This week is Resolution’s Good Divorce Week, a national campaign that highlights that divorce doesn’t have to be a battle. Instead, it can be approached in a constructive way that aims protects families (especially children) during a difficult transition. With family courts under significant strain, it is important to remember that not all disputes require…
Pre-nuptial agreements can play an important role in managing financial arrangements between spouses, especially in the event of separation. It is therefore important to understand the legal position of these agreements in England and Wales. Are Pre-Nuptial Agreements Legally Binding? Currently, pre-nuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding. This means that parties cannot override the…
Liam Payne made headlines recently when it came to light that he had died without making a Will. His £24.3 million fortune was left to his young son, Bear, (when he reaches the age of 18) under the rules of intestacy. The rules of intestacy are set out in the Administration of Estates Act 1925…
Commonly dubbed as Britain’s most hated tax, Inheritance Tax is only currently payable on around 4% of estates. The value of an estate above the inheritance tax threshold is charged at 40% when people die. In her Autumn Budget 2024, Rachel Reeves announced the thresholds are to be frozen until at least 2030. With the…
‘Willanthrophy’ is the act of leaving a gift to charity in your Will. The Organisation ‘Remember a Charity’ reports that approximately £4 billion is donated to charity annually through bequests in Wills. Leaving a charitable gift in your Will not only supports a cause that is close to your heart but can also reduce the…
We understand it can be a really difficult time when a loved one passes away, however there are key things that must be done. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do when someone dies. Register the death – a medical certificate will need to be provided at your local registry to register the…
The Price of an Invalid Will: Two recent cases in the press have highlighted the importance of a properly drafted and executed Will. Instructing a solicitor to draft your Will may seem expensive, however an invalid Will can also prove to be pretty costly. Margaret Baverstock was so unwell when she signed her Will in…
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One of the most important document within financial proceedings is a ‘Form E,’ so what exactly is it? A Form E is a document which outlines each party’s financial position and is required in most financial cases in England and Wales. It includes each parties’ assets, incomes, and liabilities to help facilitate negations with the…
Click below to download the free information sheet on why you should consider a living agreement if you wish to buy a property together Information sheet for people buying property together (54062 downloads )
Louise Davies will be crafting Easter treats for charity. With every order received, a contribution will be given to Francis House Children’s Hospice, where Senior Partner Vijay Srivastava serves as a Trustee. Last year, £300.00 was raised! If you wish to make a purchase, kindly reach out to Louise at lgp@wrigleyclaydon.com or you can…
Family disputes such as divorce, finances and child arrangements can be emotionally challenging as well as legally complex. If faced with such a situation, you should carefully consider your options for resolving disputes, with two main options available: mediation and litigation. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, and understanding the differences is crucial for…
Dealing with a boundary dispute with your neighbour can be a delicate situation. Here are some steps to consider : 1. Review Property Documents: Examine your deeds and any surveys. Familiarise yourself with local laws and regulations related to property boundaries. 2. Document Everything: Keep a record of all communication, including dates, times, and details…
One of main issues within a divorce is the division of assets. Many people believe a divorce means a 50/50 split of everything, but the reality is more complex than that. The Act that the courts use to assist them in reaching a settlement, sets out the factors that they must consider when making financial…
Seeking a financial settlement during a divorce can seem like a daunting step. It is important to gather necessary documents in readiness for meeting with your solicitor. This will help ensure that you have a smooth and fully informed process upon your meeting. Here’s a checklist to guide you: Proof of ID and address, these…
Actor Noel Clarke has vowed to push ahead with his £10 million libel claim against The Guardian after a judge’s ruling on newspaper articles accusing Clarke of bullying and sexual misconduct against women. Clarke was suspended by Bafta in light of the allegations, his film and TV projects were axed, and he was “cancelled” by the entertainment industry, the High Court was told. He…
Determine the Need for a Trademark: Make sure you have a distinctive name, logo, or slogan that you want to protect ensuring that it is not already in use by another company. Trademark Search: Conduct a trademark search to check if someone else is already using a similar or identical trademark. Use the UK…
The festive season is a time of joy and celebration, but for separated/ divorced parents, it can also be a source of stress when it comes to making child arrangements. While involving solicitors is a common route, it’s not the only one. If you find yourself struggling to make arrangements and have limited time to…
Change in the law receives overwhelming backing in national poll Cohabiting couples in Oldham are at significant risk if relationship ends Call for change in the law forms centrepiece of Resolution’s Vision for Family Justice as it marks 40th Local members of the family justice body Resolution have welcomed new research which shows most people…
Here are our closing and opening times for our offices over the Christmas and New Year period. If you have an enquiry while our offices are closed, you can send us an email and we will get back to you on our return.
The World Snooker Tour (“WST”) has threatened legal action against five of its own players for breach of contract if they take part in a non-sanctioned event in Macau. Former world champions Mark Selby and John Higgins, this year’s world champion Luca Brecel, Ali Carter and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh have all pulled out of the WST’s Northern…
It has been reported that McLaren is seeking at least $23m from IndyCar champion Alex Palou after the driver reneged on his contract for 2024. According to a claim filed in the High Court of Justice Business and Property Courts of England and Wales Commercial Court, Palou had agreed that he had “no outstanding obligation…
The Wrigley Claydon team took part in Maggie’s Culture Crawl 2023, an event raising money to support people with cancer.
This year we took part in MacMillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning and raised £200
LIV Golf League player Patrick Reed’s $750 million defamation claims against the Golf Channel, several of its commentators and other golf writers and media outlets, has been dismissed by a Judge in Florida. Reed had complained that the defendants had been “spreading lies” about him during the battle between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. The…
The HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) have filed a bankruptcy petition against former Liverpool and England footballer John Barnes after alleging that Barnes owes them £238,000. A judge considered Barnes’ case at a hearing at the Insolvency & Companies Court in London earlier this month. Barnes’ barrister advised the Court that Barnes was on a salary of £200,000 from…
King-Su Huang and her husband Michael Lee are involved in a bitter court case at Central London County Court against their own nephew, Cheng-Jen Ku, over claims he has “stolen” their £4million Kensington mews home. Despite the home being bought in their nephew’s name, Mrs Huang alleges that she was always the rightful owner. She claims…
Congratulations to Matt Brearley, who is sponsored by Wrigley Claydon, and his team, Ashton Rugby Club for their first victory of the season against Ellesmere Port. Ashton Rugby Club won 35-10.
When it comes to renting or buying a business property, there are several steps you should consider to make the best decision for your company. Here are some key steps to follow: Determine your budget: Before you start looking for a business property, you need to determine your budget. Consider how much you can afford…
Dave Holmes, the former manager of Coldplay, has filed a claim in the High Court in excess of £10million against the band for breach of contract after the group allegedly refused to pay him for his contributions to albums and tour preparations. He also wants the band to pay the commissions he was entitled to,…
This year we will be taking part in MacMillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee morning on Friday 29th September. To help support this cause, you can bring a cake or something yummy to share. Click on this invite link below! https://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/events/29lm22y3
Creating a will can be an important step to take before someone passes away, but it’s important to make sure you follow the correct procedures. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process: 1. Understand what a will is: It is a legal document that outlines how a person’s assets and property will…
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has successfully registered Scotch whisky as a certification trademark in Hong Kong, enhancing legal protection for the category. This means that the descriptor ‘Scotch whisky’ can only be used on whisky produced in Scotland in line with production and labelling requirements. Rules state that Scotch must be made from the…
Setting up a limited company in the UK offers several benefits for entrepreneurs and businesses. Here are some of the key advantages: Limited liability: One of the most significant benefits is limited liability protection. As a shareholder or director of a limited company, your personal assets are separate from the company’s finances. Professional image: A…
The organisers of the Good Vibes Festival, held in Malaysia in June have threatened legal action against The 1975 after the band’s frontman Matty Healy made a speech about homosexuality and kissed a fellow band member onstage. Homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia and are punishable under federal law. The three-day event was axed after The 1975’s performance.…
Christine Overs, a special effects artist who broke her wrist when she fell from a beach scene and onto a concrete floor when part of the set gave way while filming for Disney’s live action Little Mermaid remake is suing for £150,000. Ms Overs says the injury to her left wrist has ruined her career which requires…
Dua Lipa and Warner Music Group are facing a $20m federal lawsuit in Los Angeles from musician Bosko Kante over copyright claims for the song Levitating. In a lawsuit filed on 31 July 2023, Kante claimed Dua Lipa used a talk box recording, made with a device worn around the neck that lets the user…
High Street retailer Wilko has confirmed that there are “no immediate store closures planned” following their announcement that they had filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. The chain has over 400 stores and 12,000 members of staff across the UK who have now been put at risk. A notice of intention to appoint administrators does…
Emily Brearley will be cutting her waist length hair into a bob for charity. She did this previously in 2019 and raised £400 for the The Little Princess Trust who create real hair wigs and provide them free of charge to children with cancer and other conditions which cause hair loss. More can be found…
Three brothers, David, Nino and Remo Rea have succeeded at the High Court in a claim against their sister, Rita Rea when the brothers were cut out of their mother’s will. Their mother Anna left nearly all her estate, totalling circa £1m to her daughter in 2016, however, the Judge said the evidence suggested Rita…
Virgin Media O2 is to axe up to 2,000 jobs by the end of 2023. It said the move, which includes around 800 previously reported job cuts, will affect around 12% of its workforce. It follows BT and Vodafone in reducing the size of its workforce. The cuts come around two years after the business was created by…
The main aim of the courts within financial proceedings is to determine a fair division of matrimonial assets between the parties and assess whether a clean break is achievable. Although judges do consider all aspects of the case, to ensure an impartial outcome, they focus mainly on the future and not the past. This is…
Sam Jones, a burger bar chef will be allowed to keep the £5million left to him by David Turner “an eccentric businessman” after the millionaire’s estranged sister, Mrs Cano failed to have his will struck out. Sam Jones first met David Turner at his burger van. The High Court heard that Mr Turner treated Mr…
The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham says he’s considering a legal challenge to stop a consultation to close the majority of train ticket offices. Train operators across the country are asking passengers for their say on the plans, unveiled by industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG). RDG claim things have changed significantly over…
The Court of Appeal has rejected Apple’s appeal against a ruling which found it infringed two patents on technology it uses in its iPhones and iPads. Optis Cellular Technology first sued Apple over the way it used Optis’ the patented technologies, which it said were essential for 4G connectivity and were found to be used…
Adrian Kwiatkowski, a hacker who stole two unreleased songs from Ed Sheeran and sold them on the dark web for cryptocurrency has been ordered to pay £101,053. About half of the money he has to pay is currently held in Bitcoin. He was charged with copyright infringement and possessing criminal property and was jailed for…
Introducing the Wrigley Clayduck, which made its first appearance at the Saddleworth Duck Race. Proceeds from the event went to various charitable causes organised by the Rotary Clubs of Saddleworth. The Wrigley Clayduck was designed by Sharmin Begum and Zahra Ali, and was presented at the event by Emily Lamb.
FC Sorrento, a team in the Australian second tier have become the latest football club rescind their contract with former Scotland striker David Goodwillie in the wake of a public backlash. Goodwillie and fellow footballer David Robertson were deemed by a judge at a civil court in January 2017 to have raped a 30-year-old woman in January 2011. Criminal…
Ireland’s data regulator, Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon has imposed a record €1.2 billion fine on Facebook owner Meta, which has its EU headquarters in Dublin, for violating European privacy rules, in a move that takes total penalties against the company above €2 billion. It follows from a long investigation into transfers by Facebook of…
Ex-Premier League footballer Robbie Keane and his wife Claudine have succeeded in a possession claim at the Central London County Court to evict Sandi St Paul and David Lawrence from their Hertfordshire home, worth approx. £3.8m, after Ms St Paul and Mr Lawrence stopped paying the £8,000-a-month rent. The Keanes told Central London County Court that…
It has been reported that the family of Michael Schumacher is planning legal action against Die Aktuelle, a weekly German gossip magazine for presenting an artificial intelligence-generated article as “the first” interview with the seven-time Formula 1 world champion since his 2013 skiing accident where he suffered a brain injury. The magazine led with a…
Ed Sheeran has successfully defended another copyright infringement lawsuit in the US after facing a jury trial following claims that his hit “Thinking Out Loud” lifted bits from 1973 Marvin Gaye classic “Let’s Get It On.” He was sued by heirs of songwriter Ed Townsend, Gaye’s co-writer on the 1973 song who were seeking a…
On the 6th April 2022 the government introduced no-fault divorces and launched a new digital platform for those who wish to apply for a divorce. What, however, are the benefits and limitations of the new online divorce process? Benefits of an Online Divorce One of the most significant advantages of online divorce is the…
Former rugby league Great Britain international Nick Fozzard and other former rugby players are now pursuing legal claims in the High Court against the Rugby Football League (RFL) after claiming to have suffered brain injuries during their playing careers. The claimants are alleging the RFL was negligent in failing to provide acceptable protective action against…
BT have said that it would axe up to 55,000 jobs by 2030 to slash costs in the latest tech-sector jobs cull. The layoffs, which comprise of 42% of its workforce, come two days after Vodafone unveiled plans to cut 11,000 jobs or one tenth of staff over three years. BT employs 130,000 staff, including contractors. The…
The digital age has revolutionised numerous aspects of everyone’s lives, and the legal sphere is no exception. In recent years, traditional divorce proceedings significantly have transformation with the introduction of online divorce processes. This convenient and efficient method is extremely popular due to its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and streamlined procedures. Online divorce applications can be started…
The Renters’ (Reform) Bill has been introduced to Parliament in order to abolish section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Tenants will also be given the legal right to request a pet in their home, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse. Landlords will be able to require pet insurance to cover any damage to…
When it comes to renting or buying a business property, there are several steps you should consider to make the best decision for your company. Here are some key steps to follow: 1. Determine your budget Before you start looking for a business property, you need to determine your budget. Consider how much you can…
Alex MacPhail, a motivational speaker who was ordered to pay his neighbours, Tom and Helen Gueterbock £237,000 in damages and to fund £12,000 worth of work, after his neighbours sued him when a cellar room “trespassed” 18 inches over their shared boundary, has lost a further case. Mr MacPhail then sued the developers of the…
More than 900 bereaved family members, survivors and local people who were affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people in June 2017, have agreed on a settlement of their civil claims arising from the blaze. The cladding company Arconic said it was among the firms that were involved in the high…
A huge thank you to everyone who supported Louise Davies’ campaign for Francis House, including Apex Computing Services and XLOS stationary supplies. Louise who is PA to Senior Partner, Vijay Srivastava knitted Easter Goodies which were sold for charity. The ‘Easter Knitted Chick Appeal’, which started over two decades ago, has today ‘blossomed’ into one…
Gary Lineker has won his £4.9 million tax battle with HMRC. The HMRC had advised Lineker that he should have been classed as an employee of the BBC and BT Sport for his presenting duties, rather than as a freelancer and pursued him for £4.9 million which it was claimed should have been paid on…
A Child Arrangements Order is an order made by the court which states where a child will live and what time is spent with the other parent. If this order is not being adhered to, a parent has the right to apply to the court to enforce the order if it has not been possible…
Former Wolves forward and Man Utd youth player Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is suing a surgeon after an ‘unnecessary’ surgery that he claims ended his career. Orthopaedic Surgeon Prof. James Calder operated on Ebanks-Blake after Ebanks-Blake broke his leg while playing for Wolves against Birmingham City in 2013. He developed arthritis after the operation but claims he…
On February 6th, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Southern Turkey and Northern Syria, followed by multiple secondary earthquakes. This devastated millions of lives and led to more than 50,000 deaths. In response to the disaster, people worldwide showed their support by raising money to be donated for aid and relief. Family Paralegal, Zahra Ali, stepped…
Dani Czernuszka, a female rugby player who sued an opponent, Natasha King for £10 million after she was paralysed for life by a tackle in a league match between her team Reading Sirens and Bracknell Ladies in October 2017, has won her High Court case for compensation. The verdict, a first for the ladies game…
Rapper and singer Flo Rida was awarded $82.6 million following a breach of contract claim against the makers of Celsius energy drinks. Flo Rida was a brand ambassador for Celsius from 2014 to 2018. He argued that the partnership helped Celsius to grow its product portfolio, which a new product line called Celsius Heat in conjunction…
2022 brought with it a series of unprecedented changes in the way that we live globally as well as personally. Annual inflation was at a record high which had detrimental consequences for many such as an increase in interest rates and in turn mortgages, the cost of food and living generally, and this is expected…
Tesco and Lidl are involved in a High Court case over a yellow circle logo on a blue square background. The logo is used by Lidl as its main logo and by Tesco to highlight offers available to members of its Clubcard scheme. Lidl claim that Tesco have infringed a trademark and copyright. It alleges…
Following an accident where the other party have admitted liability, compensation in respect of moderate or minor elbow injuries could amount to £11,820.00 for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, which is sometimes known as ‘general damages’. In addition, ‘special damages’ can be awarded, which are also known as ‘out of pocket expenses’ and…
Lousie Davies, will be knitting some easter goodies for charity. For all orders received a donation will be made to Francis House Children’s Hospice where Senior Partner Vijay is a Trustee. £195.00 was raised last year! If you would like to place an order, please contact Louise on: lgp@wrigleyclaydon.com The items below have a suggested…
Andy’s Man Club aims to eliminate the negative stigma surrounding mental health and create an open and supportive environment where men can talk about their feelings and the struggles that they may be facing. They facilitate weekly peer support groups for men over 18 every Monday (expect Bank Holidays) at 7pm all around the country.…
The High Court has ruled that Aldi infringed the design of Marks & Spencer‘s light-up Christmas gin bottles. This means that Aldi could have to pay damages to M&S or pass on profits from sales of the product. Aldi has said it will appeal against the judgment. The case was the latest legal dispute between the companies, after…
Jonathan Downing who found Japanese knotweed behind the garden shed after he moved into his £700,000 in London has successfully sued the seller, Jeremy Henderson for misrepresenting whether there was knotweed at the property when he sold it. Mr Henderson had answered ‘no’ to the question on the TA6 property information form asking if the…
There is no single definition for parental alienation, however, CAFCASS (The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) describe this term as ‘an ongoing pattern of negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours of one parent/carer that have the intention or capability to undermine and potentially threaten the child’s relationship with the other parent’. This behaviour…
Cardiff City are seeking damages of more than £10 million in a High Court action against insurance broker Miller Insurance LLP over the death of the striker, Emiliano Sala following a plane crash as he travelled to take up his new role with the club. Cardiff City say the brokers failed to say players would…
A grandmother who lost her limbs after getting sepsis from a paper cut has lost her claim for compensation at Scotland’s highest civil court, the Inner House at the Court of Session. Marguerite Henderson sued her GPs at the Benarty Medical alleging that they didn’t do enough in February 2018 to stop her falling seriously…
Amanda Doyle, a mistress of Alexander Thynn the 7th Marquess of Bath and referred to as a “wifelet” by the Marquess is pursuing a High Court case pursuant to The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 for reasonable provision from the estate of the late Marquess. The estate is valued at £23 million.…
Ryanair is offering compensation to passengers who were affected by the 2018 pilots’ strike after it and the UK Civil Aviation Authority came to a settlement. Ryanair attempted to argue that the pilots’ strike was legally defined as an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ and was therefore not liable for compensating stranded passengers. An extraordinary circumstance is when a service by…
We had a Christmas Jumper/Silly Santa Day on Thursday 8th December. Money raised will be donated to Roundthorn Salvation Army, which will contribute towards the cost of providing Christmas lunch to the vulnerable on Christmas day. Can guess who is in the christmas tree?
Michael Clutterbuck, the son of the producer behind the Paddington Bear TV show is involved in a legal battle with the author Michael Bond’s former business, Paddington and Company Ltd. over potentially royalties. Pursuant to a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in the 1970s, Mr Bond would give TV producer Graham Clutterbuck 10 per cent of all future worldwide…
According to figures published by the Ministry of Justice for the period April to June 2022 landlord possession claims have increased 160% from 6,997 to 18,201. There has been a significant increase in section 21 evictions, the so-called “no fault” possession claim compared to figures taken in 2019. This could be influenced by previous government proposals to…
Christmas and New Year should be joyous and a happy time, however, unfortunately for divorced and separated parents it can be an extremely difficult time. The question of where and how their children will spend their time with each parent can cause tension and overshadow the enjoyment of this time of year. Here at Wrigley…
Lousie Davies, will be knitting some christmas gifts for charity. As these are handmade so the colours may vary slightly. If you have any specific colours you want me to incorporate or you are placing a bulk order and want them all matching shades then please let me know when ordering. For all orders received…
Family Solutions is a group of professionals from different disciplines who assembled in 2020 with the aim of improving the experience of those who are separating. They say that the use of language is crucial to shift mindsets away from “adversity and battles”, towards safety, wellbeing, and child welfare. They have proposed five principles of…
With pet ownership increasing significantly over lockdown and divorce rates rising just as rapidly it raises the question of who gets the pet in the event of a divorce? To many their pet is a part of their family, according to PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) 52% of adults in the UK currently own…
Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (“MUST”) have threatened judicial review proceedings against Hammersmith and Fulham Council unless more away fans are allowed when Manchester United play Chelsea on 22 October 2022 at 17:30. They want the Council to issue a new safety certificate to allow the full allocation of 2,994 travelling supporters. United’s allocation has been…
Photos from our #MacmillanCoffeeMorning event on Friday 30th September, we helped raise money to support people with cancer.
