Delay means widow cannot challenge her late husband’s will The law allows you to seek a greater share from a deceased person’s will if you feel you haven’t been properly provided for or if some error has occurred. The claim usually has to take place within a six-month time limit; otherwise it may be rejected, as happened in a recent case that went to the Court of Appeal. It involved …Read More
Gender pay gap increases for first time in five years
Gender pay gap increases for first time in five years The pay gap between men and women has widened for the first time since 2008. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that women earn £5,000 less on average. The difference is calculated on median hourly earnings for full time workers. The median wage gap increased from 9.5% to 10% in the last year. However, the TUC say …Read More
Surge in number of children abducted by their parents
Surge in number of children abducted by their parents The number of children abducted from the UK by their parents has doubled in the last 10 years, according to official figures from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). In 2003-04, the FCO dealt with 272 parental child abduction and international custody cases. This figure had risen to 580 in 2012-13. That is the second highest figure ever recorded and is …Read More
Social tenants to receive more help to buy their homes
Social tenants to receive more help to buy their homes The government wants to make it easier for tenants to purchase their homes by improving the Right to Buy scheme. Currently, council tenants who want to buy their homes can qualify for a discount of up to 60%, depending on how long they have lived in the property. This is to rise to 70%. The maximum sum that can be …Read More
Woman injured at hairdresser’s awarded £17,500 compensation
Woman injured at hairdresser’s awarded £17,500 compensation A woman who sustained a chemical burn to her scalp at a hairdressing hair replacement salon has been awarded £17,500 compensation. The woman had attended the salon to have her hair dyed blond. A bleaching product was applied to her hair and her head was placed under a dryer for about 30 minutes. Her head began to feel very hot and she could …Read More
Motorcyclist receives £1.4m compensation from negligent driver
Motorcyclist receives £1.4m compensation from negligent driver A motorcyclist has received £1.4m compensation after he suffered life changing injuries in a road accident. The 45-year-old man was riding his motorcycle along a main road when a car emerged from a side street directly into his path. His left leg was completely crushed in the collision. He also suffered a fracture to his right collarbone, broken ribs, damage to his knee …Read More
Government spending £1m to tackle pregnancy discrimination
Government spending £1m to tackle pregnancy discrimination The government is launching an independent research programme to tackle the problem of workplace discrimination against pregnant women. The Minister for Women and Equalities, Maria Miller, has given the go-ahead for the project which will analyse the effect of pregnancy discrimination on both families and the economy. The £1m study will be carried out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The …Read More
How the law can help as dementia crisis looms
How the law can help as dementia crisis looms The Government has launched a new interactive online map to enable people to see the quality of care provided for dementia sufferers in their area. There are 670,000 people in England who suffer with dementia, and the number is likely to double over the next 30 years. A further 21 million people have a close friend or family member who suffers …Read More
Father loses appeal over parental responsibility for his son
Father loses appeal over parental responsibility for his son Fathers usually succeed when applying for a court order to grant them parental responsibility for their children, as it is generally considered to be in the children’s best interests. However, applications will be refused if the courts feel it would be to a child’s detriment, as happened in a recent case before the Court of Appeal. It involved an unmarried couple …Read More
Help to Buy Scheme
Helping first time buyers onto the property ladder…. Help to Buy scheme helps 15,000 people to own a new home The Help to Buy: equity loan scheme has so far helped more than 15,000 people to own a new home. The government scheme came into effect on 1 April 2013 and applies to new build properties only. To qualify, you need a minimum deposit of 5%. The government will then …Read More