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Many people mistakenly believe if they write a Will, that’s all they need to do. However, as life goes on, personal and financial circumstances can change, which may affect the terms of your Will. The law sets out the rules which govern the validity of Wills. Why should...
From January to March this year 162,270 new houses were built by private developers, with plenty more on the way later this year. There are several reasons to opt for a new-build house, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. Here are just a few of the best reasons to buy a...
Nine in ten of the UK population has moved home in the last 30 years, according to recent data from Master Removers. Moving house means lots of packing – and lots of packing means lots of planning. Here are some of our favourite pro packing tips for moving house…...
This month we take a look at the latest property news including the city with the strongest growth in house prices, the new landlord ‘blacklist,’ the PM’s stamp duty pledges and more… Liverpool, Nottingham and Cardiff house growth strongest in England and Wales Liverpo...
Fanatical about finance tech? Crazy about the creative industry? No matter what career path you want to pursue (or are currently on!), there is a location for everyone in the UK. We’ve hand-picked five of the top twenty cities deemed some of the best places to further your c...
Some 595,000 people have suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, resulting in 15.4 million working days lost due to illness. So can you sue your employer for emotional distress? If you want to claim against your employer for emotional distress, the determi...
What is an LPA? The gov.uk 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. This gives you more control over what happens to you if you...
If you have recently been diagnosed with dementia, or this has happened to somebody close to you, it can seem scary at first and the future can seem very uncertain. At some point though, you will want to consider what kind of support is required so that life can carry on as...
Co-parenting isn’t always straightforward, and sometimes circumstances may arise in which you no longer feel that your child is safe spending time with their other parent alone. In this instance, you may still want your child to spend time with their other parent, but only w...
When you make a Will for the first time, it is more than likely that you will need to change it in the future, due to changes in your personal circumstances, and/or changes in the law. It is important to review your Will at least every two – three years, even if you d...
From mobile apps to conveyancing dashboards, online solicitor services are fast becoming the norm. There are a lot of advantages to using an online conveyancing solicitors including saving time, accessing information quickly and clear and concise language. Of course, it is e...
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 go to the beautiful historical city of Che...
The new Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 will came into force on Wednesday 31st July. This new law is designed to end the difficulties currently faced by the families of missing persons. It is estimated that 180,000 people every year are reported missing, the majority...
We all know we should make a Will. But for many of us, we’re not really sure why we should. This means that the vast majority of us put off doing it until much later in life, which can sometimes be too late, especially if we are lacking capacity to do so through illness. So...
Birchall Blackburn Law has announced the promotion and appointment of specialist property solicitor, Jennifer Gadsdon to Partner. With the promotion of Jennifer, Birchall Blackburn Law’s specialist property team continues to strengthen its expertise after also being awarded...
When starting the divorce process one party will commence proceedings and will be known as a Petitioner. To start divorce proceedings an application is made which is known as a petition. The Petition will need to be sent to the Court and a fee will be paid to the Court. You...
School’s back in session, so the roads are busier again. No matter how old your kids are, it’s always a good idea to keep their knowledge fresh. Whether they’ve just started nursery or they’re in their last year of school, there’s always something about road safety you can t...
The starting point is to ask yourself whether the injury was caused by a collision incident that was somebody else’s fault. At the scene, the other person (who will usually have been a driver) might have tried to blame you. They might have said “it was just an accident – no...
July has seen lots of news in the property market. This month we found that first-time buyers are purchasing bigger homes, what’s going on with the leasehold reforms and much more… Wales is the most affordable place in the UK to rent a home Wales has been named as the...
Over 55s can earn an average of £109,659 if they downsized from a detached three bedroom home to an apartment or bungalow, according to a recent study by Lloyds Bank. If you live in the South East, you could see a potential average “equity windfall” of £273,466 if you choose...
Many people can be unsure about what happens after someone dies when it comes to dealing with their estate. It can be a very emotional time, and dealing with solicitors and legal documents can seem daunting and confusing. In this blog, we discuss when it will be necessary t...
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. The deed allows for the bene...
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 in the North West with a...
“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 the devastating effects of...
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 legal rights on your share...
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 7 days. Almost a third o...
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 just the risk you take.”...
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 waiting until you’re gone? ...
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 handling, lifting or carryi...
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 below her chest after deve...
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 developed a rare virus call...
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 went to sleep and overnight...
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 carry out. Who can/should...
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, there is a lot of trust place...
Brake, the road safety charity, has announced a partnership with serious injury solicitor firm Birchall Blackburn Law. This partnership offers vital assistance to Brake’s helpline which supports road victims and in campaigning for safer roads as part of the National R...
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 of the property. The su...
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 ways to prepare for your r...
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 specific town or city. Results...
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. They will take on all pa...
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, insolvency or rent arrears...
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 regarding leasehold ownership....
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 current Help to Buy ISA from th...
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 told not to perform any m...
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 the work of neurosurgeon...
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. The start of the chain is a buye...
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? What is inheritance tax? Inheritance...
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 parent, then you may be unsu...
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 newly-listed properties i...
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 people (known as ‘attorney...
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 another vehicle. This is so...
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. When pedestrians DO have right of way This is the basic list:...
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 building? We let you in on...
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 national campaign to crac...
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? Who actually legally owns the...
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 will be adhered to after y...
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. They are responsible for collecting in a...
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 Financial Times, it depends...
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. What is an executor? An...
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 which could suggest a seriou...
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. And for many, as this c...
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 comes to having an acciden...
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 divorce is when both spouses...
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 here are the top five Hi...
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 power of attorney, you ca...
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 for at least 12 months and...
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 include. What is a Will? A W...
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 divorce. However, if you’re...
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 of £75,388 to move from a...
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 driver, the pedestrian will no...
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. Putting a Will in place will provide...
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 liability claims. The Depa...
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 blame has to be placed on o...
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? It is important to have the a...
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 selling time! But someti...
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… Draw your own search area...
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 includes 25,907 new plans....
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? Here we cover what family law is and if a fam...
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 McDermott, the son of Tedd...
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. The average deposit a fir...
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, separation and ending civil part...
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. So just how rich are some of these pets? The wo...
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 your finances and welfare h...
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 professionals and others who may sp...
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 day to day responsibilit...
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 unreported assaults. If you’ve bee...
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 in your original will mi...
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 guide to unlocking cash fro...
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 through every stage of t...
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 or medical negligence. For...
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 rent on time. There are ho...
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. Dying without a will is known as dying “I...
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 you’re on a budget to th...
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 life changing, many are,...
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 going to be be some disruptio...
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 something they ought to have d...
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 relationship. And in the midst of...
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 failed to do something which...
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. This catches a lot of people out as they wrongl...
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 compensation through the Motor Insu...
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 applications. The mortgage len...
A neurosurgeon practicing in Coventry, Warwick and Northampton has been stopped from carrying out tw...
BBC news programme highlights concerns regarding surgery performed by a consultant neurosurgeon oper...
We regularly see that delays in medical tests, diagnosis and treatment can have life-changing conseq...
A new diagnostic tool that uses artificial intelligence to identify eye conditions could mean faster...
It is a legal requirement for a patient to give informed consent before any medical treatment can go...