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Dispute Resolution Blog

Renters (Reform) Bill

Nigel Bescoby
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The much anticipated and long awaited Bill has finally been published. The Bill in short is to look at changing the law about rented homes. The Bill introduces a number of changes and it remains to be seen what the final version will look like. Whilst the...

Rent-to-rent landlords cannot duck responsibilities

Andrew Morley
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The ‘rent-to-rent’ business model has seen a huge increase in recent years, reflecting the trend for businesses to take over utilisation of assets, like Uber and Airbnb.  But for landlords, it has given rise to confusion over the extent of...

What is contentious probate?

David Rogerson
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Contentious probate refers to any disputes about an individual's estate when they are no longer here. This process can be difficult for families and lead to many mixed feelings, but understanding when an estate can be contested can help answer many...

World Braille Day 2023

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Today (4 January) is World Braille Day. On the day of Louis Braille’s birth, this date is a reminder of the importance of not just braille but all accessibility of communication for people who are blind or visually impaired. Carrie Clewes, Equality...

WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAR

Andrew Morley
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Andrew Morley , Chartered Legal Executive and Partner at Chattertons has forty years' experience dealing with disputes and here he explains how a last will may not be the last word if someone decides to challenge this. Nothing is certain but death and...

Center Parcs settle discrimination claim after amputee denied use of activity slide

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CenterParcs UK has settled a discrimination claim following a case where a visitor to their Sherwood Forest Village was denied use of an activity slide due to having a prosthetic leg. The claim was submitted by Chattertons Solicitors on behalf of Andrew...

Discrimination in education - can you make a claim?

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In the UK, pupils and students are protected from being discriminated against by their schools, colleges and universities under the Equality Act 2010, but this doesn’t mean education is free from discrimination. It is important to be able to identify...

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2022

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The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. The theme of 2022's World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health , is 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global...

What is commercial litigation?

David Rogerson
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What is commercial litigation? Any legal action taken that involves a corporate party is commercial litigation. This includes anything from employment issues and contract disputes to major cases between large international companies. Commercial litigation...

Facial Recognition - What is the law?

David Rogerson
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In July this year, the Co-operative convenience store chain was found to be using facial recognition technology across stores in the south of England, leading to complaints being filed to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), who regulate the...

Garden predators invade the courts

David Rogerson
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Garden predators are taking root in the courts, as householders take action to fight off plant invaders that can be highly destructive and undermine property values.  One of the most common reasons for garden-related legal action is when Japanese...

Giving Evidence in the County Court: A Guide

Andrew Morley
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There is a County Court in every major town and city in England and Wales. These civil courts deal with a vast array of cases such as those involving breach of contract, negligence, accidents, consumer disputes, debt, land disputes, landlord and tenant...

County Court Video and Telephone Hearings: How to Prepare

Andrew Morley
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There is a County Court in every major town and city in England and Wales. These civil courts deal with a vast array of cases such as those involving breach of contract, negligence, accidents, consumer disputes, debt, land disputes, landlord and tenant...

How to make sure you get your deposit back as a student

Andrew Morley
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With the start of a new academic year fast approaching for many students, it is also the start of a new tenancy agreement. Although you’ve likely just paid your deposit, it is important to take steps from the start to ensure the full deposit will be...

What are you entitled to if your flight is delayed or cancelled?

David Rogerson
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Holidays abroad are back, but due to staff shortages, airports are struggling, and flights are being routinely cancelled and delayed across the country, including domestic and European routes often last minute. So with the school summer holidays fast...

Check the ground rules to avoid boundary disputes

David Rogerson
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Spring, warm weather and longer days sees a surge in interest in garden works each year, and where householders improve and replace, boundary disputes are sure to follow… One recent long-running case saw an Essex couple fighting over six inches of...

Start the new tax year with better debt recovery processes

David Rogerson
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The new tax year began on 6th April 2022, and while you may not have made any ‘new year, new you’ promises, perhaps it could be time to sort out your business finances. It can be easy to let things slip - a late invoice, a missed payment and even...

World Consumer Rights Day: Buy now, pay later and the law

David Rogerson
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World Consumer Rights Day will be on 15th March in 2022, with the theme of ‘Fairer Digital Finance’. This article looks at one of the most popular consumer credit schemes today - buy-now-pay-later. Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) products have rapidly...

