Posts Tagged ‘solicitor’

Divorce Rates Hit New Low

November 6th, 2010

England and Wales can now boast the lowest divorce rates since 1979. In 2008 just 11.2 divorces were carried out for every 1,000 married people. But a sharp rise could be on the horizon as lawyers predict that an ease in the recession could free thousands of couples from the financial bondage of marriage.

The divorce rate decreased by 2.5% in 2008 to just 11.5 per 1,000 married people, compared with 11.8 in 2007. Figures decreased from 128,232 to 121,779 divorcing couples. Divorce rates in Scotland and Northern Ireland fell even further, at 10% and 4.8% respectively.

But what are the reasons for this new low? Though the Office for National Statistics who published the divorce rates could not come up with an answer, a number of theories have been presented as to the causes. Possibly people who now marry are more committed to each other, as people are waiting longer and are significantly older when they now marry their partner. Or couples who wish to divorce do not have the finances to do so during the current recession.

Some lawyers, including family lawyer Martin Loxley, believe that the reduction is thanks to rising alternatives to divorce. Many people are now pursuing a judicial separation which keeps court involvement to a minimum and can be undertaken at the fraction of the cost of a divorce. Divorce rates do not give an accurate reflection of society as it does not include the separations of cohabiting couples.

Divorce lawyer Ayesha Vardag was more sceptical, stating “our experience is that fewer couples are divorcing because fewer are marrying”. Cohabitation is a result of the increased social acceptability of couples living together and having children outside marriage, and partly resulting from anxiety over the financial consequences of marriage.

It is yet to be seen whether divorce rates will rise in the next few years, but Pannone law firm has already announced a 6% rise in divorces during the past 3 months.

You can find a solicitor who specialises in the area you need, for example, a Family law solicitor wales or welsh divorce solicitor will be able to advise and represent you in Family law.


Women Bikers Cause Rise In Motorcycle Accidents

October 24th, 2010

You may be shocked to discover that almost 20% of motorcyclists are women. This figure is set to increase as last year 10,500 women took their motorcycle training practical test and are now fully legal to travel the length and breadth of Britain.

The Post Office survey highlighted the top reasons for women getting their leathers on. 14% said they would swap their car for a motorbike in order to save cash in this harsh economic climate. Motorbikes use less fuel while travelling than most other transport. Other reasons included a wish to help the planet and live a greener lifestyle, as well as being able to beat traffic and congestion in built up areas.

Motorcycle accidents have shot up by 30% in the last decade. Many road users and social commentators have attempted to hold women bikers responsible for the massive increase in accidents, as they are more likely less experienced and confident on motorcycles than their male counterparts. The evidence suggests otherwise.

Fewer women, in proportion, are involved in motorcycle accidents than their male counterparts. This is proved by research that found while men were involved in 15 times more accidents then women, they were 7 times more likely to make a journey. It could be argued that they drive more slowly and carefully, have a greater regard for their own and other road users’ safety, and travel less distance. Additionally they are more likely to attend extra course after receiving their license, such as advanced rider development training, which provides skills to avoid accidents at junctions and overtaking manoeuvres.

Police and road safety campaigners are in fact targeting born-again bikers as the perceived cause of increased accidents in a 10 year road safety campaign. These men, usually in their 30s and 40s, return to motorcycling after a long period of not holding a license. This means they are inexperienced, as well as not being used to today’s powerful bikes and the increase of vehicles on the road. Police are warning the men to slow down and drive more carefully.

If you have been involved in a motorbike accident and are considering making a motorbike accident claim or a motorcycle injury claim then get in touch with a specialist lawyer


What Is Mesothelioma?

October 24th, 2010

Mesothelioma is an asbestos related cancer which is most common in the outer lining of the lungs (called the pleura) though it can also affect other areas of the body. In the United Kingdom almost 2000 people a year are diagnosed with mesothelioma. There is no known cure.

Asbestos has been widely used in Britain since the Industrial Revolution. The 1950s onwards experience a boom in the manufacture and use of asbestos, particularly in the home building and construction industries, for its unique physical properties. However, the hazards of asbestos soon became apparent, as damage causes airborne fibres to be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs. This can lead to potentially life threatening conditions, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Health officials expect the number of mesothelioma cases to disappear within the next half century as regulations and a ban on asbestos prevent exposure.

