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A deed of variation means that if a beneficiary would like to, they can choose to redirect what has been left to them in a Will to someone else. If you wish to change a person’s Will after their death, you will need a deed of variation to do so....
As part of our new Moving to… series we take a look at some of the most popular areas to live in. We’ll cover the local property market, food & drink, education, transport, culture & attractions and much more. This month we start our journey...
“We have work to do and we have a fight to fight…” These were the words used by Kate Green MP for Stretford and Urmson at this year’s Action Mesothelioma Day in Manchester. The annual event is an important day for many families who are dealing with t...
What is a beneficiary? A beneficiary is a person who has been named to inherit in a Will. This person may be left property, land, or money in the deceased’s Will. What are my rights as a beneficiary? As a beneficiary of a Will, you will only have le...
There were 555,000 non-fatal workplace-related injuries reported by employees last year, according to stats published by HSE. Around 420,000 of these injuries resulted in absences of up to 7 days and 135,000 injuries resulted in absences of more than...
Equestrian injuries can happen in many ways. Anecdotal experience of the horse riding community is that individuals are often very quick to shrug their shoulders either blaming themselves for whatever went wrong or repeating the worn out phrase “It’s...
Leaving money, property and possessions in your Will to your loved ones after your death seems like a natural thing to do. However, is it a good, or even a better idea to make some of these gifts to friends and family during your life rather than wai...
An estimated 555,000 people were injured in the workplace last year, according to the latest data from the Health & Safety Executive. Slips, trips and falls accounted for nearly a third of self-reported workplace accidents, closely followed by ha...
Maisie, aged 19 from Barnsley, is one of only three young spinal cord injured people nominated for the Spinal Injury Association (SIA) Young Person of the Year Award at its Rebuilding Lives Award 2019. Masie was paralysed at the age of 15 from just b...
Kitty Castledine, aged 16 from Thames Ditton in Elbridge, is only one of three young people nominated for the Spinal Injury Association’s (SIA) Young Person of the Year Award at its Rebuilding Lives Award 2019. At the age of seven-years-old, Kitty de...
Nathan Maguire, aged 21 from Chester, is one of only three young spinal cord injured people nominated for the Spinal Injury Association (SIA) Young Person of the Year Award at its Rebuilding Lives Award 2019. At the age of eight-years-old, Nathan wen...
When a loved one dies, it can be an extremely emotional time and you will need some time to process what has happened. When you are feeling ready, there are some practical things that you will need to do. Below are some of the steps you will need to...
It is a sad reality that fraud and theft against the elderly is on the rise. In fact, the charity Action on Elder Abuse estimated that there are around 120,000 cases a year and rising. As elderly people can be some of society’s most vulnerable, ther...
A property survey is a professional assessment of the condition of a property. The survey includes a “health check” of sorts on every aspect of the building including the walls, foundation, chimney, flooring and anything else related to the structure...
Around 17% of British holidaymakers are planning a “staycation” this year. If you’re one of them and you’re travelling by car, then it’s always a good idea to plan ahead with our summer holiday road safety tips… Before you go… One of the best w...
The beautiful area of Richmondshire in Yorkshire and The Humber has been named as the happiest place to live in England, according to the Halifax Quality of Life Survey released this year. Each location is based on local authority rather than a speci...
Your child is the most important thing in the world to you, that is why you should make sure that you have thought about them in every eventuality. What is a guardian? A guardian is someone who will take care of your child in the event of your death....
What is forfeiture? Commercial forfeiture, or ‘re-entry’, is where a landlord has the right to terminate a lease and regain access to the premises if the tenant is in breach, for example through using the property for a purpose that is not allowed, i...
The term ‘Commonhold’ has been in the news a lot recently due to the ongoing discussions about re-invigorating Commonhold as an alternative to leasehold ownership. The Law Commission have published a Consultation Paper in response to concerns regard...
June has been a busy month for property news! Here’s a quick round-up of the latest on Help to Buy ISAs, tenancy admin fees and leasehold reforms… Lifetime ISA replaces Help to Buy ISA in November The Lifetime ISA will replace the curren...
