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House hunting can be extremely exciting! It’s a new beginning in a new area and the opportunity for a clean slate. You could be upsizing, downsizing or it could be your first home. But regardless of whether it’s a mansion, or a hobbit hole, your firs...
If you think that the devastating legacy of asbestos is confined to the history books then you are wrong – 2,595 people died in 2016 from the asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma. Every year between 2,500 and 2,700 people continue to die...
Businesses may want to get out of a commercial property lease early for various reasons, such as upscaling and downsizing. Birchall Blackburn Law’s Tony Coates runs the rule over the options. Termination of a lease can be a complex and technically ch...
Help to Buy is a great government initiative that helps hundreds of people buy their first home each year. But as house prices seem to be almost unreachable, and saving a deposit a mammoth task, many people are buying their first house as a couple....
In the North West: • 96% of people leave important health and welfare decisions to chance • By 2025, more than 13 million people who are at risk of mental incapacity will not be prepared • 73% would like a family member to make medical and care decis...
What is a Lasting Powers of Attorney? The government website defines an LPA as: “a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf....
According to the Spinal Injuries Association, 1000 people every year in the UK sustain a spinal cord injury (1). Not only can these injuries be forever life-changing, but accessing the support that you need can be an overwhelming task. If you’re cons...
The sun was shining for the Head Injured People (HIP) corporate charity golf day in Cheshire on 28th June. Nestled in the stunning Cheshire countryside, the 18-hole leading championship course at Macdonald Portal Hotel played host to the 15-team golf...
Having found your perfect business premises, it is essential to negotiate the best possible terms for your commercial lease agreement. Here are some top tips from commercial property lawyer Tony Coates. 1. Be prepared to negotiate The lease agreement...
It’s summer, it’s hot. You’re in your garden preparing for a BBQ when you realise you’ve forgotten an important fixture in the menu. You head to your car, sit behind the wheel – but there’s one thing that stops you from heading off....
Finally some good news from the UK housing market – for renters anyway! Rents have fallen for the first time in almost four years in certain parts of the country. Three areas of the UK have been lucky enough to have their rents fall, for the fi...
You may think that Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA’s) are only for the elderly. However, everyone should make an LPA, regardless of age. If you cycle on busy roads or career down steep mountains then you could be at a greater risk of injury, and maki...
The family of Marcel Chu were in for a shock after his death. He had a close relationship with his family, so they assumed that he would leave any assets he owned to them. Unbeknown to them, they’d been written out of his will by a controlling...
We’ll be making waves at Headway Wirral’s Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday 7th July! The event is held at the local sailing club at Hoylake and is the festival’s 7th annual race. There will be food and drink, including a BBQ, entert...
The rush of the wind, the burn of the legs, the chance to travel through some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes – it’s no wonder cycling is one of the world’s most popular sports, with over 10.2 million (1) of us in the UK riding regular...
Derry was three-years-old when he contracted a virus that permanently damaged his spinal cord. His diagnosis was ‘transverse myelitis’, a virus that causes inflammation of both sides of one section of the spinal cord. While many would falter under th...
You may think that Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA’s) are only for the elderly. However, everyone should make an LPA, regardless of age. If you participate in sport and are at a greater risk of injury, then making an LPA is something you need to seri...
In November 2001, Evie was born a healthy looking baby. The only worry her parents had was the red mark at the bottom of her back. While the midwives assured her parents the mark was normal, a year later on her first birthday, they were informed that...
The Alzheimer’s Society definition of dementia is: ‘a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have becom...
It was the start of the 2016 Summer Holidays when Callan’s life changed. At 16 years old, a talented footballer, snowboarder and keen skateboarder, Callan suffered a C5 injury after falling from a rope swing and breaking his neck. Through intense reh...
Mirror wills explained Writing a will can often be a daunting experience but it is important to have a will in place and know which type of will is best suited to your individual circumstances. Mirror wills are created for married or unmarried couple...
Elaine Roberts from the Preston office has completed an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Champions Induction Day and is now registered to present Dementia Friends Information Sessions to local groups, individuals, the general public, and our own B...
It may be good news for those looking to get on the property ladder with London facing the worst performance in house prices since the financial crisis in 2009, but a report from Resolution Foundation stated that in some parts of the country ‘generat...
