August 2016

August 22, 2016

Don’t suffer in silence… If you or someone you know is suffering from Domestic Abuse we can help you obtain the protection you need to break the cycle.

Here at Dicksons our aim is to deal with your issue swiftly, sympathetically and in a manner that is designed to get you the protection that you need when you need it.

We can assist you in applying for a non – molestation order. This prevents a person from using or threatening violence and from making threats, pestering or harassment. This type of injunction can be obtained by any “associated” person which includes current or former spouses, cohabitees, partners and relatives.

A breach of a non-molestation order is now a criminal offence. A power of arrest is often attached which means that if the person breaches the order, the police can be called and the person will be arrested.

If you do not feel safe in your home because of domestic abuse we can also assist you in applying for an Occupation order. The order can exclude the other party not just from the home, but also from the surrounding area. Or if you have been forced to flee the home because of domestic abuse, this type of order can help you to move back into your property and exclude the other party.

Contact us today for confidential advice on 01782 262424 or send us an email at family@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk. You can also send a message to us privately via Facebook and we will return your call.

Legal Aid is still available in cases where there is domestic abuse.

August 22, 2016

Why make a Will?

When Nancy (name changed) died aged 78 a single women with no children, brothers or sisters, her homemade Will gave £50,000 to 4 friends and 5 Charities. Her estate was actually worth nearly £200,000 and the balance of the monies had to be divided between 87 relatives who we discovered around the world. They were entitled in various shares as a result of her homemade Will having failed to dispose of all her assets. 95% of these relatives had never heard of Nancy and were amazed to receive a legacy.

Don`t let this happen to you. Make a Will but more importantly don`t try to make a homemade Will but consult a Solicitor – consult Dicksons who will give you helpful advice at a relatively modest cost.

For more Information contact: – Adele Baskerville on 01782 262424 Email: – adele.baskerville@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk

Facebook: – Send us a private message

We also offer free Wills under the Cancer Research Scheme for over 55`s. Donate to Cancer Research and make your free will today!

August 22, 2016

First Time Buyers:- We have an offer available for you for one month only!!!

We know buying your first home can be a difficult, stressful and expensive. We want to help you along the way and try to reduce the stress and costs for you. For the month of May first time buyers will receive 15% discount on our fees.

For further information and for a quote tailored to your needs contact us today on 01782 262424 and ask for Leanne, Susan, Samiya or Steven Park.

Alternatively you can send a private message via our Facebook page or email any of the following:-

Leanne.gwinneth@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk

Susan.rothwell@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk

Samiya.hasmi@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk

Steven.park@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk

August 22, 2016

Lasting Power of Attorney

The good news is that we are all living longer. The downside is however, that physical and mental frailty can often make the advancing years difficult for our loved ones or indeed ourselves.

How can we ensure that effective steps are put in place so that property and financial affairs are properly managed, whether for ourselves or our older relatives?

One way is to create a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) whereby one or more Attorneys are appointed, usually close relatives, to undertake these tasks on your behalf.

The LPA gives your Attorneys authority to make decisions about your property and financial affairs when you cannot make your own decisions, but they must act in your best interests at all times.

Dicksons can guide you through the process of creating an LPA in a clear and concise way. Don’t put it off, do it today!.

Contact our office on 01782 262424 and ask for Adele.

Email adele.baskerville@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk or send us a private message via our Facebook page.

August 22, 2016

Dicksons settle yet another multi-million pound claim

Dicksons settle a multi-million pound claim, for a young man. This related to his birth in the early 1980’s. Andrew Martin of Dicksons was instructed by the family of man in his thirties who had a brain injury at birth. It was likely that his mobility would be affected in the future. The award was a lump sum of £2,380,000.00, together with annual payments for life – up to £165,000.00 pa. This would amount to around £8,000,000.00 – £9,000,000.00 (eight to nine million pounds) on a full lump sum basis. Andrew says “tribute should immediately be paid to the parents, who have selflessly cared for their son throughout his life to date. This was a very difficult case to bring due to its age – the incident occurred more than thirty years ago.”

Dicksons have secured over thirty million pounds (£30,000,000.00) for brain injured people over the last twelve months – if the cases had been settled on the traditional lump sum basis. However the system whereby people get a payment each year, helps to secure their future for life.

Andrew Martin is a member of both the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel and the patient charity AvMA which shows his wide experience of dealing with Medical Negligence cases.

Need our help?

Contact Andrew on 01782 262424
Email andrew.martin@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk
or send him a private message via our Facebook page

August 22, 2016

When relationships end…

Few people think of their pension when their relationship comes to an end. But, depending on the circumstances, understanding the implications could make a big difference to your pension provision.

For instance, pensions can be included as assets in divorce financial settlements. Couples that don’t prepare for this can find that their expected pension benefits are significantly different once they divorce.

We recommend that both parties seek advice to protect their interests during such a difficult time.

For specialist advice, please contact a member of the family team on 01782 262424 or alternatively email family@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk.

August 22, 2016

Parents awarded compensation after their children were unlawfully removed

In the case of Williams & Anon v London Borough of Hackney, a couple have foster successfully sued the local authority for removing their children and placing them into care.

The parents were awarded damages under the Human Rights Act and the removal of their children was deemed unlawful. The children were originally removed from their parents by the police following concerns about their care and then kept away for longer than the 72 hours permitted under a police protection order. The Local Authority involved stated that the parents had consented to the continued removal and the continued foster placement under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989.

However, in one of the first cases where damages have been awarded under the Human Rights Act in childcare proceedings, the Judge said that the parents had only consented because they were so distressed and feared that if they did not sign the agreement, that they would not see their children again. The judge further ruled that there was no evidence the parents were told to seek legal advice and that no valid consent was given. The judge said that although the initial separation was justified, it was unlawful for the authority to keep the children beyond 72 hours.

After two months the children were returned to their parents and each parent was awarded £10,000 in compensation.

Any case involving the removal of children is distressing and difficult for all involved. This case has highlighted the importance of seeking expert legal advice at the very first opportunity when facing such issues to ensure that parents are fully aware of their rights and to ensure that the children’s welfare is always the paramount consideration.

If you are going through such difficulties or have been told by the Local Authority that your children may be removed from your care, it is essential that you seek legal advice immediately. Our child care specialists can advise you on all matters so call today for immediate advice on 01782 262424 or email rebecca.sykes@dicksonssolicitors.co.uk.