The much-lauded Domestic Abuse Bill has fallen at Committee Stage as a result of the pre-election pro-rogation, with no clear commitment for it to be carried forward into the next parliament. The purpose of the Bill was to increase awareness around domestic abuse, improve the experience of victims in navigating the justice system and in
The Law Society has considered the question of whether offers made “without prejudice save as to costs” should be considered under “conduct” when the court is assessing whether to make a costs order against a party in financial remedy proceedings. Currently, the courts will consider any open offers made by the parties when assessing liability
Deed Poll A change of name by deed poll is a legally recognised process of changing or amending an aspect of your name, and can be distinguished between a ‘unenrolled’ and ‘enrolled’ deed poll. If you’re aged 16 or over, it’s your decision whether you wish to legally change your name and you are able
Tenants threatened with eviction are set to receive enhanced legal support under new measures proposed by the government. The Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme (HPCDS) offers free ‘on-the-day’ legal advice to anyone in danger of being evicted from their home or having their property repossessed, regardless of their financial circumstances. The government is proposing changes
The government wants to introduce a package of measures to help people on lower incomes get on to the housing ladder. It’s reviewing a new national model for shared ownership to make it easier for people to buy more of their own home, including allowing them to buy in 1% increments. The measures will give
People who were overcharged when arranging deputyships over a seven-year period can now claim refunds. It’s thought the average pay-out could be £240. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) sets the level of fees for the appointment of deputies, who help people that lose the capacity to manage their financial and welfare interests. The Office of
A husband has won his appeal against a judge’s decision that allowed his wife a second chance to improve her divorce settlement. The case involved a couple who had been married for several years and had one son. At the final hearing of the wife’s application for a financial settlement, the husband proposed that she
Three brothers have failed in their bid to overturn their mother’s will, which left nearly all her estate to their sister. The mother had originally made a will dividing her estate equally between her four children. However, her views changed after her health began to deteriorate in 2009 and her daughter came to live with
An 89-year-old woman who became the oldest person in the UK to win an age discrimination claim after being dismissed from her job has accepted a cash settlement. Eileen Jolly told the Employment Tribunal earlier this year that she felt “humiliated and degraded” by the way she was treated by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation
The number of first-time home buyers has reached its highest level for 12 years. The latest mortgage data reveals that 35,010 people took their first step on the property ladder in August. That’s the highest monthly total since August 2007. The figures, from UK Finance, follow the Ministry of Housing’s own research revealing 87% of