Feuding couples court disaster
Cohabitation laws regulating how separating couples govern their finances are long overdue.
Guide to divorce: major aspects
In depth guide to key stages in a divorce, financial and property issues and the implications of re-marriage.
New settlement process: a clearer path
New procedures relating to settling financial issues(ancillary relief) in a divorce.
Taking the fair share: developments in divorce law
The landmark decision of White v White reviewed how matrimonial finances should be divided in a divorce and introduced the concept of 'fairness'.
Pre-nuptial agreements
Properly drafted pre-nups may have significant persuasive value in court, allowing you to protect your wealth if the marriage breaks down.
Volunteers not covered by discrimination legislation
Approximately 18 million people give their time to volunteer in some way each year. It was no insignificant matter then when the question of whether volunteers are protected by discrimination legislation fell to be decided by the Court of Appeal at the end of last year in the case of X v Mid Sussex Citizens Advice Bureaux and others.
Investing for trusts
When weighing up investment opportunities for trust funds, it is important to seek advice on the most diverse and tax efficient options to suit individual circumstances.
HS2 Update in the Uxbridge Gazette
An update on the latest HS2 developments from the Uxbridge Gazette with comment from Gillian Outram.
Care at what cost?
If you are injured, you are entitled to recover the cost of care provided to you as part of a claim for compensation from whoever is responsible for the accident.
Clinical negligence
The law in respect of clinical negligence is complex and requires the skill and judgment of an experienced solicitor if viable claims are to be run and won.
Government's proposals to greatly reduce the capability review period for underperforming school teachers
As I was stuck in traffic on my way to work last Friday (Friday the 13th was living up to its billing) I overheard a piece on the radio that caught my ear. The Government was to announce measures that would mean “bad” teachers could be sacked within a term. Let the battle commence. In the blue corner we had Michael Gove telling us how it was not right that bad teachers are tolerated for so long. In the red corner we had Christine Blower (General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers) telling us how this was potentially a Bully’s Charter.
Proposals to give inheritance rights to cohabiting couples
The Law Commission has recommended changes to the law affecting unmarried cohabiting couples when one of them dies. These proposals have been a long time in the making but the Government has not yet indicated when it will respond to the recommendations. It should be noted that last autumn the Government rejected the Law Commission’s previous proposals giving unmarried couples property rights when they separate.
Employment Law - Companies in administration
The UK is once again bracing itself for the possibility of a double-dip recession after disappointing Christmas sales were announced by high street retailers. It has been suggested that 2012 will see a Europe-wide recession with the possibility of a number of countries leaving the eurozone; but are the recent decisions of the judiciary assisting in the struggle to re-vitalise the economy or hindering it?
Loss of congenial employment
Loss of congenial employment is a relatively new head of damage and one that is often not pursued despite good evidence being available
Protecting the consumer
Products that fall short of standards can have a harmful effect on our health and wellbeing
Protecting your clients money
If you do not advise your client about setting up a personal injury trust into which to pay the compensation monies, you could face a negligence action
Reporting accidents in the workplace
Employers should consider carefully the potential cost of breaches of health and safety, not only to their reputation but also their balance sheet
Stress - The Law
Personal injury claims for stress fall into two broad categories. The first category comprises of cases where the claimant becomes ill due to, for example, working long hours or is inadequately trained. These cases could be termed as pure stress at work.. The second category of cases are bullying or harassment claims
The Potential Liability of Surveyors Acting as Experts
Article written by Andrew Olins for the RICS Commercial Property Journal (September/October 2008)
The costs penalty
A recent decision by the Lands Tribunal sends out a clear signal to objectors
Power of guarantees
Landlords would be well-advised to consider whether to accept a parent guarantee from an incoming tenant or whether alternative security, for example a rent deposit, is to be preferred
Priority searches: the potential for mis-use
Bellway Homes recently discovered that there is no statutory protection guarding against the mis-use of priority searches
Adverse costs order in the Lands Tribunal
An objector whose predominant motive in opposing proceedings for the modification or discharge of restrictive covenants is the extraction of a large sum of money, can be at risk on costs
What's yours is mine
The established law on adverse possession in relation to registered land has come under attack in recent years
Significance of Ultraworth Ltd V GCU on terminal dilapidations
Andrew Olins, Commercial Property Litigation partner with IBB who acted for CGU in this matter, reports on the significance of the case
Letting with security
The types of security that a landlord can take if there are doubts about the tenant’s financial strength when taking a commercial lease.
Recovering rent
Can landlords recover rent from their tenant’s administrators for occupying or using their leasehold property?
Charities Bulletin - New Year Roundup 2011
This is the first of our new e-bulletins designed to keep you up to date with the latest developments in the sector and provide you with a roundup of recent changes to the law as well as focusing on key developments expected this year.
