Insights

Churchill’s Spaniards

AES sponsors the publication of a new book “Churchill’s Spaniards” which tells the story of Spanish volunteers who joined the British army in the Second World War. The book shares the personal stories of over 1,200 Spanish volunteers who joined the British Battalion and fought in battles from Norway to North Africa. The launch of the book will take place in London across two events: The first at the National Army Museum and the second at the Spanish Embassy. These events will feature a photo exhibition and excerpts from the soldiers’ stories. This exhibition will then travel the world and be showcased at the ‘We Have Ways’ festivals in 2024 and 2025 – https://wehavewaysfest.co.uk.

Thames River Cleanup

In partnership with THAMES21, the AES team took part in a cleanup on the banks of the river Thames at low tide on 28 February 2024. We filled an amazing 102 bags of rubbish with mainly wipes but we also found a car tyre, shoes and some underwear. Despite the bad weather, it was a great team-building experience and an eye-opener regarding the pollution of the Thames.

Cryptocurrency and Statutory Demands

As cryptocurrency transactions become increasingly common, the English courts are beginning to rule on the use of cryptocurrency in transactions and in particular, on whether a payment in cryptocurrency can form the basis of a statutory demand. Recently, the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce (UKJT) clarified that although cryptocurrencies are capable of being property, a claim for the delivery of certain digital assets does not constitute a debt for a fixed sum. Therefore, as cryptocurrency is not legal tender in the UK, it cannot be used as the basis for a statutory demand.

Mangrove plantation

We are excited to announce that, in partnership with SAO Tanzania, we have adopted 3,000 hectares of mangrove forest and supported the planting of a new forest. We hope that our adopted forest, now home to 3,000 newly planted mangrove trees, will have a positive impact on the local environment and help in the larger fight against climate change.

Mandatory Disclosures

English law prescribes that all companies must disclose certain details in all their company communications. This includes the company’s full name (as registered at Companies House), the jurisdiction to which it is subject, the company number, as well as its registered office. This requirement extends to emails, meaning companies must ensure their footers contain the information above in order to be legally compliant. Do you know the mandatory information for businesses and limited liability companies?

New office

We are delighted to announce the opening of our new office at 8 Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square. This marks a major milestone for the firm as we establish a base in central London. The location is ideal, situated at the heart of London with great access to public transport and in a vibrant area with many restaurants and cultural landmarks. We look forward to welcoming our clients there soon.

Ukrainian Disaster Fund

In 2021, the firm committed to supporting the victims of the war in Ukraine by donating a share of our profits to the Ukrainian Disaster Fund. This is a charitable organisation that is part of the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. All donations go directly to providing food, shelter, and medical assistance to the Ukrainian population in need.

Electronic Signatures

Despite the increasing use of electronic signatures worldwide, there are still strict requirements in place when it comes to signing agreements. The first condition is that all parties signing the contract must intend to enter the contract. The second one is that all usual formalities for signing must be adhered to. For example, when signing a deed, the signature must be witnessed in order for the deed to be valid. As with non-electronic signatures, the witness must be physically present at the time of the electronic signature being completed. However, not all documents can be signed electronically and some documents that will continue to require “wet ink” signatures.