Man’s will found in draft form on computer ruled to be valid
July 25th 2022The High Court has ruled that a man’s will that existed only in draft form on a computer, but which was signed by two reliable witnesses, should be accepted as valid. Rebecca Armstrong Associate Solicitor in our Will Claims team reports on this recent case. Is a draft will legally binding in the UK? So, what of the question is a draft will legally binding in the UK? This is indeed a highly…
Judge urges couples to use £500 mediation voucher scheme
July 18th 2022One of the UK’s leading judges has urged divorcing couples to use the £500 voucher that enables them to access mediation services to settle difficult disagreements. Shannon Bateson, Solicitor in our family law team reports on this recent case. Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls, made the suggestion in a complicated case involving a couple who had separated in 2017. The father had regular unsupervised contact with the three children until…
No fault evictions to be banned in ‘New Deal’ for renters
July 15th 2022No-fault evictions are to be banned as part of government plans to “end the injustice of unfit homes and help protect renters from the rising cost of living”.
Charity worker with long Covid can make disability claim
July 11th 2022The Employment Tribunal has ruled that an employee who was dismissed while suffering from long Covid is entitled to make a claim for disability discrimination. Jennifer Cafferky Solicitor in our employment team, reports on this recent case. It held that his symptoms met the criteria for him to be classed as disabled under the terms of the Equality Act. The case involved Mr T Burke, who had worked at Turning Point…
UK House Prices rose by more than 12.4% over the last year
July 5th 2022House prices across the UK increased by an average of 12.4% in the year to April 2022, according to the latest figures from the Land Registry. Abby White, Residential Conveyancer reports. It means the average property in the UK is now valued at £281,161. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, house prices increased by 1.1% between March and April 2022. The UK Property Transactions Statistics showed that in April 2022, on a seasonally…
Kate Garraway inheritance case highlights value of powers of attorney
July 1st 2022The heart-breaking experience of TV presenter Kate Garraway’s inheritance case highlights the value of drawing up Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) to protect your future. Jane Oakley, Private Client Legal Executive in our Wills, Probate & Inheritance team reports. Kates’s husband Derek Draper suffered a terrible reaction to Covid and still has a long way to go in his recovery. The Good Morning Britain star said that the two of…
Legal firm welcomes back former trainee to Family Law team
June 27th 2022AN EXPERIENCED Family Law solicitor has returned to the law firm where she completed her training and student placement. Shannon Bateson has rejoined Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors as a fully-fledged Family Law solicitor, dealing with all aspects of marital law, divorce, children, cohabitation and domestic violence. Shannon, who lives at Brigham, near Cockermouth, originally joined the legal firm on an 18-month training contract in 2017 following the successful completion of an…
Renters Reform Bill ‘will make some evictions easier for landlords’
June 27th 2022The Renters Reform Bill is designed to drive up standards in the private and socially rented sector, but it will also make evictions easier for landlords in certain circumstances. Natalie Tatton, Solicitor in our dispute team provides an update. The Bill is designed to help the 4.4 million households privately renting across England by extending the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector for the first time. It’s hoped these reforms will…
Surge in divorce cases as new No-Fault law takes effect
June 16th 2022There has been a surge in the number of divorce applications since the new No-Fault law came into effect in April. Julian Nelson, Director in our Family Law Team provides an update. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 aims to reduce the potential for conflict amongst divorcing couples by removing the ability to make allegations about the conduct of a spouse and allowing couples to end their marriage jointly. Under previous…
Seller of land should have pointed out defect in title
June 13th 2022A woman who bought land at auction has successfully appealed a High Court ruling that she must make up a seller’s shortfall after she refused to complete the purchase. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution reports on this recent case. The issue arose after the buyer, Ms Mahil, had purchased the land from SPS Groundworks & Building Ltd. The catalogue had described the land as having “excellent scope for development”.…
