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A Toxic Tax

A Fabian Society report has presented findings from a series of focus groups across the country, which they say demonstrates that inheritance tax (IHT) is regarded as unfair – across…

December 10, 2015
Opinion

It’s Almost Criminal!

Under Part 1 of the new Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, injunctions can be obtained for, you guessed it…anti-social behaviour! This consequently replaced the old system of pursuing…

December 9, 2015
Opinion

Fitness to Practice of Dentists – Some Statistics

The dental profession is regulated by the General Dental Council (GDC) who have reported an increasing number of complaints against dental practitioners in recent years. The complaints that they are…

December 8, 2015
Opinion

Orange the World

Violence against women is a global concern encompassing not only physical violence but also sexual violence, mental abuse, forced labour concerns, sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation etc. The impact of…

December 3, 2015
Opinion

Investigatory Powers Bill

Home Secretary Theresa May recently presented the Government’s draft Investigatory Powers Bill with the aim of consolidating existing legislation concerning surveillance, and in particular the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act…

December 3, 2015
Blog

Chasing targets – care cannot be delivered by numbers

The push to meet staffing levels is proving costly and will do little to drive up long term quality of care for patients The NHS is currently facing a serious,…

December 3, 2015
Opinion

A Place for Death Bed Gifts (Donatio Mortis Causa) in Modern Times?

The doctrine of donatio mortis causa (which in Latin translates to ‘gift by reason of death’) (“DMC”) dates back to the Roman times, and given the statutory provisions of s9...

December 1, 2015
Blog

Pricing out Landlords

The Autumn Statement is to include news rules (effective from April 2016) that anybody buying a ‘second’ property will have to pay an extra 3% on the current stamp duty...

November 30, 2015
Blog

Making Wills on a Second Marriage

A large number of probate disputes arise in cases where there the deceased is married but has children from an earlier marriage or relationship. Disputes over estates can easily be…

November 30, 2015
Opinion

Homes Unfit For Heroes!

Avid readers of HJA’s Housing blogs will recall the recent “Could this be the End to Lifetime Tenancies?” post prepared by our colleagues Vneeta Ratti and Jayesh Kunwardia. We would…

November 27, 2015
Blog

Alarm bells ring over tenant’s safety

Statistics reveal that between April 2013 and March 2014 97 people died and 1900 were injured in domestic fires affecting properties where no smoke alarm was present. As a result…

November 27, 2015
Blog

Assessing children's needs – good practice just as important as speed

The Association of Directors of Childrens Services and Cafcass have released guidance in relation to the making of special guardianship orders in care proceedings. The guidance arises out of their…

November 27, 2015
Blog

Can Labour Offer a Real Solution to London’s Housing Crisis?

An analysis of Sadiq Khan’s proposed policy on Housing and Planning On 5 May 2016 all eligible Londoners will be able to cast their vote for the London Mayor. One…

November 25, 2015
Blog

When can a deputy make gifts from deputyship funds?

The power to make gifts is set out in the deputyship order, and is usually limited to: Gifts made on certain occasions such as birthdays, Christmas and weddings to family…

November 24, 2015
Opinion

Do you have a Van Dyke in your attic?

In the last few weeks, two estates have settled significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) bills by donating works of art to the nation under the government’s acceptance in lieu scheme. The…

November 24, 2015
Opinion

Review of baby deaths highlights shortcomings in care

A report launched on 19 November 2015 by Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audit and Confidential Enquiries across the UK (MBRRACE-UK) has highlighted fundamental failings in antenatal monitoring and…

November 24, 2015
Opinion

Countering terrorism or preventing free speech?

University students are at the forefront of a battle against the government’s Prevent policy which, they say, turns students into suspects and academics into informants. Students Not Suspects toured the…

November 23, 2015
Opinion

Labour legal aid review – time for change?

On 3 November Lord Bach and Karl Turner MP hosted the launch of a major Labour consultation and review of its policy on legal aid. It was their view that…

November 23, 2015
Blog

The future of section 20 – the impact of the recent case of Re N (Children) (Adoption: Jurisdiction) and comments by the President of the Family Division

The use of section 20 of the Children Act 1989, the provision for a child to be voluntarily and accommodated by a local authority, with the consent of those with…

November 23, 2015
Opinion

Compulsory re-testing for drivers over the age of 70?

Are drivers of 70 years and over, safer drivers than those under the age of 20? Data indicates that drivers under the age of 20 are involved in more fatal…

November 20, 2015
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