You will have most likely heard of the famous and very sad story of Greyfriars Bobby. Bobby was a Skye terrier who was famous in Edinburgh in the 19th Century for guarding his owner’s grave for 14 years, until he himself died on 14th January 1872....
My hat is a Mad Hatter hat. You know, like the one in Alice in Wonderland? It’s wacky. My friends can’t believe I’m wearing it to work next week. But it’s a special day and I’ll be wearing that hat no matter what....
North West law firm Birchall Blackburn Law has made three senior promotions across its private client and conveyancing teams. Fiona Hendry Joan Kennedy Michelle Fairhurst Fiona Hendry, Joan Kennedy and Michelle Fairhurst have all been...
Anna-Marie Knipe is a partner at Birchall Blackburn Law. She is constantly busy with clients and attending local events, but I managed to catch her for a chat earlier this week. We met at a lovely coffee shop opposite the Leyland office to talk about...
Moving house is said to be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. There’s so much to remember, redirecting post, changing utility bills and a new postcode to learn. It can be a challenge to remember everything you need to do....
It was recently reported in the press that a 94 year old pensioner, (Mr Hodge), excluded his partner, (Mrs Thompson), of 42 years from his will, so that she did not inherit anything from his £1.5 million pound estate. He instead divided his estate eq...
So you’ve sent your kids to the grandparents and you have dinner reservations at eight. You’re about to leave your house, but before you do you set your burglar alarm. That way you’ll be safe in the knowledge that your house is protected whilst you’r...
A break clause is a provision in a lease enabling the landlord or tenant to end the lease prior to the expiry of the contractual term. Tony Coates, head of commercial property at Birchall Blackburn Law, explains why great care needs to be taken when...
After a serious accident, the physical injuries are just one part of the aftermath. You may have sustained only minor injuries, or you may have fully recovered from serious ones. You may have witnessed the fatal accident of your loved one or you may...
The old wives tale of putting butter on your cat’s paws to stop them returning to the old house is unfortunately not true. The logic behind the myth was that by the cat licking off the butter from their paws, they would remove the scent of the...
A new independent café bar has opened in Southport town centre this week, breathing new life into a vacant shop unit in Bold Street. Kokomo has been launched by Southport resident Adam Lunt who has swapped a career in marketing and business developme...
Birchall Blackburn Law has made a double appointment to its serious injury team in the region. Leanne Tattam and Robert Jones have both joined the firm as associate solicitors from CFG Law. Leanne and Robert join Birchall Blackburn Law two months aft...
Birchall Blackburn Law has gained a new solicitor after one of its trainees became qualified. Amy Worthington has been offered a permanent position at Birchall Blackburn Law after completing a two-year training contract with the firm. After gaining e...
April is Birchall Blackburn Law’s ‘make a Will month’ to help raise money for Queenscourt Hospice. For the past few years, Birchall Blackburn Law has been supporting the hospice, and last year the campaign raised an impressive £17,702 (including gift...
It is the fear of many that when they receive the results of the survey on their dream home, that there are going to be major things wrong. One of these potential nightmare items that could appear on a survey is asbestos....
You’ve promised you’ll go on a countryside adventure with the kids and lo and behold – it’s raining again. Not to worry, you’ve got your wellies on and you’re ready to go…but there’s just one problem. Is it illegal for me to drive with we...
It’s moving day. Boxes are piled high, the removal men and women are already loading the van, and everything is labelled. You think you’ve remembered everything, except you haven’t. There’s one very important thing you’ve forgotten: the dog. Do...
It was a full house at the Senior Road Users Workshop yesterday (Wednesday 7th March). The event gave elderly drivers information on everything “you need to know about staying safe and independent whilst driving”. The event was held at Flyde Rugby Cl...
Regional city house prices make fast gains on the Capital While London’s property market is stalling the UK’s northern and midland’s cities have seen major growth in house prices, according to Hometrack. Immediately following the 2007-2008 financial...
If you have been injured in an accident and it impacts on your daily life, then you need to know what steps to take next. Head of personal injury at Birchall Blackburn Law, Quentin Underhill, looks at the questions frequently asked by people looking...
