again will affect any bank interest received in estates during the period of administration. The rate is to increase from 20% to 22%. This is to take effect from 6 April 2027.
Tax on Property Income

We often have estates where there is a rental property included in the deceased’s assets. The government is proposing to create separate tax rates for property income from April 2027, the property basic rate will be 22%, the same as the basic savings rate with a higher rate of 42% and a property additional rate of 47%.

What should you do?

It would be good to obtain tax planning advice given the further freezing of the IHT allowances. If you would like tax planning advice, please contact our friendly Life Planning team on 01904 624903.

Find more like this on our website! https://www.guestwalker.co.uk/blog/

28/10/2025

We’re delighted to announce that one of our talented trainees, Cara Wilson, has officially joined Guest Walker in a permanent role as Commercial Property solicitor.

Cara’s journey with us began when she was still a university student, and from the very start, she has shown exceptional promise. Over the course of their training, she consistently demonstrated dedication, curiosity, and a genuine enthusiasm for her work. Cara’s impressive exam results are also a reflection of her hard work and commitment.

This transition marks a significant milestone — not just for her, but for us as a firm. It’s an exciting journey to see a trainee grow within our firm and become a valued member of the team.

We’re excited to see what the future holds and look forward to supporting Cara as she continues to thrive. We couldn’t be prouder to have her continue her career with us.

19/09/2025

🌙✨ Despite the rain, our amazing team members Lou, Katie, and Alison took part in the Moonlight Walk in York to support St Leonard's Hospice

Together, they raised an incredible £773 for this wonderful cause! 💜👏

We’re so proud of their dedication and spirit – what an achievement!

You can still donate here - https://www.justgiving.com/team/guestwalker?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

08/09/2025

🌙✨ Huge shout-out to our amazing colleagues Louise Elliot, Alison Munro and Katie Rowsby who are taking part in the St Leonard's Hospice Moonlight Walk in York! ✨🌙

They’re lacing up their trainers and walking through the night to raise funds for such an incredible cause that provides care and support to patients and families when they need it most. 💜

We’d love it if you could show them some support – every donation, big or small, makes a real difference. 🙌

👉 You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/guestwalker?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

Good luck Lou, Alison and Katie – we’re all cheering you on! 👏👏👏

Help Katie Rowsby raise money to support St Leonard's Hospice, York

19/08/2025

Real Commercial Property Advice! - A Blog for one of our Directors John Walker

When you instruct Guest Walker you get real advice, not just a tick box exercise. So, for example, if a client is looking to open a bar or restaurant in York our local knowledge can be invaluable.

Did you know, for example, that national group Brew Dog have just left York?

Did you know that Leeds operators Northern Monk are opening a taproom in the near future?

Do you know the history of the property that you are interested in?

Who has occupied it in the past and has that been successful?

Do you know anything about the licensing rules that affect York – e.g. the cumulative impact area/zone?

We have been advising clients of properties in York for over 40 years and have the hands-on practical experience that makes a difference.

We obviously know the law but being a good commercial solicitor involves much more than that – which is why having a chat with the experienced team at Guest Walker should be at the top of your ‘to do‘ list.

We are always happy to talk to potential clients about possible projects – whether it’s hospitality , retail shops, business sales, out of town business or housing developments or refinancing.

Guest Walker have the experience right across the board – In these and other areas – and the local knowledge to make that vital extra difference.

To keep up to date with our blogs and see more, check out https://www.guestwalker.co.uk/blog/

08/08/2025

We're Hiring! Residential Conveyancer – Full or Part Time | York

Guest Walker is a well-established and growing law firm in the heart of York – and we’re looking for a Conveyancer to join our busy Residential Property Team.

If you’re looking for a new challenge in a supportive, friendly, and team-focused environment, this could be the perfect move for you. 🌟

What we’re looking for:
✔ Experience working in residential property
✔ Confidence managing your own files (with support when you need it)
✔ A good understanding of the regional market
✔ Comfortable with IT and case management systems
✔ Working within a target driven environment.

What we offer:
💼 Competitive salary
💸 Tax-free bonus scheme
🎉 Regular team and social events
🕓 Flexible working options
📚 Ongoing professional development
🎄 Enhanced Christmas leave
💼 Staff discount on legal services

Whether you're seeking full-time or part-time hours, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Sound like a good fit? Send your CV and covering letter to our Practice Manager, Alice McLuckie at [email protected]. A full job description is available on request.

Let’s talk about your future with Guest Walker.

08/03/2025

Did you know that 53% of lawyers in law firms are women? On today's International Women's Day, we would like to recognise the wonderful females members of the GW team, here are some of them.

07/03/2025

It was great to have John and Beth from YorWealth - Financial Planners visit the office yesterday. They had a catch up with Emma ahead of the joint breakfast briefing on Tuesday 25th March at Novotel. There are still tickets available - spaces are limited so book your space before they go!