New homes are to be offered at a minimum 20% discount to first-time buyers under the age of 40. The Starter Home initiative is a government scheme to help young people on to the housing ladder and encourage construction firms to build more homes. It’s hoped that up to 100,000 buyers will benefit. The initiative is being made possible by a change to the planning system. The idea is to …Read More
Judge was wrong to separate teenage brothers
A judge’s decision to separate two teenage brothers from their mother and also from each other was based on her own personal opinion of the boys and has therefore been overturned. The residence of the brothers came into dispute ten years after the separation of their parents. They had always lived with their mother and her new partner, and had weekend visits to their father. This routine broke down when …Read More
Man awarded £37,000 after being hit by an uninsured driver
A man who was hit by an uninsured driver has been awarded £37,000 compensation. The man, who was 19 years old at the time of the incident, was standing by his car when another driver reversed into him. He was trapped between the two vehicles and the skin on his lower right leg was torn away from the tissue. The man needed a skin graft, which left scarring to both …Read More
Parents ‘may give up or abduct their children’ following cutbacks
Family lawyers have warned that cuts in legal aid have led to many parents losing faith in the system with some starting to take the law into their own hands. Figures released by CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) have shown a drop in the number of private family law cases. There were 2,928 new cases in July 2014, which was a 36% fall from the same …Read More
Woman wins disability discrimination claim against tour operator
A woman who suffers from arthritis has won a discrimination claim against a tour operator after her holiday was interrupted by civil unrest. The woman had booked a package holiday in Tunisia. After civil unrest broke out, the tour operator arranged for her to be flown home. She was transferred to Monastir airport where she had to stand for several hours because she wasn’t provided with seating facilities or a …Read More
Nearly 3,000 homes sold under Right to Buy scheme
Nearly 3,000 homes were sold under the Right to Buy scheme in England between July and September this year, according to recent figures. Right to Buy allows people in social accommodation to buy their home at a discounted rate. It is designed to make it easier for people to make the transition from renting to owning a home. The figures show that between July and September this year, an estimated …Read More
One million co-habiting partners could miss out on inheritance
More than one million people are running the risk of leaving their partners with nothing when they die, because they haven’t made a Will stating what should happen to their estate. As the law stands, if somebody dies intestate – without a Will – then their assets will be inherited by their spouse or civil partner, even if the relationship has been over for a long time. This could mean …Read More
Expectant fathers entitled to time off for ante-natal appointments
Expectant fathers now have the right to take unpaid time off work to attend two ante-natal classes with their partners. The entitlement, which came into effect on 1 October, applies to all expectant partners including husbands, spouses, civil partners and anyone in a long-term relationship with the mother. Expectant fathers who are not in a relationship with the mother are still entitled to the unpaid time off work.
New measures to help people build their own home
The government is to introduce new measures that will make it easier for people to build their own home. Under the Right to Build scheme, people who want to build their own home will be able to get help from their local council to find a suitable plot of land. The scheme will be trialled in 11 areas across England. Local councils will develop a register of prospective custom builders …Read More
Man awarded £3,000 after being injured by pub chair
A 63-year-old man has been awarded £3,000 compensation after he injured his finger with a pub chair. The man had been having a coffee in a pub when he gripped the bottom of the chair to pull it closer to the table. He injured his fingers when they got caught between the frame of the chair and the seat. He suffered a fracture to his little finger, and lost his …Read More