Birchall Blackburn Law has appointed experienced lawyer Quentin Underhill to lead its serious injury team in the region. Quentin, a specialist in serious and catastrophic injury cases, joins from Cheshire-based CFG Law where he was a partner. His pre...
Going through a divorce can be a difficult and confusing time. Gillian Graveson, family law partner at Birchall Blackburn Law looks at how alternative dispute resolution can make the process easier. It’s very rare for couples to find themselves going...
A partnership of local organisations that’s helped make South Ribble a ‘dementia-friendly borough’ has named a local solicitor as its new chair person. The South Ribble Dementia Action Alliance (SRDAA) has appointed Anna-Marie Knipe, a lawyer with Bi...
A recent report shows that seven in ten divorcing couples don’t consider pensions during the divorce process. Partner and expert in family law at Birchall Blackburn Law, Gillian Graveson explores. Research carried out by Scottish Widows has shown th...
Have you been advised to make a Lasting Power of Attorney, but don’t know what one is or why you would ever need one? Here, Anna-Marie Knipe, partner and expert in private client services for the elderly at Preston-based law firm Birchall Blackburn L...
Our office front doors won’t be open between Christmas and the New Year, but many of our staff will be working throughout the Christmas period and will be happy to help you. Happy Christmas!...
Unmarried partners in long-term relationship have had their rights improved after the death of a partner, thanks to an historic judgement by the Court of Appeal. Jakki Smith, an NHS worker from Chorley, has won her case against the government for bre...
Cathy MacCracken, partner at Birchall Blackburn Law, discusses what the firm has done to create a dementia friendly workplace. We understand how daunting it can be for people to visit a solicitor’s office for the first time, so to come when you have...
Kristina Smith, private client partner at Birchall Blackburn Law and STEP appointed practitioner, looks at what digital assets are and how people can include them in their will. What are my digital assets? Like many people, you probably spend a chun...
Following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement, the media has speculated on whether they will sign a prenuptial agreement. Partner and expert in family law at Birchall Blackburn Law, Gillian Graveson explains why you may consider entering a pr...
Mesh implants that are currently used to treat pelvic organ prolapse should be banned in England, says the health watchdog NICE. In April (2017) it was reported that more than 800 UK women are taking legal action against the NHS and the makers of vag...
Model Tomlin order for settlement of future immunotherapy claims Fiona Hendry, mesothelioma specialist at Birchall Blackburn Solicitors, discusses this revolutionary treatment for mesothelioma victims and the ways in which these claims can be settled...
A North West law firm has been recognised for its outstanding customer service by the largest independent customer service awards scheme for conveyancers in the UK. Birchall Blackburn Law took home a total of 11 awards at The ESTAS 2017. Winning in t...
What do you do if you suspect poor medical care or medical negligence? The vast majority of people treated by the NHS or through private healthcare services in England and Wales will be happy with their treatment and care. However, this is not always...
Gillian Graveson, partner and expert in family law services at Birchall Blackburn Law, looks at how people buying a house or living together can protect their investment. We’re lending my son and his girlfriend money for their house deposit; what ha...
Claims by a senior judge that the ‘power of attorney’ system is open to abuse should not put people off making them, according a North West lawyer. Kristina Smith, a partner at Birchall Blackburn Law, says that if the right legal advice is taken, the...
As national Alzheimer’s awareness month comes to an end, Anna-Marie Knipe, partner and expert in private client services at Birchall Blackburn Law, looks at what your role would be if you were named in a Lasting Power of Attorney. What is a Lasting...
Birchall Blackburn Law has been recognised for its outstanding customer service by the biggest award scheme in the UK residential property industry. Birchall Blackburn Law have been shortlisted by the ESTAS in the national, regional and individual co...
Sepsis, a rare but potentially fatal infection, is not being diagnosed and treated by some NHS hospitals within the recommended time, according to figures from 104 NHS trusts. BBC Panorama has seen the data that suggests one in four hospitals is fail...
Diabetes diagnosis and medical negligence If a person’s diabetes is not diagnosed or managed appropriately then there can be serious and catastrophic consequences. It is not just diagnosis and treatment that has to be timely; adequate monitoring foll...
