If you’re a parent, you’ll be familiar with how difficult it can sometimes be to get your children to accompany you to the shops or appointments. If only you could safely leave your child on their own and get those daily tasks done quickly. But where does the law stand with this?

A new Court of Appeal decision highlights the unusual case of an employee who successfully brought a disability discrimination claim even though she is not, and is not likely ever to be, disabled.

Anyone familiar with residential tenancies will know of the onerous duties placed on landlords to protect deposits taken from tenants.

The High Court has again delivered judgments in relation to applications by the Queen’s Proctor to set aside divorce decrees in four different cases on the ground that the petitions breached the 1 year bar. The 1 year bar is set out in section 3 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and states that neither party to a marriage may commence divorce proceedings before the couple have been married for 1 year.

Buying your home is probably the most expensive investment that you will ever make so it pays to get the right advice. As one of the oldest and largest firms in the South West, we aim to provide you with a swift and expert service at a competitive price.

A child may feel torn between both parents or angry and one or both parents for the relationship breaking down. Every situation will be different and depend on the unique circumstances of the family unit, but it should be everyone’s concern that the children are protected from any animosity between the parents.

If you are experiencing difficulties with a family matter, such as issues relating to a potential divorce and the associated financial aspects or issues concerning your children, you may be considering court proceedings. Before you can make an application to the court in relation to a family issue you must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). There are exemptions available and these can be discussed with you if necessary.

You may remember that we reported on the case Agoreyo v London Borough of Lambeth where the High Court held that the suspension of a teacher to allow for a misconduct investigation was not a neutral act and amounted to a breach of the implied term of mutual trust and confidence. This case was appealed to the Court of Appeal which has overturned the decision.

The planning process is a long and complicated one, which may not always produce the result the client desires. If a planning application isn’t filed correctly, or there are objections to the plan then it can be thwarted at the first hurdle. So, if your planning application has been refused, how can you challenge that decision, and what can you do to make the process easier?

The minimum ratings for Energy Performance Certificates have got a lot tougher, and now any rental property must achieve at least an ‘E’ rating for it to be rented out.

To prepare for the First Appointment in financial remedy proceedings, each party must file with the Court and serve the other party a questionnaire in respect of their financial disclosure (Form E). When completing Form E, the parties have an obligation to the Court to give full, frank and clear disclosure. The duty is ongoing and includes a duty to disclose any material change in financial circumstances.

Aside from being gazumped, one of the worst fears of a party to a property transaction is the other side getting cold feet and pulling out at the last moment without a good reason.