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Johnson Astills

What can I do if I want to see my child?

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You may be able to apply for a Child Arrangements Order. These are Court Orders that confirm whom a child is to live with and/or spend time with (often referred to as “contact”). Who can apply for

Prison and Drug Detection

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It has recently been announced that drug detection scanner technology will be used to detect drugs at ten of the most challenging prisons. These scanners will be able to detect drugs on paper, clothes and mail. Furthermore,

Eating Disorder Awareness and You Can Care Week

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Raising Awareness – 25th February to 1st March – Eating Disorder Awareness and You Can Care Week Emery Johnson Astills are keen to promote and support many issues and raise awareness of issues within the public eye.

Upskirting – A New Law

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Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 – What’s New! On 12th February 2019 The Voyeurism (Offences) (No 2) received Royal Assent. Meaning the Act has now created new criminal offences. This new law deals with ‘upskirting‘, which is: ‘…the

What is Female Genital Mutilation?

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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but where there’s no medical reason for this to be done. FGM is often performed by traditional circumcisers or ‘cutters’

Prisoners “refusing” to attend Court?

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There is an increasing problem that has started to manifest itself in prisons in England and Wales: prisoners are said to be “refusing” to attend Court.  Whether it is visits at the prison, video links with legal

Stamp Duty for First Time Buyers

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What is stamp duty? Stamp duty is a lump sum that you are liable to pay when you buy a residential property or a piece of land costing more than £250,000.00 (or more than £40,000.00 for second

When Driving Becomes Dangerous

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There is a specific offence of dangerous driving, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 2 years. If that driving is a cause of someone’s death, the maximum sentence rises to one of 14 years. In each

Do I need a solicitor for Probate?

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When an individual dies, there will often be assets that need to be dealt with, for example, a property, shareholding or bank account. Some assets can be dealt with without a Grant of Representation but others, particularly

Drug Driving

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Taking drugs can impair your driving skills, causing dizziness, drowsiness, slower reaction times and an inability to concentrate. Not everyone realises it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle whilst being unfit through the consumption of drugs. Should

What is a Children’s Rights Officer

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A Children’s Rights Officer (CRO) is a professional who supports children or young people who currently have Local Authority involvement or are classed as looked after by the Local Authority for example they are in foster care.

Do I really need a lawyer to get divorced?

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It is becoming increasingly more common for parties to self-litigate rather than use a solicitor to assist and advise them through family law matters. There is currently a former police chief inspector who is setting up a

What is a Cohabitation Agreement?

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Also referred to as a ‘living together’ agreement, a cohabitation agreement is a legal document entered into between couples who have chosen to live together, which clearly sets out how finances are to be handled and what

Offences relating to state benefits

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There are two main offences that are prosecuted in relation to state benefits: The dishonest offence It is an offence to dishonestly make a representation in order to obtain benefit, and this includes a dishonest failure to

Price Transparency rules now in place

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As of 6th December 2018, firms regulated under the SRA are required to publish the prices they charge and what the price includes and excludes, for Conveyancing, Probate, Motoring offences, immigration advice and the cost of bringing

Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme

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According to Women’s Aid, an average of two women are killed by their partner or ex-partner every week in England and Wales. The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, known as Clare’s Law, was introduced on the 8th March

Fizz, Food & Friendly Faces

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Last Thursday, on what was a cold, grim, winters evening, Emery Johnson Astills hosted a pre Christmas networking event ‘Fizz, Food & Friendly Faces’ at the Parcel Yard in Leicester. The weather did not deter and over

Totting Up & Exceptional Hardship Explained

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At Johnson Astills one of the most frequently asked questions we receive is regarding the totting up procedure. We are aware that the risk of losing your licence can have a profound impact on your life. You

What is Japanese Knotweed?

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Japanese knotweed can be found almost all over the country. The uncontrolled and invasive nature quickly allowed it to become a pest in the UK. In the winter the plant dies back to ground level but by

Domestic Abuse and Children

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Domestic abuse ruins the lives of its victims with more than 2 million people subjected to this terrible crime each year. However, NSPCC statistics show that as many as 1 in 5 children in the UK are

Budget 2018

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Stamp Duty Abolished for all first-time buyers of shared ownership properties worth up to £500, 000 and Help to Buy Scheme extended to 2023! Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced plans to correct an anomaly from his previous budget

The Law on failing to provide a Sample

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You may be asked to provide a breath sample at the roadside if you are suspected of driving with excess alcohol in your body. If you provide a positive sample, you are likely to be arrested and

How can I prove I am no longer using substances?

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Hair strand testing is often used in care proceedings where there are concerns that parents are or have been using illegal substances. Hair strand testing is used in both public and private children proceedings. Hair strand testing

‘Thank you so much. We needed your help and support in such a vulnerable time in our lives.’

‘Although our partnership was under unpleasant circumstances, working with you make it a pleasure! I can’t thank you enough for making these months a positive experience as I always was assured of your support in the background. I will not hesitate to recommend you highly to anyone who needs your services.’

‘Having had experience of your organisation, my confidence in you grew. I would have no hesitation in asking you for any necessary representation in the future. Relatives and friends have already been told of my satisfaction. Thank you and well done!’

‘I am perfectly satisfied with the way the case was handled. My solicitor was very efficient, easy to communicate with and was very clear on what the outcome would or could be and who worked well.’

‘Thank you for your kindness. Sometimes it is not easy when you are trying to express how you gave us happiness. A very big thank you!’

‘I cannot fault my experience with Johnson Astills Solicitors. Throughout this difficult time I was made to feel secure, supported and validated – money can’t actually buy these things.’