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Will I be affected by the Autumn Budget?

What is the Autumn Budget? The Autumn Budget is an update from the UK Government about the state of the economy. It was launched on 1st November 2024. According to the UK Government, the aim of the

What is a Risk Assessment?

If the Local Authority is completing a risk assessment, they are doing so to determine if there is a likelihood of a significant risk of harm to a child. This could be due to concerns regarding domestic

Blog How we are raising funds for the Poppy Appeal

How did you support The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal last year?  Did you buy a poppy? Johnson Astills are supporting The Poppy Appeal again this year by adding a ‘poppy’ to our logo on our website. The

What is a Special Guardianship Order?

A Special Guardianship Order can be made when the Court determines that a child requires a long-term and stable placement which offers more permanence than a Child Arrangement Order. The need for a Special Guardianship Order can

What is an Advance Decision?

An Advance Decision is a statement of instructions about what medical and healthcare treatment you want to refuse in the future, in case you lose mental capacity to make these decisions. It only applies to refusing specific

How do I include my step-children in my Will?

When writing a Will, the term ‘my child’ or ‘my children’ does not automatically include step-children, it only includes biological children and formally adopted children of the person making the Will. If you wish to include step-children,

Drunk in Charge of a Vehicle offence

Where there is no evidence that a vehicle has been driven by a defendant whilst over the prescribed limit, a charge of drunk in charge of a vehicle may be brought. In order to be guilty of

What is an Initial Viability Assessment?

I am being asked to provide friends / family members to put forward for an Initial Viability Assessment, what does this mean If you are contacted by Social Services and told they are initiating Pre-Proceedings or Care

World Mental Health Day

Every year, World Mental Health Day is recognised by the World Health Organisation on the 10th October. The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘it’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.’ This

Free Wills Month

Johnson Astills are pleased to announce that we are taking part in Free Wills Month during October 2024. Free Wills Month brings together a group of well-respected charities to offer members of the public the opportunity to make simple Wills

Property transactions – will there be any hidden costs?

Johnson Astills understand that property transactions, such as buying or selling a house can be stressful and expensive. Conveyancing fees are the legal and administrative costs associated with transferring property ownership and will depend on the specific

Domestic Abuse Awareness Month

October typically welcomes the ‘spooky’ season and winter months, however it is also Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. This is recognised annually to raise awareness about domestic violence and abuse and more importantly, how to recognise it, how

TOLATA Claims

If you are an unmarried couple who is cohabiting and upon separation you have a dispute regarding a property or land that is jointly owned or have a financial interest in, your principal remedy is to apply

Driving Without Due Care and Attention

What is driving without due care and attention? The offence of driving without due care and attention (careless driving) is committed when your driving falls below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful driver or driving

What is Threshold in Care Proceedings?

Threshold is an important document in Care Proceedings which sets out a list of concerns and is different for each case. This document is designed to prove to the Court that a child is suffering or is

What is a Business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

What is a Business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)? A Business LPA is a legal document that allows you to authorise a chosen individual (an Attorney) to make decisions concerning your business interests if you are unavailable

Can I still see my child even if they have been adopted?

In recent years, the Family Court has placed further emphasis on the consideration of post-adoption contact. This is where children who have been removed from their parents’ care and have been adopted by a new family will

Solicitor or Conveyancer?

What is Conveyancing? Conveyancing is the legal process that must be undertaken to transfer the ownership of a property. Should I instruct a conveyancing firm or a solicitor’s firm? Both Conveyancers and Conveyancing Solicitors specialise in the

What is Special Contribution in Matrimonial Finance?

In divorce under English Law, the Court begins with a 50:50 starting point when considering a financial settlement. The court then decides whether there should be a departure from equality. Contribution is one of the factors which the court

I’m not on my child’s birth certificate but I am the father!

Where do I stand with parental responsibility? When entering the care proceedings process father’s that are not registered on their child’s birth certificate or have not acquired parental responsibility via other means for example a parental responsibility

Ground Rent and Service Charge

When purchasing a property, it is important to budget for ground rent and service charge. This generally applies to Leasehold Property purchase and some freehold properties with management companies. Ground Rent Ground rent is generally paid to

What is Mental Capacity?

Mental Capacity is the ability to make and communicate a particular decision. You must understand the decision you need to make, why you need to make it and the likely outcome of the decision. At any time

Can I Smack my Child?

For years, many calls have been made for the English Government to reform the law regarding smacking and hitting children. In England and Northen Ireland, any use of physical chastisement is illegal unless it amounts to a

LGBTQ+ Families – who has parental responsibility?

For opposite-sex parents, the question of who has parental responsibility for any child may be easily answered. However, the same cannot be said for LGBTQ+ parents, who may face certain obstacles in obtaining parental responsibility. With June

What is a Safety Plan?

A safety plan is a document which is personalised for each family. The main goal of a safety plan is to safeguard children from any current or future risk of harm. Usually, Social Services will state what

Where can I seek support for domestic abuse?

In the last 12 months, it is estimated that more than 800,000 children in England and Wales have lived or continue to live in an abusive home.[1] Domestic abuse and violence remains a major concern for many

Role of an Independent Advocate during Care Proceedings

The role of an independent advocate is to support and  assist a person to communicate their views, wishes and feelings. This may be encouraging them to voice their opinions or assisting their involvement in the court process.

Can I discharge a Care Order?

What is a Care Order? A Care Order is an Order made by the Court when the Court determines that a child is suffering or is at risk of suffering Significant Harm. When a Care Order is

Do convicted paedophiles lose their parental rights?

Currently, parental rights are ‘absolute’ in law and can only be managed through a court order. However, a new law could mean that in the UK convicted paedophiles who are parents, would automatically lose the right to

Happy 3rd Anniversary – Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Four years after the domestic abuse bill was first promised in the late Queen’s speech in 2017, it finally became law on the 30th April 2021. The act further improves the effectiveness of the Justice system, providing

Delays in a Property Transaction

Buying or Selling a property, may sound straightforward but it can sometimes become prolonged and complicated. Not all transactions are the same due to several reasons but here at Johnson Astills, we are here to make the

What is Civil Mediation, and how can it help me?

Often, court proceedings can be very costly and time-consuming, including solicitor fees, court fees and the hassle of navigating the court system. This can leave parties stressed and financially worse off. To try and minimise the court’s

What is Arbitration?

If you have reached an impasse in respect of a family law dispute, it may be tempting to make an application to the court to resolve the matter. However, there are other forms of dispute resolution which

What is a Looked After Child Review?

A Looked After Child Review can also be known as a LAC Review or a Statutory Review or a Review of Arrangements. This meeting includes all the people who are involved within the child’s life and discusses

What Is a Letter of Wishes?

A Letter of Wishes is a document that can be used to guide your Executors and Trustees when managing your estate after your death. A Letters of Wishes is generally used in two circumstances: Alongside your Will

‘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.’