Blog
07th December 2018
In November 2018, the UK government published its response to a public consultation on road safety for cyclists and pedestrians. As a personal injury lawyer and a keen cyclist, I contributed evidence as part of the consultation – I have also been considering the Department for Transport’s response and future plans. The government’s ultimate aim is clearly expressed: by 2040, most people should travel short…
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07th December 2018
Despite overwhelming opposition, the government looks set to introduce a substantial increase in probate fees that will take effect from April 2019. Aimed at the wealthiest members of society, this new stealth tax is expected to raise £145 million in its first year, with the proceeds being used to subsidise court reforms. Under the new rules, no probate fee will be payable on estates worth…
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29th November 2018
This week marks Good Divorce Week 2018, a national campaign designed to raise awareness of how separating parents can minimise the impact of conflict on their children and calling for government to reform the divorce process by remove the element of blame. Backed by Resolution, formerly known as the Solicitors Family Law Association, the campaign for no-fault divorce also promotes the work of family law…
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16th November 2018
Many commercial property clients grapple with the question of how to categorise and document the occupation of a property. Whilst many landlords would like to get an occupier into their property as soon as possible, to cover the running costs for example, it is important to take care with the paperwork and ensure the documentation accurately reflects the intention of both parties from the outset…
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12th November 2018
Property buyers looking for a bargain can find themselves drawn to auctions in search of discounts against market value of 20 per cent – after all, who does not like to feel they are getting a bargain? But unfortunately, in many cases, it turns out that there are plenty of things not to like and the old cliché that speaks to getting what you pay…
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02nd November 2018
Writing in this column we have previously recommended everyone looking to acquire a property should undertake certain searches with the relevant authorities – because not all matters are apparent simply from a review of legal title. One of the most important searches is a water and drainage search, which can be undertaken with the water authority that serves the property’s local area. The results of…
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26th October 2018
The use of surveillance evidence in personal injury claims is becoming more and more common. Insurance companies representing defendants continually use undercover surveillance to question a claimant’s credibility or undermine their claim. An insurer may consider it worthwhile and cost-effective to gather this type of evidence if there is a possibility that the value of a claim might be substantially reduced or perhaps even dismissed…
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19th October 2018
Last week we were given the delightful news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their first baby. This exciting royal announcement followed soon after the Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson’s wonderful display of co-parenting at the recent nuptials of their youngest daughter – it was touching to observe their overwhelming pride and emotion as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder while their daughter Princess…
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12th October 2018
When the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in March 2017, the pre-referendum campaign had made little mention of the implications for investors. The vote to leave resulted in a significant fall in the value of sterling and, in a no-deal Brexit scenario, sterling can be expected to fall again until the markets have adjusted to the new situation. For all its intransigence,…
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05th October 2018
For accident victims who have suffered life-changing injury the fight for justice can be a long and arduous process but, despite the constant reminders their injuries bring, most of our clients are focussed positively on getting their lives back – although many find it hard to come to terms with the limitations of the criminal justice system. Too frequently, it seems, drivers who have caused…
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