Bennett Griffin News

On September 25th Ian Macara and Greg Woods, solicitors in the Private Client Department, took part in the Brighton Legal 10km Walk to raise money for legal advice charities in and around Sussex.

Genes for Jeans funds pioneering research and vital support services for children affected by some of the most serious genetic disorders. We will be supporting this worthy cause by donating £2 each for the privilege of wearing jeans on Friday 3rd October.

Bennett Griffin are proud to be at the forefront of a new voluntary central will register with Certainty.co.uk.

The Bennett Griffin team hit the Olympic standard this weekend as Elise, daughter of partner Peter Laverick, achieves Olympic Bronze with her rowing partner Anna Bedington in the Women's Double Sculls in Bejing.

From 1 October 2008 Landlords will be required to provide Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) for all buildings when they are sold or let.

Bennett Griffin had a perfect day at Slinfold Golf Course on Friday 1st August. Everyone worked hard to make this charity day the best one ever and did a great job. 

Bennett Griffin are very proud to be sponsors of the 'Best Employer' award at this year's Sussex Business Awards.

The Partners at Bennett Griffin are delighted to announce that Katie Haffenden has successfully completed her training contract and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales on 1st July 2008.

Dan from Red Anywhere has uploaded a blog about the celebration in aid of Bennett Griffin's 18th year in business. 

The  Bennett Griffin rounders team were all present and correct with a few additional substitutes from family and friends. We arrived, set up base and Bennett Griffin T-shirts were distributed for the team players.

Bennett Griffin are helping promote a charity golf day on Friday 1st August in aid of Worthing Churches Homeless Project and Sussex Autism Society

A group of lawyers, financiers and accountants dedicated to providing support for your property venture.

Charlotte Hammond, solicitor in Commercial Division is now writing a regular column in Business Matters, published monthly as part of the Herald newspaper group.

We have added some PDF's to our Articles area regarding Family Law that you may find interesting.

The Government's controversial Home Information Packs (HIPs) appear to have failed in their aim to improve the home-buying and selling process, a consumer group has said.

Consumers were satisfied with the Home Information Pack (HIP) and are starting to use energy ratings to make their homes greener, according to early testing of HIPs.

Bennett Griffin proudly presents Barney's Big Band Bash featuring Littlehampton Concert Band and Phoenix Big Band.

The government should consider regulating the will-writing industry which is a "hunting ground for the incompetent", says an MP.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has called on Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling to cut stamp duty in next month's Budget.

HOME-SELLERS risk disaster if they get their home information packs (HIPs) prepared on the cheap, solicitors are warning.

Take advantage of what's now available, says Ian Macara, Partner in Bennett Griffin's Private Client Team.

New rules regarding Home Information Packs could damage the fragile housing market, estate agents have warned.

The Law Society is kicking off a media campaign to urge consumers to use solicitors when they create Home Information Packs.

The first 2 issues of our Newsletters have gone?

One of Gordon Brown?s closest ministerial allies receives strong criticism today from Labour MPs accusing her of mishandling the introduction of home information packs.

Many home sellers who sign up for a free or discounted home information pack find they must pay a withdrawal fee if they change estate agent.

Home Information Packs currently the dirtiest words in the English language. But how could such a small legislative change create such a huge furore? And could the so-called Hips really cause the collapse of the property market in the UK?

The two big money cases of Miller and McFarlane hit the headlines recently...

First time homebuyers will see their upfront costs drop and all home buyers will, for the first time, receive A-G green ratings for their properties...

The implementation of Home Information Packs ? or HIPs as they are more commonly known ? appears to be in a state of limbo.

The Chancellor announced new rules, with immediate and retrospective effect, allowing married couples and those in Civil Partnerships to combine their Inheritance Tax allowances

The partners are delighted to announce that Jo Ostrom?has successfully completed her training contract with?Bennett Griffin and was admitted?a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales on 15 October 2007...

Knight Frank Estate Agents has said that the roll-out of Home information packs (HIPS) has been relatively smooth?

Home Information Packs (HIPS) may be delayed further following the impact of the recent credit crunch on the property and financial markets, warns the Government.

This follows on from our Legal Alert in September warning of the demise of Enduring Powers of Attorney. We thought that our clients and prospective clients would appreciate a summary of the key changes that have come into effect since 1st October when Lasting Powers of Attorney became law.

Buyers'are not keen on Home Information Packs.

The rules around this system are changing on 1st Oct 2007. Ensure your affairs are secure.

Read the latest news on HIPS.

The Government is introducing Home Information Packs from 1st June

Due to continuing expansion, Bennett Griffin appoint a new Solicitor.

Smoking will be banned in workplaces with effect from 1 July 2007 across England.

New legislation which took effect on 1 January 2007 requires companies and limited liability partnerships to disclose additional information on their websites and on electronic communication documents such as emails.

"Recent cases surrounding religious discrimination at work remind employers that as well as sex, age and race, they now need to be careful that they don't inadvertently discriminate against people who choose to practise or express their faith at work" says Elaine Smith, employment law specialist with Worthing law firm Bennett Griffin.

As from 1 October 2006 new Fire Regulations [technically the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005] came into effect, replacing most of the previous legislation at a stroke.

On the 1st October 2006 the law relating to age discrimination comes into force. The law is similar to existing discrimination legislation and covers direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation. One way in which it does differ from existing discrimination legislation is that for the first time it will be possible for an employer in some circumstances to justify direct discrimination.

The skills of a Worthing lawyer have been recognised by the UKs leading family law group - Resolution. Kelly Applegate, family lawyer at law firm Bennett Griffin, has recently gained Resolution accredited specialist status.

According to DirectGov there are over 2 million heterosexual couples living together outside marriage in England and Wales. An increasing number of couples are choosing not to formalise their relationship by marrying, many because of previous unhappy marital experiences and consequent painful divorces.

The two big money cases of Miller and McFarlane have hit the headlines recently, providing new guidelines for divorce settlements. Sadly, most of the facts of those cases do not relate to the ordinary man or woman in the street, as few of us have millions of pounds to divide up. But the principles trickle down and do have a bearing on most couples who are trying to sort out their finances.

Local employment law expert Charlotte Hammond, of Worthing Solicitors Bennett Griffin, is warning local employers to note a recent House of Lords ruling which has opened the way for victims of bullying at work to sue their employers for damages even if the employers concerned are or were unaware of the bullying.

Commonly known as HIPs, Home Information Packs will become part of the process of buying and selling residential properties from 1st June 2007. Then, in a radical departure from the system we are all used to, it will become compulsory for anyone selling a house or flat to put together a HIP, before the property is put onto the market.

According to research house IDC (www.idc.com/uk) 27% of software in use in UK businesses is unlicensed that is, it is being used illegally.