Symptoms often do not become present until after a long latency period of around 40-60 years after first exposure to asbestos. Patients suffer breathlessness, weight loss, fatigue, chest and back pain and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) when associated with the lungs and also abdominal swelling when affecting the peritoneum. In severe cases there is risk of lung collapse and tumour masses may start to spread to other parts of the body.

Mesothelioma treatment will be administered after the location of the cancer, stage of the disease and the patient’s general health and well being have been assessed. Though there is no cure, treatment can improve the quality and quantity of life for some patients when the disease is caught in its early stages. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are just some of the options available.

If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and are experiencing any of the symptoms you should seek immediate medical attention. You have may have the right to claim compensation if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. It can be very easy to claim using the right legal representation, and despite the difficulties of proving your exposure to asbestos, many people have been successful with their claims.

Many mesothelioma cases can recieve mesothelioma compensation with the help of an expert solicitor


Family Law: The Options

October 21st, 2010

The breakdown of any family relationship can be devastating, but there is help available for all aspects of family law, from expert solicitors. Divorce or separation, child arrangements, financial settlements or pre-nuptial agreement are just some of the areas a solicitor can advise you on. Before you make any legal decisions you must remember that there are many options in family law. Mediation or collaborative law may be a better solution to your problems than a cut and shut case.

Any family dispute or breakdown can have a devastating impact on the lives of those involved, so should aim to be rectified as soon as possible. If your case is open and shut, for example an amicable split with no assets to share out, you may be able to deal with it by yourselves. You will need to supplement your knowledge of divorce law through visiting sources and help centres for advice.

If, however, your case is more complicated you will need to enlist some form of help, from the many options available. A Mediator can provide a practical solution to avoid going through a divorce or separation by resolving any issues between you and your partner. Though they cannot give legal advice, they are qualified to provide legal information and impartial advice to help you come to a decision. They can also offer support and understanding to both parties at a difficult time.

If you have reached a decision, and wish to progress with legal action, collaborative law can be a less invasive and upsetting option for all involved, as contact with the court is limited and mutual decisions can be reached. Each party should enlist the help of collaborative lawyers who can converse and come to a final judgement.

Whatever your choice of proceedings, you should ensure that you are comfortable discussing sensitive and personal issues with your solicitor, and that they have the level of expertise to deal guide you through what can sometimes be an unfamiliar and daunting process.

Expert family law solicitor chester or more specifically welsh divorce solicitor can advise you on the options available


The Penalties For Driving With No Insurance

October 20th, 2010

Motorists who break the law are facing ever increasing penalties in a crackdown on insurance shirkers. In the UK there are an estimated 1.2 million people, around one in twenty motorists – who regularly take to the wheel whilst uninsured. At the same time, respectable motorists have to fork out an estimated 30 each year to cover the cost of claims made against uninsured drivers.

The government have reported an increase in the detection of these motorists and better enforcement after expanding the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology across the country. This enables police to make immediate checks against relevant databases, including the Motor Insurers’ Database, allowing them to stop drivers in their tracks.

Since June 2003 a Fixed Penalty system has given the police an extra option for dealing with uninsured drivers and created a more thorough enforcement. 6 points and a 200 will automatically be inflicted for the serious offence, but police will also have the option of bringing prosecutions when they deem necessary. If prosecuted, drivers could face a maximum of 8 points on their driving licence, as well as a 5000 fine.

Uninsured drivers can be banned from anywhere in the region of 28 days to a number of years depending on the seriousness of their dishonesty and any previous motor insurance offences on their record. Police can impound their car at the roadside so that they are no longer able to commit the offence. This usually only happens in extreme situations.

Driving without insurance is an “absolute offence”. Any penalties incurred whilst driving the vehicle are therefore indefensible. Examples of friends borrowing vehicles and not realising they were uninsured will not cut it with a magistrate or judge. Successful defence of a prosecution for not holding the correct insurance is extremely rare. If you have been prosecuted for driving without insurance, an expert motoring solicitor will know the best route of defence for you to take.

