The Grenfell Tower disaster has led to a lot of questions being asked about the councils involved as well as who is responsible in this time. Obviously, this is a terrible tragedy and it is right to ask such questions. In this instance, you need to look at the nature of corporate responsibility and what is the right way to respond to a disaster. Legal v Ethical Some people have questioned whether the cladding that was used at Grenfell Tower was safe to use and...
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Ian Paterson, an experienced surgeon was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after he was convicted of carrying out unnecessary surgeries on his patients. After sentence was passed, the case was referred to the Attorney General on the grounds that the sentence imposed was too lenient. The Attorney General did in fact refer the case to the Court of Appeal and on 3rd August, the sentence was increased to 20 years. The Court held “There had been a breach of trust and an abuse of power...
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The consequences of an acid attack are devastating and life changing and this has understandably led to the Government considering the appropriate level of sentencing that can be imposed. Current legislation It is worth looking at what offences people who carry out acid attacks would be charged with currently : • s18 – Grevious Bodily Harm (intentionally causing really serious harm) – maximum sentence : life • s20 – Grevious Bodily Harm (causing really serious harm without intending to) – maximum sentence : 5 years...
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A lot of legal cases will be settled before they reach the courts. There are a number of reasons why settling is beneficial to both parties involved, e.g. if you have an amount of money or compensation in mind and you receive it then you are satisfied and the other side avoids the bad PR and legal costs that come with taking someone to court. However, it is important to be aware what deal is right for you and here are a few examples of...
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Mental capacity is the ability to be able to make your own decisions. Somebody who lacks mental capacity, whether because of an illness or disability such as a mental health problem, dementia or learning disability may be subject to a Deputyship Order so that somebody can manage their affairs on their behalf. Making an Application Anyone over the age of 18 can apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as a Deputy for an individual who lacks the mental capacity to make a...
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When people see the term “pre-marital agreement” it is easy to be cynical. It sounds like something that celebrities do. However, there are practical reasons why it is a good idea as it helps to establish issues such as joint finances and other commitments. Furthermore, it provides protection for both partners in the event of divorce, allowing for a smoother transition in future. In this article, we are going to be look at what you should consider when creating a pre-marital agreement. Have separate representatives...
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There are a number of things to be aware of when driving. Speeding is serious because of the simple fact that if you are travelling at a higher speed and you are in an accident then you are likely to cause significantly more damage. The new rules In recent times, the rules around speeding have changed primarily because it was felt that the current rules did not reflect how dangerous speeding can be and that the punishment needed to be more of a deterrent. There...
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We often talk about family law, divorce and so forth. But one aspect that is not always considered is the legal situation when someone is a guardian as opposed to a parent (for example if the parents have passed away and a child needs to be taken care of.) In this article, we are going to look at some possible situations that can come up and what legal rights and responsibilities a parental guardian has. Deciding who should become a guardian If you are a...
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Portsmouth based solicitors Larcomes LLP are delighted to announce that for the third consecutive year, that they have won an award at the Hampshire Law Society annual awards ceremony. This year, saw Julian Quartermain, head of the private client department take away the prestigious title Hampshire Senior Solicitor of the Year 2017. Julian’s dedication to his clients coupled with his expertise in highly challenging areas of law saw him win this award, against significant competition. Julian has a very significant number of loyal high net...
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When it comes to legal issues there are certain questions that come up time and time again. With that in mind here are 10 frequently asked questions about legal issues and what you need to know about them. Do I need a legal representative for making a Will? You can write a will without using a legal representative, however, if the Will is not worded correctly it could be misinterpreted or in the worst-case scenario, it could even invalidate the Will. This is why it...
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