A neurosurgeon practicing in Coventry, Warwick and Northampton has been stopped from carrying out two specific surgical procedures pending further training. Following an inspection by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), Hussein El-Maghraby has been...
BBC news programme highlights concerns regarding surgery performed by a consultant neurosurgeon operating in Coventry, Warwick and Northampton. The BBC’s Inside Out documentary programme featured two independent expert surgeons who severely criticise...
If you’re house-hunting then you’ve more than likely come across the words “chain.” This will include “no chain” or “short chain” or even a “long chain”. A property chain is the connection between three or more buyers and sellers of property....
You’ve worked hard all your life and you want to ensure your family benefits from all of that hard work. So what is the best way to leave money and property to your loved ones without having to needlessly pay thousands in inheritance tax?...
The weather is starting to heat up and we’re edging towards the summer months. Many of us will be dreaming of hotter climes and thinking of taking our children away abroad for a week in the sun. But if you are separated from your children’s other par...
Regional house prices continue to grow despite the current political climate, according to the latest data from Rightmove. House prices by 4% in Wales, 3% in the West Midlands, 2.6% in the North East and 2.1% in the North West. In fact, the price of...
A Lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a very important and useful document to have in place for anyone, not just the elderly. What is an LPA? The government website defines an LPA as: “a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more p...
Unfortunately, road traffic collisions do happen but motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than the drivers of cars, vans and lorries for the following reasons: Motorcyclists are far less likely to be seen as they approach a junction or even just an...
The short answer to this question is no. As summer approaches and we strap on our activity trackers to stride out and count those steps, it is a good time to remind ourselves how to observe the law and keep safe....
At the last estimate, there were over 4.2 million leasehold properties in the UK, with flats accounting for over two-thirds of this. But how do you know it’s the right time for you and other leaseholders in your building to buy the freehold of the bu...
Rob Jones, Associate Solicitor for our Serious & Catastrophic Injury team, discusses the nationwide campaign to encourage drivers not to use their mobile phones on the road. Between 15th – 28th April 2019 the National Police Chiefs Council ran a...
When you give someone an engagement ring, it’s a promise of forever. But what happens if forever doesn’t pan out? Engagement rings are increasingly more and more expensive. So what happens if the wedding is called off or in the event of divorce?...
It is great if you have a Will in place! However, many people think once they’ve got one, that’s it. But you should make sure that your Will is actually valid. There’s a set of criteria that you need to meet to make sure that your Will is legal and w...
It is usual to appoint at least one executor in your will. But what is an executor? What is an executor of a will? An executor is a person who has legal responsibility to deal with your property and financial obligations once you die....
Equity release is becoming more popular than ever, reports the Equity Release Council, with 20,397 customers unlocking £936m of property wealth in the last three months alone. So why do people consider equity release as an option? According to the Fi...
No one ever likes to think about dying and the need to make a Will. However, it is important to have a plan in place to make it as easy as possible for the loved ones you leave behind. Having a Will and naming an executor is therefore very important....
We know that looking for a personal injury solicitor for your injury can be overwhelming – especially so soon after the incident. It might also be daunting to know just what to look for in a solicitor. Fortunately, there are several factors whi...
When your kids are on the cusp of flying the nest for the first time, not only is it an exciting new chapter for them, it is also the start of a new stage in your lives too. Raising a family is an exciting, highly rewarding and huge part of your life...
Are you worried about how your employer will react if you report an injury you sustained in the workplace? Quentin Underhill, solicitor and head of personal injury at Birchall Blackburn Law answers one of the most frequently asked questions when it c...
During an already unpleasant and emotionally charged time, many worry if they will have to go to court when seeking a divorce. The answer to this all depends on whether your divorce is contested or uncontested. Uncontested divorce An uncontested divo...
At the last count, there were 38.2 million registered vehicles on the road, a figure that has increased every year since the end of World War II! But, as we all know, driving comes with great responsibility and skill. Of course, no one is perfect but...
