Will Signing and Covid-19
The demand for Wills over the past few months in light of Covid-19 has seen a 75% increase in those creating or updating Wills. It is more important than ever to ensure the ability to create a
Firm News
Senior Dispute Resolution Solicitor Joins Johnson Astills
Johnson Astills are delighted to announce that senior Dispute Resolution solicitor Laura Anderson has joined the firm. Laura’s appointment means that our clients can now access advice across an even broader range of legal matters. Laura says:
Contact Arrangements In A Time Of Uncertainty
Clients old and new have been in touch in the last couple of weeks to seek guidance and reassurance of their position by law in relation to their living and contact arrangements for their children when separated
What is the impact of Covid-19 on Conveyancing Transactions?
Covid-19 can potentially impact conveyancing transactions in the following ways: Purchasers request for properties to be decontaminated; Sellers refuse to vacate on completion due to self-isolation; Banking system disruption; Booking removal companies or companies are reluctant to enter
Coronavirus Coughing towards Key Workers Can lead to a Jail
It has recently been announced that anyone using coronavirus to threaten emergency and essential workers faces serious criminal charges. This intervention comes after reports in recent days of police and other key workers being deliberately coughed at
We are still here for you
The Care Team at Johnson Astills has had to make a few changes this week. On Tuesday 24th March 2020, our Leicester and Loughborough offices closed temporarily following Government guidance relating to the Coronavirus (Covid-19). However, we
Our Wills and Probate team are here for you
Following Government advice, Johnson Astills have temporarily closed both offices in Leicester and Loughborough, however we are still fully operational and our phone lines remain open. We want to thank each and every keyworker for the hard
Purchasing New Build Properties
Purchasing a new build property is purchasing your new house before it is even built or whilst it is being built. The Conveyancing transaction is slightly different to a normal residential purchase of a home when the
Is it a Criminal offence to fail to stop at the scene of a road traffic accident or to fail to report a road traffic accident?
It is an offence to fail to stop at the scene of an accident, this offence carries a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment. The law requires you to stop at the scene of a motoring accident
Top Tips on Purchasing a Property
Purchasing a property is one of the most important financial decision you will ever make. The process can also be time consuming and you would be required to make numerous important decisions. Here are some of our
Top Tips when selling your house
Selling your house can be a complicated process along with it being stressful trying to plan the whole move. Our Johnson Astills conveyancing specialists are here to make the transaction as smooth as possible. Below are a
Local Authority concerns about domestic abuse around children
The Local Authority have concerns about domestic abuse around my children – what should I do? The Local Authority may be alerted to concerns about domestic violence by concerned family members, members of the public or professionals.
Islamic faith marriages are not valid under English law
It has recently been reported in the Guardian, that Islamic faith marriages are not valid under English law. The judgement which was delivered on Friday, overturned a previous High Court ruling that an Islamic marriage known as
Solicitor vs DIY Probate
When someone you love or care about dies it is a very emotional time. Whilst you are still grieving you have to also think about dealing with the administration of their estate. If the deceased person left
Knife Crime in England and Wales reaches a Record High
Knife crime and crimes involving offensive weapons are on the rise with the highest number of convictions in a decade! How many convictions for knife offences were recorded in 2019? There were 14,135 offences of knife possession
New Police Powers in relation to Stalking
New Police Powers in relation to Stalking coming into place – TODAY! The Stalking Protection Order (SPO) that can result in five years in prison Stalking was made a specific criminal offence in England and Wales in
Keeping in touch with my ‘Looked After Child’
There are many different ways in which you can be kept up to date with regards to your child’s well-being, whilst they are in the care of the Local Authority: You may be invited to attend a
Fiz and Tyrone – Can Social Services really remove their children?
Anyone that watches soaps will know they cover a wide range of important topics and some people question the reality of it with it being a soap. In Coronation Street presently, Fiz and Tyrone have had a
Civil Partnership
In June 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that civil partnerships would be available to heterosexual couples, as well as same-sex couples. A civil partnership is a legal relationship which when registered gives the relationship legal recognition and
Court of Protection and Deputyship
The Court of Protection is a Court in England and Wales created under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Court of Protection is responsible for protecting people who do not have the capacity to make decisions for
The age of criminal responsibility
Can a 10 year old get a criminal record? Yes, in England and Wales the current age of criminal responsibility is 10 years old. This means that a 10 year old can be investigated by the police,
‘Tis the Season to be Jolly – Unless you are caught Drink Driving
As the Christmas season approaches and work comes to an end for the year, the drinks begin to flow and celebrations commence. We could not think of a better way to celebrate the Festive Period than with
Will Aid update
This year Johnson Astills teamed up with Will Aid to help support their fundraising campaign which involves nine of the UK’s leading charities. These include Action Aid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the
Brexit and its victims
What Brexit means for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. It’s the talk of the town. Brexit. Boris Johnson’s deal still hangs in limbo. A general election on the horizon and new deadline of 31st January 2020.
Is kinship care in crisis?