For advice on motoring law visit driving offence solicitor


The Worst Careless Driving Offences

October 7th, 2010

We are all guilty of a spot of careless driving; eating an apple, reading a map, or tuning the car stereo while behind the wheel. But we wouldn’t expect to be prosecuted for such minor misdemeanours. Well think again. Police in Scotland recently charged a man for blowing his nose while in a traffic jam, despite the vehicles handbrake being on at the time.

More bizarre road penalties can be found in American states. In California, it is against the law for a woman to drive whilst dressed in a housecoat and no unoccupied vehicle is permitted to exceed 60 mph. It is illegal to tie a dog to the roof of your car in Alaska, and in Massachusetts you will be ticketed if you drive with a gorilla in the back seat of your car.

Though only a few are noticed by the police, every time you drive your car there are various bizarre careless driving incidents taking place across the world. Just last month a woman was charged for driving at speed of 70 mph on the motorway whilst flossing her teeth.

Michael Wiles is no stranger to careless driving as he was caught in August this year wearing a barbecue whilst riding his motorbike at speeds of up to 45 mph. After finding the barbecue at the side of Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway, Wiles decided to transport it by inserting his body through the wooden frame and positioning the metal grate over his face. At court Wiles admitted his behaviour had been careless and was due to a “lack of thought processes”. Wiles was fined around 500 and disqualified for a month from driving.

Be sure to steer clear of these drivers next time you’re on the road!

If you have been charged with careless or dangerous driving and need expert legal advice contact oliverandco.co.uk

For qualified whiplash solicitors visit Whiplash Solicitor


Personal Injury

September 17th, 2010

Personal injury is a legal term used to describe an injury resulting from the negligence of another. Often personal injury cases will come about due to road accidents, accidents at the workplace and accidents as the result of faulty products. The personal injury sustained can be either short term or long term and the injury can be physical, mental or emotional. The amount of compensation rewarded can vary greatly.

To determine the amount your claim may be worth you must understand the types of damages you may be eligible to receive compensation from. Generally you will be eligible to receive compensation for the following; Medical care and any related expenses that may exist, loss of income due to the accident because you have been unable to work or receiving treatment for your injuries. Any permanent physical disability or disfigurement caused loss of ability to participate in social, family or educational purposes. You can also claim for emotional upset such as stress, embarrassment, depression or any psychological impact the accident may have had on your well being.

If the negligence of somebody else can be proven by a solicitor then the injured party may be entitled to monetary compensation from the at fault party. Often solicitors will offer a no win no fee basis of working. This is a huge benefit to many.

If the injuries you have sustained are minor then the solicitor may decide how to add them to the general damages and complete your claim fairly easily. If the injuries are serious, long lasting or severely painful then the solicitor may opt to multiply the general damages by much more in order to consider any future loss of earnings, treatment or pain caused by the accident.

Another factor that will be considered in a personal injury claim is the amount of fault of the other party. The degree of fault by the other person is also considered when adding up the claim amount.

If you have had the misfortune of a slip trip or fall in Merseyside then local Accident Claims Liverpool solicitors, Bartletts Law can help assist with your personal injury claim liverpool.


Steps To Becoming A Solicitor

August 29th, 2010

Law offers a variety of successful careers which are attractive to many, not all the solicitors in the UK have a degree in Law with 18.5% of a 7,000 strong poll admitting they had a degree in another area and 23% transferring from other careers. The industry is growing rapidly and continuing to look for skills offered from a range of backgrounds and different countries.

If you are a non-law graduate, you can undertake a ‘Graduate Diploma in Law’ as an alternative way to qualify. It is also known as the Common Professional Exam or a Law Conversion course and allows graduates with a non-law degree to ‘convert’ their existing education with a one year course.

Regardless of whether you have completed any sort of law degree or qualification, you will still be required to complete a Legal Practice Course. The LPC is the last compulsory academic qualification to become a solicitor. The qualification ensures trainee solicitors have the knowledge and skills they need. This course is offered all over the UK and takes one year full time. To be fully qualified as a solicitor you need to under take a two year ‘Training Contract’ which involves practice based training almost like an apprenticeship.

If you are a qualified solicitor within the EU then there is a range of rules you must follow if you wish to practice law within the UK. Otherwise EU member states are free to do business and offer legal services amongst themselves.

