if you are deemed to require residential care, then the Local Authority will carry out a financial assessment to determine how much, if any, of your care you will pay yourself. Your property is likely to be your main asset and it is normally what clients want to protect the most. If you jointly own a property, there is something that can be done to protect half of the value of the property.

Buying a property together is a milestone for any couple, but for unmarried partners, it comes with it’s own unique considerations. If your relationship is not legally recognised by a marriage or civil partnership then your contributions to a jointly owned property can be particularly vulnerable in the event of a separation.

This is a statutory duty that applies to all health and care professionals to be open and honest with patients and people in their care when something goes wrong with their treatment. What does this mean and is it being applied?

As the years passed, Buddy and Chip’s workshop continued to flourish. Buddy and Holly watched their little elves excitedly dance around the workshop, basking in the vision that one day his children would take over his legacy.

In the exciting world of Buddy and Chip's workshop, a flurry of activity was always the norm. Yet, one frosty morning, a different kind of incident shook the elf community – a toy machine malfunction.

It was time for the final piece of the business puzzle: recruitment. Buddy and Chip had the workshop, the supplies and the licenses they needed. But it would all be redundant if they didn’t have a talented workforce behind them.

Buddy and Chip were eagerly finalising their new workshop when they hit a snag: a contractor hadn’t delivered on the work as promised. Determined to resolve the issue without dampening the holiday spirit, Buddy and Chip turned to the Commercial Dispute Resolution team for guidance.

Buddy and Chip needed to find the perfect location for their business venture, somewhere they could house their workshop. They found just what they were looking for, a place to craft toys and spread holiday joy. It was time to sign the commercial lease.

Buddy had always fancied himself as an entrepreneurial elf. He had left the North Pole in search of greater business opportunities and now felt like this was the best time to give it a go. With the help of his best friend, Chip, a neighboring elf who was equally as driven, Buddy began planning their business idea.

After securing their dream home and setting up a cohabitation agreement, Buddy and Holly, the ever-forward-thinking elves, turned their attention to the future. They wanted to ensure that their hard-earned assets, now including their cherished home, were passed down efficiently when the time came.

Buddy and Holly were settling into their new home well; their home was filled with couple (s)elfies and Buddy didn’t object to the garish Christmas prints filling their home. It wasn’t long after they moved in that Holly approached Buddy about protecting their individual assets.

We’re welcoming December and the exciting festivities it brings by introducing you to two of our fantastic clients. We’ve recently represented an enchanting elf couple, Buddy and Holly, and will be sharing with you their exciting story.

It was extremely sad to hear that iconic music legend Shane MacGowan passed away recently. What possibly made it worse was that he died during the run up to Christmas, when Fairytale of New York gets its annual airing on radio stations and Christmas music selections. This brings into focus the intricacies of estate planning, especially in understanding how royalties pass under a Will.

You cannot hear a headline or read a newspaper without mention of terrible birth experiences suffered by expectant mothers, often sadly ending in catastrophic consequences. A report has been published detailing spiraling issues in NHS maternity services, including dangerously low staffing levels.

It will come as no surprise to hear that NHS cancer services are under increasing pressure. New figures released in September 2023 confirm that NHS targets for urgent suspected cancer referrals continue to be missed.

The Office for Veterans Affairs (OVA) is part of the Cabinet Office and is intended to lead the UK Government efforts to ensure that “the UK is the best place to be a veteran anywhere in the world, helping the nation fulfil its lifelong duty to those who have served in the Armed Forces.”

Last week, the UK Government responded to consultations on retained EU employment laws, seeking improvements post-Brexit.

A premature birth can be an emotional whirlwind — filled with concern and anxiety. For families navigating premature birth, it's crucial to understand that support is there for you, both medically and legally.

Frequently I am asked whether a parent has rights in respect of their child and what this means for them as a parent. Simply, there will be a question about whether the parent has Parental Responsibility and if they don’t, how they can get it.

Are you dreading making arrangements for Christmas contact with your former partner? As the festive spirit approaches, Gemma Stevens shares how making plans early can help reduce the risk of conflict ruining the holiday periods.