Around 27% of drivers in the UK have a dash cam, according to research by Which. Nearly three-quarters of those drivers thought all drivers should have a dash cam and almost 48% of them said having a dash cam gives them peace of mind in the event of...
The short answer is yes! Part of living a happy and comfortable life is planning ahead. It means you can focus on enjoying life now and not worry about tomorrow. It doesn’t have to take long to make those plans. By simply making a will and a lasting...
Taking the decision to separate from your spouse is always difficult. Friends and family will offer invaluable advice but the tough decisions will still be down to you. Can I get a divorce? To be able divorce your spouse, you must have been married f...
You may already have a good idea of what you would want to put in your Will such as who will organise things and who you want to leave your money or property to, but you may not be aware that there are many other things that you can specifically incl...
A separation is difficult, regardless of whether you are married or not. But, the steps you need to take will depend on whether you are married or cohabiting. What to do if you’re married? If you want to end your marriage, you are likely to seek a di...
Online estate agents Housesimple, looked into the latest Land Registry data on “second steppers.” This is the group of people who are looking to make their second move on the property ladder. Housesimple discovered that buyers would need an average o...
Inevitably, some drivers will be careless and collisions are therefore an unfortunate fact of life. Pedestrians are amongst the most vulnerable of all road users and the injuries they suffer are usually life changing and often fatal. Unlike the drive...
We understand that most people don’t want to think too far into the future, and especially about what would happen if you were no longer around. However, it is important to think about it, have conversations around it, and to have a plan....
Many injuries aren’t eligible for compensation – but if the incident was someone else’s fault then you could have a personal injury claim on your hands. The most common claims come from injuries sustained in road traffic collisions and public l...
As it stands, in order to divorce, unless the parties have been separated for at least two years, one spouse has to allege adultery, cite unreasonable behaviour or desertion to begin divorce proceedings. This can further strain the relationship as bl...
You are likely going to experience a lot of different emotions when going through a divorce. Divorce in itself is an unpleasant experience, and if you didn’t see it coming, or are unprepared, then it can knock you for six. What should I do next?...
The average UK property takes 102 days to find a buyer, according to official stats from the Post Office. At 65 days on average per property, the fastest-selling area at the moment is the West Midlands, with Redditch, in particular, boasting a 45-day...
An estimated 370,300 moved home last year – and that doesn’t include first-time buyers! But how did all those people manage to find their ideal property? Here are five tips and tricks for searching on Rightmove you might not know about… D...
Equity release plans have now “entered the mainstream,” according to The Equity Release Council Spring 2019 Market Report. The latest data shows that 43,879 homeowners aged 55 and over unlocked money from the value of their properties – this in...
Family law is often used as an umbrella term. But what exactly is family law and what does it cover? If you have something going on in your life you may be asking yourself, do I need a family lawyer, will they be able to help me?...
A social media celebrity with over 60 million views was the guest speaker at this month’s Dementia Action Alliance meeting, as it launched its new Living Well Guide. The South Ribble Dementia Action Alliance (SRDAA) met last week to hear from Simon M...
Last year the average deposit put down by first-time buyers was £32,841 and the average price paid for a property was around the £210,000 mark. The most affordable area when it comes to house price and average earnings is Pendle in the North West....
What does a family law specialist do? A family lawyer is a trained legal expert who is able to assist with a variety of different legal matters that might affect you at some point in your life. Family lawyers predominantly help with: Divorce, separat...
We all love our fluffy friends. Dogs are ‘a man’s best friend’ and cats make a house a home. They are a part of our family, and as such, many people choose to leave money in their will in order to look after them in the future....
It is always a good idea to have a lasting power of attorney (LPA) in place, as we never know what the future has in store. Whether you’re 22 or 92, it offers peace of mind to yourself and your loved ones, as you will be safe in the knowledge that yo...
Employees who spend time working alone in the community are being offered advice on staying safe at an event being held in Lancaster next month. The event is aimed at healthcare professionals, care workers, estate agents, legal and finance profession...
