The articles here relate to every day family life.
Inheritance disputes are as old as time, but in recent years, there’s been an increase in families embroiled in legal arguments. Currently, industry experts believe that in England and Wales, as many as 10,000 people are disputing wills...
If, after all the methods of mediation and negotiation available, a separated couple is unable to reach an agreement on how their lives will move forward, there will be only two options left: asking the Courts to get involved in the situation, or simply...
Whilst it was to be expected that former Hollywood ‘It’ couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie should make headlines whilst appearing at the Venice Film Festival this summer to promote individual projects, the stories reported were actually about...
A traumatic spinal cord injury can be caused by a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine. The majority of these injuries happen from preventable accidents such as: Road traffic accidents : Collisions, rollovers, and being struck by a vehicle can cause...
Last week Family Legal Assistant, Georgia Oliver was chatting to a colleague when the news came out about the split of arguably the most successful stars of ITV’s hit reality show, Love Island - Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury. In this article, Georgia...
During her career as a specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning, Kathryn Beresford has seen how important it is for parents to consider what would happen to their children if they were no longer around to look after them. Though challenging and...
Does the child exist? When applying for a Child Arrangement Order, few people would ever consider the need to prove the actual existence of the child it is for. In this article, Chloe Hall examines a current case in the High Court, where the dispute is...
What is 'Medical Negligence'? In a perfect world, medical professionals would always provide the highest standard of care. However, mistakes can and do happen. When they do, the consequences can be devastating, leaving patients unable to work or...
Believe it or not, a significant number of people who separate do not want a bitter fight with their spouse/partner and want to try and resolve matters in an amicable and constructive manner. In this article, Family Law Specialists Rachael House and...
Last month, the Evening Standard revealed shocking statistics of parental abduction in England. At least 925 children were abducted by one of their parents between 2019 and 2023, and 232 reports have been made to police in the past year (a 12% increase...
Whist the internet has brought us 24/7 shopping, next day deliveries and cheaper prices, has our perception of value and support been changed by our newly found autonomy? Sarah Bennett-Pearce from the Family Team at Dutton Gregory Solicitors asks where...
What are general damages in a personal injury claim? General damages will be calculated based on the level of pain and suffering you have experienced as a result of your accident. General damages are awarded to compensate for the direct physical and/or...
From shopping to social media, communication to financial affairs, more and more of our lives are moving online. But what happens after we die? Will our online activities live on forever? Do we want them to? Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning expert,...
In a career spanning over 25 years, medical negligence lawyer Melanie Reynolds has often found her work misunderstood. Preconceptions, misunderstandings and stereotypes often combine to give a false impression of her work at the intersection of compassion...
Following on from her colleague, Michael Kingman’s article for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, medical negligence specialist, Claire Henderson shares her first-hand experience of two recent cases involving the diagnosis of prostate cancer, and the...
There are many myths and misconceptions about the law when it comes to relationships and family, which can lead to heightened anxiety upon separation, or become a barrier to reaching an early agreement between couples so they can move forward with their...
Contrary to what we may see on television, when couples divorce or dissolve a civil partnership, there are not many people who say to their lawyers “I want to take my ex the cleaners!”. In my experience the majority of people say the...
Every March, the world observes Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. This is a time dedicated to raising awareness of the neurological condition that affects movement, muscle tone and motor skills, advocating for those living with it and celebrating their...
This month is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the most common cancer for men across the UK affecting around 1 in 8, and diagnosed in 52,000 men every year. The good news is that prostate cancer can be curable, especially when identified and treated early....
With news that a government-backed app to help separating couples successfully negotiate the transition in co-parenting their children is currently being piloted, professionals are asking if managing a family through the use of technology is an effective...
As we reach the end of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, Clinical Negligence specialist, Anne Martin shares what she has learned. This week, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has shared some very sobering statistics on Cervical Cancer. Every day in the UK,...
To mark the end of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month, Anne Martin from our Medical Negligence Team wanted to help raise awareness, support and the knowledge learnt through our clients that have been affected. The past month has been Pancreatic...
I have lost count of the times that clients have confessed, at the end of an initial meeting, just how scared they were before coming to see me. Some have actually said that they would prefer to visit their dentist for a tooth extraction rather than...
When people think of Autumnal colours to wear in October, they picture warm colours such as orange and brown. However, trainee solicitor Emily Jackson in the Medical Negligence Department explains why she is wearing green on Friday 6 th October in support...
As we reach the end of ‘Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month’ and the national campaign dedicated to raising awareness of the disease in order to improve early detection and prevention, Medical Negligence Specialist, Claire Henderson, talks...
None of us need reminding of the lockdowns, restrictions and ways the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our lives, but in this article, Senior Associate Solicitor, Karen Andrews looks at how Family Law reacted, and what now need to be considered to restore balance...
