Expert Comments

Opinion

The impact of COVID-19 on inquests

Many inquests, in common with many other types of hearings, have had to be adjourned as a result of COVID-19, particularly where a jury is involved. The Chief Coroner of...

June 3, 2020
Opinion

The trials of Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson

A week may be a long time in politics, but it is surely premature to close a criminal investigation of the Dominic Cummings affair. By way of reminder, should one...

June 1, 2020
Opinion

Signing a Will and Social Distancing

Since the start of lockdown, solicitors’ offices have been closed and clients are being relied upon to correctly execute their wills at home. The Wills Act 1837 lays down strict...

May 29, 2020
Blog

Phased opening of schools – what does it mean during these uncertain times?

As half term draws to an end, there will be many parents contemplating whether to send their children to school for the summer term. No doubts parents have read and...

May 29, 2020
Blog
  • court

A suspect’s right to privacy during criminal investigations

Suspects involved in criminal investigations currently have the right to privacy regarding personal information and details relating to the investigation and from any period prior to being charged with an…

May 29, 2020
Blog
  • serious-injury

Huddersfield man, 39, awarded vaccine injury compensation, for injury caused by contracting poliomyelitis from polio vaccine when he was 6 months old

Mr Karl Turrell was 6 months old when, in 1980, he received his routine first set of three doses of baby vaccines (Diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus and polio). At that...

May 29, 2020
Opinion

Why did Sally Challen challenge the Forfeiture Rule if she didn’t want the money?

It has been widely reported in the media that Sally Challen has won the right to inherit the £1m estate of her husband despite being convicted of his murder, subsequently...

May 28, 2020
Opinion

Child Arrangement Orders during Covid-19

With us being in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic, people are increasingly experiencing difficulties with child care arrangements during the lockdown. Where there is a court order in place...

May 28, 2020
Opinion

Practice Direction 51Z – The stay of possession proceedings expires on 25 June 2020

There is scope within the Direction for the stay to continue until 30 October 2020. It is perhaps unlikely that the stay will be extended all the way until then,...

May 28, 2020
Opinion
  • general-crime

Sobriety orders or Sobriety Ankle Tags

There has been some coverage in the press of a new sentencing power available to the criminal courts when sentencing people to community orders, to require that they wear a...

May 28, 2020
Opinion
  • child-law
  • divorce

Managing as separated parents during Covid-19

Covid-19 presents challenges for all separated parents whether they were previously married or cohabiting. It may be particularly hard for unmarried parents, who have relied on informal agreements as to...

May 27, 2020
Blog

The coronavirus rent crisis – is rent suspension required?

It is not clear at this stage whether the government will extend the 90 day suspension of possession claims, which is due to expire at the end of June 2020....

May 26, 2020
Blog

Subject Access Requests during Covid-19

As a result of GDPR, everyone has the right to ask any organisation whether or not they are storing any personal information. Issuing a Subject Access Request normally means the...

May 21, 2020
Opinion

Domestic Abuse Bill changes announced

I am regularly instructed by those fleeing domestic abuse, who in most cases are turned away by local housing authorities for homeless assistance. For those not pregnant and without dependent...

May 21, 2020
Blog

What can I do If my neighbours are not social distancing?

Since the lockdown, incidents of anti-social behaviour across the country have increased with reports of people flouting the social distancing rules. This has resulted in the police and social landlords...

May 19, 2020
Opinion

Who wants to be a Millionaire: A guide to the current rules on Inheritance Tax (IHT)

It is hard to believe that back in 2015, the initial IHT guidance for the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) was announced. This provided a gradual increase in the RNRB...

May 19, 2020
Blog

When should inspections in disrepair cases proceed in light of the COVID-19 lockdown?

Following the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic, the government has released new guidelines relating to the way in which possession and disrepair cases need to be progressed. The focus...

May 18, 2020
Opinion

Bereavement Damages – The Price of a Life – Updated

I previously wrote a blog on bereavement damages and what can be claimed following the death of a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. I also outlined...

May 18, 2020
Blog
  • court

Serving a Part 36 offer

Within proceedings, parties are encouraged to try and settle claims without recourse to a final hearing. To encourage this, there are provisions in CPR 36 that give a party costs...

May 14, 2020
Opinion

End of mandatory gateway for face-to-face discrimination advice

From 15th of May 2020 the mandatory telephone gateway for discrimination advice will be removed. This is great news as it will allow those who require advice and assistance with...

May 14, 2020
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