Property law does have some humorous moments as the following stories illustrate:
An enquiry in the following terms was made concerning a built-in fish tank at a property. "Please confirm that the built-in fish tank and the fish are included in the sale price." The sellers' solicitor, known for his sense of humour, replied "The built-in fish tank and the fish are included in the price; however the water will be removed!"
The same solicitor, on receipt of a deed which had evidently been mauled by the seller's dog, in acknowledging receipt of it sent a bone and asked that this should be passed on to the seller' s dog with his compliments!
We are currently grappling with this enquiry: “Our client would be grateful if your client could confirm exactly where the kitchen of the property but was unable to locate the same when she went for a telephone point is at the property. Our client understood that this was in the further look round.” Answers on a postcard please!
We were also once asked if a key could be released before completion so that the buyer could lay carpets and “perhaps destroy some items of furniture.”
Friday, 26 March 2010
If only they could talk....
Clients Michael and Christine Charlesworth keep Connemara ponies and have recently used the services of Cheryl Leaning at our Beverley office to purchase a new paddock for their charges.
Mr & Mrs Charlesworth write: "We are very pleased the purchase of the land went through without major problems, due we are sure to your expertise. If the ponies could talk they would also thank you as they were deep in mud after the wet winter. They will be delighted to get onto dry ground”.
Mr & Mrs Charlesworth write: "We are very pleased the purchase of the land went through without major problems, due we are sure to your expertise. If the ponies could talk they would also thank you as they were deep in mud after the wet winter. They will be delighted to get onto dry ground”.
Junior Lawyers Easter drinks evening
The Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society will be holding a drinks evening on Thursday 1st April 2010 from 5.00 p.m. at the Revolution Bar in Lowgate, Hull. All are welcome to attend.
Becky cheers them on!
Becky Spencer, secretary in the claims department, will be cheerleading for charity this weekend at Hull's KC Stadium.
Dove House Hospice in holding an annual fun run and Becky's cheerleading team, the Electric Allstars, will be there to cheer the runners on.
Dove House Hospice in holding an annual fun run and Becky's cheerleading team, the Electric Allstars, will be there to cheer the runners on.
Staff Training Afternoon
Clients are asked to note that the Beverley office will close at 2.30 p.m. and the Hull office will close at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday 31st March 2010 for staff training. We apologise to our clients for any inconvenience this may cause. Both offices will re-open as usual at 9.00 a.m on Thursday 1st April 2010.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Commendation for staff at Hull and Beverley offices
Client Mr A Nichols of Brandesburton has commended staff at both our Hull and Beverley offices for their sensitivity of approach and efficiency. Mr Nichols writes:
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and compliment you on the efficiency of your services. In recent months I have called upon your services for two very different reasons.
"The first was when my wife was in the last days of her life at Castle Hill Hospital where your will-writing representative and secretary came to the bedside to draw up new wills. This was done with great consideration and sensitivity.
"The second time was in connection with the purchase of a property. This business was dealt with in a very professional and swift manner and I was always kept well informed.
"On both occasions I was pleasantly surprised at the invoices - very reasonable!
"I would have no hesitation in recommending Lockings to family and friends, both Hull and Beverley offices."
Kelly Guy based in our Hull office, dealt with the preparation of the clients' wills, whilst the property purchase was dealt with by Craig Schofield at Beverley. Congratulations to both of them on a job well done.
Email Kelly or call 01482 300241
Email Craig or call 01482 300503
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and compliment you on the efficiency of your services. In recent months I have called upon your services for two very different reasons.
"The first was when my wife was in the last days of her life at Castle Hill Hospital where your will-writing representative and secretary came to the bedside to draw up new wills. This was done with great consideration and sensitivity.
"The second time was in connection with the purchase of a property. This business was dealt with in a very professional and swift manner and I was always kept well informed.
"On both occasions I was pleasantly surprised at the invoices - very reasonable!
"I would have no hesitation in recommending Lockings to family and friends, both Hull and Beverley offices."
Kelly Guy based in our Hull office, dealt with the preparation of the clients' wills, whilst the property purchase was dealt with by Craig Schofield at Beverley. Congratulations to both of them on a job well done.
Email Kelly or call 01482 300241
Email Craig or call 01482 300503
Friday, 12 March 2010
Cheryl joins Festival Committee
Cheryl Leaning, Private Client Specialist at our Beverley office, spent last Wednesday evening stuffing over 3000 envelopes for the Beverley Folk Festival. Cheryl is the newest member of the Folk Festival Advisory Committee.
Cheryl says “I was a volunteer steward last year. I had a great time but felt there was more I could offer. I was delighted when they invited me to join the Advisory Group. I’ve already found them a maypole and hope to help make this year’s festival, which takes place over the weekend of 18-20 June, bigger and better than ever”.
Cheryl is looking forward to meeting The Proclaimers who are headlining this year’s event. Tickets are already selling fast and are available at http://beverleyfestival.com
Cheryl says “I was a volunteer steward last year. I had a great time but felt there was more I could offer. I was delighted when they invited me to join the Advisory Group. I’ve already found them a maypole and hope to help make this year’s festival, which takes place over the weekend of 18-20 June, bigger and better than ever”.
