Latest blog entries
Posted in Industry News by Sarah Sevitt | 05.09.08
A recent study by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has found that the number of women in top jobs in certain sectors has fallen. Reasons cited by the Commission for this drop in numbers include the culture in some organisations of long working hours and increased pressure to meet targets, meaning that many women are unable to achieve that all important “work-life balance.”
With an increased number of women choosing family life over progression up the career ladder, what does this mean for those going through a divorce?
Under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, one of the factors that the courts must take into account when determining how the matrimonial finances should...
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Posted in Industry News by Helen Gott | 03.09.08
The recent case of Baynes v Hedger and Others [2008] All ER (D) 175 (Jul) took the opportunity to explore and confirm the statutory provisions regarding making a claim against an estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
In this case, two claims were brought against the estate the first by a former partner and the second by an alleged dependent of the testatrix. The testatrix had made a valid Will and codicils leaving a legacy for one of the Claimants and a life interest for the other Claimant.
The Act allows certain classes of people specified in the Act to bring a claim against the estate where they feel that...
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Posted in Industry News by Philip Myers | 01.09.08
On Tuesday 12 August 2008 a BBC analyst found that sensitive data potentially affecting more than 4 million people had been lost by government departments in the year to April 2008. And on Friday, 22 August 2008 we learnt that the Home Secretary has blamed a private contractor for losing the details of thousands of criminals held on a memory stick. Other recent government losses include:
• November 2007 – 25 million people’s child benefit details, held on two discs lost by HMRC;
• December 2007 – 7,685 Northern Ireland drivers’ details lost by the Driver and Vehicle Agency
• December 2007 – 3 million learner drivers’ details lost in the United States
The numbers are simply staggering. So, what, if anything, can you do if you are unfortunate...
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Posted in Industry News by Sarah Sevitt | 28.08.08
At the moment rarely a day goes by when we are not hearing reports about the credit crunch and an impending recession, but how will the current economic climate affect divorcing couples?
During prosperous times it is perhaps easier for those in unhappy marriages to “paper the cracks”, however in less fortunate times those cracks can begin to widen, leading to more separations and subsequent divorces. However, it will be a concern to some couples that if they do decide to divorce, they will lose out in any financial settlement due to economic conditions.
Usually the most significant asset in the matrimonial “pot” will be the family home. When a couple is...
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Posted in Industry News by Rachel Spencer Robb | 27.08.08
After a stressful summer holiday and the ever tightening squeeze of the credit crunch, more and more families sadly reach breaking point and September\October often sees people having to take the steps to seek legal advice regarding separation and divorce.
Many clients however believe that there is only one route that can be taken if they are separating from their spouse or partner which seems to be led by media stories of days in court, aggressive solicitors firing shots over the parapets and an adversarial contest where points mean prizes.
That is of course an option that is open should you wish to pursue it and in some cases that is...
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Posted in Industry News by Hannah Montague | 18.08.08
Ownership of the seabed has become increasingly relevant of late in relation to offshore developments. Renewable energy is central to the government’s objectives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050 and generate 10% of our electricity supply from renewable sources by 2010. On shore wind farms already make a significant contribution in the UK and the scope for larger scale development lies offshore. As such, ownership of the seabed has become more pertinent than ever.
There is a presumption that the Crown owns what is commonly called the seashore, but to use its correct title, the “foreshore”. This presumption also covers the islands that arise from the foreshore and the mines and minerals...
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