Publicity was given to the French minister who returned to work only 5 days after giving birth to her child. Under UK law, there is a compulsory period of maternity leave lasting two weeks from the birth. An employer would commit a criminal offence in allowing an employee to return to work within that
Home Information Packs ("HIPs") First Day Marketing
When HIPs were introduced, a concession was made by the Government so that the marketing of a home could commence if the HIP had been ordered.
This concession has now been withdrawn. From 6th April the HIP must be available before marketing starts. In addition to the searches and other documents previously required, the HIP must now include a Property Information Questionnaire completed by the Seller. It is important that the information given in the Questionnaire is accurate, and Sellers may well wish to check the replies with their Solicitor.
To avoid delays, if you decide to sell your property, you should contact us at the start, so that wecan arrange for the HIP to be available by the time your Agent is ready to start marketing.
Divorce copying digital documents
In the electronic age, it might be tempting for one spouse to secretly copy or attempt to access digital documents, for use as evidence in a financial claim in divorce proceedings.
Under the Computer Misuse Act, it is an offence
To cause a computer to perform any function with intent to secure access to any program or data held on any computer, if
The intended access is unauthorised, and
The person causing the computer to perform the function knows they are not authorised to do so
In addition, no information obtained unlawfully can be used in connection with any legal proceedings.
Gas Safety Regulations
From 1st April the former CORGI scheme has ended, and only a fitter on the "Gas Safe Register)can carry out approved gas work (e.g. installing a boiler, safety inspections etc). Any contractorcarrying out this work after 1st April must be properly registered under the new scheme.
Landlords of residential properties are reminded that they are required to ensure that gas appliances are checked every 12 months by a contractor who is on the Gas Safety Register, and to keep detailed records.
Wills Secure Storage
It is important that your Will is kept in a safe place (e.g. held by your Bank or Solicitor) particularly if your immediate relatives may not agree with its contents. It is advisable as well to make sure your Executors know where it can be found after your death.
In a recent case, the widow and daughter of someone who had died issued proceedings against two charities who were claiming that he had left a Will and they were the beneficiaries. The widow had lived apart from her husband for many years, and the daughter had had little contact with him. The daughter alleged that her father had not left a Will, and that she and her mother were entitled to his estate under the Intestacy Rules. The court found in favour of the charity beneficiaries, on the basis of evidence from two neighbours that they had seen a Will when they helped the daughter sort through her father's papers, and from a retired Solicitor that she had prepared a Will in 1974. Probate was granted of a reconstituted Will based on the evidence of its contents given by the neighbours and retired Solicitor. period.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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