All about current standards, practices and more... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/feed/ en IBB Solicitors http://www.ibblaw.co.uk All about current standards, practices and more... IBB Solicitors welcomes the decision by HSBC to backtrack on its restriction on clients to use only its narrow panel of solicitors for conveyancing. Head of IBB’s private client group, and residential conveyancing partner Gillian Outram comments: “This is a victory for consumer choice. Homebuyers can be confident in the quality of their conveyancer by choosing a firm with the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme mark, which guarantees integrity, good practice management, efficient conveyancing procedures and non-tolerance of fraud. We are proud to have been one of the first firms awarded this quality standard, and are delighted that HSBC’s customers can once more choose from the wider pool of CQS-accredited lawyers.” For more about this story: http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/newsandevents/news/view=newsarticle.law?NEWSID=446782 http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/may/16/hsbc-ditches-controversial-conveyancing-panel ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/16/ibb-welcomes-hsbc-panel-decision http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/16/ibb-welcomes-hsbc-panel-decision http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/16/ibb-welcomes-hsbc-panel-decision Wed, 16 May 2012 15:46:42 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml Training company A4e has been stripped of its welfare-to-work contract in the South East of England. The firm’s Mandatory Work Activity (MWA) contract was axed after a review by the Department for Work and Pensions uncovered “significant weaknesses” in the company’s internal controls. Employment minister Chris Grayling said no instances of fraud had been found at the company.  But the National Audit Office (NAO) criticised the Government for not requesting vital evidence in risk assessments at A4e. It said “glaring holes” in fraud controls had seen the DWP fail to look at internal audit reports, including one which highlighted nine cases of possible fraud and seven of improper practice by staff.  A4e, which was set up to help jobseeker’s allowance claimants complete work experience placements, holds Government contracts worth more than £70 million a year. It will retain its other contracts, including those under the Work Programme which aims to tackle long-term unemployment. The MWA contract, which was designed to help up to 1,000 people in the South East find work, is thought to have been worth less than £1 million. Our Employment team provides advice on the employment aspects of all major business decisions. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk. ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/16/government-axes-a4e-jobs-contract http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/16/government-axes-a4e-jobs-contract http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/16/government-axes-a4e-jobs-contract Wed, 16 May 2012 14:15:37 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml The National Audit Office has not fully signed off the accounts of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC) due to a number of errors. According to the National Audit Office, some child support payments, which the CMEC is in charge of enforcing, were paid at the wrong rate and others were based on incorrect assessments. The Auditor General, Amyas Morse, also said that due to errors in assessments the figure presented on outstanding maintenance arrears by the CMEC did not accurately represent the true level of arrears. However, the report said that the CMEC had made significant improvements in the information available on maintenance arrears. The correct amounts received and paid by the agency are shown in the 2010/11 accounts. In 2009/10 there were £10m in overpayments and £14.4m in underpayments. It is estimated that in 2010/11 there were £10.2m in overpayments and £13.9m in underpayments. Mr Morse said: “Since the statutory child maintenance schemes were introduced, there have been problems with the accurate calculation of maintenance and with the two underlying IT systems, neither of which was capable of properly reporting arrears. The commission inherited these problems from the Child Support Agency.” Our Family and Matrimonial team helps families across West London and Bucks. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 01494 790007 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk. ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/15/cmec-accounts-not-fully-signed-off http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/15/cmec-accounts-not-fully-signed-off http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/15/cmec-accounts-not-fully-signed-off Tue, 15 May 2012 16:08:44 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml Proposals that will slash red tape and see reform of the rules around employment tribunals have been championed by the Business Secretary.   The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill was unveiled during the Queen’s Speech and also aims to scrap “unnecessary” business legislation as well as reducing red tape affecting firms. The proposals also include measures to scale back inspections on firms while also boosting investment from the private sector into the green economy.  Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Securing economic growth through business investment and trade is absolutely essential to recovery. Government’s plans to cut red tape, boost green investment, reform the competition landscape and reform the banks are vital moves that would help strengthen the business environment and boost consumer and business confidence.”  