Elizabeth Ramus has lost a court case with her daughter over her ex-husband’s will. Mrs Ramus was married to Chris Ramus, who made his millions selling lobsters in the 1970’s. In 2020, Mr Ramus killed himself after struggling to cope with a number of family issues. Despite Elizabeth having a £1.6m of her own and…
Oldham Enterprise Trust’s 10-year Anniversary Celebration, with Sir Norman Stoller at Summit Up, attended by our Assistant Conveyancer Mohammed Hussain
The parents of Madeleine McCann have lost their European court of human rights (ECHR) challenge to the Portuguese supreme court’s decision to dismiss their libel case against Gonçalo Amaral, former detective who implicated them in their daughter’s disappearance. In 2015, a Lisbon court ordered Amaral, to pay €500,000 to Madeleine’s parents. But an appeal court overturned the decision in…
Jonathan and Alicia Horsley who run an independent Pan Asian Street food business called Bao Wow at Darlington Market have been threatened with legal action by Wow Bao a US business based in Chicago which supplies over 500 restaurants across America over their choice of name. Wow Bao claim the use of Bao Wow will…
On Friday 30th September, We will be taking part in the World’s Biggest #CoffeeMorning on behalf of MacMillan Cancer Support. There will be plenty of tea, coffee and cakes so please do pop in and show your support!
A collective legal claim has been brought in the Competition Appeal Tribunal against Sony PlayStation seeking up to £5 billion in damages for consumers in the UK. The claim alleges that Sony breached competition law by unlawfully overcharging PlayStation customers and abused its market dominant position to impose unfair terms and conditions on PlayStation game…
What is the process of resolving a defamation matter? There are several ways you can attempt to resolve a defamation matter, including the following: Sending a cease and desist letter The first attempt of having a defamatory statement removed, so it no longer causes any problems is by issuing what is known as a cease…
Saddleworth Village Olympics brings together nearly a thousand children each year to try new sports, participate in known ones and build new friendships through it all. Wrigley Claydon Solicitors is a friend of the Saddleworth Olympics.
The 2018 Masters champion and US Ryder Cup golfer Patrick Reed has filed a $750m defamation lawsuit against American television network The Golf Channel and its commentator Brandel Chamblee. The lawsuit states that Chamblee and the Golf Channel have been “actively targeting Reed since he was 23 years old, to destroy his reputation, create hate…
Todmorden in Bloom is a voluntary group dedicated to creating a big, bright, beautiful blooming community in the heart of the Pennines.
As the rates of energy, fuel and household bills continue to increase, families across the UK adjust budgets and cut costs to manage the rising cost of living crisis. But what does this uncertainty mean for divorcing couples? The Office for National Statistics has reported, due to the on-going increase in everyday living costs, individuals…
Sir Van Morrison is attempting to challenge a ruling in the Court of Appeal that his defamation action with Health Minister Robin Swann should be heard without a jury. Mr Swann issued defamation proceedings after Sir Van chanted that he was “very dangerous” during a dinner at Belfast’s Europa Hotel in June 2021. It came after gigs…
The general rule in relation to costs in family law matters is that each party to proceedings shall pay their own legal costs. This is the starting point for all applications that come before the Court. Children cases rarely produce an award for costs. The reasons for this are as follows; firstly, as stated in…
Laurence Broderick, the sculptor, who created the bull statue in Birmingham’s Bull Ring, has settled a £5million court dispute with his sons after removing them from his will and leaving everything to the National Trust. He also changed the locks on the family home so no sons could get inside The once close family had…
Prince Harry’s legal case against the Home Office is going to the High Court today over his access to police protection while in Britain. He wants a full judicial review of a decision not to allow him to pay for such protection for himself and his family when visiting the country. At the hearing, Harry’s…
Boris Johnson has announced the launch of the coronavirus public inquiry, outlining its terms of reference, following the rising threat of legal action against the Government by bereaved families over extensive delays. The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group threatened to apply for a judicial review on Sunday, over the failure of the Government…
Consumer rights campaigner, Justin Gutmann has filed a claim against Apple in the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London on behalf of up to 25 million UK iPhone users who used any of 10 different models of iPhone, from the iPhone 6 through to the iPhone X (and including the iPhone SE). He is accusing the…
According to a recent report by Churchill Home Insurance Claims around 6.6 million Britons have been involved in a land dispute with neighbours. The placement of fences, walls, and hedges cause the most issues when it comes to boundary disputes, followed by things such as overhanging trees and access issues. The report added that the…
In a now deleted Instagram post Kanye West accused Adidas of selling a fake version of his signature trainers Yeezy. West stated that the latest adidas, Adilette Slide 22 is a copy of his Yeezy Slide. Both shoes feature a similar lightweight, slip-on design and come in a beige colour. Suffering a dispute can…
Volkswagen will pay £193 million as part of an out-of-court settlement to around 91,000 British drivers over a diesel emissions scandal where 1.2 million vehicles in Britain were fitted with software that cheated diesel emissions tests designed to limit nitrogen oxide car fumes. The Claimants alleged VW deceived people into buying cars that breached emissions…
Last week, a jury in the USA ruled against Amber Heard in a defamation suit brought on by Johnny Depp for an article she wrote in The Washington Post about domestic abuse. Depp claimed Heard had defamed him when she described herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse”. The jury awarded Depp damages of a total of…
Johnny Depp’s is suing his ex-wife Amber Heard for “defamation by implication” over a 2018 article in The Washington Post in which she called herself a “public figure representing domestic abuse”. She also stated “I felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out. I had the rare vantage point of seeing,…
Muslim marriage app Muzmatch has lost the right to use its name after a trademark dispute with US dating giant Match Group, which owns Match.com, Hinge and Tinder after Judge Nicholas Caddick sitting in The UK Intellectual Property Enterprise Court on Wednesday ruled that Muzmatch took an “unfair advantage” over the association of the word…
Associate solicitor, Emily Lamb, helped raise money for Refuge Charity by running 31km in 31 days. Refuge opened the world’s first refuge in Chiswick, West London, in 1971. It is now the country’s largest single provider of specialist accommodation and support to women and children escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence and abuse.…
Wrigley Claydon Solicitors have once again partnered with Dr Kershaw’s Hospice to provide the community with access to Will writing services whilst raising vital funds for patient care. This gives those who haven’t yet got a will the opportunity to access the expertise of local solicitors whilst supporting the Hospice. Rachel Damianou at Wrigley Claydon…
According to reports Waitrose has sent a legal letter to Asda after Asda unveiled its new discount product range, called Just Essentials by Asda. Asda will roll out the new range to replace Smart Price over the summer, however, Waitrose says the branding is too similar to its own Essentials range, which was launched in…
Louise Reeves had been fighting her brother Bill Reeves in the High Court over how their property tycoon father Kevin’s £100m fortune should be distributed. Kevin had previously intended to leave Bill a share worth about £27m, but his final Will in 2014 left him with just a collection of personal possessions worth about £200,000.…
The BBC has reported that the UK is fast-tracking The Economic Crime Bill to target money-laundering by foreign oligarchs. The Bill will include a new register that will mean foreign owners of UK property must declare and verify their identities with Companies House with the aim to stop overseas criminals and oligarchs from using agents…
Every year, thousands of little woolly chicks and bunnies flock into Francis House, knitted by crafty supporters from across the world. The chicks are filled with a donated chocolate egg each and sold in schools, stores and businesses all across Greater Manchester to raise funds for the hospice. The hospice needs over £33m a year…
The Voice UK 2012 runner-up Bo Bruce, whose real name is Lady Catherine Anna Brudenell-Bruce has won a case in the High Court in London against her viscount brother, Thomas Brudenell-Bruce in a dispute over their multi-million-pound inheritance. Their mother, Lady Rosamond, the former Countess of Cardigan, left her estate to her two children in…
The Highway Code has updated its rules to make the roads safer for the most vulnerable road users and to encourage more cycling and walking in a safe way. Cyclists are not obliged to use cycle lanes even if one is available. The code, which has made this rule clearer but hasn’t changed it, says cyclists should “exercise…
Prince Harry is seeking judicial review of a government decision that barred him from personally paying for police protection for him and his family while in the UK. In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle formally stepped back from their duties with the royal family meaning they also forfeited taxpayer-funded police protection. A statement from Prince…
In April of this year, the law on divorce is set to change. ‘No fault divorce’ will allow couples to divorce without having to cite blame. They will no longer need to rely on one of the 5 facts (behaviour, adultery, 5 years separation, 2 years separation with consent, desertion). This change hopes to reduce…
A man in his 50s who was injured after a bus knocked him off an e-scooter he was riding illegally is seeking compensation worth thousands of pounds from the bus company’s insurers in what could prove to be a landmark legal case. The man was riding a privately owned e-scooter on a public road in London in…
David Lean, a victim of paedophile and former Crewe Alexandra coach Barry Bennell has secured a five-figure settlement from the previous owners of Butlin’s after Bennell groomed him while working at a holiday park in Wales in 1979. A civil case was brought by Lean against Hard Rock Cafe (Edinburgh) Limited, formerly known as Butlin’s…
Mr Justice Fraser, sitting in the High Court has ruled that PPLive Sports International, a broadcaster based in Hong Kong must pay more than £150m to the Premier League. PPLive signed a deal with the Premier League to show both live and delayed football matches and game highlights across China. The deal was set to…
Wrigley Claydon are pleased to announce that Rhona Royle (Head of Family) and Sadia Rahman (Head of Conveyancing) have joined the Partnership. Both have overseen the growth and development of their respective departments, enhancing the Firms reputation in the fields of Family and Property Law at the Firms Manchester, Oldham and Todmorden offices. This increases…
Jockey Freddy Tylicki is suing fellow jockey Graham Gibbons in the High Court following Tylicki suffering a life-changing injury when he fell during a race at Kempton Park racetrack on 31 October 2016, which he alleges was caused by Gibbons “taking him off track”. After getting off the mount, Tylicki was trampled and partially paralysed,…
Craig Wright, an Australian computer scientist who lives in the UK has won a civil trial in Miami against the family of his late business partner and computer forensics expert, David Kleiman. Wright claims that the win shows he is the inventor of Bitcoin. Kleiman’s family claimed that he and Mr Wright had been…
Here are our closing and opening times for our offices over the Christmas and New Year period. If you have an enquiry while our offices are closed, you can send us an email and we will get back to you on our return.
We helped raise cash for Christmas Jumper day which was donated to support Oldham Salvation Army
Former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq told a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee on 16 November 2021 that English cricket is “institutionally” racist. Rafiq told the DCMS select committee how racist language was “constantly” used at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Rafiq first spoke out last year, claiming “institutional racism” at Yorkshire left him close to…
Judge Melissa Clarke at Oxford County Court said the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation had been breached by the use of Ring security cameras and doorbells, which come with a camera and microphone. The Court also upheld the claim that the devices contributed to harassment. The Judgment found that…
Great Britain half-back Bobbie Goulding is among a group of former rugby league players who are bringing legal action against the Rugby Football League (RFL) for allegedly failing to protect them from the risks of brain damage caused by concussion. He says that he played within days of “a serious knockout” on at least three occasions. Goulding, 49, has…
The Government has obtained a High Court injunction against green activists from Insulate Britain an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion who face fines or prison for blocking the M25. The High Court injunction obtained by the Government on September 22 means anyone blocking the motorway could be found to be in contempt of court, which carries a maximum penalty of…
The High Court has ruled that emails and WhatsApp messages of former British Health Secretary Matt Hancock can be searched, in a court action brought by the Good Law Project group against the Department of Health and Social Care over the allegedly unlawful awarding of multi-million-pound Covid testing contracts. The case revolves around three Covid-19…
Temporary measures brought in by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 to support businesses from insolvency during the pandemic will be phased out from 1 October. New measures will be brought in to help smaller companies get back on their feet to give them more time to trade their way back to financial health…
The High Court has agreed to notify Prince Andrew about the lawsuit launched against him by former Jeffrey Epstein’s victim Virginia Giuffre. The High Court said in a statement: “The lawyers acting for Ms Giuffre have now provided further information to the High Court, and the High Court has accepted the request for service under…
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed that it will implement a blueprint for fixed recoverable costs (FRC) across the fast-track and in most money cases worth up to £100,000 in a bid to reduce the cost of litigation and create more certainty about what losing parties must pay. It does not specify a date…
According to palace sources and some sections of the media Buckingham Palace is ready to issue libel and privacy proceedings in case Prince Harry releases any more damaging revelations in his upcoming memoir. In a previous documentary with Oprah Winfrey Prince Harry accused his father Prince Charles of neglect and of letting him suffer as…
Johnny Depp was recently handed a small victory in a US Court as part of his $50m defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Heard had petitioned to have the suit dismissed after the High Court in London ruled in favour of The Sun, in a libel trial with Depp over The Sun’s description of Depp…
Lionel Messi has signed a contract with PSG after Barcelona stated the “financial and structural obstacles” made it impossible for Messi to renew his contract with them. Last month Messi agreed in principle to a five-year contract on 50% reduced wages from 45m euros to 20m euros however, even that would not have kept Barcelona…
The Crime Survey for England and Wales showed that 1.6 million women and 757,000 men had experienced domestic abuse between March 2019 and March 2020, with a 7% growth in police recorded domestic abuse crimes. Although there is limited official data so far on the impact of lockdown on domestic abuse, the Office for National…
In 2001 I joined (what is now called) “Resolution” a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way. In January 2003 I became an accredited specialist and remained so until I left the law temporarily to live and work abroad (New Delhi, India and Istanbul,…
Rebekah Vardy has succeeded in a bid to strike out parts of Coleen Rooney’s defence which included allegations of Mrs Vardy’s close relationship with The Sun newspaper and her alleged, but denied, authorship of “The Secret Wag” column in the latest part of the ‘Wagatha Christie’ High Court libel case. However, the High Court refused to issue…
Andrew Lloyd Webber is taking legal action against the U.K. government in a bid to force them to reveal the results of their live event pilot scheme. During the pandemic, the Events and Research Programme (ERP) had been allowing audiences to attend events such as the FA Cup Final and the BRIT Awards to gauge…
Craft beer firm, BrewDog, has apologised to former employees who accused the company and its co-founder James Watt of fostering a “culture of fear” where workers were bullied and “treated like objects”. In an open letter former workers alleged that BrewDog’s growth resulted in cutting corners on health and safety, failing to live by its…
The Competition and Markets Authority (the CMA) have stated that Ryanair and British Airways could have breached consumer law by refusing to refund customers at the height of the pandemic. Instead, they offered an option to rebook or vouchers. It said that it had opened enforcement cases into both airlines and had written to them detailing…
This is often a question I am asked, and my answer is almost always “I’d much prefer it if they do”. In family law, people very often have ideas about what is “fair” and this term means different things to different people. You might believe you know what a fair outcome would be and often…
The government has made changes to the claims process for low value road traffic accident (RTA) related personal injury claims, commonly referred to as ‘whiplash claims’, effective from 31 May 2021 onwards. The reforms apply to low value injury claims arising from an RTA including whiplash. These changes mean that if you have suffered a…
Lidl has been forced to temporarily stop selling a version of one of its own brand gins after being sued by the makers of Hendrick’s gin who claim a trademark has been infringed. Hendrick’s gin bottles bear a diamond-shaped label in a trademark. Lidl is defending the case and claims there are “clear and obvious…
A trial between Epic Games and Apple began on 4 May 2021 with Epic Games calling the charge imposed by Apple are extortionate and that Apple’s control over the App Store is anti-competitive. It believes that developers should be able to make apps for smartphones without having to pay large sums to Apple (and to…
Ex-boxing champion Joe Calzaghe has reached an agreement in legal dispute with sister Sonia Prosser who had sued him and their other sister Melissa Calzaghe, in a dispute relating to administration of their late father Enzo’s estate. Judge Jarman sitting at Cardiff County Court had been due to oversee an online hearing but lawyers representing all sides…
The European Union’s executive branch has commenced legal action against AstraZeneca for breaching the terms of its contract with the EU. It holds AstraZeneca responsible for partly delaying their vaccine rollout. AstraZeneca’s contract with the EU, signed last August, foresaw an initial 300 million doses for distribution among member countries, with an option for a…
The High Court is considering evidence in a case brought by Sacha Lord, the night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester and a co-founder of Parklife festival, and Hugh Osmond, the founder of Punch Taverns and a former boss at Pizza Express to try to force the UK government to bring forward the reopening date for…
Marks & Spencer (“M&S”) has lodged an intellectual property claim with the High Court against Aldi in an effort to protect its Colin the Caterpillar cake with a claim that Aldi’s Cuthbert the Caterpillar product infringes its trademark. M&S argues that the similarity of Aldi’s product leads consumers to believe they are of the same…
Nike is suing New York studio MSCHF for trademark infringement over its Satan Shoes, collaboration with musician Lil Nas X that customised 666 pairs of trainers with human blood and pentagrams. Nike said the altered shoes, which still display its signature swoosh logo, are causing people to believe “Nike is endorsing Satanism” and causing “calls to boycott” their…
Barry Silkman, a former Manchester city footballer turned agent, has won an £800,000 court action over his ex-wife’s estate. Mr Silkman sued Gaven Love over the Will of Ally Fuller. Mr Silkman split from Ms Fuller in 2003 and she became engaged to Mr Love in 2007. Ms Fuller died of cancer in 2016 and…
The family of Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala are taking legal action against the footballer’s former club Cardiff City after his death in a plane crash on 21 January 2021. The family has commenced civil proceedings in the High Court, in order to “protect their legal rights” against 13 defendants including Cardiff City, the club Sala…
The UK High Court has ruled that Health Minister Matt Hancock “acted unlawfully by failing to comply with the Transparency Policy” in granting Covid-19 contracts. The ruling followed a judicial review against the government’s failure to publish its contracts with private companies involved in the response to the pandemic. The government used emergency powers under…
Consumer group Which is suing Qualcomm, a US manufacturer of computer chips, alleging that it breached UK competition law by taking advantage of its dominance in the patent-licensing and chipset market. This enabled Qualcomm to charge manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung inflated fees for technology licenses, which in turn has been passed on to…
Prince Harry has accepted an apology and “substantial damages” from the publisher of The Mail On Sunday and MailOnline website following claims that Harry had “not been in touch” with the Marines since his last appearance as an honorary Marine in March 2020 and that military leaders were considering replacing him as Captain-General of the…
Retail brokerages restricted trading recently in GameStop and other stocks caused big losses for hedge funds. Free-stock trading pioneer Robinhood and Interactive Brokers said that in some cases, investors would be able to sell only their positions and not open new ones. Both brokerages raised margin requirements on certain securities. Robinhood said its decision to…
London based tribute band Pearl Jamm have changed their name to Legal Jam after the real Pearl Jam allegedly threatened legal proceedings against them stating that “their name, domain name and merchandise is damaging the Pearl Jam brand and causing confusion.’ According to Pearl Jamm, Pearl Jam asked them to change their name, hand over their domain…
TikTok is facing the prospect of legal action from a 12-year-old English girl, who remains anonymous over whether the way it handles children’s data violates European Union and UK privacy laws. The High Court in London was told that the girl hoped the case would result in TikTok being ordered to delete the Claimant’s data,…
Premier League champions Liverpool won a High Court case earlier this year against betting firm Winlink Marketing after one of their senior executives introduced officials to contacts at BetVictor in 2013. This led the way for a £15m sponsorship deal with BetVictor with Winlink Marketing Limited having claimed they were owed £1.125m in commissions due to…
Please note the office will be closed from 5.00pm on Wednesday 23rd December 2020 and will re-open 9.00am on Monday 4th January 2021. Season’s Greetings from Wrigley Claydon.
