Research conducted by the Dying Matters Coalition shows how people are still not talking about their wishes for after their death, and also introduces a new area of consideration in terms of digital legacies.
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The Private Client Team at Hampshire based law firm Warner Goodman LLP have recently undergone training to become Dementia Friends. With the Alzheimer’s Society predicting that over 1 million people will be living with dementia by 2021, it’s vital for community members to understand how they can support those living with dementia and their families, a campaign that is being highlighted this week with Dementia Awareness Week.
Staff at Warner Goodman LLP’s Southampton office donned their favourite hats and headgear on Wednesday 14th May as they raised money for brain injury charity Headway’s ‘Hats for Headway Day’, as part of Action for Brain Injury Week.
Dementia sufferers wanting to remain in their own home have been given hope thanks to a lifelong political campaigner. Caroline Johnstone, Private Client Lawyer, reviews how a challenge to Westminster Council over residential care that has successfully been fought on behalf of dementia campaigner and former politician, Manuela Sykes, highlights the importance of making one’s wishes known before illness strikes.
Barry Spencer, a private investigator and director of ICU Investigations Ltd has been found guilty of conspiring to unlawfully obtain personal data under section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). Geoffrey Sturgess, Company Commercial Consultant, here reviews the case and the possible ramifications that lie ahead for those who use private investigators to retrieve personal data.
The globalisation of data processing and the increasing value of that information are key factors behind the planned changes to data protection legislation in European countries. In offering greater safeguards for the rights of individuals in how their data is handled by companies, this is set to create new challenges for business.
The whole landscape of family law changed on 22nd April 2014 as the Children and Families Act received Royal Assent. The changes to the law will implement recommendations made by the Family Justice Review in 2011 which showed that the futures of vulnerable children were being jeopardised due to long delays and acrimonious court battles between parents.
When a creditor successfully obtains a court judgment, they will undoubtedly want to enforce that judgment if the debtor continues to avoid making payment. Torion Bowles, Litigation Solicitor, suggests that one might be forgiven for thinking that a surprise visit from a bailiff might encourage the debtor to immediately make arrangements to pay rather than risk having any valuable goods seized from their premises in lieu of the debt.
A recent case involving a white goods supplier demonstrates the risks for franchisors and others who attempt to avoid the responsibilities of employers by offering contracts of self employment. Howard Robson, Employment Partner, here reviews the case and advises on how employers can be prepared.
The majority of questions that come from shareholders focus around a few key areas; working with other shareholders in the business, your personal rights as a shareholder, and selling your shares.
Ownership does not always mean control. The directors, rather than shareholders, have day to day control of the company’s affairs.
A recent Court of Appeal decision highlights the need for careful drafting of leases and commercial contracts to avoid the inadvertent release of a surety when dealing with licences for alterations or other amendments to the original contract. Helen Porter, Associate Solicitor, advises on the latest Court of Appeal decision on strict covenants and sureties’ liabilities.
Commercial landlords will have been following the case of Games Station Ltd, which reached the Court of Appeal recently (February 2014), but it is of interest to all who supply goods and/or services to companies that then go into administration.