Finance Fest: Where Finance Meets Festival

We’re beyond excited to share something we’ve been working on for more than a year — the launch of Finance Fest, a completely new kind of event for the property finance world.

At iLA, we’ve always believed in doing things differently. The idea for Finance Fest came straight from our CEO and Co‑Founder, Anastasia Ttofis, who has long been passionate about music festivals — live bands, dancing barefoot in the grass, that magical sense of community where strangers become friends. She wanted to bring that same spirit of connection to an industry that too often relies on sit‑down conferences, black‑tie dinners, and traditional networking.

Supreme Court Sets Bright-Line Test for Lenders in Cases of Spousal Undue Influence

By Jasmine Yusuf

In a significant decision that reshapes how lenders assess risk in domestic loan arrangements, the UK
Supreme Court has delivered judgment in Waller-Edwards v OneSavings Bank Plc. The Court has
imposed a bright-line test for identifying when a lender is “put on inquiry” and therefore obliged to
ensure that a borrower, typically a spouse or partner, receives independent legal advice to guard
against undue influence.

Property Law Reforms and Tenant Rights: A Turning Point in Landlord-Tenant Relations?

By Payal Patel

The UK’s property laws are undergoing major reform. At the forefront is the Renters’ Rights Bill, aimed at boosting tenant protections across residential and commercial sectors. Alongside it, the Law Commission’s review of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 seeks to modernise commercial leasing. Together, these changes aim to rebalance power in the property market—though challenges remain.

Independent Legal Advice (ILA) for Mortgages and Property Decisions

By Luke Baldwin

We often get asked - what exactly is ILA within a property and finance transaction? You are being
told by your Lender or Solicitor that you must go and get an “ILA”, yet the why is often not explained
clearly or confusing. So, what’s the why?
This guide hopes to answer that question. It traces ILA’s historical roots, analyses landmark UK court
decisions, explores recent research, and explains why iLA Law should be your trusted go to when ILA
is needed.

The state of automation: Legal’s silent revolution

While genAI continues to capture attention across the legal sector, automation remains a no less transformative force for SME law firms. From managing resistance to change, to building seamless client journeys, leaders at forward-thinking firms tell LPM editor Reem Khurshid how the strategic application of automation is a safe bet for creating long-term value

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New UK Stamp Duty Rules: What Property Investors Need to Know

Navigating the New UK Stamp Duty Rules: What Property Investors Need to Know

By Jasmine Yusuf

On 1 April 2025, the UK government implemented significant changes to the Stamp Duty
Land Tax (SDLT) system, affecting property buyers in England and Northern Ireland. These
revisions mark the end of temporary measures introduced in the September 2022 mini-
budget, altering the tax landscape for property transactions.

Anastasia Ttofis Ranked No. 28 in the Legal Influencers “Indies” List (Q2 2025)

We’re thrilled to share that our co-founder, Anastasia Ttofis, has been ranked No. 28 in the “Indies” category of the LegalInfluencers Report Q2 2025—a list that celebrates lawyers making waves beyond the traditional firm structure.

The Indies category recognises legal professionals who are rewriting the rules—those who’ve ditched the billable hour, carved their own paths, and built influence through authenticity, consistency, and clarity. As Simon Marshall (CEO of TBD Marketing) puts it: “What stands out isn’t just the consistency. It’s the clarity... demonstrably human.”

That’s exactly what Anastasia brings to the legal space.

ILA wins highly commended at the B&C awards 2025

We’re proud to share that ILA has been Highly Commended at the Bridging & Commercial Awards 2025 for Best Specialist Finance Partner – following our win in the same category last year.
 
A huge thank you to our incredible team, our clients, and everyone who continues to support what we do.
 
We’re here to make legal advice in the property and finance world clearer, faster, and better – and we’re just getting started
 
 
 

Anastasia Ttofis Named a Top Legal Influencer in Q1 2025

We’re thrilled to share that Anastasia Ttofis, Co-Founder and CEO of ILA Law Ltd, has been recognised as a Top Legal Influencer in the latest LinkedInfluencers report for Q1 2025. Among just a handful of leaders across the UK’s top 200 law firms to earn this distinction, Anastasia’s standout presence on LinkedIn reflects her commitment to championing transparency, client care, and innovation in the legal sector.

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Anastasia Ttofis Named Finalist at the Women’s Recognition Awards 2025

Leadership Awards – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Mental Health Advocate

We’re incredibly proud to share that Anastasia Ttofis has been named a finalist in the Equity – Diversity & Inclusion: Mental Health Advocate category at the Women’s Recognition Awards 2025.

This award honours individuals and businesses who are championing mental health and wellbeing—whether within their own teams or across the broader industry. With over 100 nominations in some categories this year, making it to the final shortlist is no small feat.

Understanding the Origins and Legal Framework of Independent Legal Advice (ILA)

By Jasmine Yusuf

Independent Legal Advice (ILA) is a relatively modern legal development rooted in two landmark
cases: Barclays Bank Ltd v O;Brien [1994] and Royal Bank of Scotland Plc v Etridge (No. 2) [2001].
In O;Brien, a husband, who was also a company shareholder, misrepresented the extent of a
mortgage liability to his wife when using their matrimonial home as security for a company loan. The
court held that the bank failed in its duty to ensure that the wife’s consent was properly obtained.
As a result, the charge over the home was set aside.

ILA Law Ltd Shortlisted for B&C Awards 2025

We’re proud to announce that ILA Law Ltd has been shortlisted for the B&C Awards 2025, in association with Market Financial Solutions. This recognition highlights our commitment to delivering fast, clear, and client-focused Independent Legal Advice in the property and finance sector. Thank you to our team, partners, and clients who continue to trust and support us!

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