Compensation Claims Need Updating Dutton Gregory Solicitor’s Medical Negligence Lead, Melanie Reynolds, is joining colleagues in her profession in the hope that 40 year old case law will soon be overturned by the Supreme Court. The claimant...
With an increasing number of authoritative and well-respected organisations promoting a hugely underestimated wait time for the completion of the process of Probate, legal expert Kathryn Loveland-Blockley expresses her sympathy, and frustration, for...
How does one of our Senior Associate Solicitors combine her knowledge of Family Law with her passion for history? Well, read what Karen Andrews has found out about a 15 th century King of England. First of all, I have to confess my bias. As a...
With the ever-increasing costs of living, the only way many young people can get their foot on the property ladder is by opening an account with ‘The Bank of Mum and Dad’. But what if one child receives more from their parents than their...
The Medical Negligence Team at Dutton Gregory is delighted that’s its team leader, Melanie Reynolds, has been accepted to the Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel of UK Charity, ‘Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA)’. The charity,...
The Importance of Financial Disclosure Sorting out finances at the end of a relationship is rarely easy. As couples find themselves having to deal with so many different things at once, it can be very tempting to put any discussions regarding finances...
New research suggesting that giving women a third scan at the end of their pregnancy has been welcomed by a member of Dutton Gregory Solicitors’ Medical Negligence team, Claire Henderson. Recommendations in the report suggest that a third scan could...
Support for industry challenge to Government proposal The leader of Dutton Gregory’s specialist Medical Negligence Team, Melanie Reynolds, has publicly expressed her gratitude to the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) for challenging a...
The ending of a marriage and/or civil partnership is a daunting and emotional time. We have specialist no fault divorce solicitors near you who can give you expert advice and represent you through the legal process to bring your marriage or civil partnership...
This week is ‘Cervical Screening Awareness Week’ which is designed to raise awareness of the importance of regular checks for cervical cancer and a cause close to the hearts of Dutton Gregory’s Medical Negligence Team. Cervical Cancer is...
Many parents choose for their children to attend fee-paying schools. Whilst in a relationship with the other parent whether cohabiting or married the decision no doubt was made together. When parents separate there is a real risk that one parent may decide,...
It not uncommon for there to be a cross-border elements to many marriages whether you and/or your spouse are from different countries and/or you have invested in assets abroad. When a marriage ends with foreign assets being owned by you together or by one...
Are you within divorce and financial proceedings and struggling to fund your legal costs? You may be able to apply for a Legal Costs Order, for your ex-spouse to be ordered to pay a lump sum towards your legal costs to fund your legal representation. A...
Over the last two decades, the law on marriage and civil partnerships has evolved, so that there can now be homosexual marriage, homosexual civil partnerships, heterosexual marriage and heterosexual civil partnerships. In July 2013, the Government passed...
Buying a property is often one of the most exciting times in someone’s life, and it is fantastic that there are options such as Shared Ownership for people, irrespective of age or previous property ownership, to get themselves on the ‘Property...
There are a variety of different ways co-owners can own property, often with very valid reasons for individual circumstances. However, it is vitally important that you understand the pros and cons of such decisions, especially in later life. Wills...
Call for Reform of Bereavement Laws The leader of our specialist Medical Negligence Team, Melanie Reynolds, has welcomed the news of positive steps being made to draw attention to the need to revisit laws that support bereaved families. At the start of...
‘Deed of Trust’ vs ‘Cohabitation Agreement’ When a couple buys or moves into a property, the need for a written record of ownership and occupation is crucial and often overlooked. This record can be a ‘Deed’ or...
What will happen to your pet? For most pet owners, their companions are part of the family, so if a couple separates, what happens to them? According to a survey undertaken last year by Statista, 62% of households (approximately 17.8 million homes) own...
In response to growing demand on its family legal services, Dutton Gregory Solicitors has welcomed four new faces to its offices in Hampshire and Dorset that combine a variety of specialisms in the sector. After completing her studies in law at the...
So, the mini budget has happened. “Mini” is perhaps not the word. Perhaps “giveaways” is a better synonym in this financial announcement, which was more of a juggernaut. Reductions in tax across the board it seems. Now,...
'Can’t move as planned? Our fees will be canned!’ With the rapid rise in interest rates, the Cost of Living crisis and property owners across the country doing their best to protect themselves with the best deal they can find, it is...
In what is sure to be welcome news for leaseholders, the High Court has handed down a landmark Judgment in respect of the ongoing cladding saga. Many leaseholders and freeholders have faced crippling bills to replace dangerous cladding, installed through no...
Dutton Gregory Solicitors is welcoming two prestigious new faces to its Private Client Team. Emily Taylor and Alex O’Sullivan arrive at Dutton Gregory with extensive expertise and established reputations in Hampshire as specialist lawyers in all...
