In a recent case, a woman who wanted to get a divorce, claiming a loveless marriage, was prevented from doing so. This meant she would have to be separated for five years before she could be granted a divorce. This is at odds with some people’s perception, where they see divorce as easily granted. This leads to an interesting question- how easy is it to get a divorce in the UK? Agreement The quickest answer to the question “How easy is to get a divorce...
Read More

In recent years, there has been some debate about the nature of free speech and what that entails. Some people feel that their right to express themselves have been restricted, while others believe that they also have the right to restrict people if they feel what they are saying is inappropriate. It is important to emphasise that this is not intended to inflame a debate, merely to show what the legal definition of free speech is in the UK, as well as the responsibilities that...
Read More

Inventions can change the world. However, for every great invention, there are stories of people who have had their ideas stolen. If you have an invention to protect then the best move is to apply for a patent. Before you apply In some cases, a patent may not be necessary. In the case of a brand name or creative idea, you may need specific intellectual property (IP) protection as opposed to a patent. Also, while this may sound obvious it is vital to do your...
Read More

The term “non-disclosure agreement” has been quite controversial in recent years. People often associate the term with someone who has behaved inappropriately and want it kept quiet. However, there are practical purposes behind them, and it may be that you could need a non-disclosure agreement so it is worth knowing what they are for and what you should consider when making one or signing an agreement. Invention One reason why you would want someone to sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) would be if you created...
Read More

It is only natural to be excited if someone wants to publish your work, particularly if someone offers you an advance. However, in the rush of excitement is easy to miss details and you could end up agreeing to something that does not offer a return on the work you put in, so it is worth knowing any potential issues before you sign a publishing deal. Copyright On a basic level, if you produce something, then it is now copyrighted. However, there is also the...
Read More

For many people, their wedding is the happiest day of their lives. However, with marriage, there are some issues, and it is important to consider them. Looking at legal issues concerning marriage will help you decide when or if it is appropriate to be married and what legal situations you need to be aware of. Legal differences It is possible to formally acknowledge a relationship, without getting married. A cohabitation contract can be useful if you want to share a house and decide how it...
Read More

You may have heard the term “power of attorney” used in the news or on TV shows. In very basic terms, it means that someone is in charge of making your legal decisions while you are not able to. Knowing why you might need to do this and having the right representative in place is a major decision and one that is very important that you get right. Why would I need it? One potential scenario would be that you are running a company. It...
Read More

There are numerous forms of insurance that you can get for your business, covering everything from the building you operate in, to the vehicles that you use to the people themselves so that they can be compensated in the event of an injury. However, one aspect of coverage you should not forget is legal insurance, and it is worth knowing why this is important and worth investing in. Legal expenses There are two main types of legal expense cover. The first is what is known...
Read More

Whether you voted Remain or Leave, the fact is Brexit is going to have ramifications in terms of legal issues. While most Government statements have suggested that any UK laws will largely be modelled on existing European legislation, there are still some concerns. For example, currently, if you wish to appeal a verdict, you can take your case to the European court of appeal. Therefore, it is important to know whether or not you will still be able to do this after the Brexit process...
Read More

Businesses often talk about an “exit strategy.” But one of the more uncomfortable aspects is thinking about how you would pass on your business in the event of your death, or your situation would suddenly change (such as becoming seriously ill)? It is worth knowing the options available to give you peace of mind in a number of potential scenarios. Passing on to your family If you choose to pass on your business to your family, it is important to have this discussion as soon...
Read More