Have you been advised to appoint an executor of your will, but you’re not sure what they are or why you would need one? Kristina Smith, private client partner at Preston-based law firm Birchall Blackburn Law, answers some frequently asked questions...
At the base of the spine there is a group of nerves responsible for sensory and motor stimulation to the pelvis and lower limbs, as well as bowel and bladder function – these are known as cauda equina. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is caused by p...
People regularly go through the process of buying a new house, but they are often unaware of how important the conveyancing process can be. Michael Foxford, head of the conveyancing team at law firm Birchall Blackburn Law, answers some frequently ask...
Commercial property success for Birchall Blackburn Law conveyancers as Egyptian bar & ‘mezzah’ prepares to open in Southport A new Egyptian bar serving traditional ‘mezzah’ food is set to open in Lord Street later this summer creating around 20...
Birchall Blackburn Law has won a prestigious conveyancing award which celebrates excellence in client care. The Modern Law Conveyancing Awards have recognised Birchall Blackburn Law as the Conveyancing Firm of the Year- North of England. The awards i...
More than 709,000 patient medical notes have been left to build-up in a warehouse and it is feared that more than 1,700 patients may have suffered harm as a result. The records include cancer test results and child protection notes. It is thought tha...
Every patient fitted with a metal-on-metal hip joint is being advised by the Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to undergo X-ray and blood tests. The watchdog has issued the warning after the hip replacement products have been f...
The new climbing season starts in earnest for members of the GB Paraclimbing Team this month. Before they hop over to Imst in Austria for the first IFSC international competition of the season (July 8-9), we grabbed five minutes with members of the t...
The new climbing season starts in earnest for members of the GB Paraclimbing Team this month. Before they jetted off for Imst in Austria for the first IFSC international competition of the season (July 8-9), we grabbed five minutes with members of th...
The new climbing season starts in earnest for members of the GB Paraclimbing Team this month. Before they packed their bags and set off for Imst in Austria for the first IFSC international competition of the season (July 8-9), we grabbed five minutes...
Mesh implants that are currently used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth are causing some women life-changing injuries. It is estimated that about one in 11 women go on to experience problems after a vaginal mesh procedu...
A team of asbestos and asbestosis lawyers have raised more than £550 for cancer charity Maggie’s by finishing the Essar Chester Half marathon earlier this month. Stuart Hughes, from the National Asbestos Helpline, a service offered by Birchall Blackb...
Many people who run their own business from home get to a point where they need to consider renting a commercial property to continue to grow. Tony Coates, head of the commercial property team Birchall Blackburn Law, answers some frequently...
North West law firm, Birchall Blackburn Law, has announced five senior promotions across the region. Three associates have been promoted to partner. They are Andrea Fairweather of the Residential Property team in Manchester, Chris Bolton of the Perso...
Birchall Blackburn Law has been shortlisted for a prestigious conveyancing award which celebrates excellence in client care. The Modern Law Conveyancing Awards have recognised Birchall Blackburn Law in the Conveyancing firm of the year- North...
Dragons will be racing across the choppy waters of West Kirby Mariner Lake this Saturday May 20 to raise money for a vital head injury charity in Wirral. Headway Wirral is holding its fifth Dragon Boat Festival with nearly 20 motley crews from local...
People in Lancashire living with dementia can now access an expert list of legal advisors A nationwide list of solicitors has been launched by Alzheimer’s Research UK to help people locate local lawyers who have experience of working with those livin...
The commercial property team at Birchall Blackburn Law, has advised on the lease of offices in Southport for one of the UK’s fastest growing healthcare providers. Kare Plus is one of the largest providers of high quality care and support services for...
I’ve been knocked off my bike and injured; do I have the same rights to a solicitor as a car driver? Yes. Just because you are a riding a bicycle doesn’t mean you have fewer rights than other road users. In fact quite the opposite is true....
GB Paraclimber and catastrophic head injury survivor, Dave Bowes, tells us how friends and the climbing community help him cope. It is typical for survivors of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to experience social isolation and loneliness due to life c...
Birchall Blackburn Law conveyancers are setting high standards when it comes to putting client needs first. The team, who deal with a whole variety of conveyancing transactions across the UK and Europe are based in the company’s offices in Man...
