In our article on 2nd July Cashing in on Death (link to) we reported on the alarming news that banks, specialist probate firms and Will-writers were exploiting the public with their probate charges. Since then our investigations and links with local support groups have highlighted a worrying development.
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We want to keep you updated on developments in both the legal world and at Wards. Recent articles are posted here and you can search by both date and service area. If you can't find what you're looking for, however, please contact Jane Sanger.
Deleted Emails – The Smoking Gun?
July 22nd, 2010 | Posted by James Murray
The law has rapidly caught up with the development in electronic communications by broadening the scope of the rules to incorporate emails, text messages, blog posts and every other form of electronic communication into the category of documents that have to be disclosed in litigation.
Balloons at Staple Hill
July 22nd, 2010 | Posted by Wards Solicitors
Back in April Hannah Cotter, Emma Pitt and Ann Sheppard from the Staple Hill branch were handing out balloons on the local high street. We would like to thank the gentleman who took this photo and who was kind enough to bring a copy into the office for us.
Betting on a charity’s future after your death
July 22nd, 2010 | Posted by Jenny Pierce
On 21st June, the Daily Telegraph reported on the story of Nicholas Newlife’s estate and the impact it could have on the charity Oxfam.
Mr Newlife left his entire estate to Oxfam when he died in February 2009, aged 69, which included the outcomes of the series of outstanding bets he had placed.
By their Deeds shall ye know them
July 21st, 2010 | Posted by James Taylor
The Land Registry’s reliance on paperless deeds gives ID theft opportunities.
When the Land Registration Act 2002 abolished paper deeds, professionals voiced concerns about how easy it would be for fraudsters to impersonate landowners to bring about sales or mortgages of property. With anyone able to check ownership, and mortgage status of registered property at the click of a mouse, a lot of information is publicly available which can help villains transfer ownership of properties fraudulently.
Did you know? – Registration Fraud
July 21st, 2010 | Posted by Susan Ellis
Fraud fact: Just over £5 million was paid out by Land Registry in 2008/9 for 62 fraud and forgery claims, out of more than 4 million applications to change the register
Anyone who owns a property they do not live in, such as buy-to let landlords, or those living abroad may be at increased risk of registration fraud.
Cost of a lie
July 21st, 2010 | Posted by Alex Lyttle
Introduction
It is a question nearly as old as employment litigation itself: If as an employer, I win at Employment Tribunal will I be able to recover my costs, from the employee who brought the claim against me? As you may be aware the general rule is no. The reason behind this is that when the legislation was set up it was thought that an employee would be put off taking action against the employer if they had liability for not only their own legal case but also that of the employer. But is this now always the case?
Did you know? – Drainage searches
July 16th, 2010 | Posted by Susan Ellis
Why conveyancers obtain drainage and water searches ?
These contain information as to:
whether foul water and surface drainage from the property drain to a pubic sewer,
the location of public sewers within boundaries of the property or its vicinity,
whether the sewers or proposed sewers are adopted,
the location of public water mains and whether the property is connected,
the basis of charging for the sewerage and water supply to the property
Will Aid – Wards Solicitors come out winners
July 14th, 2010 | Posted by Wards Solicitors
2010 News – Will Aid – Article
Wards Solicitors with ten branches in the Bristol area raised a record £15,365. Although the firm has participated in previous Will Aid campaigns, this amazing fundraising total smashes their previous record and makes them the current top performing firm. Jenny Pierce, equity partner and Head of Probate Team explains how they achieved such a great result:
Lawyers are people too …….
July 13th, 2010 | Posted by Susan Ellis
In my Conveyancing team I have :
- One attendee of Westlife concert
- A keen gardener
- 2 netball players
- A new mum to be
- An advanced driver
- A qualified driving instructor (not the same as the above)
- A lay preacher
- An equestrian
- A scuba diver (same person as the above)
- An arm chair sports fan (it’s a serious business…)
- A new Mum for the 2nd time
- A golfer, or two
- A keen cyclist
- An occasional runner, or two
Susan Ellis - Head of Conveyancing team