January is traditionally one of the busiest months for family law solicitors. For some people it means the ending of a relationship that has perhaps not been working for a while, if that is you then taking early legal advice can pay dividends later. Making that first call to get some advice is often the…
Former England rugby player Steve Thompson revealed he can no longer remember winning the World Cup because of brain injuries he suffered playing rugby. He has joined former England player, Michael Lipman, and ex-Wales international Alix Popham, planning legal action for negligence against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union, for…
During the current pandemic, sadly we have received a lot of calls from people whose minds have been focused on getting their affairs in order and enquiring about making a will. This is not a bad thing and a lot of clients have taken the opportunity to leave a gift in their will to charities…
The Independent newspaper has today reported that “the UK government has granted pharmaceutical giant Pfizer a legal indemnity protecting it from being sued, enabling its coronavirus vaccine to be rolled out across the country as early as next week. The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed the company has been given an indemnity protecting it from legal action as a result…
The High Court has ruled that Anne Sacoolas, who killed Harry Dunn, when driving her on the wrong side of the road, did have diplomatic immunity at the time of the crash. Anna Sacoolas was the wife of a US diplomat, left the UK following the crash. The US refused to accept a UK extradition…
A legal action over brain injuries allegedly caused in football and other contact sports has begun. Lawyers say they are working on behalf of a group of former players to establish in the courts whether sports governing bodies have done enough to protect them, and seek compensation if this is proven not to be the…
Greater Manchester’s night-time economy adviser Sacha Lord has begun legal proceedings against the government over the closure of hospitality venues. He stated that a judicial review began on Tuesday 20 October 2020 into the legality of implementing emergency restrictions on the hospitality sector i.e. closing pubs and bars not serving food “without any evidence” it…
Sir Elton John and ex-wife Renate Blauel have settled a legal dispute caused by the singer’s autobiography and film Rocketman. In June 2020 Blauel alleged that John had broken the terms of the couple’s divorce deal by publicly discussing the pair’s marriage which ended in 1988. In the legal proceedings Blauel had asked for damages of approximately £3m and an injunction preventing…
George Michael ‘s ex-boyfriend Kenny Goss has reportedly commenced a legal claim pursuant to the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 for a monthly allowance of £15,000 from the late star’s estate, as he wasn’t left anything in George Michael’s will. The Act enables certain categories of people to apply to the Court and make a claim…
Ireland’s Supreme Court has ruled that Subway sandwiches are too sugary to be classed as ‘bread’ and therefore are not liable for tax exemption. The court ruled that the sandwiches could not be categorised as a staple food, which would come with a zero VAT rate, rejecting a Subway franchise’s arguments that it was not liable for tax on…
There is concern that the number of Wills drafted as a result of panic have potentially not been witnessed properly or executed validly due to Covid-19 restrictions in place. The legal requirements for the execution of a valid Will are set out in Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. It requires wills to be…
Disruption to cancer diagnosis services (referrals and routine screening) and people avoiding healthcare because of the COVID-19 pandemic could result in around 3,500 potentially avoidable deaths from the four main cancers in England by 2025, according to new research published in The Lancet Oncology journal. This may result in an increase of people suing the NHS for…
The Gin Guild has issued a pre-legal action notice to the Pentone family who produce Red Storm and Ocean Storm for wrongly labelling the spirits as ‘gin’, despite only being 29% ABV. It now intends to secure enforcement against those seeking to abuse the name and standing of the gin category, and to ensure…
Making a will has been something more and more people have wanted to do as the worries of COVID19 have pressed heavily on their minds. Making a will is something many of us plan to do but put off for a variety of reasons and it is only at times like we find ourselves in…
A community food scheme in Todmorden where fruit and vegetables are grown in public places across the town for the town’s residents to pick and eat has inspired a global movement of growers. Incredible Edible Todmorden have had gardeners take over unused or unattractive bits of public land to plant food to feed the community. It…
Since the government introduced the lockdown there have been reports of cosmetic surgery practitioners have been breaching lockdown rules in order to visit their clients’ homes to give them dermal fillers and Botox injections. There are currently no rules in the UK about who can carry out the injections or what training they should have.…
It has been reported that Lionel Messi has told Barcelona that he wants to leave the club immediately – and on a free transfer. Messi believes that a clause in his contract means he can walk away for no fee. Barcelona, however, insist that he is still bound by a €700m (£629m) buy-out clause. Barcelona believe…
On Monday 3 August 2020 a High Court judge dismissed an appeal by Jaguar Land Rover’s parent company Tata Motors to get trademark rights for the Land Rover Defender. The decision means Ineos Automotive is now free to press ahead with its Grenadier off-roader. The Grenadier, which is being bankrolled by chemical billionaire Sir Jim…
Clint Eastwood is suing companies based in California, Florida and Michigan alleging offences include trademark infringement and false endorsement to sell products containing CBD, an ingredient derived from the cannabis plant. Online scammers claimed the actor had retired from the film industry, according to two lawsuits filed in California, and was now focusing on his…
Uber aims to change the ruling at the two-day hearing at the Supreme Court that previously said employees should be classified as workers in what could be a landmark decision. The legal battle began back in 2016 when an employment tribunal ruled in favour of a group of Uber drivers who requested employment protections such…
Venetia Murray has been awarded £2m following an inheritance dispute. Venetia’ brother Dean Brunt died in 2007 and was thought not to have made a will. His share of a £6m farm he, his brother, Dale, and Venetia owned went to his mother, who then gave it to Dale. However, Venetia discovered the existence of…
Johnny Depp’s defamation litigation against News Group Newspapers over a 2018 article in the Sun newspaper which referred to Depp as a “wife beater” is currently being heard in the High Court. The article related to allegations made against Depp by actress Amber Heard that he was violent towards her during their marriage, which he denies.…
Formal legal action has begun against Celtic Football Club regarding claims it failed to protect victims from sex abusers working around Celtic Boys’ Club. Celtic declined to answer questions put forward by the Guardian in relation to the legal action but instead referred to a statement made by the club in February, where it said: “Celtic Football…
With the incremental easing of some of the lockdown restrictions enquiries about divorce and separation are on the rise. During the last few months, new enquires were focussed on the reactions to the restrictions imposed by the Prime Minister; such as how best to manage the arrangements for children who were used to spending time…
Court records show that proceedings for defamation have been registered at the High Court in London by Rebekah Vardy against Coleen Rooney. The women had a very public falling-out last year over what was nicknamed the ‘Wagatha Christie’ affair. Coleen Rooney claimed she’d discovered that stories leaked to a tabloid newspaper could only have been…
The UK Supreme Court will hear arguments from the Ogale and Bille communities in Nigeria that Shell should be held accountable significant and systematic pollution caused by oil extraction in the Niger delta. They say they have suffered decades of pollution, including the contamination of their water wells with potentially cancer-causing chemicals, as well as…
When someone passes away, banks and building societies will typically freeze their accounts and if the balance in the account is significant, they will require an official document known as a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration before most of the money can be released. This process can take months. However, some of Britain’s…
Many people will have been isolating over recent months and some will be continuing to do so. It is at times like these that we realise how much we depend on others to help us out and that it’s essential to have a good network of people we can rely on. However, those we rely…
Joe Exotic, the subject of a cult documentary Tiger King on Netflix, has been forced to hand his zoo over to his Tiger King co-star and rival Carole Baskin. The GW Exotic Animal Memorial Park in Oklahoma had been left by Exotic to his former business partner – and fellow Tiger King star – Jeff Lowe and his mother. However, a…
Businesses struggling to stay afloat through the Covid-19 crisis could be saved by the introduction of a new Corporate Governance and Insolvency Bill giving companies time to restructure, refinance and keep trading when they might otherwise go out of business because of debts caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Under the rules, wrongful trading provisions will be temporarily suspended; meaning directors…
The Ministry of Justice has decided to exclude vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians from proposed changes to the law that will limit the ability to recover compensation following injury in a road traffic accident. Campaigners, including British Cycling, argued that it would become almost impossible for cyclists to get legal representation…
A group legal claim is to be brought on behalf of owners of some Mercedes vehicles, over claims customers were misled about the emissions their vehicles produced. It is alleged that the issue affected 500,000 diesel vehicles- the BlueTec and AdBlue range sold between 2007 and 2018. The latest action comes a year after Daimler…
Victoria Beckham‘s fashion brand is being sued by a former employee who claims she developed carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of working for the company. The NHS describes carpal tunnel syndrome as “pressure on a nerve in your wrist” that causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. Kristina Kubilene alleges that she…
SunWeb, a skiing holiday provider, faces legal action after backtracking on a promise to refund tickets costing up to £4000.00 for a cancelled festival. SunWeb initially offered customers a full refund by March 31 after Tomorrowland Winter at the French resort Alpe d’Huez, was called off because of Covid-19 but has since told customers that…
The Night Time Industries Association, which represents bars and clubs across the UK, has commenced legal action against Hiscox, alleging the insurer has refused to pay out for claims during the coronavirus pandemic. The NTIA is arranging class action against the insurer, which it said has denied liability under its business interruption policy. All night…
11th to 17th May 2020 is “Dying Matters” Awareness Week. The aim of this organisation is to encourage people to talk more openly about death, dying and bereavement. This is often a difficult subject to broach, but it is a natural process that we will all experience. The theme this year is “Dying to…
Firms that fail to refund people for holiday and weddings cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak could face legal action by the consumer watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) The CMA said the holiday vouchers being offered can only be used during a more expensive period, while wedding venues are telling people to claim…
The Government is currently considering whether the rules on how wills should be signed can be relaxed, particularly in light of the COVID-19 situation. Currently a will is only valid if it is signed in the presence of two independent witnesses who then also sign the will in the presence of the testator. These…
HM Courts and Tribunal Services (HMCTS) has announced that in light of COVID-19 restrictions, some of their rules have been relaxed in relation to Probate applications. The changes are temporary but are designed to ensure that applications for Probate can continue and can be processed as swiftly as possible even though many of their staff…
MMA fighter Conor McGregor’s application to register the name ‘Conor McGregor’ as a trademark for the sale of clothing across the EU has been rejected by the European Union Intellectual Property Office at Alicante in Spain. EUIPO upheld an objection by a Dutch clothing firm, McGregor IP BV against the application. It sells clothing under…
Kasoku, a Japanese short-term rental firm is marketing its empty apartments for 4,400 yen ($40) a day as a way for stressed couples to get some time apart during the virus lockdown, similar to an Airbnb type arrangement. The service also comes with the offer of a free 30-minute divorce consultation with a legal official.…
Source: Pannone Corporate At the end of last week the publication of a Direction from the Treasury to HMRC setting out the legislative framework for the operation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme caused concern for many employers who had furloughed employees without obtaining their express written agreement. The Direction specifies that in order for…
EasyJet founder and major shareholder Stelios haji-Ioannou has threatened to sue the EasyJet’s executives if it went ahead with a £4.5bn plane order from Airbus. Ioannou said he would start legal action if it spent ‘a penny’ on new planes. He singled out the CFO suggesting that the reason he wants to borrow £600m from the UK…
Last month, Section 82 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 was introduced to ban the forfeit of commercial leases until 30 June 2020 – or longer if the government deems it necessary – for not paying rent. However, this does not stop landlords from issuing statutory demand notices and winding up orders, making debt claims or…
Amazon will close its warehouses in France until at least early next week after a court ordered it to limit deliveries to essential goods such as food and medical supplies. The world’s largest online retailer is facing mounting criticism of the health measures it has put in place to protect employees from the coronavirus while…
Scottish football club Hearts’ threat to take legal action against the Scottish Premier Football League if Hearts are relegated before the 2019/20 season is completed was last night branded “absolute nonsense” by Stewart Gilmour, the former St Mirren chairman who served on the old SPL board . Hearts were the bottom of the Premiership when…
New legislation making major changes to existing employment regulations comes into force from Monday 6 April 2020. Employers and employees can find the updated advice here on Acas’s website. The most significant changes are: Parental bereavement leave and pay The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Act 2018 gives all employed parents the right to 2…
Australia bowler Mitchell Starc could lose his IPL payout of $1.53 million after the opposition lawyers claimed that the leg-injury which ruled him out of the 2018 season was not sudden or unexpected. Kolkata Knight Riders bought Starc for $1.8 million in the auctions. However, Starc was unable to play any game for the franchise…
Due to Government recommendations we have closed the office buildings. Some staff are working remotely but if you need to contact us please; e-mail directly the person who is dealing with your case or info@wrigleyclaydon.com or telephone 0161 624 6811 and leave a message We will do our best to assist but please bear with…
The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has applied to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling to try to prevent the publication of two judgments containing details of his relationship with his youngest wife, Princess Haya who had fled to London with his two children. She…
Drivers owe a duty of care to cyclists – they have an obligation to drive safely and avoid dangerous driving behaviour that could endanger anyone else on the road, including people on bikes. If you, the bicyclist, has suffered an injury as a result of a negligent action by a driver then you could be…
Debenhams is pressing ahead with plans to cut its debts after a legal challenge backed by Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct drew to a close. The CVA plan was subject to a legal challenge amid pressure from Ashley, whose investment of £150m was wiped out when Debenhams went into administration. Sports Direct had backed the legal…
If you have been injured, or your vehicle or property has been damaged, in a hit and run accident, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Even where the driver responsible cannot be traced, it is still possible to make a hit and run compensation claim from the government-backed Untraced Drivers’ Agreement. Usually personal injury…
The UK is about to be the first country in the world to allow parents who suffer the loss of a child under the age of 18 years, to take paid bereavement leave. Following a campaign by Lucy Hurd “Jack’s law” will be introduced from April. Lucy’s son Jack died aged just 23 months when…
The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of North Yorkshire County Council following a dispute with Samuel Smith Old Brewery over a proposed quarry extension. The UK’s highest court ruled the authority was correct in granting planning permission to the extension of Jackdaw Crag limestone quarry in a sensitive green belt location near Tadcaster following…
The owner and chairman of Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers has warned French club Catalans Dragons they could face legal action as a result of signing Israel Folau The BBC said it had obtained an email in which Neil Hudgell put the Dragons “on notice” should Hull suffer financial loss due to the signing…
Judge Lionel Persey has ruled in favour of Rangers Football Club in the latest round of a long-running legal battle between the club and Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley. Ashley and Rangers have been embroiled in High Court litigation, centred on a kit deal, for more than a year. A company in the Sports Direct Group,…
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has won a legal battle with two Italian sportswear firms, Lotto and Errea who tried to block his clothing range called SCG. The clothing range is a partnership between Gerrard and former club Liverpool who applied to register SGG Apparel as a trademark in the UK to protect the brand. Lotto…
Fashion House Dolce & Gabbana has been ordered to pay Diego Maradona £59,000 in damages following a long-running court dispute after a model wore a Napoli shirt with his name and number on it during a fashion show. Lawyers for Maradona said the retired footballer had not been contacted ahead of the show, which took…
Volkswagen is seeking more than 100 million euros in damages from former supplier Prevent. The argument dates back to 2016, when suppliers ES Guss and Car Trim stopped supplies shortly after being acquired by Prevent in a bid to raise prices, causing production losses at six of Volkswagen’s factories in Germany. Volkswagen has filed a…
Crypto currency is a type of money which is completely virtual, like an on the line version of cash which exists digitally. While some experts argue crypto currency is a risky and volatile investment, it continues to grow in popularity. Crypto currency is one of those odd things which is very private for a lot…
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled that passengers scalded by hot drinks during a flight can hold the airline liable for damages following a case brought by a young girl seeking compensation from now insolvent Austrian airline Niki Luftfahrt when coffee served to her father tipped over during a flight.…
January is one the busiest months for Family Lawyers: the stresses and strains of the holiday season, with sometimes forced jollity and keeping up appearances, have past and the focus turns to the future. The New Year might mean taking the courage to move out of a relationship which is no longer working or perhaps…
The new year is a time for new beginnings and a fresh start. If you are looking to buy a new home and/or sell your existing home, we are here to help. We are a team of friendly, efficient and rated conveyancers and solicitors. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a competitive quote…
As we say goodbye to 2019 and welcome in 2020, now is the time to make some changes and make New Year’s Resolutions Here are Wrigley Claydon’s Top Resolutions for 2020: Make a Will Quite worryingly nearly two thirds of adults in the UK do not have an up-to-date Will. By making a Will, you can…
We helped raise cash for Christmas Jumper day which was donated to support Real Change Oldham
Please note the office will be closed from 5.00pm on Monday 23rd December 2019 and will re-open on Thursday 2nd January 2020. Season’s Greeting from Wrigley Claydon
In recent years historical abuse cases perpetrated by well-known people have hit the headlines, including Jimmy Saville, Harvey Weinstein and Prince Andrew’s friend, Jeffrey Epstein. However, historic sexual abuse cases often involve abuse over a number of years within a family, at a school, in residential care homes or the church. We have helped a…
The Court of Appeal has heard a landmark case which could have wide-ranging implications on whether local authorities can use injunctions to place a blanket ban on Travellers camping on public land. London Gypsies and Travellers (LGT) argues that such court orders are discriminatory, disproportionate, and effectively criminalise a centuries-old way of life. Anyone found breaching…
It is a well-known fact that singing helps many people with dementia. It is not only helpful for people with dementia but generally boosts and improves mental well-being. At this time of year there are many opportunities to have a good old-fashioned sing song . Oldham Metro are this Saturday holding their annual carol concert…
Next week, between 25th and the 30th of November we are taking part in Dr Kershaw’s Will Week. Where in return for a donation to the hospice (£100 per single will, £150 for mirror wills) we will provide clients with a free will. Simply call us on 0161 624 6811 and book an appointment for…
At this time of year, our thoughts are focused on gifts for our nearest and dearest. We will also hear requests from Charities asking us to include them in our Christmas list and to make a donation to them. One way to do this and at the same time get our own affairs in order…
As Christmas approaches, the nation is busying themselves with all the tasks that need to be undertaken prior to Christmas; the shopping , present buying, food shopping and other essential housekeeping tasks. Plans are being made to visit relatives and friends over the festive period. However, in all the hustle and bustle leading up to…
Bake Off Judge, Paul Hollywood and his wife have reportedly decided to resolve their financial matters through arbitration rather than the courts. Arbitration is one of the ways to resolve disputes outside of court. There are a variety of methods by which to resolve financial matters on separation, court proceedings are always the last resort…
(Since this blog was prepared, the Law Society Gazette has reported that unfortunately “Domestic Abuse legislation will fall…as a result of next month’s general election”) More and more we are seeing clients who have been the victim of a financially controlling partner. It is not always evident to a client that they may have been…
Each year, the 09th to 15th October marks Baby Loss Awareness Week, which gives bereaved parents, family and friends the opportunity to unite to remember their babies’ lives. It also aims to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss as well as promoting improvements in care and support for those so affected, and reducing preventable…
Good SAM is a community of Good Samaritans, happy to assist if they are the closest person to an emergency. They are trained in first aid and may have additional skills. Many are off duty doctors, nurses, paramedics and other members of the emergency services. If you are trained in first aid, you can download the GoodSAM Responder App. You’ll then…
South Lakeland District Council (SDLC), who invoice for certain services and charges is owed £576,000 in debts dating back to 2014. SLDC officers said the debt represented a small fraction of the £46 million it had issued invoices or credit notes for from 2014 to 2019-20. Helen Smith, financial services manager for SLDC, said “It’s…
ACL stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament. That’s the tough band of tissue that sits at the front of the knee joint, connecting the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). It provides control and stability to the knee. Sometimes, during an accident, it can tear and the joint will then give way. Normally you will feel…
The Government has thankfully abandoned plans to increase the probate fees which would have seen a rise from the current fixed fee of £155 (with a solicitor) or £255 to a sliding scale of up to £6000 depending on the size of the state. Several organisations including the Law Society vigorously campaigned against the proposed…
The Glasgow coma scale (GCS) is a tool used to assess and calculate a patient’s level of consciousness. It was developed in 1974 by two neurosurgeons in Glasgow and is continued to be used today. The GCS was initially used to assess the level of consciousness in patients after head injury, but the scale…
Liverpool FC’s attempt to trademark the word “Liverpool” has been rejected by the government’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) due to the “geographical significance” of the city. The trademark attempt sparked outrage within the club’s own fanbase, as well as the Liverpool mayor. Liverpool FC said: they would “continue to aggressively pursue those large-scale operations which seek to illegally…
Singer Rita Ora has recently stated that she ‘feared for her career’ during her legal battle with her former record label, Roc Nation, which is owned by Jay Z, who signed her in 2008. The court case prohibited Rita Ora from making music for five years. In December 2015 she had filed a lawsuit to…
This is a question raised many time when a relationship breaks down and the ex-partner becomes pregnant. Recently it was reported that Julio Iglesias was ruled by the Spanish courts to be the biological father of a 43 year old male. It is said that Iglesias who is now 75, had refused to provide a…
French international footballer Nabil Fekir’s ex-agent Jean-Pierre Bernes has taken legal action against Fekir due to “premature termination of the contract” between the agent and the footballer. Fekir claimed that Liverpool told lies about the real reason for his collapsed move to Anfield last summer but has been called out by Jean-Pierre Bernes. The ex-agent said: “He has…
This Friday we will be taking part in the World’s Biggest #CoffeeMorning on behalf of @macmillancancer There will be plenty of tea, coffee and cakes so please do pop in and show your support!@macmillancoffee @MacmillanOldham
A Power of Attorney is a document in which you can nominate someone to help you to make decisions about your future finances of your Health and Welfare if you have difficulty in making decisions yourself. It is meant to be a tool to help you and not take control from you and it is…
The Oldham Magistrates’ Court started being demolished earlier this week. The court has served the community since it opened in the 1970’s, and closed it doors in 2016. Cases for Oldham Magistrates’ Court weer transferred to Tameside The landscape of Oldham Town centre has changed forever.
