top of page

Eddison Cogan Lawyers
Family & Commercial Law Specialists
+44 (0)117 389 0523
Articles & Insights


Why it is important to document loans to friends, family and business associates
Lending money to someone you trust can feel very different from an ordinary commercial transaction. Eddison Cogan Lawyers explain why a clear loan agreement can protect the lender, the borrower and the relationship between them.

Abir Divanizadeh
Jul 314 min read


What happens when your phone becomes evidence in a legal dispute?
Most people think of their phone as a private possession. In reality, it may contain a detailed record of conversations, movements, relationships and decisions. Christopher Eddison-Cogan explores how smartphones increasingly feature in family disputes, employment matters, commercial litigation and criminal investigations, and why many people underestimate their significance until it is too late.

Christopher Eddison-Cogan
Jun 912 min read


AI, shareholder risk and the growing tensions inside modern businesses
As businesses increasingly adopt artificial intelligence and automation, shareholders are beginning to confront difficult questions about governance, investment, staffing and commercial strategy. This article explores the legal and practical tensions which can emerge when views about AI begin diverging inside a company.

Christopher Eddison-Cogan & Faezeh Beheshti
May 198 min read


No-fault evictions have ended: why many landlords are feeling uncertain about what happens next
The end of Section 21 no-fault evictions has created uncertainty for many landlords in England. This article explores the practical pressures, procedural risks and changing legal landscape now affecting residential tenancy disputes and possession issues.

Abir Divanizadeh
May 78 min read


Legal risks for founders as a business grows: What to address before problems arise
As businesses grow, informal arrangements between founders can come under pressure. This article explores the legal risks that often emerge around ownership, decision-making and financial expectations, and why putting clear structure in place early can help avoid more complex disputes later.

Christopher Eddison-Cogan
Apr 277 min read


Excluded from your own company? Minority shareholder rights and remedies in the UK
When minority shareholders are excluded from decisions, information or control, the consequences can be significant. This article explains your rights in the UK, including unfair prejudice claims and practical options for resolving shareholder disputes.

Faezeh Beheshti
Apr 215 min read


Understanding Relationship Deception: Legal Insights for Families and Businesses
What happens when an online relationship turns out not to be what it seemed? This article explores the legal options available where trust leads to financial loss, including misrepresentation, recovery of funds, and the added complexities of international and later-life relationships.

Christopher Eddison-Cogan
Mar 266 min read


Stewardship and Succession: Planning for the next generation
Succession planning for family enterprises requires more than legal documentation. This article explores governance structures, intergenerational stewardship and coordinated advisory approaches for high-wealth families.

Christopher Eddison-Cogan & Faezeh Beheshti
Mar 137 min read


Crafting legally sound business contracts in England & Wales
Clear contracts protect your business relationships and reduce the risk of disputes. This guide explains the legal foundations of enforceable agreements in England and Wales and the key clauses every business should address.

Abir Divanizadeh
Mar 65 min read


How stress impacts legal decision-making: Why client care makes the difference
Stress can narrow attention, distort risk perception and increase decision fatigue. This article explores how stress affects legal decision-making and why structured client care supports clearer, more deliberate outcomes.

Jennifer Hogan Brown
Mar 25 min read


Separated but not divorced: when you still live together after separation
When one person has decided the marriage is over but both still live under the same roof, indecision can have legal and financial consequences. This guide explains the position in England and Wales, including the family home, ongoing financial claims, privacy concerns and the different rules for unmarried couples.

Eddison Cogan Legal Team
Feb 196 min read


Business valuation in divorce: a practical guide for business owners and their spouses
When a marriage includes a business, financial settlement requires more than dividing property and savings. This guide explains how businesses are valued in divorce, how non-financial contribution is recognised, and how courts balance fairness with commercial stability.

Christopher Eddison-Cogan
Feb 168 min read


Leaving the UK but keeping your property: legal risks people often overlook
Leaving the UK while keeping property can create ongoing legal ties you may not expect. This article explores how retained UK property can affect family arrangements, commercial exposure and long-term legal planning under the law of England and Wales.

Eddison Cogan Legal Team
Feb 96 min read


Terms & Conditions for UK Online Businesses: What you legally must include in 2026
Running an online business in the UK? In 2026, compliant website terms and conditions are essential. This guide explains what your terms must include, how consumer law applies to online sales, and the risks of operating without a proper legal foundation.

Eddison Cogan Legal Team
Feb 46 min read


Thinking of separating? What to consider before you make any decisions
Thinking about separation can be complex and emotionally demanding. This article explains the psychological and legal factors to consider before making decisions, including children, finances, housing and timing, under the law of England and Wales.

Eddison Cogan Legal Team
Jan 198 min read


Wills and Powers of Attorney for people without children: Common risks and how to avoid them
People without children face unique legal and emotional considerations when planning wills and powers of attorney. English law still assumes traditional family structures, which can leave childless individuals and couples exposed. This article explains the common risks - and how thoughtful, compassionate planning can protect your wishes, dignity, and independence.

Eddison Cogan Legal Team
Jan 188 min read


When Succession Planning works on paper but not in reality
Succession planning can look perfect on paper yet unravel in reality. Family dynamics, timing and behaviour often matter more than drafting alone. This article explains why succession plans so often break down in practice and what families and business owners can do to reduce that risk.

Eddison Cogan Legal Team
Jan 55 min read


Text messages, emails and WhatsApp chats as evidence in UK courts
Text messages, emails and WhatsApp chats are commonly relied on in UK legal disputes. This article explains how courts in England and Wales assess digital communications as evidence and the practical issues involved.

Eddison Cogan Legal Team
Oct 17, 20256 min read


Why Startups and Small Businesses Need a Lawyer from Day One
For startups and small businesses, legal issues are rarely front-of-mind. Many founders assume that professional legal advice is either unnecessary or unaffordable, relying instead on online templates, DIY contracts, or informal agreements. While this may seem like a cost- saving measure, the reality is that these shortcuts can create significant financial and operational risks.

Eddison Cogan Legal Team
Sep 23, 20255 min read


Why Writing a Will Matters More Than You Think
When someone dies without a will in England or Wales, their estate is divided according to "the rules of intestacy". These rules are rigid and often do not reflect the way people actually live their lives. For instance, if you live with a long-term partner but are not married or in a civil partnership, that partner has no automatic entitlement to your estate. Stepchildren also inherit nothing unless you specifically include them in your will.

Eddison Cogan Legal Team
Sep 23, 20254 min read
bottom of page