Contract disputes can occur for a number of different reasons. You may feel that a provider is not giving you the service they need, or your employer demands you do work that is not part of your job description. Whatever the situation, there are a few ways to settle a contract dispute and make for as positive an outcome as possible for all parties concerned. Write a formal contract You have probably heard the joke about how oral contracts “aren’t worth the paper they’re printed...
Read More

You may have seen headlines about people fending off intruders in their home or fighting off someone in the street that was attacking them. In some cases, a person may be prosecuted for the injuries they cause their attackers, and in other cases, they don’t. The difference is in whether or not “reasonable force” was used. While defending yourself is important and understandable, it is the way in which you do it that a court has to decide if it is reasonable. The Moment Generally...
Read More

Jury duty can be an intimidating time for people. You may feel unsure what you can and can’t do, what you can and can’t say etc. Knowing what to expect can make the process easier and help you fulfil your duties as part of the jury. Summoning The first part of jury duty is receiving a letter. This will let you know when you are expected to attend court. Unless you have a valid reason, you are expected to attend, and if you can’t, you...
Read More

Running your own business can be incredibly rewarding. You can control when you work and allows you to do what you want to do. However, there can be some legal issues around forming a business and being aware of these will help ensure you run your business as smoothly as possible. The name It sounds obvious. Unfortunately, the wrong name can create massive issues. A quick check online will help ensure that you do not pick the same name as another local company, or at...
Read More

In some cases, people may want to legally represent themselves. It is not something that’s recommended. However, it is possible and it is worth knowing what you need to be aware of before you try to represent yourself in court. Why There are two main reasons why people may choose to represent themselves. One is that a person may feel that they are better off talking directly to a jury, magistrate or judge as opposed to having someone talking on their behalf. Another reason may...
Read More

In order to answer the question “when can someone be tried as an adult in the UK?” it is important to understand the legal aspects of when someone is considered an adult. In some respects, this can vary- for example in recent times the age of when you can purchase cigarettes raised from 16 to 18, and there have been calls to legally restrict the sale of high caffeine energy drinks. There are also other variations in terms of adulthood and responsibility that you need...
Read More

In legal terms, a loophole is essentially a way to get around a clause in a contract or other form of rule or regulation. In effect, you are not breaking the law or the terms of the contract, but you are getting away with something that you shouldn’t do based on a particular detail that a legal professional may spot that another person wouldn’t. Technicality A common example that people cite when it comes to legal loopholes is the difference between tax evasion and tax...
Read More

With the deadline approaching for making a PPI claim (no more new claims will be allowed after August 2019), it is fast reaching the point where you won’t be able to claim back money that was taken from you. Essentially if you have taken out a loan, credit card, overdraft and so forth, the chances are you may well be owed money. The theory PPI is short for Payment Protection Insurance. In theory, it was a good idea- an additional payment that was put in...
Read More

A Portsmouth-based solicitor was recognised as the best in the nation at the Law Society of England and Wales’s prestigious Excellence Awards in London last night. Mark Tooley from Larcomes LLP won the award for Solicitor Advocate of the Year. Law Society president Christina Blacklaws said the Excellence Awards recognised firms and solicitors who went above and beyond in their efforts to support their clients. “Every year law firms and solicitors from every corner of England and Wales support their clients through major life events...
Read More

In 2016 it was estimated that there were 3.3 million unmarried couples. Unfortunately, in legal terms, a lot of the issues around money and property tend to be directed towards people who are married. Therefore, it is important to be aware of legal issues for unmarried couples. Accounts On a simple level, if each person in a relationship has their own account, then this means each person can have their own money. However, this becomes more complicated with joint accounts. If a relationship ends, it...
Read More