On 10th September every year World Suicide Prevention Day is observed. The aim is to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world and locally since 2003. The International Association for Suicide Prevention collaborates with the World Health Organisation and the World Federation for Mental Health. According to the…
Only a few years back when posed with the question ‘how long does it take to get divorced?’ by a new client I’d have advised with some confidence “about 6 to 9 months”. Not any longer. Figures released for the first quarter of this year showed that the average time for getting from the start…
“He’s not seeing the children again” “She is stopping me seeing my children because I have a new partner” “No money, you are not seeing the children”. “She/he is using the children as a weapon to try and punish me for ending the relationship” These are but a fraction of the…
The government has begun work on closing down regional Probate Registries and moving the service under one roof. The first centre to close will be Birmingham at the end of August. Questions are being asked as to why probate services are being cut when the government has plans to increase probate fees. Ministers insist the…
The judge in the Scarle estate dispute, in which an elderly married couple were found dead in their Essex home, has ruled that there was not enough medical evidence to determine who died first. As such the commorientes rule was invoked and the elder was deemed to have died first. The couple, who had…
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s third-richest man is involved in another planning row with neighbours over plans for a caretaker’s cottage to maintain his £6million New Forest holiday home. He had previously overcome a six-year battle against neighbours, officials and conservationists over his plans, which were rejected five times. Work eventually started last year but…
It was recently announced that “Avengers” actress Elizabeth Olson has become engaged to musician Robbie Arnett. Sources close to the couple have claimed that they have taken their relationship to the next level with Robbie proposing. Both stars however are yet to confirm the happy news. Often celebrities and other members of the public,…
Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho is suing the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for £13m after accusing them of a drug test-error that ended his career at Liverpool. Sakho was provisionally banned for 30 days on April 28 2016 after being notified by European football’s governing body, UEFA, of an anti-doping offence relating to a test taken after March’s…
Chasing these debts can be highly time consuming and frustrating, taking you away from the vital job of running your business. However, with the right legal support, it is often possible to recover business debts quickly and cost-effectively, unlocking vital funds for your business, while saving you a lot of time and stress. Our Debt…
F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is facing a claim in the High Court of more than £10m in alleged unpaid earnings from his former manager, Glenn Beavis. Beavis is claiming that Ricciardo has not paid him commissions owed on his new contract with Renault; Ricciardo left Red Bull at the end of last season to join…
Rhona Royle, Head of Family Law at Wrigley Claydon Solicitors, comments: Only a few years back when posed with this question by a new client I’d have advised with some confidence “about 6 to 9 months”. Not any longer. Figures released for the first quarter of this year showed that the average time for getting…
Oscar winning actor Geoffrey Rush has been awarded the largest ever defamation pay out to a single person in Australia. Rush was awarded A$2.9m (£1.57m) after winning the case against Nationwide News, which publishes Australia’s Daily Telegraph after it published stories accusing him of behaving inappropriately towards his former co-star Eryn Jean Norvill in a…
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones have ended one of the most acrimonious copyright disputes in British pop by granting Richard Ashcroft all future royalties from his 1997 song Bitter Sweet Symphony, performed by the Verve. Bitter Sweet Symphony reached No 2 in the UK and had a distinctive string motif. Those four seconds…
As a family solicitor specialising in the financial aspects of relationship breakdown I work closely with my colleagues in our Wills & Probate team, led by Partner Rachel Damianou. Clients often require help from both teams to ensure their interests are taken care of fully. A relationship breakdown (be the parties married or not) is…
Singer Britney Spears father, Jamie Spears is suing a blogger, Anthony Elia, creator of the Absolutely Britney blog and social media accounts, for claiming that he has been mistreating his daughter. Britney Spears was committed to a conservatorship in 2008 after her mental health breakdowns, which means that her father is legally responsibility for her…
In March this year, Jack Osbourne, finalised his Divorce from wife Lisa. Jack was spotted out and about in LA with 2 of his 3 children he shares with his ex-wife. Minnie, his 1 year old did not accompany dad on the outing. Jack, the son of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, held hands together with the…
Following the recent discovery of handwritten Wills being found in Aretha Franklin’s home last month, her family has been arguing with each other over the validity and requests of Wills allegedly handwritten by Franklin before she passed away in 2018. . One of the Wills named her youngest son, Kecalf Franklin as the executor of her…
Airbnb has threatened legal action against a Scots firm named Hairbnb, which offers holiday homes for dogs. It connects licensed dog sitters, boarders and walkers with people who need their pets looked after. Allan Ritchie set up the dog boarding business in 2018 and applied for a trademark from the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO). Airbnb were given…
We have recently seen an increase in clients seeking advice regarding a relationship breakdown due to domestic abuse that is not physical but falls into the category of behaviour referred to as “coercive control” Coercive control is defined as “an act or a pattern of acts of assaults, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse…
Australian Leather, an Australian shoe company has been ordered to pay $450,000 to Deckers, the maker of the UGG boot. A jury for the US District Court found 12 pairs of sheepskin-lined boots sold by Australian Leather infringed US-based Decker’s ‘UGG’ trademarks. Deckers first filed an action against Australian Leather in 2016, asking the US court to limit the…
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has invalidated the UK-based supermarket chain Iceland Foods Ltd EU-wide trademark for the word “Iceland” in 2014. It may not register a trademark on the word “Iceland” within the European Union following the Icelandic authorities who sued to have invalidated on the basis of being far too broad…
William Grant & Sons the makers of Glenfiddich has lost a legal battle against an Indian firm, producing a Scotch whisky named Glenfield after it accused it of copying its brand. William Grant & Sons tried to block Glenfield’s attempts to trademark the whisky, saying it uses the same green and gold colours and stag…
The Government have “At Last” announced their intention to review the current procedure on divorce to consider introducing the “No fault Divorce” which would make the whole divorce process quicker and less confrontational. This will undoubtedly reduce the acrimony connected with the divorce process. Under the current procedure anyone wanting to start divorce proceedings must…
As the 15th May was International Day of the Family, it seemed the ideal time to provide details on how Wrigley Claydon can assist your family in difficult times. The breakdown of a relationship can be emotionally distressing for all involved, especially for the children who in the majority of cases are exposed to conflict…
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has rejected a trademark opposition brought by the Kellogg Company against British brewery Fuller’s. In June 2018, Kellogg’s filed an opposition to Fuller’s ‘Fruit Loop’ mark for a seasonal summer beer, which Kellogg’s claimed infringed its EU trademark for its breakfast cereal brand Froot Loops. Kellogg’s claimed that the…
The High Court recently issued a judgment concerning determination of the law applicable to online trade mark infringements in the case of Easygroup Ltd v Easy Fly Express Ltd & Chowdhury. The Claimant, easyGroup is the proprietor of the word mark EASYJET and the word easyFlights. The two Defendants’, Mr Chowdhury and his company Easy…
Unfortunately this is not the case for Ulrika Johnson, who is reported to be divorcing her third husband. Ulrika has this week announced that she is to separate from her third husband Brian Monet after 11 years of marriage. She is quoted as saying “getting another divorce aged 51 is not where I thought I…
A former soldier has begun his appeal to the Supreme Court against a decision to try him in a Diplock Court. A Diplock Court is a non-jury trial heard by a judge only. Diplock courts were introduced in 1973 in an attempt to deal with terrorist offences during the Troubles. The former soldier is due…
2019 is well underway and so it has seen many celebrities separating and filing for divorce including Toni Braxton and Birdman, Jeff Bezos and his wife Mackenzie, Lady Gaga and Christian Carino and Nicholas Cage and Erika Koike who reportedly submitted an application for annulment. Cage has been married three times before. In the latest…
We will be attending the ‘Living Well’ event taking place at our Saddleworth Clinic in the 10th April in conjunction with the Saddleworth Churches group. Please do attend if you would like to talk to us about Wills and Powers of Attorney.
Lawyers for fashion designer Marc Jacobs have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit made against him by the estate of the band Nirvana, which accuses him of copyright infringement. The designer’s collection features a cartoon “smiley face” similar to the one used by Nirvana as their logo, along with the word “Heaven” printed in the distinctive typeface used…
Aberdeen FC have lost a court battle with a Spanish sherry-maker, Sandeman over the right to call their brand of Scotch whisky the ‘Dons Dram’ – because Sandeman owns the copyright. Aberdeen FC, nicknamed The Dons, launched the blended whisky and applied to register the name Dons Dram as a trademark to protect its brand, however, Sandeman objected.…
In Bhusate v Patel & Ors the High Court granted permission to the claimant bring a claim under the Inheritance Act despite it being issued some 25 years after the deadline for doing so, after the Claimant demonstrated ‘compelling reasons’ why it was right and proper that the court should exercise its discretion in her favour. The Inheritance…
Nange Magro, a London-based fashion designer has said her costume designs have been plagiarised for Janelle Monáe’s recent Grammy awards performance. Magro posted images on Instagram comparing designs she made in 2015 with those worn by Monáe on stage at the Grammys. She said “ I am flattered to be an inspiration for this amazing artist,…
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The first wife and two young sons of a late IT tycoon have won a £2million share of his fortune to help them buy a ‘massive, amazing house’ he promised them. Louisa Simonetta, was given the sum after a lengthy legal battle in the High Court with her ex-husband’s second wife Ruby Geetha Lovell-Tomon, over…
In December 2018 the Court of Appeal dismissed an Appeal filed by Cadbury’s relating to one of their colour purple trade mark registrations. Cadbury and Nestlé were previously involved in a trade mark dispute after the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) rejected Nestlé’s opposition to Cadbury’s trade mark application to register the colour purple for…
The Law Society has recently provided some further guidance in cases where a Will is disputed. If you’re leaving a will or a relative of yours has left a will, it could be open to being contested or challenged. The situations in which someone can challenge a will aren’t always straightforward. In England there are…
Dutch shoe retailer Van Haren has lost its lengthy legal dispute against luxury shoe group Louboutin over the trademark of its red-soled shoes. Judges in the District Court of the Hague ruled on Wednesday that Van Haren had infringed Louboutin’s trade mark in its red soles. The European Court has decided the Dutch shoe chain Van Haren…
The Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal by a woman who lost a libel case over posts she made about her ex-husband on Facebook. Nicola Stocker said her husband Ronald Stocker had tried to strangle her, during an online exchange with his new partner Deborah Bligh in December 2012. Mr Stocker won a…
On Tuesday, Supermac’s, a fast-food chain in Ireland won a landmark legal battle against McDonald’s over the use of trademarks. Supermac’s Managing Director, Pat McDonagh earned his nickname Supermac in the 1960s due to his performances in Gaelic football. Supermac’s persuaded the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to cancel McDonald’s use of the “Big Mac” trademark. The…
….and they don’t come bigger than that of the world’s richest man, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos (aged 54). Mr Bezos’ current net worth of $137 billion (approximately £107 billion) will be shared with his wife (aged 48). Their divorce will be dealt with under the state laws of Washington which operates a “community property” model…
In the case of Shanks-v-Unilever Plc the Supreme Court had to consider what amounts to an “outstanding benefit” for the purposes of determining whether an employee who has made an invention belonging to an employer for which a patent has been granted is entitled to compensation pursuant to s.40(1) of the Patents Act 1977? During…
January is always a busy time for Divorce lawyers and today is the day that more people start Divorce proceedings than any other day in the year. HM Courts and Tribunal Service received 455 online Divorce applications between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day with 13 (unlucky for some) submitted on Christmas day itself. The…
Everyone has heard this phrase which is particularly pertinent at this time of year. We are a nation of pet lovers and yet it is estimated that thousands of pet owners in the UK also die each year without making any arrangement for their pets in the event of their death. If you do not…
The Supreme Court, which is the UK’s highest court, has dismissed an emergency application from lawyers for Noel Conway, a retired lecturer who is paralysed from the neck down by progressive motor neurone disease, to hear a right-to-die case challenging the legal ban on assisted dying. The three Supreme Court justices acknowledged that the issue was…
Yellow Belly beer, brewed by Buxton Brewery, which is at the centre of a trademark dispute, will cease production. An objection to the name Yellow Belly was raised by Batemans Brewery earlier this year. Batemans said the name Yellow Belly was too similar to its Yella Belly Gold. Buxton Brewery said they spoke to Batemans…
Bethany Probert, a 13 year old girl, was severely injured walking along the carriageway on a 60mph unlit road at 5:00pm in December 2009. A hedgerow required her to walk in the road. The defendant driver, Mr Moore said that Bethany was also partly to blame in that it was dark and she was walking…
Christmas and New Years Opening Times 2018 Please note the office will be closed from 5.00pm on Friday 21st December 2018 and will re-open 9.00am on Wednesday 2nd January 2019.
British microchip-maker Imagination Technologies have called off a threatened legal action against Apple over a dispute regarding its graphics technology. In 2017 it emerged that Apple planned to design its own iPhone graphics processors instead of using Imagination’s designs. Imagination’s shares crashed and eventually it was sold off to Canyon Bridge for £550m. Imagination had started…
Last month from the 26th to the 30th of November was “Good Divorce Week” (is there really such a thing?!) which fell during the governments divorce law consultation. Our divorce law is now over 50 years old. There are over 100,000 couples who start Divorce proceedings each year. You may know that unless you have…
Ministry of Justice announces that from early Spring 2019 Manchester County Court will be piloting extended hours to deal with some types of family cases in the late afternoon/early evenings. Although the details of the pilot in Manchester are not yet fully clear it is believed that what is proposed is an additional court running…
Scotland is set to become the first country in the world with a minimum price for alcohol sales after the Supreme Court rejected an appeal from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and other drinks manufacturers, who argued that the policy was “disproportionate” and illegal under European law. It brings to a close a five-year legal…
The Platt Brothers The Platt Brothers were a textile machinery company founded in 1770 by Henry Platt. The company based in Werneth, Oldham became the largest textile machinery manufacturer in the world, and by the end of the 19th century, it was employing more than 12,000 workers. Henry Platt was a blacksmith who was manufacturing…
World War One Memorial at Oldham Parish Church The Poppies knitted by Louise Davies, PA to Senior Partner Vijay Srivastava, covered the rails of Oldham Parish Church near the memorial. This Sunday marks 100 years since the end of the First World War.
Dr Kershaw’s Will Week Next week we are participating in Dr Kershaw’s will week where in return for a donation to the hospice ( £100 for an individual, £150 for a couple) we will provide clients with a free will.
Appeal for the homeless in Manchester Dear All, A friend is running an appeal for the homeless in Manchester again this Christmas. If anyone would like to make a donation then please would you let me have your wrapped shoebox by 21 November. If you are unable to put together a shoebox and would like…
On Friday 28th September, we took part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Thank you to everyone who donated and took part in our #MacmillanCoffeeMorning In the pictures: 1) Gran Drake Owen of Glen Drake- Owen of Breakey Nuttall and Paul Harding 2)Irene Knaggs, Joyce Munro and Shirley Ibbotson 3)…
National Free Wills Network We are proud to announce that we have become members of the National Free Wills Network. The National Free Wills Network consists of over a hundred regional and local charities, that offer free Will-writing services to their supporters. The network was set up in 2008 when charities were looking for a…
Let’s Talk About Dementia Anyone is welcome to drop in. Thursday 27th September 2018
Thanks to everyone at the office for showing their support for the Jeans for Genes Campaign
Saturday 18 August has been reported as the most common day in 2018 to tie the knot in the UK. However, since the early 1970s, the number of people actually getting married has steadily decreased, dropping a further 3.4% last year. There have been many theories about why marriage rates are falling, but regardless the…
Much has been written in the press recently about grieving families paying thousands of pounds to Banks to administer a loved one’s estate. This has come about as a result of a Will Writing Service many Banks offered in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s where the Bank was often appointed as executor. In some…
Louise Brown, the World’s First Baby conceived via IVF was born on the 25th July 1978, at Oldham General Hospital. On 10th November 1977, Louise’s Mother, Lesley Brown underwent a procedure, later to become known as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), developed by Patrick Steptoe, Robert Edwards and Jean Purdy. Patrick Steptoe was a client of…
As part of our pledge to Oldham’s Dementia Action Alliance, Caremark Oldham and Wrigley Claydon are running FREE ‘Let’s Talk about Dementia’ sessions for those interested in understanding a bit more about dementia and the small things you can do to help people with the condition. A diagnosis of dementia can seem daunting but…
Victims of domestic violence continue to be cross-examined by their abusers in family courts despite the government the then justice secretary, Liz Truss, pledging in February 2017 to ban the “humiliating and appalling” practice, a report by Women’s Aid and Queen Mary University of London has found. Survivors reported they were repeatedly not believed, blamed…
FirstGroup chief executive Tim O’Toole has stepped down with “immediate effect”, after the bus and train operator reported a huge full-year loss. The company said lost £327m in the year to 31 March, compared with a profit of £152.6m last year. The group also runs South Western Railway, the Heathrow Airport Connect service and First…
James Campbell, the only son of his late mother Sarah who was told by his late mother ‘it’s all yours’ is defeding a High Court claim for over half of his inheritance of £725,000 by his mother’s last boyfriend, Andrew Banfield. James Campbell also claims that this mother’s will, drawn up 14 years before her…
Mr Justice Turner threw out the challenge from a claimant in the case of Rashid v Munir & Ors who wanted a share of profits from rental properties run by his brothers after their father’s death. Of the claimant, he stated: ‘I do not believe him on this or indeed any other material matter’. The…
Shares in online grocer Ocado have increased by 47% to 814p after it struck a deal with US retailer Kroger. Ocado’s technology will be used in the US exclusively by Kroger, which is one of the world’s biggest grocery chains with annual sales of $122bn (£90bn). Under the terms of the deal, Kroger will also…
The High Court in the case of Marcura Equities FZE & Anor v Nisomar Ventures Ltd & Anor has ruled that it was not disproportionate for a party to spend up to £450,000 to recover £35,000 because it achieved other, non-monetary relief too. Nicholas Vineall QC, sitting as a deputy High Court judge, said it…
Five Supreme Court judges will decide whether to let Mrs Owens divorce her husband after lower courts decided she was not entitled to one. They will deliver their judgment later this year. Mrs Owen she says she’s been unhappy for many years and she feels locked in a loveless marriage. However, Mr Owens does not…
The Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced plans to help children living with alcoholic parents. The Department of Health and Social Care is seeking to identify children at risk more quickly, and to provide them with rapid access to support and advice. The package of measures is backed by £6 million funding…
BT is to cut 13,000 jobs over three years, about 12% of its workforce. It said that the job cuts and other measures would help it to reduce costs by £1.5bn. It added that it would be hiring about 6,000 employees to “support network deployment and customer service”. A third of the job reductions will…
The National Audit Office have warned that law chiefs will fail to complete their digital courts revolution in time and on budget. It says HM Courts & Tribunals Services faces a ‘daunting challenge’ in meeting target for technological and cultural change. The Ministry of Justice wants to vastly reduce the number of physical court hearings, cut…
District Judge Read has publicly criticised the lack of funding for a woman alleging rape and sexual assault against her ex-husband, suggesting it may have resulted in a miscarriage of justice. The family court at Middlesbrough heard details of the allegations from the woman in a case to decide what contact her 10-year-old daughter should…
A litigant in person (LiP) is not to be given “special treatment” as the rules in that part of the law that his case concerns, are neither hard to find nor “particularly difficult to understand”, the High Court has ruled. His Honour Judge Paul Matthews, sitting in Bristol said the interests of the represented party…
Adam Lennon, head of family modernisation and improvement at HM Courts & Tribunals Service, told a Westminster Legal Policy Forum that enabling people to apply for a divorce online could eliminate up to 13,000 hours of time spent by court staff checking divorce petitions. Lennon spent years in the courts service issuing divorce petitions. He…
Consumer champion and the journalist behind ‘MoneySavingExpert‘ Martin Lewis, is suing Facebook for defamation after it failed to tackle “dodgy” adverts that used his face and website to sell dubious financial products. Lewis claims that Facebook has failed to remove or prevent the adverts from appearing on its site. He also claims that the false adverts are not only…
HM Courts & Tribunal Service (HMCTS) and the President of the Family Division have announced that the digital C100 application form will be piloted in family courts in Reading, Milton Keynes, Watford and Guildford. The new digital C100 offers an opportunity to improve the way in which HMCTS supports users and presents information to judges…
Victims of crime who believe that they were facilitated by online platforms, such as Facebook and YouTube, should sue the social media in the civil courts, according to Shaun Sawyer, Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police. Sawyer, was quoted in the Sunday Times newspaper. He claimed that the internet has become “a safe space for organised crime”,…
A businessman has won the first ever “right to be forgotten” lawsuit against Google in London’s High Court – but a second man’s attempt to have embarrassing search results about him deleted has failed. The two men were referred to as NT1 and NT2 during the trial. Both had sued Google under data protection laws…
Online retailer Shop Direct, which owns Very.co.uk and Littlewoods.com will close its distribution centres in Shaw, Little Hulton and Raven in Greater Manchester. It does, however, plan to build a new warehouse in the East Midlands employing 500 people, but said redundancies were likely putting nearly 2,000 jobs at risk. The new site will be…
A former shareholder at Arsenal Football Club, Lady Bracewell-Smith has issued a claim in the Commercial Court for professional negligence against her former solicitors Linklaters. She alleges that her solicitors gave negligent advice on loan notes she received as payment for her shares causing her to face a substantial tax bill. She claims that the…
In April, the amount companies in England pay in business rates will change for the second year in a row. It follows a major revaluation by the government, which was introduced in 2017. It saw some bills going up, and others going down. Many retailers have closed down stores and a number of High Street…
Children affected by a family break-up will be helped to stay in contact with their grandparents under reforms being contemplated by ministers in Scotland. They are considering a legal presumption that children stay in touch after a divorce or separation. At present, grandparents have no legal entitlement to their grandchildren. Currently, grandparents in Scotland can…