John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “On balance, business will welcome some of the Government’s proposed legislative measures, but express serious reservations about others. “Positive steps such as reform to employment tribunals and red tape reductions could be undermined by complex new burdens around shared parental leave, for example.” Our Employment team provides advice on the employment aspects of all major business decisions. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk. ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/14/plans-to-overhaul-employment-tribunals http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/14/plans-to-overhaul-employment-tribunals http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/14/plans-to-overhaul-employment-tribunals Mon, 14 May 2012 15:02:23 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml Campaigners have hit out at the Government’s decision to exclude gay marriage plans from this week’s Queen’s Speech. The issue of whether gay marriage should be legalised has proven divisive within the Coalition Government, despite the fact ministers committed to legislate for it by 2015. Despite the reservations of some MPs about the concept, gay rights campaign group Stonewall does not believe the Government should kick the issue into the long grass. It was notably not among the 19 Bills which were included in the Queen’s Speech. Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill said: “We’re disappointed that this modest measure has not been included in the Queen’s Speech. “We trust that extension of the legal form of marriage to gay people isn’t going to turn into a ‘tuition fees’ issue, announced with much hoopla in the run-up to an important election and then abandoned.” Among those who have questioned the need to legalise gay marriage is former ministerial aide Stewart Jackson, who suggested the Government should focus on “bread and butter” issues instead. Our Family and Matrimonial team helps families across West London and Bucks. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 01494 790007 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk. ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/11/disappointment-over-gay-marriage-snub http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/11/disappointment-over-gay-marriage-snub http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/11/disappointment-over-gay-marriage-snub Fri, 11 May 2012 14:01:34 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml Government plans will see around 50% of criminal courtrooms in the capital out of operation during the London Olympic Games.  Official documents seen by the Press Association have revealed that ministers plan to temporarily close Crown Courts close to major Olympic venues over fears of how the sporting events will affect roads and other transport.  The plans, which will begin to take effect from July 23, reveal that no more than 54% of courtrooms across the capital will sit during the 17-day Olympics. It is thought fears over how travel issues could affect victims and jurors’ journeys to court were behind the move. Among those courts remaining open, some will only offer partial services during the duration of the Games.  Overall London has 11 crown courts with 138 courtrooms, but as few as 72 of them will sit during the Games. Papers have revealed that courts will try to conclude cases before the Games get under way in late July. We have one of the leading teams of criminal specialists in West London and the South East. If you are facing a serious criminal charge, you can contact a member of the IBB’s Criminal Defence team, call us on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk. ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/10/courts-to-close-during-olympics http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/10/courts-to-close-during-olympics http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/10/courts-to-close-during-olympics Thu, 10 May 2012 15:27:55 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml Divorced fathers are likely to be granted more rights to see their children if the arrangement benefits the child under a Bill outlined in the Queen’s Speech. A consultation is to be launched to discuss reforms for England and Wales under the Children and Families Bill to make sure that after a break-up both parents can go on to see their children, provided it “is safe and in the child’s best interests”. The call comes after a family justice review which said last year that introducing a legal presumption of shared parenting could create an “unacceptable risk of damage to children”. Improvements to services for children with disabilities were also included in the Bill, as well as a shake-up in the adoption system to accelerate the process for people seeking to adopt. The Bill will also reduce the amount of time family courts in England and Wales have to decide whether to place a child in care to six months. The courts will also be required to consider how the child would be affected by any delays. Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the Bill would “put families front and centre of our national life, with unprecedented support for parents and the biggest reform for 30 years of support for children with special needs or disabilities.” Our Family and Matrimonial team helps families across West London and Bucks. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 01494 790007 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk. ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/09/more-rights-planned-for-divorced-fathers http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/09/more-rights-planned-for-divorced-fathers http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/09/more-rights-planned-for-divorced-fathers Wed, 09 May 2012 15:27:07 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml A building in one of the UK’s most expensive areas has been the subject of debate for some of the UK’s top legal minds, according to reports. Lord Justices Longmore and Lewison and Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger heard arguments from two barristers and sifted though a range of legal and historical documents while debating whether or not the building, which stands opposite Sloane Square tube station in Chelsea, is a single house or a block of flats. After assessing the situation, Lord Justice Lewison concluded that the building, which houses three small shops and six residential suites, is to be considered a block of flats rather than a single property. After delivering a five page report on the issue, Lord Justice Lewison asserted that the only reason such high authority had been needed to such an extent was to settle a dispute over the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 between tenants and the building’s owner. Commenting on the report, Lord Justice Lewison said: “It is regrettable that an issue of this kind involves analysis of many decisions of (the Court of Appeal) and the House of Lords, and in the present case has also involved extensive historical investigaton.” Our team of property lawyers can advise on all aspects of buying, selling and mortgaging property. For advice, contact a member of the team, call us on 01494 790007 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk. ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/08/top-judges-debate-property-status http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/08/top-judges-debate-property-status http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/08/top-judges-debate-property-status Tue, 08 May 2012 14:36:35 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml A complicated debate is ensuing about the ownership of the St Andrew’s Lawn Tennis Club’s playing courts in Cheam, London. The land, which is worth over £1 million, belongs to trustees of the estate of the former club committee member who bought it in the 1930s and then rented it out to the tennis club members. The club was set up by members of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, in south London, in 1937. However, in 2006 when “only 20 of the 91” tennis club members were also church members, the church “elders” wanted to sell the land for a profit of over £1 million. Since then an ownership debate has sparked up and lawyers have been called in. Mr Justice Arnold said that central to the debate is a “trust deed” which was struck in 1938 when David Tweddle, secretary of the church at the time, bought the plot and rented it to the club. Mr Tweddle died in 1953 and the judge felt that the land was held on a “resulting trust” for his estate and now the trustees should seek guidance before taking further action. The judge also said that the debate raised legal “complexities” and would prove challenging “even for lawyers”. IBB has one of the largest real estate groups in West Londonand the South East, with expertise in commercial development, residential development, real estate finance, real estate investment and management, construction and real estate dispute resolution. Contact a member of the team by visiting the relevant service page, or you can call us on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk. ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/04/property-wrangle-over-london-tennis-club http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/04/property-wrangle-over-london-tennis-club http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/04/property-wrangle-over-london-tennis-club Fri, 04 May 2012 16:06:59 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of a decision to jail two women who “intimidated” jurors during an assault trial. The court was told single mothers Stephanie Curtis and Laura Medlan were jailed after admitting contempt of court in relation to the incident, which occurred during the trial of Terry Tyler. Judge Paul Sloan QC handed 30-year-old Curtis a five-month prison term and 21-year-old Medlan a three-month sentence. Now, three appeal judges have backed the decision, saying they “entirely agreed” and refused to reduce the sentences. The pair, both from the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area, admitted contempt at Newcastle Crown Court in March. Appeal judges heard that the women had boarded the same bus as three jurors after following them when proceedings closed for the day. The court was told of a mobile phone conversation held by Curtis on board the bus, in which she spoke “unnaturally and clearly” of how “it was looking good” for Tyler. The jurors reported the incident to court staff, suggesting they felt “intimidated” by the incident. Tyler was sentenced to 30 months in prison after being found guilty of grievous bodily harm.  We have one of the leading teams of criminal specialists in West London and the South East. If you are facing a serious criminal charge, you can contact a member of the IBB’s Criminal Defence team, call us on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk. ... http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/03/appeal-judges-rule-over-contempt-sentences http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/03/appeal-judges-rule-over-contempt-sentences http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog/2012/05/03/appeal-judges-rule-over-contempt-sentences Thu, 03 May 2012 15:44:14 +0100 http://www.ibblaw.co.uk/blog.xml