Chattertons welcome back David John as a partner to its Dispute Resolution Team

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Chattertons Solicitors & Wealth Management have welcomed back David John as a partner to its Dispute Resolution Team. The appointment further strengthens the firms Dispute Resolution presence in Boston as David brings with him a wealth of litigation...

Better Late Than Never: Review into the Treatment of LGBTQ Veterans

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The Government launches review into the treatment of LGBTQ veterans and the pre-2000 ban on LGBTQ+ Members of The Military. Prior to the year 2000, where four ex-servicemen and women who were dismissed for being gay, won their case in the European...

How to evict a commercial tenant

Nigel Bescoby
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If you are a landlord of a commercial property, you may find yourself in the circumstances where you need to evict a tenant and take back possession of your property. This area of the law can be complicated - your best route forward will depend on your...

A promising sign of a more inclusive world for the deaf community

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With Rose Ayling Ellis winning hearts and minds on Strictly Come Dancing , enquiries into British Sign Language (BSL) courses are soaring. One course provider reported a 2,844% increase in sign-ups for their free trial training programmes the day after...

Fireworks, bonfires and the law

David Rogerson
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If you are considering an at-home fireworks display or perhaps a bonfire, you need to be sure that you do not fall foul of the law. Rules concerning fireworks and bonfires are designed to keep us all safe and to prevent nuisance in the neighbourhood. In this...

Chattertons expands Team with appointment of Equality and Disability rights lawyer

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Chattertons Solicitors are delighted to announce the appointment of experienced lawyer, Carrie Clewes. Carrie specialises in assisting a wide range of clients who wish to bring claims for discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Claims can be...

Getting to the root of the problem in boundary disputes

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Householders spending more time at home and in their gardens during the Covid-19 pandemic is fuelling a rise in boundary disputes as infrequent niggles have translated into nagging complaints, with overhanging branches, encroaching tree roots and towering...

THE COUNTRY STARTS TO UNLOCK - HOUSING LAW CHANGES

Nigel Bescoby
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Those that have followed my blogs on Housing Law throughout the pandemic should be aware that there are changes on the way as to how Housing law works in practice as the Country starts to unlock. It would appear from the latest Government announcement that...

Aspiring property hosts must check the small print

Nigel Bescoby
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As the shutters lift on life, with shops and bars opening and holiday planning underway, property owners may be thinking of cashing in on the demand for UK trips by offering their home for short-term lets, but they may run into trouble if they don’t...

A NEW DAY - A NEW EXTENSION

Nigel Bescoby
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You may recall that I posted a blog in relation to evictions being halted again . Yesterday we learned from the Government that the ban in relation to bailiff led evictions is to be extended beyond the 31 March 2021. It appears from Government sources that...

Evictions Halted - again!

Nigel Bescoby
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It has been announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that the ban in relation to bailiff evictions is to be extended until the 31 March 2021. Those that have been following these blogs and the news will be aware that the ban was...

NEWS FLASH - HOUSING LAW UPDATE

Nigel Bescoby
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The Housing Team at Chatterton's Solicitors continue to monitor changes to Housing Law. The team is today able to confirm that Practice Directions 55C – Coronavirus – temporary provisions in relation to possession matters has today been...

Box In Every Day

David Rogerson
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With the significant increase in shopping online, receiving boxes via one of hundreds of white vans up and down our streets seems common place. With Christmas approaching, most of these boxes will be eagerly awaited but what happens when you receive a box...

To cover or not to cover, that is the question?

David Rogerson
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In an unprecedented year, businesses who believed they have taken the sensible option of insuring against potential losses, have been left high and dry. Having policies that were supposed to cover business losses as a result of matters out of their control,...

Landlords must gear up for new safety checks

David Rogerson
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Residential landlords must get their houses in order with the arrival of further legislation to protect tenants through electrical and building safety requirements.   New electrical safety standards are rolling out for private sector tenancies and...