What is child maintenance? Child maintenance helps with providing for your child and their everyday living costs. Child maintenance is ordinarily paid from the non resident parent to the parent the child lives with. However, if both parents share the...
There were almost 1.4 million estimated cases of violent assault in England and Wales, according to latest numbers from the Office of National Statistics. Unfortunately, this figure hasn’t changed in the last three years and doesn’t include unreporte...
You may think that once you have written a will, that’s it, job done. However, as you go through life and things change, your wishes and what you’ve put in your will are likely to change along with them. Changes that may alter the wishes that you put...
At present, up to £340,000 equity per home is tied up in homes owned by people aged 55 and over. Equity release can be an effective way to unlock cash from your home. Of course, you should always consider your options carefully, so here’s our mini gu...
If you are about to seek a divorce, it is likely you might have some questions about what actually happens and how long the process is. It can be daunting entering into the divorce process, but our team of family law professionals will help guide you...
There are over 1 million people in the UK living with a long-term or permanent brain injury. This includes individuals with acquired brain injuries since birth and those with traumatic brain injuries caused by an accident, infection, tumour, stroke o...
Rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, and vandalism are some of the worries and potential problems a landlord may have concerns about when choosing their tenants. In fact, 47% of landlords have reported to have had issues with tenants not paying the r...
If you die without making a Will, it is possible that those you care most about will not benefit from your estate after your death. Similarly, if a family member dies without making a will, then you may not inherit from their estate....
The average house price in England was £247,886, according to the latest available data from the official UK House Price Index. If you want to maximise the value of your property, there are several ways you can achieve this. From the smaller fixes if...
In 2016-2017 Headway UK analysed that every 90 seconds someone in the UK was being admitted to hospital for an acquired brain injury (ABI) and every three minutes someone was admitted to hospital with a head injury. Whilst not every one of these was...
Divorce undoubtedly changes your family dynamic. However, with planning and consideration on how best to move forward with your family this can help to minimise any disturbance and focus on enjoying your life in the future. There is inevitably goin...
The answer to this question is yes – provided you think your injury might have been caused by somebody else. That might be due to them doing something dangerous (for example, causing a vehicle crash). It might be due to them failing to do somet...
If you find yourselves facing financial hardship, or disagreements concerning money start to arise, it can trigger family issues. How much money you have, how you’re spending your money and debt are all important areas that can impact on a relationsh...
How severe the injury is does not make it more likely that you will be entitled to compensation but it will dictate how much compensation you receive if your claim succeeds. If you believe someone has done something which caused your injury (or fail...
So you’re not married, but you’ve lived together for years. You want to know where you stand. So where exactly do you stand? Is there such a thing as a common law wife or common law husband? The short answer is no, there’s not....
In short, yes you can! Unfortunately, there are an estimated 1 million uninsured drivers on Britain’s roads. However, the good news is, in most instances where you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver you are able to obtain compensati...
Japanese knotweed, the fast-growing bamboo-like plant that can break through concrete, is predicted to subside over the next two decades. The plant can cut up to 20% off of the value of a property and be a reason for lenders to decline mortgage appli...
Pre-nups might seem unromantic, but are they important to have? Of course, we would never enter into a marriage without thinking it was going to last forever, but do you need a safety net just in case? We take a look at prenuptial agreements,...
If you’re house hunting, especially if you’re looking to buy your own flat, you may have noticed there’s a section called “Tenure.” This is where you’ll find out if a property is being sold under leasehold or freehold terms....
There’s a good chance you will be familiar with prenups, what they are and why it is a good idea to get one. But are you aware of postnups? A postnuptial agreement is very similar to a prenuptial agreement, the only exception is that it is put into p...
Owning your own home is a popular life milestone. But it can be tricky figuring out just how to get on the property ladder in the first place – especially when 52% of prospective first-time buyers struggle with all the financial jargon such as...
Even a minor injury can develop into something more serious if it is not looked after properly and treated carefully. It is important not to dismiss on-going discomfort, pain or restricted movement based on the fact that the injury is small or doesn’...