The Grandparents Plus charity recently carried out a survey of kindship carers in England and noted that the current situation is in a state of crisis: For the full report – ‘State of the Nation Survey Report’-
Assessments used by Local Authorities when involved with families
There are lots of different types of assessments that can be completed when Social Services become involved in your life. Here are examples of some of the assessments you may be asked to undertake. Every child who
Think Green and the “Bras not Bombs” Initiative
Johnson Astills has recently developed an In-house Green and Sustainability Committee which has been aptly named ‘Think Green’ to improve the firm’s working practices and the employees’ approaches and attitudes towards sustainability in their everyday life. Johnson
Release under Investigation a Review to be made
When arrested by Police, there are various different outcomes, one of which is to release under investigation pending further enquiries which need to be conducted, this outcome is used instead of releasing on police bail. However, unlike
Children in Need
One in 50 children in the UK are classed as ‘Children in Need’ before they are even born. A study of Government figures show that more than 7,000 of such vulnerable children have been put in the
Advance Decisions
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 the capacity to make these decisions. It is important to note you
Police Bail: An overview
At Johnson Astills our criminal team regularly represent clients at the police station stage and before the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts to deal with the issue of bail. Can you be bailed from the police station without
Drivers using mobile phones – loophole set to close
The loophole that allows drivers who use mobile phones to escape prosecution is set to close. In September we did an article and video following the High Court’s decision to overturn the conviction of an individual who used his
Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common? What do they mean?
If you are intending on purchasing a property with another person, you will need to consider how you both would like to hold the property. The type of ownership affects what you can do with the property
What is a Pre-Proceedings Meeting and Must I Attend?
Yes, it is extremely important that you attend a Pre-Proceedings Meeting and that you seek legal advice. What is the Public Law Outline? The Public Law Outline set out the duties that Local Authorities must perform before
What should I expect if my child is subject to a CP Medical?
A Child Protection Medical is also known as a CP Medical, a Section 47 Medical or a Paediatric Medical Assessment. The Local Authority may request that a CP Medical is completed where there is suspicion or disclosure
What happens if I have been accused of shaking my baby?
Shaken Baby Syndrome or Abusive Head Trauma refers to the diagnosis given to a baby or infant where it is believed by medical professionals that their injuries are consistent with being violently shaken. Studies have found that
Special Guardianship Orders and Supervision Orders
A national study was conducted in relation to Special Guardianship Orders and Supervision Orders. Special Guardianship Orders often involve family members stepping in to look after children who cannot live with their birth parents and these Orders
Do I have a right to Legal Advice prior to providing a specimen when suspected of drink driving?
Can I speak to a solicitor prior to providing a specimen? Failing to provide a specimen of breath, urine or blood without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence. Often, a person may have a reasonable excuse for
He loves me, he loves me not…
He loves me, he loves me not… (A modern fairytale, or is it?) * N.B. The characters described in this story are fictitious. Sally* and David* met online, after David had sent her a friend request on
What happens if I am arrested?
Whether you are arrested for a driving offence, shoplifting or murder the process of making an arrest and detention is the same. If you have never been in trouble with the Police before, you are unlikely to
I have been accused of lying about my child’s illness – what does this mean?
FII stands for “Fabricated or Induced Illness” and it occurs where a parent or carer of a child exaggerates or causes a child to present with symptoms of an illness. FII is considered as a rare form
Court Bail: An Overview & Bail Conditions
At Emery Johnson Astills our highly skilled and experienced criminal defence advocates regularly represent clients before the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts to deal with the issue of bail. Can you be bailed by the Magistrates’ Court? If
We are participating in Will Aid
Did you know that since 1988, the legal profession has raised over £20 million for Will Aid charities! Johnson Astills have teamed up with Will Aid this year to help support their fundraising campaign which involves nine
Are the laws on using a mobile phone whilst driving changing?
Following a successful appeal against a conviction of using a mobile phone whilst driving the law around driving and mobile phones has been criticised by two High Court Judges. At the hearing the High Court judges agreed
Emery Johnson Astills has been busy!
Leicester Pride 2019 Emery Johnson Astills had a successful day at Leicester Pride on Saturday 31st August 2019. The event is Leicester’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) festival and takes place at Victoria Park which
Tenancy Deposit Protection
If you are a Landlord renting a residential property under an assured shorthold tenancy that started after 6 April 2007, you are required to put the Tenant’s deposit in a government backed tenancy deposit scheme. The deposit
Should I make a Lasting Power of Attorney?
At Johnson Astills, our Wills and Probate Department can take the stress away and can assist with drafting and registering your LPAs. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets the donor (you)
Should the Special Guardianship Order be Reformed?
Background of the Special Guardianship Order (SGO): The purpose of an SGO is to give one or more individuals parental responsibility (PR) and to exercise this ‘to the exclusion of all others’. A Special Guardian can exercise
Social Services are involved with my family – when should I seek legal advice?
If social services are involved with your family, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. The Local Authority may become involved after receiving a referral from agencies such as education, health, or the police. The most important step