The owner of Bargain Booze and Wine Rack, Conviviality, has announced plans to file for administration within two weeks. Conviviality also supplies wine and spirits to all 900 D Weatherspoon pubs and also the Slug & Lettuce chain and All Bar One pubs. It has issued profit warnings in recent weeks and revealed a £30m…
Sir James Munby, president of the high court’s family division said no-fault divorce should be introduced to help women who are “trapped in a loveless marriage”. He backed calls for a reform of marriage law by referring to a controversial case which has forced a woman to stay married to a man she wishes to…
Facebook investors are suing the social media giant following news that data firm Cambridge Analytica had improperly used data from 50m Facebook users to target American voters in the 2016 election. The news has sent its shares plummeting by almost £50bn. US court filings show that shareholders now want to sue the business over “significant…
New Look will close 60 UK stores and cut 1,000 jobs after creditors approved a restructuring plan for the retailer. The stores will close within 12 months and some staff may be redeployed. The plan will cut the chain’s rents by between 15% to 55% across its remaining 393 stores. New Look says it was…
Consumer goods giant Unilever, maker of Marmite, Pot Noodle and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, has chosen Rotterdam over London for its headquarters. It would also be reorganising its business into three divisions: beauty and personal care, home care, and foods and refreshment. The first two divisions will have their headquarters in London, while the…
Chelsea Football Club can start work on a new £1bn stadium at Stamford Bridge after settling a dispute with a neighbour who objected to the construction. The Crosthwaite family took out an injunction in May 2017, saying the expansion to 60,000 seats would block light into their home. In January, Hammersmith and Fulham Council passed…
Ken Dodd married his partner of 40 years Anne Jones on the 9th March 2018, two days before he passed away. As a result no Inheritance Tax would be payable on any of his estate left to Anne. His fortune is rumoured to be worth in the region of £7.2 million. This move came after…
Dyson is seeking an extra 300 engineers in a push to build its first electric car by 2020. Dyson already has a 400-strong team working on the project and has doubled the number of scientists working on its battery programmes over the past year. Dyson said the electric car team would shortly move to its…
The rise of cryptocurrency, and in particular Bitcoin, means divorcing couples may use the currency to hide their wealth from one another. While couples have a duty to provide full and frank disclosure during a divorce, they said it is not unheard of for some parties to attempt to hide their assets from their respective…
During March, we are working with Mahdlo to provide members of the public with an opportunity to access their Will preparation services, whilst at the same time raising funds to support them. The scheme is running from the 5th to the 9th March inclusive. If you arrange an appointment with us during this period we…
A will is not just a way to say who you want to leave your assets to. It is an opportunity to appoint guardians for young children, to decide who will sort your affairs out when the time comes and make provisions for partners, friends and charities who would not inherit if you die without…
In his 18th View from the President’s Chambers, Sir James Munby has set out his vision of what needs to be done in respect of the determination of financial remedies. He considers that procedural justice will be bettered by the appointment of specialist judges to the Financial Remedies Court (FRC) and by a process of…
TV presenter Noel Edmonds is suing the Lloyds Banking Group for £73m for what he claims was the destruction of his business empire together with public humiliation and damage to his reputation caused by the fraudulent activities of the bank’s HBOS Reading arm. He alleges that he “suffered immense economic loss as well as ‘distress…
The six stores to close in April are Birkenhead, Bournemouth, Durham, Fforestfach in Swansea, Putney and Redditch. Staff have been offered jobs in nearby stores. The closure of another eight shops has been proposed, which will affect 468 staff. The eight stores are: Andover, Basildon, Bridlington, Denton outlet store, Falmouth, Fareham, Keighley and Stockport. It…
According to UK Finance, the number of landlords who are seriously behind with their mortgage payments has increased by 20%. There were 1,200 buy-to-let mortgages in “significant arrears” in the last quarter of 2017, a fifth higher than in the same quarter in 2016.Significant arrears means they owe more than 10% of the outstanding balance.…
A Russian billionaire has appealed a decision that he pay his wife £453 million, as part of their divorce. It is believed that this is the largest award ever made in the English courts. The court found that the wife’s claim totalled 41.5 % of the marital assets, which was considered fair and just in…
The courts service (HMCTS) spent £50m last year on agency and contract staff; it spent less than £4m in 2010, whilst more than 220 courts across England and Wales have closed. Part of the increase appears to be linked to a £1bn court modernisation programme aimed at transferring more court hearings online or operating them…
New rules for recording domestic violence published in the journal Criminology & Criminal Justice argues that multiple incidents as serious as grievous bodily harm would be lumped together under the umbrella of one offence under the Domestic Abuse Bill. The Home Office said that “We will introduce a landmark Domestic Abuse Bill to protect and…
Online fashion retailer Asos saw strong sales over the Christmas period as total sales rose by 30% to £790m in the final four months of 2017. Online Manchester-based rival, Boohoo, which also owns PrettyLittleThings and Nasty Gal brands, saw revenues double to £228m in the four months to the end of December. The performance of…
Lloyds Bank has said it will provide £50m to support its small business customers who are struggling following the failure of outsourcing company Carillion and after the government refused to insure its debts. Meanwhile, Nationwide building society has said it will take in-house jobs which were performed by Carillion. Lloyds said its fund was for…
Phone-hacking allegations against both The Sun and the now defunct News Of The World are due to be heard at the High Court. The latest round of the long-running litigation involves four individuals – including comedian Vic Reeves, and Coronation Street actor Jimmi Harkishin. The others are TV presenter Kate Thornton and talent manager Chris…
The presenter, who co-hosts several shows with Declan Donnelly including I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here and Britain’s Got Talent, released a statement, asking for privacy “for both himself, Lisa and their immediate families”. The couple met in 1994 when they were performing as singers on the Smash Hits tour in Newcastle. Lisa…
Changes to evidence requirements in private family law disputes came into effect on 8 January 2018. There will no longer be a time limit on abuse evidence, which previously stood at five years. Additionally, the range of documents accepted as evidence of abuse has been widened to include statements from domestic violence support organisations and…
The US firm said it was teaming up with London-based Wenn Media Group to carry out the initial coin offering (ICO). It is part of a blockchain-based initiative to help photographers control their image rights. Kodak is the latest in a series of companies to see its value jump after revealing plans for blockchain-related activity.…
If you have suffered a personal injury following a collision with a vehicle and the driver does not stop or leaves the scene quickly – you can still claim compensation for your injuries. Such incidents are known as “Hit and Run” cases. The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) is a non-profit organisation that was set up…
Toys R Us, which has 100 stores and outlets in the UK, has put forward a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which is a step short of going into administration. Under its CVA plans, Toys R Us is proposing to close at least 26 loss-making UK stores, which would put up to 800 jobs at risk…
Latest statistics released by the Ministry of Justice show that the average time for a care or supervision case to reach first disposal, i.e for the court to decide how to deal with a case, was 28 weeks in July to September 2017 There were 65,247 new cases started in family courts in July to…
A government consultation paper plans to protect consumers from unresolved debts stemming from unfair county court judgments (CCJs) in a move to tackle concerns about ‘rogue companies’ such as parking enforcement businesses. Concerns were raised that some companies are deliberately sending claims to incorrect addresses. This can severely impact credit ratings and the issue may…
A family court judge has drawn the 19-year marriage of former footballer Jamie Redknapp and his pop singer wife Louise to a close. Judge Ian Mulkis granted a divorce decree at a hearing in the Central Family Court in London. Neither party attended the hearing. The judge granted a decree nisi – a marriage formally…
Department store chain Debenhams’ shares have fallen 20% after it warned that annual profits would be lower than expected. It said underlying pre-tax profits were now likely to be between £55m and £65m this year. Analysts had been expecting profits to be about £83m. Debenhams said like-for-like sales in the UK fell 2.6% in the…
The High Court has dismissed an attempt to stop a former litigant in person getting a second chance at making their claim after the first was struck out due to a technicality. Philip Davies is pursuing the second action against a company of boiler installers after his first attempt was struck out due to him…
Newcastle United Football Club owner Mike Ashley and British businesswoman Amanda Staveley have met for the first time in London to discuss the sale of the Premier League club. Investment firm PCP Capital Partners run by Staveley made a fresh offer of around £300m. Newcastle are yet to comment, but they have not denied the…
On 1 December 2017 the President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, released a circular stating that he is proposing to pilot the Financial Remedies Court (FRC) concept in London, the West Midlands and South-East Wales. The pilot with start in February 2018. He envisages that further pilots will follow quite shortly. Initially the…
Lego says it has won a landmark copyright case in China against rival products almost identical to its famous toy bricks. It is the first time Lego has won a competition case against Chinese copycat products. The victory follows an earlier court ruling that Lego’s name and logo are well-known trademarks in China. Firms making…
Gambling organisation Ladbrokes Coral is in talks over a takeover by online rival GVC, who own the Bwin and Sportingbet brands in a deal that could value the group at up to £3.9bn. Under the proposals, GVC would hold 53.5% of the combined group. Ladbrokes Coral became the UK’s biggest high street bookmaker following last…
Dancers Kevin and Karen Clifton on the popular BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing are barely speaking to each other and are on the brink of divorce, show insiders claim. The news comes after Karen Clifton was spotted with her rumoured boyfriend in London. The couple has been married for two years. Advice on separation At…
What type of firms can I apply the late payment legislation to? The legal status of the business you are seeking to claim interest from is irrelevant. It can be a sole proprietor, partnership or limited liability company. However you cannot apply the late payment legislation to personal debt. What if a customer has more…
High Court judge Mr Justice Fraser has warned of ‘draconian’ costs penalties should two parties in litigation continue to refuse to cooperate. He said both sides in Bates & Ors v Post Office Ltd had rebuffed efforts to manage the case in a cost-effective and efficient way. The case involves sub-post masters pursuing action against…
UK retail sales fell by 0.3% in October 2016 compared with October 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) who said it was the first annual fall since March 2013. Higher inflation had dampened spending, the ONS said, but it also pointed to the fact that last October had seen very strong growth.…
A transgender woman, referred to as J, who left a tight-knit ultra-Orthodox Jewish community to embark on a new life as a woman has taken her case to be allowed access to her five children to the Court of Appeal. She was challenging a ruling that the children risked greater psychological harm by being ostracised…
Ex Newcastle and Spurs footballer David Ginola represented himself at London’s Central Family Court yesterday as his ex-wife and former model ex-model Coraline sued him over her divorce payout. Ginola is accused of failing to pay up what he agreed to. Ginola told the judge he needed to renegotiate the deal due to unforeseen circumstances.…
Sainsbury’s has reported a 9% fall in half-year profits, but sales rose. The UK’s second largest supermarket chain said profits were £251m in the 28 weeks to the 23 September, while like-for- like sales excluding fuel went up by 1.6%. It said the fall in profits was due to price cutting, wage cost inflation and…
Monarch Airlines has lost its High Court battle against Airport Co-ordination Limited’s (“ACL”) decision not to allocate certain take-off and landing slots to Monarch for next summer. Monarch wanted to exchange with other carriers to raise cash for creditors. The slots cover Manchester, Gatwick, Birmingham, Luton and Leeds-Bradford airports. The airline ceased trading last month…
Morrisons, the UK’s fourth-biggest supermarket chain, has reported a 2.5% rise in sales for the third quarter. Sales at the supermarket have now grown for eight quarters in a row. Morrisons has been the best performing of the established “Big Four” supermarkets recently, although all chains are attempting to fight off the strong competition coming…
A proposal to make 13 the age of consent for signing up to online services such as social media platforms has come under fire in parliament. The House of Lords was holding its first debate on the Data Protection Bill, to ensure that the UK’s data protection regime aligns with that of the EU following…
In a recent case where a father sought contact with his daughter, he wanted to rely on his various covert recordings of conversations that he had had with a social worker, a Cafcass officer and a solicitor. The President of the Family Division, Sir James Munby, sitting in the Court of Appeal with King LJ,…
Department store chain Debenhams reported annual profits down by 44% at £59m. Same-store sales in physical outlets were flat, but mobile sales are growing fast and were up by 57%. Sales of beauty products, accessories and food and drink helped to offset what was a weak clothing market, Debenhams said. Food sales in its cafes…
Detailed plans for the flexible operating hours scheme have been published, as the Government continues with plans to change how courts work. The pilot scheme, which will be held in 11 courtrooms in England and Wales, is intended to create a system where people work different, but not extended, hours. HM Courts and Tribunals Service…
France is not recognising same-sex marriages converted from civil partnerships because France does not recognise their English marriages. One couple entered a civil partnership in 2008. They converted it to a marriage under the Marriage of Same Sex Couples (Conversion of Civil Partnership) Regulations 2014 which came into force in December 2014. On conversion the…
Lufthansa is set to sign a deal to buy parts of Air Berlin. Air Berlin, which is Germany’s second-largest carrier filed for bankruptcy in August after its main shareholder, Etihad, said it would not give further financial support. It reported a record loss of €782m (£713m) for last year. Flights continued after a transitional loan…
Ministry of Justice figures highlighting the rising number of private law cases and litigants in person have prompted calls for the government to heed recent warnings about the family justice system. 13,029 new private law applications, involving over 28,000 children, were made between April and June this year, a 3% increase on the same period…
A multi-purpose high technology court complex will replace all of the City of London’s courts apart from the Old Bailey under plans announced by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The aim is to preserve London’s position as an international dispute resolution centre. The court will specialise in fraud, economic and cyber-crime and will also take on…
The problem of businesses falling victim to rogue debt collection agencies seems to be a continuing problem over the past twenty years with scores of companies being “taken for a ride”. The media recently ran stories highlighting the problem of UK’s rogue Debt Collection firms that purport to be professional yet charge their clients for…
The Intellectual Property (Unjustified Threats) Act 2017 came into force last week. It could help intellectual property owners assert rights more freely. The act curtails a legal remedy available to a party threatened with IP infringement. From now on parties cannot be held liable for making an ‘unjustified threat’ merely by asserting their ownership. The act…
The Lord Chief Justice has told MPs that further court closures are almost certain as the justice system moves towards a digitised future. Lord Thomas said the closures are politically controversial but may be necessary to best deploy resources. The Government has almost finished its programme of 86 closures of courts and tribunals throughout England…
Sofa and living room furniture specialist DFS has reported a sharp drop in annual profits. DFS said uncertainty in the economy had led to a “significant deterioration in the consumer market”, and continued weakness of the pound against the dollar had also held back profits. Profits dropped 22.3% to £50m although revenues inched up to £762m. DFS…
Former The Voice coach Gavin Rossdale has revealed that he and singer Gwen Stefani went through “so much counselling” in a bid to save their marriage. The couple split in 2013 after 13 years of marriage. Their divorce was finalised in April 2016. Gavin and Gwen have three sons together; Kingston, 11, Zuma, nine and…
UK building and services firm Carillion has seen its share price fall 18%. It reported a first-half loss of £1.15bn and said it had taken an impairment charge of £134m on its UK and Canadian construction businesses. It had also made provision of £200m for losses on its support services contracts. This is on top…
Google has struck a $1.1bn (£822m) deal with Taiwan’s HTC to expand its smartphone business. Google will not take a stake in HTC, but some 2000 HTC staff will join Google in Silicon Valley. HTC was once a major player in the smartphone market but has struggled to compete with the likes of Apple and…
Our Trusts, Wills and Probate department are once again taking part in Dr Kershaw’s Will Week whereby you can benefit from having your Will professionally written at a significantly reduced fee. The money you save on your Will is donated to Dr Kershaw’s on your behalf. Dr Kershaw’s is a wonderful, local hospice. Each year they ask…
According to a survey being conducted by former magistrate Penelope Gibbs, director of charity Transform Justice, nearly three-quarters of respondents say video-link hearings in England and Wales have had a negative impact on participation for defendants who do not speak English well or at all, and for unrepresented defendants. Sir James Munby, president of the…
Hollywood actor Josh Duhamel and Black Eyed Peas’ singer Fergie have announced that they are splitting up after 13 years together, and eight years of marriage. The couple have a four-year-old son, Axl. The couple’s split announcement comes as Fergie is relaunching her solo music career. Family solicitors All matters relating to the breakdown of…
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has won a victory in a 13 year-long dispute with European rival Airbus. The World Trade Organization has reversed, on appeal, a ruling that Boeing received some state aid to help build its newest aircraft, the 777X. However, Airbus said, “the ‘game’ is far from over” as other complaints over alleged…
According to new research from the Co-op, a quarter of divorcees in the UK have considered reconciliation with their ex and 12 per cent actually got back together. Of these, 73 per cent cited managing to forgive an infidelity as the main reason, while 40 per cent simply admitted still loving their ex. This has been called a…
We’re proud to announce that we will be taking part in the ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ on Friday 29th September. The annual Coffee Morning is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event for people facing cancer. The concept is simple: we (Wrigley Claydon), along with other organisations, community groups, friends and families all over the UK, will host…
Profits at the John Lewis Partnership have more than halved after it was hit by re-organisation costs and the impact of the weaker pound following the Brexit vote. It said profits in the six months to 29 July 2017 fell 53.3% to £26.6m. John Lewis said the fall in the pound had pushed up its…
It is predicated that there will be a rise in the number of couples seeking prenuptial agreements after the Court of Appeal rejected Karen Hart’s bid for an equal share of her and her ex-husband’s assets. Karen Hart was awarded £3.5m, out of total resources of just under £9.4m, in a financial remedy order made…
We’re thrilled to be taking part in Jeans for Genes Day 2017. On Friday 22nd September Wrigley Claydon staff will shun their usual formal attire in place of everyone’s favourite clothing, a pair of jeans. By pledging a donation for the privilege of dressing-down for a day, our staff will be raising much needed funds for…
A planning dispute going back almost 60 years, over a rutted country lane deep in Somerset, has finally been resolved. After a battle, believed to be one of the longest in British legal history, the lane outside a cottage once occupied by siblings Archie and Ivy Peppard will be removed as a right of way…
Asda is to axe hundreds of jobs at its Leeds head office and a further site in the East Midlands as part of a major cost-cutting drive. About 300 jobs are to go at Asda House in Leeds and George House in Leicester with job descriptions to a further 800 roles changed. Figures for 2016,…
An Islamic practice permitting men to instantly divorce their wives has been declared unconstitutional by India’s Supreme Court after decades of campaigning by women’s groups and victims. The “triple talaq” has allowed Muslim men to dissolve marriages by pronouncing the word “divorce” three times. The Supreme Court in Delhi took up the issue last year…
This week marks almost three months since the abolition of employment tribunal fees. For those who missed it, the ruling followed Unison’s arduous and multi-year appeal against the government’s decision to impose tribunal fees on employees issuing tribunal proceedings. Unison, having had their case rejected at every level, finally succeeded in the Supreme Court. The…
A pilot scheme encouraging mediation as a less costly way of resolving civil disputes will launch in Manchester on 1 September. Mediation sessions will be held at Manchester Civil Justice Centre and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. It will be available to parties involved in disputes where the value of a claim is more…
We’re proud to support Remember A Charity in you Will Week. The annual campaign from Remember A Charity works to raise the profile of charitable giving in Wills. ‘The world you would like to pass on’ This year’s campaign, which from 11th to 17th September 2017, focused on ‘the world you would like to pass on’.…
The owner of Carphone Warehouse and Dixons has warned that more expensive mobile phone handsets and lower EU roaming charges will hurt its profits. In an unscheduled statement, the company stated that the scrapping of EU roaming charges for people using mobile phones abroad and customers not upgrading their phones as frequently because handsets have…
Boxer Amir Khan could lose half of his £25m fortune in divorce from pregnant ex Faryal Makhdoom as the starting point in divorce proceedings is a 50:50 division of all assets. The boxer confirmed his split from wife of four years Faryal Makhdoom earlier this month – just days before she revealed she is expecting…
New Balance has won a record payout in a Chinese trademark case after three local shoemakers were found to have infringed the brand’s “N” logo. A Chinese court awarded the US sportswear firm more than 10 million yuan (£1.2m). It is believed to be the highest award to a foreign company in a trademark dispute…
We were sad to learn of the immediate closure of the Oldham Chronicle. The publication has been part of the town for more than a century and a half and was one of the North West’s oldest newspapers which had faithfully reported local news since it was established in 1854. The final edition was printed…
Airbnb have revealed plans to crack the Asian market. Nathan Blecharczyk, a co-founder and the firm’s chief strategy officer, says it’s firmly focused on expanding in Asia-Pacific. The region has roughly 60% of the world’s millennials i.e. young adults between the ages of 19 and 35 who are the fastest growing generation of consumers. However,…
Peter Smythe, a 74 year old pensioner, appeared in court accused of leaving his neighbour Nigel Clark with a fractured nose and eye socket after hitting him with a leaf blower outside their homes during a dispute over a boundary ditch. Clark told the court he and his wife, Hervor, were hoping to buy Peter…
Online retail giant Amazon is to open a new warehouse near Bristol in 2018 which it says will create 1,000 jobs adding to its 13 sites in the UK. Other new warehouses are set to open in Doncaster, Warrington and Tilbury this autumn. The firm’s UK workforce will total 24,000 by the end of 2017.…
The Co-operative Bank has said it lost about 25,000 current accounts during the first 6 months of the year following the uncertainty over its future. Furthermore, £400m of instant access savings cash was withdrawn in a period that saw the bank being put up for sale before a rescue deal was agreed. In June 2017…
Guardians of the Galaxy actor Chris Pratt and his wife, actress Anna Faris have announced that they are “legally separating” after eight years of marriage. The Hollywood stars met in 2007 on the set of Take Me Home Tonight and have one son, Jack 4, together. They’ve vowed to keep the divorce as amicable as possible,…
Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch and owner of Chelsea FC, announced that he has separated from his third wife, Dasha Zhukova. The couple, who have two children, insisted the split was amicable but they could be embroiled in the world’s costliest divorce if forced to untangle the tycoon’s £7 billion fortune. Abramovich owns Chelsea football…
New figures released by the Ministry of Justice show that in April to June 2017 mortgage possession proceedings increased by 17% on the same period in 2016 to 5,186. This is still considerably short of the peak during the financial crisis from April to June 2009, when claims reached 26,419 over the three-month period. Since the…
From 7 August 2017 new court proceedings came into force meaning anyone entering court, including solicitors and barristers, are now being asked to sip the drinks they are carrying to prove they are not filled with harmful substances or alcohol. The rules will apply to all ‘customers’ who enter the building with an unsealed ‘drink…
The Government has confirmed details for a new pilot scheme to extend court opening times across England and Wales. Six courts have been selected for the trial, including Manchester, adding either an early or a late slot. The early session running from 8am to 10.45am and the later one from 4.30pm to 7pm. The trial…
Sales at High Street retailer Next have had a big boost after an 11.4% increase from their Directory catalogue and internet business. However, full-price sales at Next Retail fell 7.4%, and it said it remained “cautious” about its outlook, given the current consumer environment. Next shares topped the FTSE 100 in early trading, rising more…
Summer Phoenix, sister of actors Joaquin Phoenix and River Phoenix, has divorced Oscar-winning actor Casey Affleck, brother of Ben Affleck. The couple reached an agreement just days after Phoenix officially filed for divorce on 31st July 2017. The couple split in March 2016, after 10 years of marriage. They are the parents of two boys,…
A couple locked in a bitter dispute with their neighbours over a small wall came home to find a huge green lorry trailer parked right outside their home. Sophia and Gwyn Hughes said the huge container blocks out sunlight and obscures the view when they look out of their window. The trailer was positioned at…
A Seoul court ordered Samsung Group heiress Lee Boo-jin to provide assets of 8.6 billion won ($7.64 million) to her estranged husband, Im Woo-jae in their divorce. Lee did receive sole custody of their son in the ruling. Im Woo-jae was dubbed “Mr. Cinderella” by media for his humble background before marrying Lee in 1999.…
Couples who divorce after only a brief marriage can no longer expect to have their assets split equally by default following an appeal court ruling. Energy trader Julie Sharp successfully challenged a ruling that her former husband was entitled to half of the fortune she built up during their four year marriage. She argued that…
Profits at Sports Direct have plummeted nearly 60%, which the firm said was largely due to the weaker pound. Pre-tax profit fell to £113.7m from £275.2m in 2016 because of “currency movements and increased depreciation charges”. Chief executive and the owner of Newcastle Football Club, Mike Ashley, said it had now taken steps to “minimise…
Several months since the Trade Union Act 2016 has come into force, Wrigley Claydon looks into some of the key changes. We have highlighted some of the key aspects of the Act, which are as follows: 1. Before companies and industrial action can take place, 50% of members need to vote 2. Trade Unions will…
Lloyds Banking Group has set aside another £1bn to cover the cost of insurance mis-selling and the treatment of mortgage customers. Another £700m will cover payment protection insurance (PPI) claims and £283m will be used to repay about 590,000 mortgage holders. The repayment to mortgage customers comes after they were charged from 2009 to 2016…
A Los Angeles Superior Court jury ruled that Michael Jackson’s estate owes producer Quincy Jones $9.4 million in royalties and production fees from Billie Jean, Thriller and more of the star’s biggest hits. The award was short of the $30 million the producer sought in the lawsuit filed nearly four years ago, but well above the approximately…
Lego have threatened to sue a removals firm over the figures painted on the side of their vans. It claims Kwik Stix are infringing their copyright with the design and have ordered it to be removed within 28 days. Lego is demanding Kwik Stix removes anything on the internet that displays the logo, and which…
James Stunt, the billionaire husband of Bernie Ecclestone’s daughter Petra was ordered out of his marital home by a High Court Judge. The Central Family Court heard Petra moved out of the couple’s £75million West London mansion in February and rented a three-bedroom home during a bitter £5billion divorce battle. It is expected that the…
UK’s biggest supermarket Tesco plans to cut 1,200 jobs at its head office in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield as part of a major cost-cutting drive that aims to reduce costs by £1.5bn. Tesco said, “This new service model will simplify the way we organise ourselves, reduce duplication and cost but also, very importantly, allow…
Summer fruit and salad growers in the UK are having difficulty recruiting pickers saying they don’t know if they will have enough migrant workers to harvest their crops. About 80,000 seasonal workers a year pick and process British fruit and veg, most of them are from the EU, mainly Romania and Bulgaria. British Summer Fruits,…
Sir James Munby, the most senior family judge in England and Wales has called for the streamlining of new online divorce procedures and that the obtaining of a divorce should be completely separated from a couple’s disputes over money. The proposal is aimed at reducing administrative pressure within the family courts by unlinking “the largely…
Former three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has been declared bankrupt by the Bankruptcy and Companies Court. The bankruptcy application was made by Arbuthnot Latham, firm of private bankers. Becker’s lawyers asked for a final chance to pay with the funds from re-mortgaging a property in Majorca, however, the court registrar said there was not enough…
Organisations increasingly face investigation for corporate manslaughter and the number of convictions is expected to dramatically increase in the coming years. The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act (CMCHA) 2007 made it easier to secure convictions against organisations for their liability for workplace deaths. An organisation can be convicted of someone’s manslaughter if its mismanagement…
Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson has announced she’s split with her billionaire hotel heir husband Jeffrey Soffer after four years of marriage. She has two teenage sons from her relationship with hedge fund manager Arpad Busson and was also previously married to fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon. Family Solicitors Oldham At Wrigley Claydon, we fight on your…
Shares in DFS Furniture have plunged by 22% after it issued a profit warning. It blamed the general election for contributing to a sharp fall in demand in the second half of its financial year. It now expects its annual profits to be between £82m-£87m, below the £94.4m it reported in the previous 12 months.…
Profits at Sir Philip Green’s retail empire, which includes Topshop, dropped by 79% last year. The failure of BHS and tough competition in the clothing market contributed to the poor performance. A report filed with Companies House by Taveta Investments showed pre-tax profits to £36.8m, down from £172.2m the previous year. Taveta is the holding…
Mr Justice Hayden, a High Court judge, has said he will refuse to allow alleged domestic abusers to cross examine their victims in any future hearings he oversees. The Judge said he found it ‘extremely disturbing’ that a father appearing in person was able to question his former partner and mother to their 11-year- old…
A new Pre-Action Protocol “PAP” for debt recovery claims will come into force on 1st October 2017. The protocol applies to any business, including sole traders claiming payment of a debt from an individual, including a sole trader. The PAP does not apply to business debts, unless the debtor is a sole trader. An individual…
Natalia Potanina, the ex-wife of a Russian oligarch Vladimir Potanin has filed a lawsuit demanding $15billion from her former husband. She is seeking half of Vladimir Potanin’s wealth. If the claim is successful, the settlement will easily beat the current record, which is estimated to be $4billion paid by Alec Wildenstein to his ex-wife wife Jocelyn.…
Annual profits at Halfords have been hit by the weak pound despite a strong rise in sales. It reported pre-tax profits fell 10.5% to £71.4m for the year to March. Revenue was up 7.2% to nearly £1.1bn, boosted by the acquisition of upmarket bike business Tredz/Wheelies. Like-for- like revenues rose 2.7%. Halfords said higher import…
Darryl White, the son of late singer Barry White, is suing his father’s estate and widow Glodean White to get a bigger share of the estate. Mr White Jnr alleges that he was never shown his father’s will and is now “almost broke and homeless” after payments made to him from the estate dried up.…
This took place in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA… A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, among other things, loss due to fire. Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the…
Grammy award winning DJ Mark Ronson and French actress wife Josephine de La Baume have split. De La Baume filed for divorce from the musician citing irreconcilable differences. She is asking the court to award her spousal support, as well as for Ronson to pay her legal fees. Ronson and De La Baume married in…
Nestlé has lost the latest round of its seven year battle with rivals Cadbury to trademark the shape of the KitKat bar in the UK. The Court of Appeal ruled that the four-finger design had “no inherent distinctiveness”. Nestlé’s appeal followed a High Court ruling in January 2016 that blocked the trademark attempt. The European…
IKEA is to create more than 1,300 new jobs in three new stores. A new outlet will open in Sheffield later this year, while stores in Exeter and Greenwich will open in 2018, the firm said. The jobs will increase IKEA’s workforce in the UK and Ireland by 12.5% to about 11,700, the company said.…
Much has been written in the press recently about the proposed hike in Probate Court fees. The Government looked all set to implement the fee rise in May before it called a snap General Election for the 8th June 2017. Sadly, whatever happens we must be prepared for the new Government seeking to re-introduce a…
Accounting firm PwC has been fined a record £5m and severely reprimanded over its auditing of collapsed property services group Connaught by The Financial Reporting Council (FRC). Social housing specialist Connaught had £220m of debt when it went bust in 2010. The FRC found evidence of misconduct by PwC and retired partner Stephen Harrison. Mr…
BT is to shed 4,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years and is stripping the chief executive of his annual bonus. The job cuts would fall on back-office and managerial sectors as it simplifies its Global Services operations. The move follows an accounting scandal at the Italian part of Global Services that cost BT…
A former London oil and gas trader has been ordered to pay his estranged British wife £453 million pounds in one of the biggest divorce settlements in English legal history. The 61-year- old man, who has not been named, met his wife in 1989 in Moscow where she was studying and they married four years…
Chef Heston Blumenthal’s 28 year marriage to his estranged wife Zanna Blumenthal was ended in just 90 seconds as District Judge Anne Hudd granted Zanna an undefended decree nisi at the Central Family Court six years after the couple split on the grounds that the marriage had irretrievably broken down. The couple have three children.…
Airbus’ profits have fallen due to continued problems with certain projects. Airbus stated that there were still issues over “meeting contractual capabilities” securing export orders, cost cutting, and commercial exposure. It also said that technical problems with engines for its new A320neo aircraft were still to be resolved. The warnings came as Airbus posted quarterly…
Taylor Wimpey, one of the UK’s biggest housebuilders, has set aside £130m and apologised to home buyers in a dispute over sharply rising fees. It is the first major builder to apologise after criticism for leaving customers with onerous leasehold deals. The contracts meant that ground rents, which are paid to owners of the property,…
Sports Direct and Newcastle United owner billionaire Mike Ashley has won the latest round of a High Court fight with Rangers Football Club over a merchandise deal said to result in the Rangers getting about 7p of every £1 spent. Sports Direct group say Rangers’ directors wrongly terminated a contract through which branded products, including…
Debenhams has announced a shake-up strategy aimed at boosting its appeal by investing in its in-store cafes and improving its online offering. The plan includes a review of up to 10 of its 176 UK stores for possible closure over the next five years. A central distribution warehouse in Northampton and about 10 smaller warehouses…
Pop-star Janet Jackson has split from her husband Wissam Al Mana just months after giving birth to her first child at the age of 50. Al Mana is the CEO of the multinational Al Mana business conglomerate and is estimated to have a fortune of around £800million. The couple wed in 2012 and was Janet…
A recent judgement has been made in the professional negligence case of Adams v Atlas International Property Services Ltd which saw many individuals lose their homes which they had purchased during the Spanish property boom. Purchasers in England had bought property in Spain after seeing adverts placed by English agents for the developer and who…
Unilever is to sell its margarine business, including Flora and Stork. It comes as part of a review at the Anglo-Dutch firm, which recently saw off a takeover bid from US food giant Kraft Heinz. The sell-off could fetch $6bn (£4.8bn). Unilever is also studying whether to change its status and looking at the wider…
Actor David Schwimmer announced that he and his wife Zoe Buckman are taking time apart. The couple who married in June 2010 stated “It is with great love, respect and friendship that we have decided to take some time apart while we determine the future of our relationship”. The couple have a 5 year old…
Olympic medalist figure skater Michelle Kwan and political activist Clay Pell are getting divorced after 4 years of marriage. Kwan is the most decorated figure skater in American history. She won five World titles as well as the silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics and bronze at the 2002 Games. According to sources Pell…
Lloyd’s of London will establish a new European subsidiary in Brussels to avoid losing business when the UK leaves the EU. Lloyd’s is one of Britain’s oldest institutions and is the world’s leading insurance and reinsurance market. Several investment banks such as Bank of America, Barclays, and Morgan Stanley are considering relocating staff to Dublin…
Giovanni Jacovelli, who runs the Conwy Valley Maze in North Wales, says he has been subjected to repeated threats by Terrence Maitland, who lets out a holiday cottage on neighbouring land over a post put on the boundary between the properties. In footage filmed by Mr Jacovelli, Mr Maitland is heard shouting, “That post is…
Bankers Andrew and Penny McSpadden have been involved in a parking dispute with finance company boss Sheriar Bradbury for a number of years over the size of the car parking bays outside the converted church they share in Hampstead. The dispute escalated when art dealers Mary and Yuval Hanina paid £1.45m to buy the third…
Shoe retailer Brantano has gone into administration, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk. The chain was bought out of administration in 2015 by a company controlled by turnaround specialists Alteri Investors. Since then Brantano has suffered from the “depressed and competitive” footwear market, as well as the fall in sterling. Alteri also owns Jones…
Actress Scarlett Johansson filed for divorce from French journalist Romain Dauriac in New York on grounds of “the marriage being irretrievably broken.” She requested joint legal custody and residential custody of the couple’s 2-year- old daughter. The couple married in 2014. The court documents ask for the enforcement of a prenuptial agreement. This is the…
21st Century Fox has defended its £11.7bn takeover bid for broadcaster Sky after Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said she was “minded” to intervene in the deal after concerns about about media plurality and broadcasting standards. Ms Bradley has been weighing up whether to refer the deal to Ofcom after warning it could pose “public interest…
A court has ordered Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley to pay $10,000 a month for five months of her estranged husband Michael Lockwood’s legal expenses as she divorces him. A point of contention is the couple’s 2007 post-nuptial agreement. Lockwood was demanding that a post-nuptial agreement that the two had signed in 2007 should…
Balfour Beatty, the engineering company behind the transformation of the former Olympic Stadium into West Ham’s London Stadium made an £8m profit, after a £199m loss in 2015. In the next few years it plans to be part of the High Speed 2 (HS2) project, the new nuclear power stations at Hinkley and Wylfa, and…
Audrey Hepburn’s eldest son Sean Ferrer is being sued by The Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund, the charity he helped establish because it says he is interfering with its attempts to raise money for children. Money was being raised largely by exhibiting her clothing – some created by fashion designer Givenchy. The charity is saying that…
It’s been a busy time of late at Wrigley Claydon solicitors Oldham as a number of personnel changes have taken place, including the retirement of a Senior Partner. Godfrey Pickles is retiring as Senior Partner and handing over to Vijay Srivastava. Mr Pickles has been with the firm for more than 30 years. He has…
The late actress Audrey Hepburn, who died in 1993, left memorabilia including hats, scarves, jewellery, posters, costumes, photos, scripts and awards, which caused a dispute between her two sons, Sean Ferrer and his half-brother Luca Dotti who each wanted a tangible piece of their late mother. Hepburn had left her sons a 50/50 cut of…
The new minimum wage rates came into force from 1 st October 2016. In light of the subsequent Autumn statement and the forecasts of the Office for Budget Responsibility on wage stagnation, we take a brief look on what they are, how they affect young people and how employers can comply with legislation. Age Group…
Jennifer Garner is to reportedly file for divorce from Ben Affleck. They had been married for nearly 12 years. The couple split in June 2015, however, since then there has been reports the two were reconciling. Ben Affleck recently praised Jennifer Garner as being “the greatest mom in the world.” The couple have three children…
An accountant forged his dead mother’s will to take control of a slice in his family’s £160million palm oil business. Girish Dahyabhai Patel from north London, used a blank document, pre-signed by his mother, before adding a will around it. Mr Patel was caught out by forensic analysis, which revealed the faint indentation of her…
A Minnesota probate judge overseeing the estate of Prince has refused to appoint either of two probate lawyers seeking to represent the late music star’s likely heirs in managing his legacy, citing disagreement among the siblings over whom they prefer. Prince left behind a fortune believed to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars when…
Mrs Tini Owens has taken her husband to the Court of Appeal to ask three judges for a divorce because he makes her feel ‘unloved, isolated and alone’. In 2016 Mrs Owens failed to persuade a family court judge to allow her to divorce her husband but Mr Hugh Owens is opposed to the divorce…
Beyoncé is being sued for $20 million by the estate of a late internet star who is sampled in her song and video Formation. The estate of Anthony Barré, also known as Messy Mya, alleges in a filed federal lawsuit that Beyoncé used a sample of Mya in the single and its video without permission.…
Maria Mills received a £230,000 lump sum along with £1,100 monthly maintenance payments when she split from her husband Graham after 13 years of marriage. But since the divorce in 2002 Mrs Mills invested the money ‘unwisely’ in London properties, landing herself in debt because of her ‘poor’ decisions. Mr Mills argued he ‘should not…
Chinese conservationist Li Quan and estranged husband Stuart Bray, a banker from America, who founded a charity called Save Chinese Tigers before their marriage broke down have returned to court for another round of litigation in their multi-million-pound legal fight. For three years, they have been embroiled in a legal battle. Ms Li claims that…
A pensioner is to face a criminal trial for ‘illegally digging up some soil’ as part of a bitter neighbour dispute that has lasted nearly 20 years. Valerie Vivian was allegedly spotted digging up soil laid by her neighbours in a jointly-owned communal garden in Somerset. Her neighbours had laid the soil over a gravel…
Two rogue traders in charge of building firms which carried out tens of thousands of pounds of shoddy work face prison after they admitted a catalogue of reckless trading offences. Jonathan Jones and Rebecca Dack pleaded guilty to crimes against customers who were charged more than £50,000 for building work. It was said they “failed…
Glen Briers built a £30million sports and street-wear business incorporating brands Lambretta and Vision Streetwear. When he split from Nicola Briers, his wife of 18 years in 2002, the business was turning over £1million a year. When they divorced Mr Briers gave his wife £150,000 to pay off the mortgage and she kept the £700,000…
The recent case of ‘right to die’ policeman Paul Briggs, highlights the need for people of all ages to have in place a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney. PC Briggs, 43, was involved in a head-on collision on his motorcycle on his way to work for Merseyside Police in July 2015. He suffered several…
A former judge and her husband who forged a dead man’s will in order to obtain two country cottages which they then converted into a £325,000 home were jailed for six months each earlier today. Margaret and Alan Hampshire made it appear as though Martin Blanche had left his house to an elderly cousin of…
The actor Laurence Fox, who earlier this year divorced actress Billie Piper, has split with model Vogue Williams, the ex-wife of former Westlife singer Brian McFadden. This is the actor’s first festive period he spends without his two sons. The actor said, “We’re just really great mates. We have always just been good mates before…
Grammy awards nominated singer Sia, whose songs include Cheap Thrills and Chandelier has announced her divorce from husband Erik Anders Lang. Sia, whose full name is Sia Kate Isobelle Furler married her husband at her home in California in August 2014. Her statement read ‘After much soul searching and consideration we have made the decision…
A farmer has been criticised by a Judge for harassing his neighbours in a right of way dispute. Peter Robinson insisted on driving his tractor at a snail’s pace along a track leading up to his farm in County Durham. He put in more than a dozen speed bumps in a bid to make life…
We acted for a commercial landlord who sued his tenant for unpaid rent and service charges. We successfully obtained a Judgment in the sum of £90,000 and costs following a trial in the County Court. Running a business can be difficult in this today’s economic climate and with the uncertainties following Brexit. It can be…
It has been reported that Kim Kardashian West is considering divorcing her rapper husband Kanye West after her two-and- a-half- year marriage after feeling “trapped” in her relationship. Recent traumatic events are thought to have taken their toll on the marriage which saw Kim Kardashian gagged, bound and held at gunpoint during a robbery in…
A financier’s widow who is battling her stepdaughter over his £18million estate has denied claims she ‘bullied and dominated’ her frail husband. Richard Thornton died in 2013 leaving half his estate to his wife Susie. The other half of the estate went into a trust for the rest of his family, including his three adult…
Robbie Williams, the former Take That singer is in dispute with rock and roll legend neighbour Jimmy Page after the Led Zeppelin founder objected to William’s plans over fears it could damage his nearby Grade-I listed home. Williams bought the £17million property from the family of late film director Michael Winner in December 2013, but…
Actor Johnny Depp and actress Amber Heard divorced in July this year after a turbulent 15 months of marriage. The actors met on the set whilst filming The Rum Diaries in 2102, the same year he and his long-term partner singer/actress Vanessa Paradis split after 14 years together. Johnny Depp is worth an estimated £320…
Beatles producer Sir George Martin left an estate worth more than £1million but failed to leave anything to his eldest son Greg following a rift. Sir George, often described as ‘The Fifth Beatle’, died in March aged 90 and left a £1million estate in his will, with the majority of it being left to his…
Comedian David Walliams and his ex-wife, model Lara Stone have settled a High Court dispute over their £19million fortune. David Walliams was worth £16.3m and his wife £2.6m. The pair’s five-year marriage came to an end in September 2015. After private talks on the second day of the dispute at the High Court, Mr Walliams…
We successfully defended a claim in the High Court when a family member challenged the fact that no provision had been made for him a Will. Had the claim succeeded then the executor and sole beneficiary of the Will would have had to sell property in order to pay any award made by the Court.…
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was granted a divorce in only 14 seconds after she blamed her second husband’s ‘unreasonable behaviour’. The former Girls Aloud star was handed a decree nisi ending her marriage to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini at the Central Family Court in London. The couple, who did not appear in court, split at the end of 2015…
A couple in Market Weighton have spent tens of thousands of pounds in a row with neighbours over a hedge say they’re prepared to go to jail to prove it belongs to them. In 2012 when Steve and Sandra Marshall discovered a hole had been cut from the middle of the bushes. Their next-door neighbours…
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s divorce has taken a new turn. It has been reported Angelina and her six children were questioned by the FBI about an incident in September 2016 in which Brad allegedly got drunk and physical with son Maddox, 15.
