Key points to consider when negotiating your divorce settlement
March 27th 2019When negotiating a divorce financial settlement, both the sides should be realistic of their monetary demands. One of the major tasks a couple face when they divorce is to decide on a fair financial settlement: how much should each partner get once their joint matrimonial assets are divided up? Negotiating a divorce financial settlement The courts will always try to ensure that both partners are treated fairly and will insist…
Businesses learn from world champions M-Sport
March 22nd 2019BUSINESS leaders from companies large and small were revved up when they attended a special event at the headquarters of World Rally Champions M-Sport. Experts shared best practice across a number of fields before delegates were given a tour of the company’s impressive headquarters. The event was the latest in a collaborative series organised by leading Cumbrian legal firm Cartmell Shepherd. They partnered with insurance broker Jelf, as both companies…
Joanne Stronach considers recent case; 88-year-old becomes oldest person to win age discrimination claim
March 15th 2019Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR considers the case of E Jolly, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. An 88-year-old woman who was dismissed from her job with the NHS has become the oldest person in the UK to win an age discrimination claim. Eileen Jolly told the Employment Tribunal that she felt “humiliated and degraded” by the way she was treated by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. Mrs…
New law caps tenancy deposits and regulates letting fees
March 11th 2019By Laura Bright Solicitor The Tenant Fees Act that caps tenancy deposits and protects against unfair practices has now received the Royal Assent and passes into law. The government introduced the new regulations because it believes that unexpected letting fees and high deposits can make properties harder for people to afford and are often not clearly explained upfront – leaving many prospective tenants unaware of the true costs of renting…
Court corrects costly tax error in family’s trust fund
March 8th 2019By Claire Wilson Associate Solicitor The High Court has allowed a family to correct an error in a trust fund that would have had costly tax implications. The case arose out of financial arrangements outlined in the will of a man who died in 2015. He bequeathed £4.2m to be held on trust for the benefit of his widow and his children, with a class of discretionary beneficiaries comprising of…
Probate fee increase
March 6th 2019By Laura Wilson Following the death of an individual, in some circumstances it is necessary for the Personal Representatives (the people responsible for dealing with the Estate) to apply to the Court for a document known as a Grant of Probate (GoP) to allow them to obtain the deceased’s assets. Currently, the Court fee for obtaining the GoP is set at £155 if applying through a Solicitor or £215 for…
Why your child has a legal right to be heard in divorce proceedings
February 28th 2019Laura Ousby Solicitor Every parent wants the best for their child…but sometimes in the emotional turmoil of a divorce, that natural protective instinct can become a little blurred. It means that in some cases, children are caught in the cross fire between warring couples. They can feel as though they are being overlooked and that their views are not being taken into account. A survey by the family law group…
Sheep worrying is against the law!
February 28th 2019Lambing season is a joyous, if tiring, time for many sheep farmers. It is the product of a long hard year of work. However with the NFU Mutual reporting that the increasing numbers of livestock attacks is costing the agriculture sector an estimated £1.2 million, it is important that farmers know the rights that they have to receive compensation. With 60% of dog walkers admitting to letting their dog roam off…
Legal chief urges RBS and NatWest customers to take advantage of unique £225 million switch fund …
February 25th 2019BUSINESS banking customers who have an account with the Natwest or RBS could be in line for a payout of up to £50k if they switch to another bank, a leading solicitor has said. A new fund has been established after the two banks were instructed to reduce the number of business clients on their books in the aftermath of the 2008 banking crisis. It is open to companies which…
Employee dismissed over Facebook comments awarded £5,376
February 25th 2019Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR reports. An Employment Tribunal has decided that a company did not act unfairly when it dismissed an employee for gross misconduct after he made offensive comments about the managing director on Facebook. However, the employee’s behaviour had not been so bad that it warranted dismissal without any notice pay so he was entitled to compensation. This was the decision of the Employment Tribunal…
