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We are deeply saddened to share the news that our friend, and former Partner Julian Bruce, passed away on 12 December 2025, age 67 years.
Julian was born in Newark, and his parents, Ron and June, were the proprietors of Bruce & Chambers on Cartergate.
Educated at the Magnus Grammar School before graduating with a Law Degree from Liverpool University, Julian then attended the College of Law at Guildford to complete his Law Society Finals.
He joined Larken & Co Solicitors in 1981 and remained here for 40 years. Initially, an articled clerk, Julian completed his training and was admitted as a Solicitor in 1984 and made a Partner in 1987. He retired in 2021.
Julian was a highly respected criminal lawyer, representing clients at the police station and in the Magistrates Court. He also sat on the Law Society Childcare Panel, representing vulnerable parents and children in often complicated and difficult cases, and always fighting for their rights.
Julian was an excellent lawyer and a fine advocate, tirelessly representing the people of Newark and Nottinghamshire for 40 years. He had many friends in the legal community, being well known for his high standards, wisdom, warmth, and humour. He was liked and respected by all who had dealings with him.
As a Partner he was wise and a joy to work with. He was also a valued colleague, mentor and friend to many and will be dearly missed.
Our thoughts are with Julian’s partner, Sheila, his children Edward and Sophie, grandchildren, Grace and Beatrice, and sister, Geraldine.
Some proposals under the recently introduced Bill- the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘Bill’) have created a stir in the commercial property world, writes Nikita Pandey, a Commercial Property Solicitor at Larken & Co. The relevant part of the Bill proposes to introduce provisions under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (‘LTA’) which would ban upwards-only rent review clauses in commercial leases.
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Larken & Co are pleased to welcome Laura Coleman-Day to the team. Laura joins the practice as Head of Commercial Property, bringing extensive expertise in both commercial property and corporate and commercial matters.
The introduction of delinked payments in 2024 means that farmers will no longer be required to submit BPS applications to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to receive their farm entitlements.
The last few years have been particularly testing for many private landlords. The challenges of the pandemic aside, recovering possession of rented residential property is not always a simple process. Residential tenants, and most residential licensees are covered by the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 which makes it an offence to unlawfully evict a tenant.
We are delighted to welcome two new lawyers to the practice. The new faces are Sarah Burke, who is a private client executive in the wills and probate department, working alongside Partners Denise Ryan and Amy Jones, and Paralegal Shannon Heathcote, who joins Partner Sheila Roberts in the family department.
With the festive season almost upon us, and the prospect of much frivolity and merriment, we are heading towards that time of year which can sometimes result in an embarrassing apology in the New Year or, worse still, a legal case.
Employment relationships can end for many reasons, such as dismissal, personality clashes, and redundancy. Businesses are increasingly using settlements to end an employment relationship. They are a good alternative to having to go through what can be a long drawn-out disciplinary performance, or redundancy process, followed by the ACAS Early Conciliation programme and uncertainty of tribunal proceedings.
Moving house is one of the most stressful things any of us can do. Just thinking about it can sometimes be enough to raise blood pressure!
Although the property market may have slowed in recent months, it has not become any easier.
“School’s out for Summer!” came the call. This call fills children with much-anticipated excitement yet brings a bundle of mixed emotions for many parents dreading how to fill the long six-week stretch.
School holidays are important for children as they offer a break from the routine and demands of school and also give families a chance to spend quality time together doing things they enjoy.
Thinking about what would happen if you were to lose mental capacity is scary, which is why we avoid doing so! Too often, people wait for a life crisis to make them face up to this real possibility, but for some, by then, it may well be too late.
Larken & Co Solicitors is Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority - SRA Number: 53640