Producers of The Great British Bake Off reportedly engaged lawyers and threatened to sue the BBC. It has been reported that the BBC was involved in a dispute with Love Productions back in 2014 over a hairdressing competition called Hair, which originally been shown on BBC3. Produced by the BBC, Hair documented the quest to…
Our Oldham conveyancing solicitors were thrilled to receive a lovely surprise this week from a grateful client. Conveyancing exec Tracy Rostern was sent a box of conveyancing themed cupcakes from a recent customer! The unique and unexpected gift was from husband and wife Rabnawaz and Saima Inayat, who Tracy assisted with a conveyancing transaction. They left a…
We are taking part in Dr Kershaw’s Will Week from Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th October 2016. During the week we will prepare Wills for clients free of charge in lieu of a donation to the Hospice. Our usual fees are £95 for a single will and £175 for mirror wills. The idea is to…
We’re holding a Coffee Morning to raise money for Macmillan. When: 10am on Friday 30th September 2016 Where: Wrigley Claydon offices, 29-33 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1HH Come along for a coffee, cake and a chat if you are in Oldham and help us raise funds for a good cause. If yo
Hundreds of thousands of VW, Audi and SEAT owners are set to use new ‘class action’ rights which comes into force on 29 September 2016 pursuant to under the Consumer Rights Act, to sue Volkswagen for fixing the exhaust gas checks on its diesel cars to make them appear more green. VW has put aside…
Once again we are showing our support for ‘Remember a Charity in your Will Week’ from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th September 2016. The week, organised by Remember A Charity, aims to increase awareness of the importance of charitable legacies, and encourage more people to think about charitable giving in Wills. Whilst the decision of…
Players of the recent phenomenon Pokémon Go should be careful, in case they find themselves facing court proceedings for trespass on private land. If there is a real and apparent risk that the gathering of Pokémon hunters could cause injury to property or people, there is a case law that suggests a landowner can obtain…
Mr Ibrahim Ajaj was an employee at Metroline West Ltd (“Metroline”) for 10 years and was dismissed for gross misconduct for deceptively alleging that he could no longer perform his duties after an injury at work. His allegation was supported by an occupational health advisor and physiotherapist. However Metroline decided to covertly survey him and…
A daughter who was left nothing in her late father’s £1million will is battling her stepmother over the fortune. Danielle Ames told the Court she ‘idolised’ her father, Michael Ames, that he was her ‘best friend’ and that he ‘doted’ on her as his only child. However, she was shocked when her father, who ran a glazing business,…
A millionaire businessman has been ordered to chop down 80ft trees in the grounds of his mansion after a neighbour dispute that they blocked out sunlight and could crush their homes. James Turnbull’s £1.4million estate borders a row of gardens in the upmarket village of Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire. Neighbours claimed the trees were ruining their properties and stopping…
Two sisters, who were cut out of their father’s will on his deathbed, have launched a legal fight for his £4million estate – claiming he was mentally unbalanced by surviving the Hillsborough disaster. Thomas Fitzgerald was hours from death and speaking through an oxygen mask when he disinherited his daughters in 2012. The daughters did not need his money,…
A QC is facing a bill of hundreds of thousands of pounds after he lost a six-year court battle over the purchase of a £3.6 million 30 room 18th century manor. William Griffiths QC fought against Alan Hardy in a bid to avoid having to pay him for pulling out of a deal to buy Laughton Manor…
If football pundit Gary Lineker has recently attacked family solicitor fees because they “manipulate” the situation to increase their costs it is probably the thought of giving away all those crisp notes! In any event, his assessment is not borne out by the experience of Wrigley Claydon’s family team. Mr Lineker’s suggestion of a formula to assist in…
Two of our partners, Rachel Damianou and John Porter, are part of a new mentoring scheme at Oldham College. As part of the national Career Ready programmes, Rachel and John will meet monthly with their students to help prepare them for life as a law professional. An article detailing the scheme in Oldham Chronicle’s The…
Dying Matters Awareness Week, which runs from 9th-15th May, encourages people to talk about and prepare for dying. The national campaign aims to highlight the importance of talking more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life. The year’s campaign is focused around the #BigConversation. The hashtag, to…
Prince, the singer who died on 21 April 2016 is believed to have left no will behind which opens up the possibility of a battle over his fortune. Londell McMillan, Prince’s former lawyer, said: “It’s likely there is no will. He couldn’t face it. He didn’t think he would die.” Prince left an estate variously valued at…
Led Zeppelin’s lead singer Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page will appear in a Los Angeles court on 10th May 2016, accused of copyright infringement. A judge in the case said there are “substantial” similarities between their track Stairway To Heaven and Taurus, a song written by the band Spirit in 1967. The lawsuit was brought by Michael…
Much has now been written about the benefits of a Lasting Power of Attorney. It is a way to ensure that if you ever are unable to deal with your own property and finances or make decisions about your health and welfare, someone else can. So, who should be appointed to make those decisions for you?…
Workers cannot be discriminated against based on age, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) recently re-inforced. The case of Donkor v RBS related to an appeal by an ex-Regional Director of RBS who had worked at the company since August 1978. Four Directors were placed at risk of redundancy, two over the age of 50; two under…
Actress Lynda Bellingham, who starred in the long running Oxo TV adverts and panelist on Loose Women, died in 2014. In her will she left everything to her husband, Michael Pattemore. Ms Bellingham’s two sons have criticised Mr Pattemore for ‘disrespecting their mother’s memory’ since her death. The sons stated they are in the process of challenging…
Beyoncé is suing a U.S. company selling infringing “Feyonce” merchandise on their website. The singer sued to stop the sale of shirts, sweaters, tank tops, hoodies and coffee mugs bearing the “Feyonce” name, which she says is too close to her own trademarked name. The mug has the phrase “he put a ring on it,” which Beyoncé…
Actor John Cleese says he may sue an Australian theatre company for its “shameless rip-off” of Fawlty Towers. The actor said that the Faulty Towers Dining Experience did not seek permission to use the show’s title, themes or characters and had not received royalties from the show, which reportedly makes almost $2m (£1m) a year. He stated, “Seems…
There has been much talk in the media lately about the story line in the BBC Radio 4 soap “The Archers” featuring the relationship between Helen and Rob Titchener. Over a prolonged period of time (around two years) the story line has shown Rob becoming ever more controlling and abusive towards Helen, without progressing to any physical violence,…
Birmingham has been ranked as England’s “Crash for Cash” capital by research carried out by Aviva. Crash for Cash scams are run by fraudsters who manufacture collisions, sometimes with innocent road users, hoping to profit from fraudulent insurance claims. The research also showed that Oldham was in the top 10 hotspots. If you have been in an…
A couple in Derby have been awarded a £38,000 payout after the council refused to chop down an enormous tree which caused thousands of pounds of damage to their home. The 58ft cedar tree’s roots ended up causing cracks in the brickwork and internal plastering of the couple’s home and the couple have now been awarded compensation…
The Late Payment Legislation exists to protect all businesses but particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are most vulnerable to financial burden as a result of late payments. Late payments for any business can cause trading difficulties and so the Late Payment Directive’s ethos of paying on time being the norm, and late payment…
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? A legal document that allows you to choose someone (an attorney) to make decisions on your behalf. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): Personal Welfare Your Attorneys can make the decisions you make on a daily basis regarding your personal welfare. This can include…
From 1st April 2016, there will be a higher rate of stamp duty payable by those who purchase a buy to let property or second home. The higher rate of tax applies to properties above the price of £40,000.00 and will be in the sum of 3%. This additional tax is payable on the full…
The Supreme Court on 9 March 2016 dismissed an appeal by Trunki manufacturer Magmatic, which argued that a competitor product was breaching its intellectual property rights. In 2006 Mr Law appeared on BBC Two show Dragons’ Den, unsuccessfully seeking investment for his Trunki case. After he was rejected by the Dragons, he went on to sell more…
Antony Brannick, Family Law specialist at our Todmorden office is at it again… Following the recent hugely successful staging of Handel’s Messiah in aid of the Calderdale flood relief efforts, musical director of Todmorden Choral Society Antony isn’t resting on his laurels; he’s straight onto his next performance. Three centuries apart, two lives and two deaths: lives…
In a move that signals not only growth for the practice, but perhaps also for Oldham’s business sector as a whole, Wrigley Claydon have bolstered their Commercial Department with the appointment of a new assistant commercial solicitor. Soibilate Iketubosin has joined the practice to support the growing portfolio of corporate clients Wrigley Claydon looks after.…
If you are looking at making a will Todmorden solicitors Wrigley Claydon are supporting Age UK’s Will Making Month during April 2016… Our Todmorden office are working with Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees and Age UK Todmorden throughout April 2016 as part of the charity’s ‘Will Making Month’ campaign. Making a will is the best…
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled recently the dismissal of a Romanian worker in breach of his employer’s company policy was lawful. Bogdan Barbulescu, who was sacked in 2007 for sending personal emails from his work account, argued that his employer had breached his right to a private life by reading his emails. On instructions from his…
Sunday 24th January saw our very own Antony Brannick conduct Todmorden Choral Society and Orchestra in a special performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’. And special it was! Todmorden, along with several other places in the Calder Valley, was very badly affected by the flooding and torrential rain on Boxing Day 2015. As a resident of the…
Spring is a popular time of year for moving home. Many home owners may be looking to advertise their property for sale, and others will be looking to buy. Buying and selling a property is too often seen as a difficult or stressful process. This needn’t be the case. Whether it’s buying your first home,…
In light of Stonewall’s recent employer’s survey, Wrigley Claydon have decided to look at equality in the workplace, and specifically at LGBT rights in the workplace, about which both employers and employees need to be aware. The law is set out in the Equality Act 2010, which establishes 4 types of discrimination: 1. Direct Discrimination…
As you will all no doubt be aware the Calder Valley was badly hit by the Boxing Day floods. Many properties in Todmorden were flooded. Musical Director of the Todmorden Choral Society, Antony Brannick, an Associate Family Solicitor at our Todmorden office, is conducting a very special performance of Handel’s oratorio Messiah, with the Todmorden Orchestra. Proceeds…
The annual Macmillan Coffee Morning took place in many homes and businesses across the country this year. The Macmillan Coffee Morning is the charity’s flagship and this year celebrated its 25th anniversary. The aim is to bring as many people together over coffee and cake to support those affected by cancer. On Friday 4th December 2015, our Todmorden…
Come and have your cake and eat it too! We’re delighted to be hosting a Coffee Morning for Macmillan at our Todmorden offices on Friday 4th December. Join us between 10.00am-1.00pm. Bring a cake contribution if you wish, or just bring yourself. Whatever you do, bring your appetite and lots of change and dig into our…
Loss is never easy and whilst grieving is a normal process following a bereavement, it affects people in many different ways. You may feel shock, numbness, anger or feel unable to cope with matters that would normally not be a problem. This is all perfectly natural but having a guide as to what to do…
Former Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro’s lawyers have served notice on the club that she intends to seek a claim for constructive dismissal. It is understood that a claim form was served on Chelsea this week to commence a claim in the employment tribunal unless an out-of-court settlement can be agreed before a hearing takes place. An employment…
We are proud to announce we are the co-sponsors of an event at The Granger Theatre in Oldham in November. As part of the borough’s live@thelibrary programme, broadcaster, writer and parliamentarian Melvyn Bragg will be hosting an evening on Tuesday 10th November. Live from 7pm he will be talking about and reading extracts from his new…
In two recent family law decisions of the Supreme Court, the court has allowed appeals in cases where the husbands had deliberately been untruthful either by fraud or by non-disclosure about the full extent of their financial circumstances. The court has emphasised that the fundamental principle that a party in divorce financial proceedings must make a full and…
From 1 October 2015 new consumer protection measures have come into force under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Anyone who buys faulty goods will now be entitled to a full refund for up to 30 days after the purchase. Previously consumers were only entitled to refunds for a “reasonable time”. Under the Act there is also now…
As of 1st October 2015, a new law around smoking in cars came into play. It is now illegal to smoke in a private vehicle with anyone under 18 present. The new legislation from the Department of Health aims to protect children from the effects of second-hand smoke. The rule applies to all private vehicles…
The Oldham Chronicle featured a piece about the handover of chairmanship at the Respect Our Community Awards ROCA, on Thursday 17th September 2015. Our Partner John Porter stepped down from his role heading up the Awards and its parent organisation First Choice Home Oldham and handed over the reins to Jodie Barber. Here’s the piece…
We are showing our support for ‘Remember a Charity in your Will Week’ from Monday 7th to Sunday 13th September 2015. The week, organised by Remember A Charity, aims to increase awareness of the importance of charitable legacies, and encourage more people to think about including a good cause in their Will, after they have looked after…
If you are pregnant and drive a vehicle, you may want to take heed of the recent research conducted by a Canadian Institute. The recent study of more than 500,000 women over six years investigated the risk of accidents both before and during pregnancy. Their research concluded that regrettably, pregnancy led to an increase in…
The process of buying and selling property can be notoriously stressful and at times confusing. With mortgage applications and offers to negotiate, estate agents to deal with and then solicitor and conveyancing costs to work out, there’s a lot to get your head around. How much should a conveyancer cost? Conveyancing prices differ hugely and…
A Will dispute case has hit the media headlines this week as it is feared the landmark ruling may have ramifications on the future of Wills as we know them. A Will is a declaration of a person’s intentions to distribute his or her estate and assets after their passing. Legal professionals like Wrigley Claydon stress…
Our Partner John Porter has stood down as chair of the Respect Our Community Awards (ROCA) panel, a group that awards money and support to grassroots community projects in Oldham that improve social cohesion and reduce anti social behaviour. John has chaired the organisation since its inception in February 2008. His decision to stand down coincides…
By respecting the duty of confidentiality, an NHS Trust has found itself defending a clinical negligence claim in the form of a Breach of Duty of Care. St. George’s Healthcare NHS Trust had been treating the Claimant’s father under a hospital order. The father was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, an inherited condition that damages certain nerve…
A woman is seeking hundreds of thousands of pounds compensation from Barclays, claiming the bank’s Will-writing service resulted in her losing a stake in a valuable London home. Barclays is contesting the claim. The matter has now gone to the High Court. Court documents show that in 2007 Ebenezer Aregbesola used Barclays’ £90 Will-writing service…
Savvy property investors and professional landlords are edging their bets further north than ever before as rental yields across the North West of the UK boom. Whilst property values in London continue to rise faster than the rest of the country (a staggering 19.1% jump year-on-year) and the average house price stands at £514,000, in…
Following the case of Vnuk v Triglav in Slovenia in autumn 2014, motor insurance law is set to change in regards to vehicles driven solely on private property which may now need to be covered by motor insurance. The case saw the claimant, farm worker Mr Vnuk, sustain injury when he fell from a ladder after…
There are no set guidelines or definition of a neighbour dispute. This is because the issues can be so varied and circumstances so individual. Here we highlight some of the more common neighbour disputes and what can be done about them… Common neighbour disputes Access to land (for repairs) – the property’s legal documents may…
At Wrigley Claydon, we operate a client reward scheme whereby we reward clients with a cash payment if they refer a new client to us. We hope you will be satisfied with our service enough to refer us to your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. Each time you do so, and once we accept the…
As the holiday season takes off and millions of holidaymakers take to the skies over the summer months for the annual family holiday, a change in the law could see many benefit from the ultimate holiday stress-maker, flight delays. Passengers hit by long delays due to technical faults with planes will be entitled to claim compensation…
We are once again taking part in ‘Will Weeks’ for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham. Our Wills department took part in the initiative last year where we raised £2460.00 for the hospice. This time around we are hoping to raise even more! From Monday 18th until Friday 29th May 2015, if an appointment is made with us…
According to gov.uk “most land in England and Wales is registered with general boundaries”. This is the responsibility of the Land Registry who draw up a ‘title plan’ (an official sketch) of any property that is registered with them. This is stored and made available on request. Some property owners choose to have more exact…
The recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Wyatt and Vince handed down on 11 March 2015 has brought to wider attention the fact that a decree absolute of divorce does not in itself “close the door” on a marriage relationship. Many people may be unaware that unless the court has also made a…
As of 5th April 2015 new rights came into play for new parents. Shared Parental Leave (SPL) is now a viable option for many families, meaning both mother and father can take an equal share in the early care of their child. Up to 50 weeks of leave (37 paid) can be shared by parents…
It’s been widely reported that businesses up and down the country received calls from employees asking for compassionate leave following Zayn Malik’s departure from One Direction this week. There’s no doubt the World’s No. 1 boy band have legions of loyal fans who feel some sort of personal connection to its five members but where…
It has been claimed that Jeremy Clarkson’s suspension from Top Gear was due to him punching a producer in a row over catering while filming on location. If Clarkson were an employee and the case upheld, the BBC will have little choice but to sack him, as it was made clear to him last year that he…
Blurred Lines songwriters – Pharrell Williams, TI and Robin Thicke – have been ordered to pay Marvin Gaye’s family more than $7m in damages for the infringement upon the copyright of Marvin Gaye’s 1977 song Got To Give It Up. The lawyers for Marvin Gaye’s family now also want to stop sales of the song and are…
Contract disputes can be extremely complicated and involve large sums of money. The latest high profile dispute concerned Rory McIlroy; the world’s No. 1 golfer, where his lawyers claimed he had been taken advantage of by his agents by signing his contract at a Christmas party in surroundings of “great informality”. The case could have taken up to…
Over the last few years disputes about Wills have become increasingly common. The latest high profile dispute concerns the Estate of the late Robin Williams, the Hollywood acting legend, where his widow is contesting the Will against the actor’s children. Will disputes can be very complex and require expert legal guidance to resolve matters as fairly as possible.…
HMRC ‘named and shamed’ 37 National Minimum Wage Offenders in January 2015 as checks are set to become tougher on offenders. The named companies are now required to pay £51,000 in fines along with the money that their employees are owed. H&M and Welcome Break were among the companies listed, blaming their employees underpayments on…
Shuduppa your Facebook? Or a “need to know”? The revelation from a solicitor’s firm that Facebook is a factor in around two-thirds of divorce cases is something which resonates with Wrigley Claydon’s family lawyers in Oldham and probably with all family solicitors up and down the country. From complaints that “he’s changed his Facebook status”…
A 8.3% rise is expected in house prices this year, however with government schemes such as help-to-buy, rising house prices won’t stop the housing market from booming over the next year. Purchasing or selling a home can be a long process. Once the offers have been made and accepted there are legal requirements that need…
The decision to end a marriage might be straightforward, yet the many aspects that follow from the implications of this step can appear daunting and difficult. Financial issues, housing and arrangements for any children will need to be addressed over and above the change of marital status that a divorce will bring about. It is…
Commercial disputes come in all shapes and sizes, from contract and property disputes, mergers, acquisitions and litigation to debt collection, employment issues, licensing and intellectual property. The issue of intellectual property can be a confusing one. Every business will own some form of intellectual property and protecting this is imperative. What is intellectual property? According to the…
Your employer has a duty to protect you and maintain safe conditions for you in the work place and prevent any workplace hazards. If you have an accident at work and feel that it wasn’t your fault then pursuing a claim for compensation might be the right thing to do. Unlike with most personal injury…
Wrigley Claydon partner and Oldham solicitor John Porter was proud to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the Respect Our Community Awards (ROCA) recently. ROCA is an arm of First Choice Homes housing association in Oldham – where John is a trustee – that gives out money to worthy community projects. Launched in November 2007, John has chaired…
We need to adapt the way we drive during the winter and be prepared for journeys that may take us through very varied weather, road and traffic conditions to avoid road accidents. Winter driving advice When we have prolonged periods of snow, as we have experienced over the past few years, we tend to see…
With Christmas shopping and present wrapping in full swing (or hopefully for many of you, now complete), next comes the gift giving, and returning….. We’ve all been there. We’ve all given or received an unwanted present at some point and been forced to join the long queue at the returns desk. But do you have…
