Venture Capital Trusts are useful tools for investors to gain substantial tax relief on their income. The rules in relation to how the tax relief applies are complex and anyone who wishes to invest should take independent financial advice before doing so. ...

It has been reported that mortgage borrowing in the UK is on the rise and will continue to do so during 2014 as the UK property market continues to grow. A by-product of the increase in the property market is the demand for valuation reports from surveyors. ...

The Government has yesterday (March 26th) announced that a statutory ‘duty of candour’ is to be placed upon hospitals, GPs and other organisations. The Francis Inquiry Report was prepared in the wake of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust...

A landmark case may assist consumers seeking to challenge their credit reference. It seems to be the first case the Supreme Court has heard in relation to disputed credit references. Our consumer credit experts can advise you on this issue from ...

Research by the Nuffield Trust and Health Foundation highlights 'increased rationing of social care in response to deep cuts from central government, despite the growing numbers of older people in the population'. Key findings of the report...

Professor Green admitted to drink driving at Bromley Magistrates Court last week, after he was arrested for the offence back in 2013. The rapper, whose real name is Stephen Manderson, said that he had been mugged when arriving home after a night out with...

ITV has broadcast footage of staff at a care home slapping and abusing a patient in their care. The two care staff at The Priory Highbank Centre in Bury have now pleaded guilty to abusing a brain-damaged patient at the private care home which charges around...

This column was first published in the Wigan Observer on the 25th March 2014 Q: The latest lottery winner and his partner must be delighted with their £107million windfall. But the fact they’re not married has made me wonder about my...

The deadline to make an appeal against school admission decisions relating to secondary education is fast approaching. National Offer Day on the 3rd March 2014 provided parents and pupils with a determination on whether they had been successful in their...

Those were the words of Lady Hale at The Supreme Court which today heard an important set of cases (P (by his litigation friend the Official Solicitor ) v Cheshire West and Chester Council and P and Q (by their litigation friend the Official Solicitor) v...

The Birmingham Mail has recently reported (17th March 2014) that families from a school in Rednal have been affected by a data protection breach involving a council contractor. Personal details of 11-year-old school pupils were sent to...

A recent Wales ITV investigation which was aired during Wales This Week on the 17th March 2014 reflected concerns of parents that the provision of Special Educational Needs to children was no better than it had been back in the 1980s. ITV made a Freedom of...

It is being reported that there is an increase of high-value speculative claims being made against solicitors by their former clients. This could be the effect of the post-recession economy taking hold with many businesses trying to maximise their efforts...

A tenant of Salix Homes allegedly kept her dead pet dog in the kitchen for several days. This almost led to her eviction from her home.  In April 2013 Margaret Martin was found to be allegedly keeping her dead dog in the kitchen of her rented...

In the words of Lord Hardie, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 was supposed to be a ''turning point in the rights of vulnerable people; those with learning difficulties, dementia, brain injuries or temporary impairment". The Act marked a change...

A mental health nurse has been suspended from the Nursing Register by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) following allegations that he had ‘crossed sexual boundaries’ with one of his patients. The charges against Mr Ngobele related to an...

A High Court case has confirmed that tooth whitening is the practice of dentistry and should only be undertaken by regulated dental professionals. Lorna Jamous is a qualified beautician who was carrying out teeth bleaching procedures in her beauty salon....

Anyone who watched the latest episode of Silk last Monday will have heard Billy the clerk at fictional chambers Shoe Lane make that statement in a storyline which revolved around the harrowing case of a mother who is put on...

Many of us may be infected by a parasite which lives in cats but can be passed onto humans and could be responsible for accidents. The parasite lives in the guts of cats but is often picked up by humans when, for example, they come into contact with soil...

This column was first published in the Wigan Observer on the 11th March 2014 Q: My partner and I are set to marry later this year; however, I have inheritance I would like to protect if our marriage was to end in divorce. Should we consider...

It is fast approaching the end of the tax year when Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit claims will finish for the year and need to be renewed. HMRC have set a deadline for all tax credit claims to be renewed before 31st July 2014. It is important to...

If you feel your solicitor has been negligent, here are some simple tips to bear in mind before deciding to make a claim. Have you kept all documents including letters and correspondence which details your instructions and the terms of your retainer with...

Last week heralded a new era for the sentencing of those who commit environmental offences. New guidelines for the sentencing of environmental crimes were published by the Sentencing Council. These will inevitably result in...

This week, as I went about my Sunday chores with the radio turned up, I was fascinated to hear that nuisance claims were being discussed on Radio 5. As a young lawyer specialising in this area of law, it was surprising to hear disputes between adjoining land...

The social security system is currently undergoing one of the biggest upheavals in its history. Gone are the days of Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance. We have now entered the era of Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence...