Adult change of name (first and/or last names)
As an adult, you are free to change your name whenever you like (save for exceptional circumstances).
If you do decide to change your name, you may require legal proof of the change to obtain certain documentation such as a passport or driver’s licence. » Read more…
We are always committed to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome in their case.
For many of our clients, this does not involve the need for court proceedings as we are often able to reach an agreement with the other party. We will always take time to consider and discuss alternative methods of resolving your dispute with you at a very early stage. » Read more…
Dilapidations are the costs to the tenant of putting a property back into repair, including reinstating tenant’s alterations, at the end of a lease. There appears to be an increase in disagreements between landlords and tenants about dilapidations. This is believed to be linked to leases generally becoming shorter in term, in which case any degradation to the property during the currency of the lease is harder to justify. » Read more…
Taking effect from 24 April 2015, various changes have been made to the visitor visa categories of the UK’s immigration regulations, known as the Immigration Rules. The rules find themselves in the newly coined “Appendix V” of a larger volume of all of the Immigration Rules. » Read more…
In a recent decision The Employment Tribunal has determined that UK law should be construed to include commission in the calculation of entitlement to holiday pay. » Read more…
From 6 April, new pension rules will give people over 55 more freedom regarding how they access their pension savings. Specifically, people over 55 will have the ability to draw an income from their fund at any time they want, or “cash-in” their entire fund. » Read more…
We live in the future, and the benefits are legion. Technology such as social media (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram and so on) coupled with mobile communications technology creates a multitude of opportunities to interact positively with a global audience. What is good about it can also be its chief negative. Social media’s potential anonymity, coupled with a desire to harm someone, can be damaging, particularly to a person’s reputation. Harmful behaviour includes blackmail and harassment. The wrongdoer in this instance is likely attempt to cover their tracks by using, amongst other things, a proxy server, fake accounts/ email addresses and disposable hardware such as an unregistered mobile phone. Reputational damage is a key concern because the impact can be immediate whereas mitigating the damage (and removing instances of the offending information) may be a costly and time-consuming process. » Read more…
In global terms, the Islamic financial services market is estimated to be worth around one trillion dollars (US). The potential for future growth means that investors are looking for further opportunities presented by Shari’a compliant financial products and services. » Read more…
In the case of PGF II SA v OMFS Company 1 Limited [2013] EWCA Civ 1288, Lord Justice Briggs found the dispute “eminently suited to mediation”. Claimant PGF’s offer to mediate was not taken up by the defendant, which Briggs LJ determined was an “unreasonable refusal” to mediate, requiring a costs sanction. The case now stands for the proposition that or a failure to respond to an offer to mediate may expose a litigant, including a successful one, to a potential costs order. » Read more…
The English High Court has ruled that a trustee in bankruptcy should not be permitted to have access to a bankrupt person’s pension scheme savings to discharge debts before the pension becomes payable. » Read more…