Slips, trips and falls are the most common types of accident in life generally and, thankfully, the consequences of many falls on snow or ice are simply minor bumps and bruises. In previous years however, thousands of people have been admitted to hospital after suffering more serious injuries after falls during wintry weather. Figures from…
A new set of rights for victims of misleading and aggressive commercial practices came into force on 1st October 2014. Whilst it has been an offence for businesses to use these kinds of tactics since 2008, there has been no recompense for consumers who feel they have been victims. The Consumer Protection Regulations 2014 give…
One in four adults has suffered a recent personal injury or accident, but only 20 per cent have made a claim. Following an accident, you may want and be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim through an personal injury claims solicitor. As many as one in four adults have suffered from a personal…
Our client slipped on cobbled stones. The cobbled stones had not been maintained properly by the local authority and consequently weeds and moss had grown and the cobbled stones had become dislodged. Our client suffered with ruptured tendons to both legs which led to restricted mobility and absence from work. As Oldham personal injury lawyers…
Since April 2014 courts have been making child arrangement orders instead of residence and contacts orders. The new orders have two main elements to serve: with whom a child is to live and when with whom, when and how a child is to spend time or otherwise have contact with someone Whilst the new child…
Our client was a cyclist who unfortunately was struck by a lorry sustaining serious injuries to the foot, toes, ankle, ribs, upper arm and shoulder. We recovered £60,000 for our client. Road traffic accidents are the most common claims that our Oldham personal injury solicitors are asked to handle. With more and more drivers on the roads…
New inheritance law changes simplifying what happens when someone dies without leaving a will came into effect on 1st October 2014. Changes to the rights of people whose spouses or civil partners die without making a will have come into force. The changes have been designed to speed up and modernise the process for dividing…
In a recent case, our client was doing what thousands of us do every day – joining a dual carriage way from a slip road. Unfortunately on this day, an accident occurred that initially may have appeared to have been our client’s fault. However as we outline below, just because you are the one joining…
Local solicitor Antony Brannick has been providing ‘legal aid’ of a rather different kind to a group of professional musicians recently. Antony, who is a family law specialist with Wrigley Claydon solicitors and based at their Todmorden office, has been using his musical skills as a conductor in the world premiere of a new opera…
Families of missing people will have new rights following law changes taking effect from, 1 October 2014. Families and next of kin will be able to apply for a Presumption of Death Certificate (made through the Presumption of Death Act 2013 and apply in England and Wales) for a loved one who has gone missing…
In this case, our client was walking into a restaurant with a highly polished floor. Due to the rain outside, and customers bringing water in, the floor was wet, causing our client to slip and sustain several serious injuries. We successfully recovered £14,500 for our client. Wet or slippery surfaces can be incredibly dangerous. In…
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government organisation that can pay money (an award) to people who have been physically or mentally injured because they were the blameless victim of a violent crime. They consider applications and make awards that range from £1,000 to £500,000. The current Scheme was introduced on 27 November 2012 and applies to…
If you’re planning on leaving your commercial property and want to remove certain items, what are your rights and where do you stand in terms of the law? The area of defining what is a ‘fixture’ and a ‘chattel’ can be difficult. However, understanding the difference between them will help you determine what you can and…
When you play music at work you may not be aware that you need a licence for it. Many bars, restaurants and retail stores play recorded music whilst some offices and many factories and workshops allow the use of radios or background music for their staff to listen to while they are working. If you…
On 16th May 2014, a number of changes to prevent illegal working in the UK came into force. The changes include amendments to the right to work checks and associated documents, and changes to civil penalty payments. The changes are intended to support employers to make the correct checks on their employees to ensure that they have…
When you set up a new business, one of the first things you need to put into place is insurance. Whether this is employers’ liability insurance, buildings insurance or contents insurance, it makes sense to know you’re protected. But what would happen to your business if you were no longer there or able to take…
Wrigley Claydon have announced that as of 1st July 2014 Emma Piszkalo has been appointed a partner in the firm. Emma works full-time in Wrigley Claydon’s Todmorden office as a solicitor dealing with private client matters such as conveyancing, probate and wills. She has been associated with the firm over many years, firstly through work…
A small claim is a claim regarding a civil matter which is under £10,000. You can apply to small claims court if you are owed money by a business or an individual and they refuse to pay. For example, you may feel that you have been unfairly treated as a consumer, due to a lack of…
Unpaid debt can cause a multitude of problems, whether you are owed money as a business or an individual. It can cause cash-flow problems, which is especially problematic if you are a business with a tight budget, and even cause problems with banks. Using a solicitor with experience in debt recovery can therefore be a cost…
Speed bumps are intended to keep us safer on the roads. However, in this recent local authority negligence case, a badly installed speed bump was the cause of a painful injury. Usually a speed bump is built from the edge of the pavement on one side of the road across to the edge of pavement on…
In this article Shalish Mehta from our Litigation Team offers criminal injuries compensation advice and explains how the law applies in different situations.
A police officer recently received an out of court payment of £500 when he was bitten on the behind by a police dog. Subsequently, another police officer successfully made a claim and received an out of court settlement of £1,200 after also being bitten by a police dog. It is not fully known how many people per…
The Law Society is the latest in an increasingly long line of organisations to stress the importance of online assets. More and more testators are being encouraged to leave instructions regarding their ‘digital legacy‘ in their will due to modern society’s reliance on online services. The Law Society has recommended that testators keep an up-to-date list…
Recent figures posted by a major insurance company indicated that in 2012 they received £21 million from solicitors. This money, it has been reported, was in exchange for giving those solicitors accident claims. This means that you might have paid your insurance premium but if you then had a car accident, your insurance company could have sold your…
Over the last two years, Rochdale and Oldham have experienced extensive road works, diversions and public transport disruptions as the new Metrolink line was installed. However the work is finally complete, leaving in its place a brand new tram service, making it more convenient than ever to travel around Greater Manchester. The changes took their toll…
Last week’s annual quiz between members of the Oldham Law Association was once again a huge success. The Wrigley Claydon team were pipped to victory (coming in 6th out of 8!) using their wealth of general knowledge to fight for first place and, more importantly, raise money for charity. The OLA frequently puts on fundraising…
Last week, Wrigley Claydon were proud to be featured in the Oldham Evening Chronicle. The piece discusses our success as Oldham’s oldest law firm and a company who continues to move with the times. The article describes the improvement in the property market, and the measures we are taking to ensure we are prepared for…
When former Prime Minister John Major came to power, he spoke of his vision for a society that was more at ease with itself. At roughly the same time, a man was standing at a bar ordering a drink. Having paid for his drink, he picked it up, turned around and was then punched in…
A recent study by Aviva has revealed that money is often a taboo subject for the over 55s, with more than a quarter of over 55s admitting they haven’t discussed their financial retirement plan with their spouses. Even more worryingly, only just over a third of over 55s have yet to write a Will. This resistance to…
The government has recently been criticised for the increase in court fees from 22nd April 2014. We believe this undermines the opportunity for people to access to justice where they have been wronged, particularly for people on low incomes. Higher court fees represent significant barriers to gaining justice for the “man in the street”. It…
Changes to the family justice system have now been introduced, which fundamentally change the way that the courts in England and Wales will resolve disputes between families. As from 22nd April 2014, Combined Family Courts have been introduced in England and Wales. These courts replace the previous three-tier system and are intended to simplify the…
We trust our doctors and dentists to keep us safe and well – however, mistakes happen, which can sometimes lead to painful consequences. Trusting someone with your health or dental care, only to suffer personal injury through misdiagnosis or inadequate work, can cause both physical and emotional distress. You may also have to take time…
It’s the time of year when people across the country begin looking forward to summer and booking trips abroad. However, for some, the enjoyment is cut short due to personal injury. Accidents can happen anywhere – you wouldn’t accept it at home and you don’t have to accept it abroad. If you have suffered personal…
With the increased confidence in the economy and Government actions such as the new National Insurance Employment Allowance, designed to encourage business owners to take on more staff, many businesses will be considering new recruits this year. The means many will be reviewing their contracts of employment. Regulations and legislation surrounding business is constantly changing…
Undoubtedly the property market is improving – it is arguably at it’s highest peak in many years. However, one of the most prominent contributing factors to this success is the Help to Buy Scheme. The scheme targets young buyers who are trying to get their foot on the property ladder, and usually only applies to…
As the law surrounding employment and dismissal continues to expand, specialist knowledge on these matters is becoming essential for all employers in order to avoid problems further down the road. One of the most misunderstood matters is unfair dismissal, and as employment solicitors who advise on all employment matters, we have helped numerous companies who…
In a recent case, our client, a pedestrian, was crushed between two moving vehicles. This caused serious damage to both knees – an incredibly painful and debilitating injury. We successfully recovered £75,000 for our client. We often take both public and personal transport so much for granted that we forget the severe accidents that can…
Partner, John Porter is a director of First Choice Homes and their Respect Our Community Awards, a not for profit housing association managing around 12,000 homes in Oldham. If you are a business based in Oldham we encourage you to help support the ROCA. If you are looking for help, we consider all community projects,…
Wrigley Claydon’s Todmorden Office are supporting Age UK Todmorden for the whole of March in their “Make a Will Month” campaign. Together with Jayne Brearley and Co our solicitors are donating their time and expertise to encourage people to ask about making a will and to help them create one. An Age UK spokesperson said: “For your…
Recently discussions regarding handing over authority to another person to act on your behalf should you become mentally or physically incapable have been rife. Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) have been all over the newspaper headlines because some family members have been abusing their power, whilst others have become frustrated by banks refusing to acknowledge…
Our client was working for a building company on site. Failing to recognise the vital importance of health and safety on a building site, their co-workers did not organise the site as they had been instructed to do by the company, creating a hazardous environment. A piece of building material was left in the…
A recent survey has shown that the symptoms associated with a cough and cold can reduce your level of alertness to a similar level as if you had consumed 4 pints of beer or lager. The survey indicates that coughs and colds can have a similar effect on our driving. Nevertheless needs must and it’s…
In this recent case, our client was walking down some outdoor stairs which were not structurally sound. When one of the flagstones which made up the steps moved, our client lost their footing and sustained a painful injury to the foot and ankle. We successfully recovered £14,100 for our client. When you suffer from a…
All landlords need to be aware of their obligations under laws governing noise and their responsibilities to neighbours. Local councils have a duty to deal with statutory nuisances, however this does not mean they always make the correct decisions. In a recent case we successfully appealed against a Noise Abatement Order that had been served…
January to see more divorces than any other month with divorce rates set to soar by 80 per cent after the strain of the festive period. Oldham Divorce Solicitor Specialist at Wrigley Claydon Jill Walker comments, “It is true that we see an increase in new divorce instructions in January, there can be several reasons…
If you are a business manager and need support in creating a Social Media policy, or employee guidance on the use of Twitter at work get in touch with us.
We run a weekly legal clinic in Uppermill, Saddleworth every Wednesday, 9am to 12.30pm at the Conservative Club on the High Street. Come by and talk to a Saddleworth Lawyer. The aim of the clinic is to provide initial advice to those within the local community of Oldham and Saddleworth, either by appointment, or as a…
As we say goodbye to 2013 and welcome in 2014, now is the time to make some changes and make New Year’s Resolutions
Establishing whether you have a claim There are lots of different types of possible civil claims. You may have been injured or defamed. You might be owed money by someone who has failed to pay, or you may have contracted a disease as a result of some condition in your workplace. In each of those…
Legal aid could help pay for legal advice, family mediation or representation in court or at a tribunal.
We are an Oldham Solicitors Firm with lawyers and experienced legal professionals providing a service like no-other in Oldham or Todmorden and their surrounding areas. As well as treating our existing clients with a VIP service, that can involve home visits. We also care about the local community by offering a variety of free legal…
Parents involved in care and the adoption process can take heart from a recent case that came before the Court of Appeal.
When looking for a Oldham Solicitor you can trust we know you need a firm with a strong reputation and history.
As with any medical matter we expect professional standards of care from our dentists, but, as with healthcare, some of us are unfortunately subject to dental negligence.
As a landowner it’s important to understand, and take into consideration, occupier’s liability. As an occupier of a home or land, you have a duty of care towards those who visit your property
September saw “Remember a Charity in your Will” week. Charities joined forces with the government to highlight the importance of gifts left to charity in Wills.
Staff at our Oldham office left their suits at home last Friday and instead wore jeans as they took part in Jeans for Genes Day 2013.
Statistics show that 1 in 6 properties in England and Wales are at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea causing chaos and wide spread destruction.
Staff at our Oldham office will be leaving their suits at home and wearing their jeans on Jeans for Genes Day 2013 which takes place on Friday 20th September 2013. We will each be making a donation of £2 in return for wearing jeans on the day. Jeans for Genes Day raises money for Genetic…
Solicitors have spent years training in preparation to give help and advice to their clients at what is often a critical and potentially stressful time in their life. At such times one does not merely need a professional service on injury claims, but kindness and compassion too. A solicitor is someone one can depend on,…
When it comes to an injury compensation claim, it’s not always about physical injuries. In many cases the mental trauma following an incident is cause for a claim in itself. In ordinary circumstances, a disabled person who had suffered emotional injury following discrimination would likely have a viable Injury Compensation Claim to make, however this is…
If you have an accident at work, you may naturally have some concerns about making a claim. When it comes to working we tend to avoid ‘rocking the boat’. Making a claim against your employer might, on the face of it, seem like a big blunder. So When Are Work Accident Compensation Claims OK? Unlike…
When it comes to personal injury claims, some personal injury solicitors offer gifts or cash incentives to people who have been injured in order that they will instruct that particular firm to handle their claim.
‘Last in, first out’ (LIFO) used to be one of the most common ways of objectively determining who was going to lose their jobs in a redundancy situation. Put simply, LIFO means that when choosing people for redundancy, the longer you have been with a company the safer you are. Is this fair though? It may…
Top Tips to Commercial Debt Recovery Identify and know your customer Provide clear terms and conditions for payment Set an appropriate credit limit Ensure invoices are accurate and delivered promptly Provide simple and efficient payment methods Have a set procedure for chasing late payment Pick up the phone and be proactive Resolve genuine problems Keep…
We have launched a campaign to encourage people to instruct a solicitor when making a personal injury claim. This is prevent the growing number of people who are settling their claims for much less than they are worth. If an injured person uses a solicitor and wins their case, the insurance company will have to…
The number of people choosing to challenge a Will has reached an all time high. Recent High Court figures show that there has been a 700 per cent increase in High Court actions challenging wills over the past five years, while the number of wills declared invalid has almost doubled. High profile Will Dispute, Bernard…
As a nation we are complaining more and becoming less willing to compromise. Wrigley Claydon Solicitors say this is evident with the increasing number of neighbour disputes which they are helping to resolve. You don’t have to be going through a bitter divorce or family rift to be involved in regular disputes these days. All…
Prime Minister, David Cameron says that he wants to reduce car insurance premiums by putting an end to the traffic accident compensation culture. Consultation was launched last year after figures revealed a 60 per cent increase in the number of personal injury claims related to road accidents since 2006. Whiplash claims in 2010 are estimated…
Occupiers Liability requires that the person (an individual, an organisation) in possession of premises owes a duty of care to those who come on the premises and must take reasonable care to protect them from harm that might come through their programs, on their premises or at the hands of a third party on the…
Commercial law can be complicated, here are our top tips on making sure things go smoothly. 1. Location Before you enter into negotiations consider whether the property is right for you. Speak to a surveyor to make sure you are not paying over the odds for a property in that location. Also make sure that…
If you have been unlucky enough to suffer from medical negligence the results can obviously be catastrophic, ranging from minor inconvenience to death. Medical negligence occurs when you have suffered unduly from the malpractice of a medical practitioner which can come in the form of things like misdiagnosis, wrong treatment, clinical malpractice, botched surgery, and…
Deciding that your marriage is over is a hard decision to reach. In addition to your personal feelings there maybe children or other family members who will be affected, and wider financial implications to consider. Once you are sure that a permanent split is the only way forward, seeking professional legal advice from a divorce lawyer is recommended. If you are ready…
Do I need a probate solicitor? When someone dies, someone needs to sort everything out. Death is a major event which has consequences that need to be properly handled on behalf of the deceased. Probate is the legal authority conferred upon someone to carry out the administration of the estate. The ‘estate’ includes; money, both…
In recent times certain members of the government have made calls for hospitals to stop personal injury solicitors from advertising in NHS hospitals. They want patients to have the time and peace to recover rather than being diverted by thoughts of claiming compensation. As a reputable Personal Injury Solicitor and Partner at Wrigley Claydon Vijay Srivastava…
The Government has recently introduced an initiative called The Green Deal, which is designed to reduce carbon emissions and save energy in the home. The premise is that, if residential properties can be better insulated and have other energy efficiency improvements made to them, then energy demands will be reduced. The Green Deal allows property…
Today marks a huge change in the way in which legal advice is funded for families from family lawyers. From today, 1st April 2013, those on a low income going through divorce and separation or experiencing difficulties with issues relating to their children, will no longer automatically be eligible to receive Legal Aid to pay…
You may think that there is little difference between one Conveyancing Solicitor and another. The cost of conveyancing and the quality of service can, however, vary greatly. You may have also considered to carry out conveyancing process yourself, this is a high-risk strategy and not some thing we would recommend. Do you have the skills, knowledge…
This area of law revolves around the resolution of disputes. The disputes can be between individuals, families or commercial organisations. Civil litigation is a legal dispute where one party is seeking money damages or specific performance rather than criminal sanctions. Whether you are a business or an individual unfortunately disputes do arise and debts remain…
You don’t have to be going through a bitter divorce or family rift to be involved in regular disputes these days. All you need is a disagreement over who owns a four-inch strip of land and you can be at loggerheads for years with your neighbours, and as well as causing you heartache, such fights…
Surveys carried out by www.which.co.uk show that half of the population does not have a Will. Furthermore, people put off making a Will, often until they are in their 50’s. This leaves a sizeable number uncovered, not to mention those who die young. Making a Will lets you leave clear instructions about how your estate is to…
Employment Solicitor John Porter offers advice on issues surrounding retirement: It used to be the case that when an employee reached the national retirement age he or she could be forced to retire. This is no longer the case. Since April 2011 it has become unlawful to force someone out of work simply because they…
Beware of the Break Clause Our team of property lawyers say that it is not uncommon for a lease of commercial property to contain a break clause in favour of the tenant. It is, however essential that any tenant with the benefit of a break clause is able to exercise it, otherwise the tenant may be left…
The recent decision by the local authority in Rotherham to remove children from the care of foster carers who were members of UKIP raises a number of concerns about what happens to children when they cannot be placed or remain in the care of their parents. In the first place the Children Act 1989 makes it clear…
Age Discrimination It use to be the case that when an Employee reached the national retirement age he or she could be forced to retire. This is no longer the case. Since April 2011 it has become unlawful to force someone out of work simply because they have reached a particular age. This now falls…