Posted on 27/07/10, filed under Business Law | No Comments
Do you own, help to run, or work for a local company which would benefit from our legal experts offering advice at your offices, at a time which is convenient for you and the company? Are you the sort of boss or employee who wants to show they care about their staff and colleagues?
This initiative will benefit you, your staff and your colleagues at absolutely no cost to the organisation as we provide free confidential legal surgeries to the workforce, with individual 15 minute consultations within your lunch hour. This means that the company’s productivity is not affected by members of staff having to take time out for that vital initial appointment with a lawyer.
We all know how personal problems can impact on our worklife. Unresolved issues about relationships, children, and money, can lead to increased stress and sickness levels; a lack of motivation, and absenteeism from work. In offering this unique service, we are helping you, your workforce, and ultimately the business, to stay fit and well and profitable.
Please email or call our Family Law experts Jackie Gifford and Jackie Mensah to book an appointment today or simply to discuss our full range of Bennett Griffin LLP services.
For more information on well being click here to view The advocate Issue 4
Posted on 29/06/10, filed under family law | No Comments
Bennett Griffin LLP says unmarried couples are at risk if they don’t plan or prepare for all eventualities when co-habiting or combining assets.
Following a recent case where a man who had split up with his co-habiting partner 17 years ago, was awarded a half share in the house they once lived in, even though he had never paid the mortgage.
The house was purchased as joint tenants or co - owners and remained so after the relationship dissolved.
Bennett Griffin LLP says couples should plan for a worst case scenario where they split up and must deal with distribution of their assets, as co-habiting couples have fewer rights than those who are married or in a civil partnership.
Seeking the advice of a solicitor before moving in or breaking up can help to make this as painless as possible and could save a lot of time and money if you do split up.
Rights surrounding parental responsibility, wills and pensions also differ compared to couples who are married or in a civil partnership. These issues can be explained in detail by a family solicitor.
Law Society President Robert Heslett says:
“It is no surprise that couples do not want to consider the ramifications if they break up but it is essential that when committing to set up home together to seek legal advice from a solicitor in order to prepare for any eventuality.
“Cases like the one described are happening all too frequently and we urge co-habiting couples to ensure they have protected their assets or they too may face a similar fate.”
This advice comes as part of the Law Society’s nationwide YOUR SOLICITOR, QUALIFIED TO ANSWER campaign, which takes a Beatles theme with the strapline ‘Help, I need somebody’. It is currently featured in the national press, on trams, metros, railway stations, buses, on taxis, at televised cricket matches and online, with over 380 million opportunities to see.
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/productsandservices/services/promotingyourpractice.law
Notes for editors
The Law Society Customer Guides cover a range of common legal problems, including; Using a solicitor, Setting up home with your partner, Civil partnerships Buying a home, Making a will, Renting a home, Renting out your property, Getting a divorce, Making a personal injury claim, Probate, Claiming asylum and Problems at work.
The Law Society’s customer guides can be downloaded from the website www.lawsociety.org.uk and free copies can be ordered by calling 0870 3333 084 or by sending an e-mail to law.society@corporatemailing.co.uk
Posted on 27/04/10, filed under Personal Injury (PI) | No Comments
The High Court was told yesterday that customers who were injured after buying “toxic” sofas were to receive up to £20 million in compensation between them.
This is believed to be the largest consumer group litigation in British legal history with more than 1,500 victims expected to receive between £1,175 and £9,000 each.
Yesterdays’ ruling only relates to “non-severe” cases and legal action continues in 3,000 more severe cases where liability remains in dispute.
It is estimated that 100,000 leather sofas of the type that have caused these injuries have been sold. These sofas, manufactured in China, contained the antifungal chemical DMF – dimethyl fumarate – which has now been banned by the EU, and caused some people to suffer burns, eye problems and breathing difficulties.
David Hawkins of Bennett Griffin LLP’s Personal Injury team has been handling two of the cases which form part of this historic group litigation.
David says “both of my clients suffered burns to their skin having had an allergic reaction to the DMF chemical used to treat the leather sofa’s they bought from Argos. Although one of the cases I have been dealing with has now settled yesterdays ruling will allow my other clients case and the thousands who suffered injuries like his, to receive appropriate compensation for their injuries and allow them to put what has been a difficult time behind them”.
Article from Times Online:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article7108906.ece