Parents can be prosecuted for taking children out of school for holidays Birchall Blackburn Law expert says parents could be prosecuted on an unprecedented scale following a Supreme Court ruling over term time holidays. The Supreme Court has ruled th...
Law firm outlines commitment to create dementia friendly community Birchall Blackburn Law has shown its commitment to raising awareness of dementia after becoming a founding member of an action group. As a member of the South Ribble Dementia Action A...
We were privileged to be recently invited to the British Lung Foundation (BLF) mesothelioma research up-date to members of its Mesothelioma Patron Scheme. Hosted by the BLF’s CEO Dr Penny Woods, we heard news from Nathan Bennett, Policy and Public Af...
Birchall Blackburn Law backs hospice’s Will making campaign Birchall Blackburn Law’s Southport Office is backing Queenscourt Hospice’s ‘Make A Will Month’ this April. The firm has pledged to waive its will-writing fees in return for a donation to the...
On the 27th February 2017 the Justice Secretary Liz Truss made a decision to dramatically reduce the discount rate from 2.5% to -0.75%. It was a decision that has rocked the insurance industry that is in uproar. The effect of the decision is to signi...
Law firm’s support gives hospice funds a boost A Lancashire hospice’s funds have been boosted by more than £6,500 following support from law firm Birchall Blackburn Law. The firm teamed up with St Catherine’s Hospice in Lostock Hall, near Preston, f...
Law firm Birchall Blackburn Law has shown its commitment to raising awareness of dementia after becoming a founding member of an action group. As a member of the South Ribble Dementia Action Alliance, the firm has pledged to help transform the qualit...
A trainee at Southport-based Birchall Blackburn Law has qualified as a solicitor following a two-year training programme. Jennifer McGowan, from Southport, has completed her training contract with the firm – which has seven offices across the N...
A decision by the Lord Chancellor, Elizabeth Truss, to lower the Discount Rate when calculating compensation should see compensation payments rise for clinical negligence victims. When the amount a person receives from a compensation payment is calcu...
Despite the fact that mesothelioma will be responsible for 60,000 UK deaths over the next 30 years research into the deadly lung cancer is underfunded. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable type of chest cancer caused by expos...
Birchall Blackburn Law has reported a 13 per cent increase in turnover, following a year of investing in its people and resources. The firm, which has offices in Manchester, Chester, Preston, Chorley, Leyland and Morecambe has surpassed turnov...
Up until August of last year Dave was making a spectacular recovery from a muscle tear in his left shoulder, which he sustained during the finals of a national ice climbing competition at the end of 2015. It had taken him three months of rehabilitati...
North West law firm, Birchall Blackburn Law, has promoted a long-serving residential property manager at its Manchester office to Partner. Rachel Buckley, from Failsworth, joined the company as a legal assistant when she was 16. She has a wealth of e...
Kate Allatt almost died in 2010 when she suffered a severe brain stem stroke. After her coma she woke up completely locked in. She could hear and see everything around her but was completely paralysed. Her fight back was against all the odds and medi...
Financial affairs warning ahead of digital divorce plans Divorcing online could lead to an increase in ex-spouses making financial claims many years later – unless affairs are properly addressed, a family law expert said today. Gill Graveson,...
According to the Spinal Injuries Association, 1000 people every year in the UK sustain a spinal cord...
The sun was shining for the Head Injured People (HIP) corporate charity golf day in Cheshire on 28th...
Having found your perfect business premises, it is essential to negotiate the best possible terms fo...
It’s summer, it’s hot. You’re in your garden preparing for a BBQ when you realise you’ve forgotten a...
Finally some good news from the UK housing market – for renters anyway! Rents have fallen for...
You may think that Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA’s) are only for the elderly. However, everyone sh...
According to the Spinal Injuries Association, 1000 people every year in the UK sustain a spinal cord...
Read MoreThe sun was shining for the Head Injured People (HIP) corporate charity golf day in Cheshire on 28th...
Read MoreHaving found your perfect business premises, it is essential to negotiate the best possible terms fo...
Read MoreIt’s summer, it’s hot. You’re in your garden preparing for a BBQ when you realise you’ve forgotten a...
Read MoreFinally some good news from the UK housing market – for renters anyway! Rents have fallen for...
Read More