New Highway Code Paving the Way for Pedestrians The Highway Code was updated earlier this year and brought in new rules aiming to improve the safety of vulnerable road users; pedestrians and cyclists. The changes see the introduction of a new hierarchy...
‘Closing the Door on Post Divorce Claims’ The importance of a final financial order Glastonbury Festival is taking place this week, and, for Jonathan Whettingsteel, it is always a reminder of the case of Dale Vince, Wyatt & Vince...
“Shameful, disgusting and wrong” The Law Society Gazette has reported an increasing number of people who say they were pressured by solicitors into taking out high interest loans to fund legal costs for family cases. After recovering...
Family Expert joins Campaign for Grandparents Family law specialist and Partner of Dutton Gregory Solicitors, Jonathan Whettingsteel, has accepted the invitation to join a national working group that is seeking to introduce legal rights for grandparents...
Today, ‘No Fault Divorce’ becomes legal. Whilst arguably the biggest change to Matrimonial Law in our lifetime, the big question is ‘What’s going to change?’ Partner and Family Law Specialist, Jonathan...
“ Marriage: a hopeful, generous, infinitely kind gamble taken by two people who don’t yet know who they are or who the other might be, binding themselves to a future they cannot conceive of and have carefully omitted to investigate ”...
The introduction of ‘No-Fault Divorce’ legislation on the 6 th April 2022 brings with it a seismic change in the tone of divorce law in England and Wales. Since the early 1970s separating spouses have often had no option but to place the...
On 6 th April, the biggest change in divorce laws for almost 50 years comes in to force; ‘The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act’ and with it, the introduction of ‘No-Fault Divorce’ . Under current divorce law (which has been...
No-Fault Divorce is coming! From 6 th April, a couple will be able to divorce (or dissolve their civil partnership) without having to blame each other for the breakdown of the relationship. Most say that this change is long overdue, how did we get to this...
After years of campaigning by many of those involved in the legal profession, including The Law Society and Resolution, next month ‘No-Fault Divorce’ becomes law. Having been sought for many years it was not until the case of Tini Owens came...
Sometimes you fall in love and sometimes you fall out of love, it can be as simple as that. However, at present, it is not possible to get a divorce simply because you no longer love each other. Currently, for couples that jointly decide to divorce they...
As society evolves, it has becoming increasingly common for those with issues surrounding fertility or conception to turn to surrogacy as the path to parenthood. What is Surrogacy? Surrogacy is where a woman (the surrogate) carries a baby on behalf of a...
On 1 st September, it was announced that the Ministry of Justice had made a further £800,000 available for the Family Mediation Council (FMC) to distribute as vouchers to families who could benefit from mediation services. The FMC has...
Back in April 2021, we helped raise awareness of a new Government Scheme where separating couples could claim up to £500 towards their mediation costs . It was anticipated up to 2,000 families would be able to claim these ‘Mediation...
The Team Leader of Dutton Gregory’s Clinical Negligence Department, Carol Maunder, is voicing her support for the growing number of medical professionals expressing concern over the intention for GPs to hand over confidential patient records to...
We know that modern families come in all different shapes and sizes, but to mark Pride Month, Family Law Specialist, Jon Whettingsteel considers whether the law does enough to support and protect LGBTQ+ families. When a child is born to a heterosexual...
June is international Pride month, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities all over the world that not only remembers those who have fought for equality, but continues to highlight the injustice and damage caused by discrimination based on sexual orientation...
The majority of people see their dentist twice a year as part of a normal routine and think nothing else about it. But what happens if a recommended treatment goes wrong? And what if it was avoidable? Chloe Hayter from Dutton Gregory’s Clinical...
The Government’s Whiplash Reform programme came into force on 31 May 2021. In this article Personal Injury Specialist, Alice Robson explains what this will mean for Claimants. What’s changing? Previously, those who suffered a whiplash injury...
Suffering from lower back pain? Problems in your legs? Dealing with incontinence? The collection of nerves at the end of the spinal cord is known as the ‘cauda equina’, due to its resemblance to a horses tail. Their primary function is...
There are many different causes of a baby being born with cerebral palsy ; a difficult labour resulting in lack of oxygen to the brain, head trauma, or meningitis. Whilst these are not always caused by medical negligence, Associate Anne Martin explains...
Mesh implants are a, usually synthetic, device used during surgery to strengthen damaged or weakened muscle or tissue to treat prolapse, incontinence and hernias. Used widely across the UK, there have been considerable reports in recent years of patient...
Huge congratulations have been in order this month as three members of Dutton Gregory’s Residential Property team have been shortlisted in categories at this year’s British Conveyancing Awards. Proving excellence in every area of our busy...
If you and your partner are thinking of renting or buying a property together before getting married, you won’t be surprised to learn you are not alone. In the 10 years from 2009, the proportion of families containing a cohabiting couple increased from...