Cheryl is looking forward to meeting The Proclaimers who are headlining this year’s event. Tickets are already selling fast and are available at http://beverleyfestival.com
Increased benefits payments for mesothelioma victims
Government proposals to raise the amount of compensation paid to people suffering from mesothelioma, the asbestos-related cancer have been agreed by Parliament this week. The measures, which will see payments made under the Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 increase by 1.5 per cent and payments made under the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 increase to similar levels, were agreed without a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday evening (10 March 2010).
Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the increases, which will take effect on 1 April 2010, as part of a raft of measures to support people with asbestos-related diseases, including a consultation on establishing an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau which would mean a central database for the insurance details of companies who are no longer trading.
Richard Swaine, partner at Lockings who specialises in employer's liability claims, welcomes the increase and proposals for a central database and says that "These benefits payments are often vital to victims struck down with this invariably terminal illness because the claims for civil compensation take time and often the victim has died before any compensation is paid. Sometimes it is not possible to find insurers for defunct companies, particularly the smaller ones, so the central database will be a great help because it will assist in identifying defendant's employers' liability insurers much quicker. This will help to speed up the civil process and will lead to more victims having redress.”
If you or a member of your family has been affected by mesothelioma please feel free to contact Richard Swaine for a free consultation on 01482 300251 or at rbs@lockings.co.uk
Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the increases, which will take effect on 1 April 2010, as part of a raft of measures to support people with asbestos-related diseases, including a consultation on establishing an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau which would mean a central database for the insurance details of companies who are no longer trading.
Richard Swaine, partner at Lockings who specialises in employer's liability claims, welcomes the increase and proposals for a central database and says that "These benefits payments are often vital to victims struck down with this invariably terminal illness because the claims for civil compensation take time and often the victim has died before any compensation is paid. Sometimes it is not possible to find insurers for defunct companies, particularly the smaller ones, so the central database will be a great help because it will assist in identifying defendant's employers' liability insurers much quicker. This will help to speed up the civil process and will lead to more victims having redress.”
If you or a member of your family has been affected by mesothelioma please feel free to contact Richard Swaine for a free consultation on 01482 300251 or at rbs@lockings.co.uk
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Widow awarded £100,000.00 in compensation
The widow of a former Capper Pass worker who was exposed to asbestos dust whilst working at their smelting works in Melton, Nr Hull in the 1960s has recently been awarded £100,000.00 in compensation following the death of her husband.
Richard Swaine, partner at Lockings who specialises in employer's liability claims ran the case for the widow after the death of her husband in September 2008 from the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma. Richard says “Few people realise that claims of this type can be made so long after the exposure to asbestos took place. Claims can be brought even when the premises have long since closed down and the claim can be made for the benefit of the families left behind by this devastating illness.”
In a note to Richard after the case concluded his client wrote “The way in which you kept us in touch and involved with the case throughout was impeccable, you are an asset to the firm a BIG – BIG thank you goes to you all.”
Richard Swaine, partner at Lockings who specialises in employer's liability claims ran the case for the widow after the death of her husband in September 2008 from the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma. Richard says “Few people realise that claims of this type can be made so long after the exposure to asbestos took place. Claims can be brought even when the premises have long since closed down and the claim can be made for the benefit of the families left behind by this devastating illness.”
In a note to Richard after the case concluded his client wrote “The way in which you kept us in touch and involved with the case throughout was impeccable, you are an asset to the firm a BIG – BIG thank you goes to you all.”
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Law Commission proposes changes to intestacy laws.
If you die without a will you are said to have died 'intestate' – and at the moment the laws of intestacy are very strict as to what happens to your money and other assets.
More than half of the adults in the UK do not have a will – and this means bad news for unmarried partners if one dies intestate. Under current laws, cohabiting couples have no automatic right to inherit if their partner dies intestate as blood relatives take priority. A bereaved partner may even need to go to court to prove that they had a 'financial dependency' on the intestate.
But now the Law Commission wants to give cohabiting couples the same right to inherit as married couples if a partner dies intestate. Couples who have lived together for more than five years or have children together should be treated as if they are married if one partner dies without making a will, according to the Commission.
Any changes to the law will be a long time coming, though – so the best advice is that you should make a will to ensure that you take care of those that you leave behind, especially if you are unmarried and co-habiting.
Read more at http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/intestacy.htm
For more information email Paul Holland in our Wills and Probate department
More than half of the adults in the UK do not have a will – and this means bad news for unmarried partners if one dies intestate. Under current laws, cohabiting couples have no automatic right to inherit if their partner dies intestate as blood relatives take priority. A bereaved partner may even need to go to court to prove that they had a 'financial dependency' on the intestate.
But now the Law Commission wants to give cohabiting couples the same right to inherit as married couples if a partner dies intestate. Couples who have lived together for more than five years or have children together should be treated as if they are married if one partner dies without making a will, according to the Commission.
Any changes to the law will be a long time coming, though – so the best advice is that you should make a will to ensure that you take care of those that you leave behind, especially if you are unmarried and co-habiting.
Read more at http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/intestacy.htm
For more information email Paul Holland in our Wills and Probate department
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