Firm News Archives - Page 6 of 10

Are Family Court Hearings Still Going Ahead & What Can I Expect?

The Impact of Covid-19 on Criminal Cases

Are the criminal courts still dealing with cases during lock-down? The criminal courts are continuing to deal with cases throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts in Leicester are operating but they are dealing

Are the Police Still Interviewing Suspects During “Lockdown”?

In a word, YES! It is important that you also know your rights remain the same…. What are my rights if the police want to interview me? If your are interviewed by the Police either under arrest

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

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

How will my contact with my children be facilitated during COVID 19?

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

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