Having practiced in Family Law for over a decade I have found that there are a number of false beliefs that people say to me time and time again, so in this article I am going to clear up some of the most popular ‘myths’ surrounding separation...
Under a new Government scheme separating couples can claim up to £500 towards mediation. This is in order to assist and encourage parties to reach an out of court settlement, although some have suggested it is also to take the strain off of the family...
The House of Lords have recently voted on the Fire Safety Bill that was drafted by Parliament in response to the Grenfell tragedy. The House of Lords voted 326 to 248 in favour of a motion put forward by the Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith, to insert into...
Local law firm Dutton Gregory celebrates the appointment of new Residential Property Partner, Amanda Watts , based in their new and modern Bournemouth office. Heading up Bournemouth’s Residential Property offering, Amanda brings a wealth of...
According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) , the number of cohabiting couples in the UK reached five million in 2020. However, without the proper forethought, many of these couples find themselves dealing with complicated legal battles when their...
"Never give up - to get something you never had, you need to do something you never did." These women in history listed below all failed, persevered and consistently pushed for better. If you have a spare...
During the Budget announcement yesterday, the Government revealed another £65 billion worth of spending has been added to the 2021 budget to support the UK as it eases through the Covid restrictions from the past 12 months. In this article, we outline...
Dealing with a family law matter can be a difficult and emotional time for many. However, it’s important to obtain the advice of a solicitor as early as possible to avoid complications. I have recently been consulted by Bob* who had separated from his...
The costs of legal proceedings can be daunting for many, especially those seeking divorce or other family law matters. While there are resources and support out there to assist eligible individuals, it can often be difficult to know exactly how these...
Strokes can sometimes seriously impact an individual’s quality of life. If you believe it could have been prevented with better medical care, you may wish to make a compensation claim. What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that...
‘Vaccination’ is a word that we are hearing on an almost daily basis at the moment, and whilst the current Government guidance suggests that children under 16 should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, this may change as more is known about the...
Today brings a close to 2021’s Family Mediation Week . Mediation is one of the Alternative Dispute Resolution options, rather than going to court. COVID-19 has impacted on us all, in one way or another, including how we conduct...
Today, is the start of the Family Mediation Week campaign by the Family Mediation Council to raise awareness about mediation. Family mediation is a voluntary and confidential process designed to resolve personal disputes using a neutral...
Last Updated: 3rd March 2021 As the current deadline on the government’s Stamp Duty Holiday draws closer, Dutton Gregory look to radical and innovative new ways to help their clients’ complete on their property purchase in time for the...
The latest leasehold reform announcement doesn’t quite provide the clarity the industry were hoping for… The Government has announced a new set of reforms that it hopes will make it “easier and cheaper” for leaseholders to buy their...
For most of us, 2020 has been one of the most unusual times in our lives. Yes, there are negatives but there are also lots of positives. One of my favourite positives from 2020 was the Thursday NHS clap at 8pm. I absolutely adored the solidarity from...
It goes without saying that separation and divorce can be one of the most challenging events that a person can face, both emotionally and financially. This FAQ will seek to offer some clarity in terms of the process for divorce, including an estimate of...
The property market is facing unprecedented change . Many businesses are looking to reduce or repurpose their commercial office space, and the residential market is growing at an exponential rate, with added measures such as the Stamp Duty Holiday...
The Stamp Duty holiday ( explained here ) is due to end in March 2021 - just 5 months from now. Estate agents and conveyancers around the country are working overtime to meet the surge in demand, with the biggest rise here in the South East. There...
As a Trainee Solicitor in our Family team, Taylor Devenport shares his insights into what to expect in court hearings and what they’re really like to attend. My first memory of a courtroom is at The London Dungeon. I was 7 years of...
You may have been advised when you purchased your property that a restrictive covenant is contained within your title. You may also have wrongly assumed that it cannot be removed and you just have to live with it. Fortunately, this may not necessarily be the...
The needs of families and their composition continues to change, as does the technology to support them. As a result, the law supporting these families also needs to change. There has been a continued and steady increase in the number of applications being...
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all our lives and the government has introduced emergency legislation to try and limit that impact for many of us. However, in the private rental sector, there have been a number of issues which have left landlords feeling...
The Coronavirus pandemic has had a dramatic impact on all of our lives, not least on the difficulty of signing a legal document where a witness is required to be present. This raises special difficulties with Wills where the law, which goes back to 1837,...
Last week preparations were being made by landlords, agents and their legal representatives to finalise reactivation notices to file at court and serve on tenants from the 24th August, to re-start possession claims. Little government guidance was...
Have you ever wondered what equity release really means and whether it's the right option for you? We've answered some of the most common questions around equity release... What is equity release? More people are finding themselves in need of...
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