It might seem like a difficult topic to broach, but talking to your children about your lasting power of attorney is essential. What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? A Lasting Power of Attorney is a document that details who will make important decisi...
If you’re ready to take your first step on the property ladder and become a homeowner, there are a few factors you need to take into account. From assessing your finances to making a successful offer, here are some of our best tips and advice for fir...
Zoopla revealed that the average price paid for property in England and Wales was £310,757 in January 2019! But what does this mean for you? From London to Sunderland, here’s exactly what you can get for around the £310,000 mark in England at the mom...
You may have heard a lot about Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPA), but have you considered making a Financial one? There are two different types of Lasting Power of Attorneys, Health and Welfare and Property and Financial affairs. ...
A new job, being closer to family, upsizing or even downsizing…there are so many reasons why people move house. In fact, the average British homeowner moves home every 23 years, according to the latest research by Zoopla. You may have found you...
In the last decade hospital admissions for dog attacks rose by 76%, according to figures released by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. RSPCA figures show that 37 people have been killed by dogs between 1991 and 2016, 28 of which were...
We had a great catch up with Serious Injury Solicitor Antonia Riley from our Manchester office – and we thought you would like to hear about why she chose law as a career and her fantastic taste in films… What inspired you to work in law?...
It is only natural for a person to take an injury more seriously if they can see its impact, but sight alone is not always a good indication of severity. While injuries involving blood and bruising can obviously be serious, there are plenty of exampl...
We regularly see that delays in medical tests, diagnosis and treatment can have life-changing consequences for a patient. In most cases these delays are simply part of normal medical processes and unavoidable. However, on rare occasions the delays ar...
You may not have even heard of cohabitation agreements before. But if you are living with or thinking of moving in with your partner, maybe to take your relationship to the next stage or to test the waters before you take the plunge and get married,...
What makes for a long and happy marriage? It is perhaps one of the biggest questions in life that doesn’t actually have a clear answer. Most people before their wedding day will try and seek wisdom from those who have been married for decades....
Violent crimes accounted for 1.2 million incidents, according to the latest data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (2017). In many cases, the victim may not know their attacker or, for whatever reason, no one was ever convicted of a crime....
A local family lawyer is campaigning for a change in the law to reduce the fallout from divorce on children, after figures released today revealed the impact of conflict between separating parents. In a new poll, 79% of the population agreed conflict...
Jenna Hogan, trainee solicitor at the Preston office of Birchall Blackburn Law shares the most recent updates on the Solicitors Qualifying Exam and a new route into qualifying from the traditional training contract route: Like most Trainee Solicitors...
Going through medical treatment in hospital is no picnic, but the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) still invited teddy bears to their wards to help children understand and cope with medical procedures. A member of staff, Sue Phillips, r...
When a relationship breaks down that involves children, conflicts can arise about who the child or children will live with and spend time. If you’re unable to come to an agreement, then a Child Arrangements Order is usually sought. This order determi...
Leaving money, property and possessions in your Will to your loved ones after your death seems like...
An estimated 555,000 people were injured in the workplace last year, according to the latest data fr...
Maisie, aged 19 from Barnsley, is one of only three young spinal cord injured people nominated for t...
Kitty Castledine, aged 16 from Thames Ditton in Elbridge, is only one of three young people nominate...
Nathan Maguire, aged 21 from Chester, is one of only three young spinal cord injured people nominate...
When a loved one dies, it can be an extremely emotional time and you will need some time to process...
Leaving money, property and possessions in your Will to your loved ones after your death seems like...
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An estimated 555,000 people were injured in the workplace last year, according to the latest data fr...
Read More
Maisie, aged 19 from Barnsley, is one of only three young spinal cord injured people nominated for t...
Read More
Kitty Castledine, aged 16 from Thames Ditton in Elbridge, is only one of three young people nominate...
Read More
Nathan Maguire, aged 21 from Chester, is one of only three young spinal cord injured people nominate...
Read More