Articles
We shall be providing a selection of useful articles on a regular basis. Information contained in these Articles is a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a legal problem you should talk to a lawyer before making a decision as to what to do.
Residential Property
The Land Registery Act to reduce risk of property fraud
Just as identity fraud and credit card fraud have increased the Land Registry have noticed an increase in property fraud, either to defraud the true owner of the property or to use their details for other fraudulent activities, such as obtaining mortgage funds from a lender. Click here to read the full article
Conveyancing Jargon Buster
When you come to buy and sell a property many new words and phrases are used. As Hammersmith solicitors we have put together a guide to help people through the most common words and phrases which you will come across during the process. Download this useful guide (pdf format)
Property Sales and Purchases Flow Chart
For many people buying or selling a property can seem like a dark art. We hope that the flow chart which we have produced here at HPW will help to explain the processes and steps involved from start to completion! Download this useful guide (pdf format)
Home Information Pack
The article is about Home Information Pack on residential property purchases and sales. They are sometimes known as HIPS. It refers to the contents of a Home Information Pack or HIP and some of the exceptions to the requirement for a Home Information Pack or HIP. Click here to read the full article.
Specialist Property Services
Neighbour Disputes - What should you do if you think an argument is brewing with your neighbour
Most people will have read in the press stories involving neighbour disputes which have escalated to a point where the criminal law system becomes involved invariably involving allegations of assault. Sadly these allegations often prove to be true as the recent newspaper report of the lady attacking her neighbour with a shovel is testament to. Most solicitors who practice in this field will undoubtedly have come across cases of this type. Click here to read the full article.
Commercial Property Energy Performance Certificates
A recent European Union Directive and Government Regulation has meant that by October 2008 an owner of a building or landlord will be required to have in place an Energy Performance Certificate (“EPC”) for a building or any part of it which they seek to construct, sell or let. Click here to read the full article.
Tenancy Agreement
Tenancy agreement – why it is important: Why do I need a written tenancy agreement? If you let or are thinking of letting a property this article will give some pointers why you need a written agreement with your tenant. Download our Tenancy Agreement Guide and find out more (pdf format)
The Commonhold And Leasehold Reform Act
AN OVERVIEW
NOVEMBER 2007
This document is a summary of the Act and is technical in nature. You should read it to get a general idea of the Act and where it might be relevant to you as a landlord or leaseholder. This document is not a substitute for professional advice. Click here to read the full article.
Lease Extensions: what you need to know
You will find very useful informations about Lease Extensions. Simply; essentials that you need to know. Click here to read the full article.
Personal Injury
"Compensation culture” in UK grossly exaggerated
shows new research on workers’ expectations for work-place injury awards
New research from personal injury solicitors Hubbard Pegman & Whitney (HPW) reveals that the majority of people have modest expectations for compensation following injuries at work, casting doubt on the widely-made claim that Britain has developed a compensation culture. Click here to read the full article.
Case Report - Mr Makeham
Mr Makeham suffered an accident at work on 20 September 2005. He was a manager at Darwins Limited, a catering company, and was riding the company bike to visit one of their customers in London. On route, the handle bar snapped and went into the front wheel, causing it to lock. Mr Makeham was thrown over the handlebars and on to the pavement. Click here to read the full report.
Case Report - Mr Gordon Smith
Mr Gordon Smith was a prison officer at Wormwood Scrubs in London.
As part of his duties, he was charged with transferring prisoners in and out of the prison, collecting prisoners from the wings, and any removals from the prison.
Whilst at work, he was coming out of an office portacabin and slipped down the stairs on 16 September 2001. Click here to read the full report.
Case Report - Mr Thomas Mende
Mr Mende, a former England basketball player, had been travelling with his friend Steven Wales in a motor vehicle which had broken down and was left on the A21 at Morley’s lay-by. They were travelling on foot along the A21, presumably to obtain a lift. They had begun to come off the A21 onto the slip road from the A25 in Kent. Mr Mende appears to have been walking behind Mr Wales when he was hit by a passing vehicle, driven by Lisa Corke. Mr Wales observed the Peugeot vehicle being driven off by a man with a female passenger. Click here to read the full report.
Case Report - Mr Emmet Haverty-Stacke
Mr Emmet Haverty-Stacke was cycling in September 2003 in Epping, Essex. He was cycling down the hill but the tarmac on the road had peeled back and had created a raised section about 8 inches high. He tried to break but his back wheel hit the tarmac and Emmet hit the bump in the road, crashed and hit his face on the road. Click here to read the full report.
Beware the legal hurdles of the staff Christmas party
Written by Charlotte Pegman and Hope Liebersohn, Hubbard Pegman and Whitney Solicitors for SME website, 1st December 2008. Click here to read the full article.
Costly Hangover For UK Bosses After Christmas Parties
Employers across the UK face hefty compensation claims from injured staff if they fail to put adequate procedures in place at Christmas parties, warns Charlotte Pegman, Partner, HPW Solicitors. Click here to read the full article.
The harder they fall
2,300 older people fall on broken pavements every day according to a study by Help the Aged, released on “National Fall Awareness Day,” 24 June. GMTV did a “Perilous Pavements” feature, which highlighted grandmother Anne Hunt of Harrow, who broke her pelvis on a defective pavement and is now in a zimmer frame, practically housebound. Click here to read the article.
Motor Insurers Bureau
The role of the MIB and how it can help you when you have been in an accident. Click here to read the full article.
Do Prison Officers get fair treatment if they are injured
at work?
Charlotte Pegman of HPW has many years of experience acting for injured Prison Officers. In this article she puts forward her arguement for fair treatment at work. Click here to read her expert view.
No-Win No-Fee - how it works in the UK
Hope Liebersohn, a Personal Injury specialist, explains how the "no-win no-fee" system works in the UK. Click here to read the article.
Should taking a Risk lead to an accident at work?
Charlotte Pegman, a Personal Injury specialist, explains how the balance of safety and risk in the work place interests Hammersmith solicitors. click here to read the article.
Health and Safety in the work place
Charlotte Pegman, a Personal Injury specialist, explains her views on health and safety in the work place. click here to read the article.
Wills & Probate
Making will: what is important and what might not be
A new DIY will making kit went on sale in March in 7,000 newsagents, costing £4.99, less than a packet of cigarettes. It contains instructions on formalities, but it doesn’t answer important questions you may have. click here to read the article
What to do when someone dies
We are often contacted for initial advice on dealing with the administration of the estate immediately following a death. Here is our guide/article, which most people will find useful. click here to read the article
Family
Child maintenance - The New Law
The Child Maintenance Enforcement Commission (“CMEC”) a new body to take over the work of the Child Support Agency. It was established in the summer 2008. The hope is that this non governmental body will simplify the way in which maintenance is calculated, and provide tougher enforcement powers to collect arrears. click hereto read the article
Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 is due to come into force on 25 November 2008, white ribbon day, where people will be encouraged to wear a white ribbon to demonstrate that they do not condone violence towards women. The Act will insert a new part 4A to the Family Law Act (FLA) 1996 to create a Forced Marriage Protection Order (FMPO). click here to read the article
