Illott v Mitson judgement
The supreme court has overturned a decision to increase the sum of money left to a woman by her estranged mother, who left her entire £500,000 estate to three animal charities. The protracted dispute over Melita Jackson’s will has made its way through the English courts since her death, at 70, in 2004. The final judgment, handed down on Wednesday, overturned a court of appeal ruling which increased the amount awarded to Jackson’s only child, Heather Ilott. Ilott was rejected by her mother at 17 after she left home in 1978 to live with her boyfriend, Nicholas Ilott, whom she later...
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2 min read.
Family & Matrimonial: Child Arrangement Disputes
According to the most recent figures from the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) there has been an increase in court applications involving living arrangement disputes and the time children should spend with the non-resident parent. Here our Family and Matrimonial solicitor, Lisa Cogger, explains the legal process involved. Since the 1980s the courts have applied what they have called a “strong presumption” or an “assumption” that the child’s welfare is best served by remaining involved with both parents following their separation or divorce. It is understandable that the end of a relationship for many parents is difficult....
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5 min read.
White paper could put our housing market in order
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, has now unveiled the much anticipated Housing White Paper – Danielle Newbon from our property team looks at the key issues the consultation paper raises for homebuyers, developers and the rental sector. The Housing White paper follows a push by the government to build at least one million homes by 2020 (200,000 per annum), an extremely tough target when you consider 190,000 homes were built in 2015/16 while the average build rate since the 1970’s has been 160,000. Danielle says: “This is certainly not a new concern as there has been talk of...
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4 min read.
How to resolve (and hopefully avoid) commercial disputes
Settling a commercial dispute satisfactorily can save your business a lot of money, effort and anxiety. So what is the key to a favourable outcome? Our commercial disputes specialist Tim Wolley offers his advice here: Good credit management is essential – keep your company financial matters under regular review and beware of extending an account too much credit. Don’t be afraid to ask – for a personal guarantee from a business owner. This is an unsecured written promise guaranteeing payment on an equipment lease or loan in the event the business does not pay. Since it is unsecured, a personal guarantee is not tied to...
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4 min read.
Farming & Agricultural divorce
Farms are very specialised businesses and it is important to have the right quality of legal advice to ensure a fair outcome. This is an area where experience counts, as claims against farms can be damaging to both their short and long term viability. Farming families need to think about their divorce settlement in a very different way when it is the farm that is at stake rather than simply the family home. Agricultural divorce can therefore be uniquely complex. On divorce, the Courts are able to transfer or sell farmland, distribute business assets or transfer shares between the couple...
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2 min read.
Law firm supports rising Derbyshire star
Solicitors Bowcock & Pursaill will sponsor Derby event rider Danielle Meehan as she aims to compete at the top level of the equine sport. The sponsorship is a good fit for the legal firm, which has a reputation for specialising in equine and agricultural law issues for clients across Staffordshire, Derbyshire and the UK. Danielle, aged 27, from Derby, has been riding since she was six years old and is currently in training with Olympic silver medallist Jeanette Brakewell, based in Uttoxeter, as she aims to rise through the ranks to the top of her sport. She said: “I absolutely love the adrenaline of eventing and my...
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2 min read.
Jumper power raises charity cash
Staff at Bowcock & Pursaill all donned their Christmas jumpers on Friday for the Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day. Silly sweaters were on show across all of our offices in Leek, Uttoxeter, Eccleshall and Hanley for the day in return for a donation, and the event has been widely supported by celebrities from Peter Andre and Holly Willoughby to tennis star Andy Murray and Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington. So far the national annual event has raised more than £530,000 and the cash raised helps fund Save the Children projects around the world with essentials like healthcare, education, protection and food. Emma...
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1 min read.
Are you living together? Frequently asked questions about cohabitation…
Cohabiting couples often assume that moving in together as a couple creates similar rights and responsibilities as marriage – so-called common law marriage – however this does not have any legal recognition. If you are moving in together you should know how cohabiting affects your legal position and how you can protect yourselves should your relationship end or one of you dies. Our family and matrimonial specialist Lisa Cogger here at Bowcock & Pursaill Solicitors explains more and answers your most common questions… YOUR LEGAL STATUS Q. Is it true that if you live with someone for so many years then you have some...
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7 min read.
Free legal advice for sports clubs
Bowcock & Pursaill Solicitors are supporting the Stoke-on-Trent European City of Sport 2016, and on November 22nd our own Tim Wolley is attending a special City Council organised event (see below) dedicated to supporting our local sports clubs. Tim will be on hand throughout the evening to offer advice to sports clubs, groups and associations on a whole host of legal issues which affect them, from governance to liability and equality legislation. For more information about the full range of support we can offer your club click here or contact Tim direct on 01782 200007. Book your space today!
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1 min read.