Qualified Solicitors from outside the EU who wish to practice Law in the UK must first obtain a ‘Certificate of Eligibility’ from the Law Society of England and Wales and then sit the ‘Qualified Solicitors Test’. The QLT is a conversion test which allows foreign solicitors to practice in the UK. To qualify for the QLT you must have over 2 years legal practice experience of which at least one year must have been gained by practising the law of England and Wales, supervised by a solicitor who has been admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales.

These tips are brought to you by Macclesfield solicitors Hague Lambert, who specialise in wills and conveyancing


UKs Most ‘Cost Effective’ Speed Camera

August 28th, 2010

It has materialised that a new speed camera erected on a road where there has been just one severe accident in over ten years, has brought in over 1.3m pound in profits from speeding motorists per year. It has been daubed Britain’s most lucrative speed camera and has been named and shamed by an angry local community.

The controversial camera, which has been described as one of the most lucrative in Britain, has captured on average 1,843 motorists per month. And with the average fine for speeding 60, that equates to 1,327,140 each year.

The camera can be found in Poole, Dorset where it was erected to catch motorists jumping red lights on a 30mph stretch of road on a dual carriageway. However, back in November last year the camera became one of the first in the country to be converted to catch unaware motorists speeding through the lights when they were on Green.

The camera was converted even though official stats showed there had been only one serious injury and no fatalities in at least 11 years. Motoring groups feared the camera was converted to in a move to ‘milk the motorist’ as the speed limit is also said to be to low for a dual carriageway.

The income brought in by this one camera massively outweighs the amount created by other cameras, delivering evidence that something is seriously wrong with the setup. The road the camera is to be found upon is a large dual carriageway, with an business park on one side, and a waterfront on the other.

A temporary Camera at road works on the A1139 in Peterborough earlier this year was, on average issuing 3000 tickets per month, generating 3.2m per year.

A driving solicitor can help with all aspects of the motoring law. With help woth Car accident claims contact Widdows Mason for expert help.


Solicitor Lawyer When Can They Best Assist Their Clients

August 27th, 2010

Relationships are a necessary part of human life. Living in a civilization means you are bound to make associations with others whether on the basis of business or for personal reasons. These relationships like all other man-made thing often fail to prove as long-lasting as we think. Therefore it is perfectly normal for a continuous stream of people trying to terminate these relations. As with all other things, even these relations can be considerably painlessly terminated with the help of a professional, like a solicitor lawyer.

There is no denying that human relationships are oftentimes very hard to build, and even then harder still to keep up with. It is also very much normal for these relationships to fall off like a sand castle. In cases such as these all parties try their level best to leave off with as much of the benefits as they can. Of course I you share your whole life with someone and find out that your relationship is at an end you too would want your life back.

However in all such cases, especially in those where the law is involved problems may occur. Not knowing what the law exactly entitles you, you can be made a fool out of or you could do something that may make your position weaker than it already was. To make sure that all such blunders and accidents do not occur it is always a good choice to hire a lawyer.

A lawyer is what I often call a biased mediator. This is the guy who is responsible that the party who hired him gets properly consolidated for the termination of the relationship. Many people however are still not sure as to what exactly a solicitor lawyer is.

Hiring a solicitor lawyer, a lawyer who specializes in soliciting the termination of relationships is oftentimes a lot of help to parties in termination. Giving any party that has a solicitor lawyer a boundless advantage over the other, in or outside the court.

A solicitor on the other hand does not roam around with whatever work they can get they deal specifically with soliciting property and responsibilities at the end of relationships. The point in explaining in detail exactly what a solicitor lawyer is is that when the need arises you should know just the guy to contact.

If you need general soft-core information about your legal standing you can ago to a general lawyer. If you need specialized help with the termination of your relationship you will have to hire a solicitor. If you think however that your case would not be able to stay out of the court, it is wise that you contact a solicitor lawyer at the first opportunity.

Well, thankfully this was not the story of our life. Which means, that we still have our decisions to make? So if you too are confronted in the future with similar scenario does not spend your time and money going to the wrong people go straight in to the specialist and fearlessly pursue your case.

Find the best choice for a solicitor lawyer by searching online. There you will discover several solicitors UK and other areas to pick from. Head online and learn more today.