News
Maternity, paternity and shared parental leave
Many new parents find themselves juggling work with childcare, and it's often the mother who shoulders much of the burden. While maternity leave is a well-established right that is widely taken up, paternity leave is less well understood and fewer organisations offer more than the statutory norm. Meanwhile, shared parental leave still causes some confusion amongst parents and employers alike.
Government proposals to limit the sale of newbuild leasehold homes
When you’re looking to buy a property, it’s not uncommon nowadays to find not just flats but also new-build houses for sale on a leasehold basis. With leasehold properties, buyers can have the option to buy the freehold - the land the property stands on - at some point. Leasehold property owners must pay ground rent – an annual charge – to whoever owns the land, the freeholder. And it’s the cost of the freehold, and the spiralling amount of ground rent that has been charged in some instances, that are now under scrutiny.
Who can you cut out of your Will?
Family dynamics are never simple, and family members can and do fall out badly. This can sometimes go as far as disinheriting someone, and cutting off their entitlement to a share in the estate.
Wills – new proposals could see the advent of the email Will
An estimated 40 per cent of adults die each year in the UK without making a Will. Sadly, this means that under the laws of intestacy, which apply where no Will exists, a deceased’s estate could go to blood relations that they may not have been close to, rather than loved ones they would have chosen to be their beneficiaries.
Does your Will benefit from the new tax-free allowance?
The Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB) is a tax-free allowance, introduced in April this year, that is available when you pass your main residence on to a direct descendant.
It’s quiz time! Sold Out
On 16th November, we will be holding our annual quiz night to raise money for our charity of the year, Grove Cottage.
Grove Cottage provides social and educational activities for people of all ages with learning disabilities, to develop their potential, avoid social isolation by supporting lifelong friendships and; to provide respite for their families.
We’d be thrilled if you could join us, to help fundraise for such a worthy cause.
A Family Favourite – Attwaters Jameson Hill is shortlisted in 2017 Lawyer Monthly Awards
We are delighted to announce that our Family department has been shortlisted for the Lawyer Monthly Awards 2017 in the category of Family Solicitor of the Year – UK.
Elderly medical negligence cases in jeopardy
Cases of maltreatment towards elderly people in hospitals and care homes is a common topic in today’s media, but a proposed Government change could result in many future incidents slipping through the net. Lord Justice Jackson recommends that there be a limit to legal fees, where claims for damages are worth less than £25,000. We believe many cases will not get the justice they deserve.
Disgraced breast surgeon has his sentence increased
Ian Paterson was trusted by his patients but over the course of his career he made countless false diagnoses and carried out needless operations that left many of his patients scarred physically and mentally.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Each year, around 4,000 children develop cancer. It’s estimated that around one child in every 500 will be diagnosed with the disease by age 14, and the incidence has increased in recent decades by around 13%, according to a recent report published in the Lancet.