HOUSING LAW UPDATE - MORE TWISTS AND TURNS

Nigel Bescoby
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Throughout the course of this year I have issued a series of blogs relating to Housing Law matters. The current pandemic has had a significant impact on both Landlords and Tenants. Claims for possession are due to resume as of Monday 21 September 2020. You...

Bonfires and the law: What are the rules, and have they changed in light of COVID-19?

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With the dark nights coming in and summer drawing to a close, you may be considering having a bonfire. Either to dispose of waste that has accrued over the summer, to celebrate bonfire night, or simply to keep you warm in the garden as the evenings get...

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS - NEWS FLASH

Nigel Bescoby
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As reported in earlier blogs the stay in respect of possession proceedings was due to be lifted this weekend. At the last minute it appears that the stay has been extended until the 20 September 2020. The Housing Team at Chattertons are monitoring this...

Debt collection in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic - what are the options?

Andrew Morley
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In these uncertain times, no matter how big or small your business is, managing cash flow can be challenging. One particular difficulty for many firms is dealing with debt collection. Maximising debt collection should be a priority for your business to...

Landlords reminded to watch the small print

Andrew Morley
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Landlords are breathing a sigh of relief over the news that a court has allowed an eviction notice despite a copy of the gas safety certificate not being provided before the tenancy started.  But experts are warning that attention to the small print is...

Landlords - Prepare for Reactivation!

Nigel Bescoby
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Landlords and tenants will be acutely aware of the stay imposed on Possession Proceedings. The stay is scheduled to end on the 23 August 2020. The big question though is what happens next? In short the answer is the new temporary Practice Direction 55C...

THE NEW ELECTRICAL SAFETY STANDARDS

Nigel Bescoby
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The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The above Regulations were mentioned in my earlier blog "New Standards on the Horizon". The regulations came into force on the 1 June 2020. As a short...

HOUSING RELATED MATTERS

Nigel Bescoby
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On the 5 June 2020, the Housing Secretary made an announcement that the suspension of evictions from Private or Social Landlords would be extended until 23 August 2020. As a result of this decision it is unlikely that the vast majority of possession...

Coronavirus Act 2020 and Protection from Eviction

Nigel Bescoby
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Since my earlier blog on Housing related matters there has been a further update to the extent that all Housing possession claims are to be suspended for a period of 90 days. There is provision for this time limit to be extended. The announcement appears...

COVID-19 Office Closure

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COVID-19 CLIENT NOTICE Chattertons are open and we are working hard to provide our usual high standard of service to our clients. We are now able to see clients for essential meetings, by appointment only.   Most of our advisors are working...

COVID-19 - Residential Tenancies

Nigel Bescoby
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WHERE DO I STAND? Residential Tenancies As our day to day life changes, it is inevitable that people start to wonder where they stand, what is the advice, who do they approach for assistance. The information below is intended to assist Landlords and...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Impact on the Courts

Nigel Bescoby
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The impact reaches far and wide The current situation impacting on our day to day lives is also affecting how the Courts operate. The Lord Chief Justice has issued a message to Judges that preside in the Civil and Family Courts. The underlying message is...

Coronavirus COVID-19 Chattertons Update

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Chattertons Solicitors  are open for business.  However we are following government recommendations and would encourage you not to visit any of our offices except by prior arrangement. We are closely monitoring the developments of COVID-19 and are...

New Model for resolving Housing Disputes

Nigel Bescoby
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Those that have an interest in Housing Law and its development may be interested to read the Justice working party report which has just been published. The report looks to propose what is known as a "Housing Dispute Service". The working party...

New Electrical Safety Standards on the Horizon

Nigel Bescoby
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The draft Electrical Safety Standards in the Private (Rented) Sector (England) Regulations 2020 have been laid before Parliament. If passed there will be changes ahead. ...

When your gift becomes a bribe...

David Rogerson
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Christmas brings a round of festive celebrations with drinks, dinners and bottles of wine shared between customers and suppliers, but whether giving or receiving, businesses need to keep up with the rules on corporate gifting.  Under the regime...

Commercial Landlord and Tenant : Full Quarters Rent?

Annette Wood
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A tenant’s opportunity to effectively operate a break clause can be thwarted by underpayment of rent. Commercial leases often include break clauses where the operative date does not fall on a quarter day.  Increasingly tenants are looking to...

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