First-time buyers interested in new-build homes can now apply for the new Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme. With a Help to Buy: Equity Loan, the government lends homebuyers up to 20% (40% in London) of the cost of a newly built home. Customers pay a deposit of 5% or more and arrange a mortgage
A husband has failed to persuade the court to overturn a divorce settlement he described a “grossly unfair”. The case involved a couple who had married in 1987 and divorced in 2010. The husband was a successful property developer and the wife was a homemaker. A consent order for financial remedies was made in 2010,
The Court of Appeal has rejected a local authority’s plan to have a two-year-old girl placed for adoption. The girl, referred to in court as LC, had two older brothers, aged eight and seven. The mother had learning difficulties and mental health issues. There were concerns that the children had suffered neglect, had been exposed
The High Court has ordered that an 11-year-old boy who was abducted by his father should be returned to his mother. The case involved a couple who had married in 2009. The mother was Italian and the father was part Italian with dual nationality. The family lived in Italy in a house opposite the home
The government is reviewing the planning system to make it as easy as possible for people to build their own home. There are currently about 15,000 of these types of homes built every year – an increase of 50% in two years. It’s estimated that the self and custom build industry is worth almost £4.5
The Covid pandemic has led to a surge in the number of employees bringing claims to the Employment Tribunal, according to research carried out by Citizens Advice. It says that if claims continue to increase at the current rate, the number could pass 500,000 by the spring. Even this could be a conservative estimate, the
From 30th November 2020 to 4th December marks Good Divorce Week. This is an annual campaign initiative by Resolution, a national organisation of family justice professionals who aim to work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way. Resolution has over 6,500 professional members including the Machins Family Law Team. The initiative’s
Bullying does not only occur in schools or online. It can happen anywhere, including in the workplace. According to the National Bullying Helpline, one in four employees have experienced bullying at work. Bullying can have a significant impact on an employee’s mental and physical health, as well as their confidence and performance at work. Unless
A school technician who was discriminated against because of his disabilities and unfairly dismissed has been awarded £117,013 compensation. Mr D Walker suffered with psoriatic arthritis, depression and anxiety. He worked at Old Swinford Hospital School from June 2014 until September 2017. He had periods of absence and lateness during 2016. These increased in 2017,
In the recent case of Kathryn Hopkins v The Commissioners for her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) [2020], an employee was arrested by the police for serious criminal offences including a serious sexual offence. She disclosed the fact to her employer and was immediately suspended on full pay pending disciplinary proceedings for possible gross misconduct, with