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Expert Comments
Opinion
Human Rights Day
On Human Rights Day 2015, Joanna Fleck reflects on a year that has seen the Human Rights Act under threat and looks back at how Hodge Jones & Allen have…
December 10, 2015
Blog
NHS Investigatory Failures Highlighted
It has been a bad week in the press for the NHS. Firstly the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman concluded that families and patients are being left without answers by...
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…
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…
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,…
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...
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...
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…
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…
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…
