News

November 18, 2019

The recent case of Shelbourne v Cancer Research highlights the importance of ensuring you are safe at office Christmas parties over the festive period. The judge at first instance has ruled that employers may not be vicariously liable for their workers actions.

November 15, 2019

NHS England reported their worst ever figures for hospital waiting times this month. These included statistics showing that there were 4.42 million people waiting for hospital treatment at the end of September 2019 (the highest ever) and that 15.2% of them had been waiting for over 18 weeks (well in excess of the NHS target of 8%).

November 14, 2019

Unless you are dealing with the estate of a deceased British monarch, you may need to obtain Probate, whether or not the deceased left a valid Will.

November 8, 2019

Andrew Carswell is a partner specialising in Dispute Resolution at Trethowans. He explains some of the issues encountered in the context of threatened claims against the validity of Wills.

November 8, 2019

A law firm welcomed members of the Polish Business Hub to offer legal advice and solutions to protect their businesses over the short and long term.

November 6, 2019

On 20 December 2018 the Civil Liability Act 2018 received Royal Assent. The provisions of this Act have not yet come into force but promise to have a significant impact upon the area of personal injury claims arising out of road traffic accidents.

November 6, 2019

“I think Christmas is about spending time with your family and opening presents in front of the fire” Girl, aged 11 “I think Xmas is more about giving than getting and being around people who love you and who you love” Girl, aged 9

November 5, 2019

NHS Resolution launched the Early Notification Scheme, a national programme for the early reporting of infants born with a potential severe brain injury, on 1 April 2017.

November 4, 2019

Our estate planning solicitors have created this article to guide you through the intricacies of inheritance tax, what it is and when you are expected to pay.

October 31, 2019

I am a Trustee for the Southern Spinal Injuries Trust, the trust was originally set up in 2006. The Southern Spinal Injuries Trust raises money to provide resources over and above that provided by the NHS for patients cared for at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre at Salisbury District Hospital. The Trust also benefits people with spinal cord injuries living in and around the Salisbury…

October 25, 2019

We’re fast approaching law fair season for aspiring lawyers. Although they can be daunting at first, firms are there to catch your attention just as much as you’re aiming to catch theirs. The fairs also provide a fantastic opportunity to get yourself on a firm’s radar and can also help you decide which firm is right for you. Here are some tips to help you stand out and make the most of law fairs…

October 23, 2019

Trethowans has been widely recognised in one of the UK’s top legal directories.

October 23, 2019

Oral agreements for work are a common occurrence. It is natural, quick, and the basis of many sound business relationships. However, if an issue arises, will you get paid what you anticipated on the basis of an oral agreement?

October 21, 2019

When you have suffered an injury you have a certain period of time within which to bring a claim. Lawyers call this the limitation period.

October 21, 2019

A few years ago there was a surge in the popularity of Bitcoin. Despite prices plummeting over the last couple of years, more and more people are still investing in cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is an online currency and there is often confusion about the legal status of such currency.

October 18, 2019

The government has reversed its plans to change probate fees following a widespread backlash to the proposals.

October 8, 2019

Earlier this year the Government revived its 2017 plan for an increase in probate application fees for estates in England and Wales. The new version imposes slightly less punitive charges than its previous incarnation which failed to pass through Parliament before the June 2017 general election.

October 4, 2019

Subject to the circumstances described below, only the personal representatives appointed in a Will are legally entitled to see the will before the grant (also known as Probate) is issued.

October 1, 2019

Two family law experts from Trethowans have received a top industry accreditation.

September 30, 2019

Well, more often than not, longer than you think. My advice to clients is that Probate can take anywhere between 6 and 12 months.

September 25, 2019

It is very easy for Wills to be invalidated because of how they are executed (signed). The laws governing Will writing and what makes a Will valid under English and Welsh law are fairly old but still very much used today and there is a lot of case law which has developed this over the years.

September 24, 2019

A team of Bournemouth business leaders are swapping their suits for cycling shorts as they climb one of France’s toughest mountains…by bike.

September 19, 2019

Trethowans is pleased to announce that their second year trainees have successfully qualified as solicitors after completing their training contract with the firm.

September 18, 2019

Trethowans has taken on four new trainees, in a mark of its ambition for sustained, long-term growth.

September 6, 2019

It has been a whirlwind 6 months for Trethowans’ Family and Personal Injury teams, since their respective wins at the Dorset Legal Awards 2019.

September 5, 2019

We are holding three estate planning seminars this autumn in Bournemouth, Southampton and Winchester and we would be delighted if you could join us at one of these special venues.

August 23, 2019

As public demonstrations Pride events are an important way of campaigning for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Unlike most other minorities, being gay is a profoundly individual, and often isolating, experience. Most LGBTQ+ children are born into heterosexual families, often without a support network or anyone to turn to as they realise they are not like most others. This is why a public…

August 23, 2019

UK law has evolved substantially in the last 17 years to recognise a variety of different family structures. Despite these legal changes there are still a number of misconceptions about the law surrounding same-sex families. To celebrate Pride we have decided to dispel some of the more common misconceptions.

August 20, 2019

Trethowans’ banking team in Bournemouth has overseen two high level deals in as many days.

August 19, 2019

This summer, Andrew Mercer is swimming the Channel as part of a relay team for Aspire, a national charity that provides practical help to people with Spinal Cord Injury, supporting them from injury to independence.

August 16, 2019

A change in the air could be coming for private landlords as the government discusses the future of Assured Shorthold Tenancies.

August 13, 2019

If you have received a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) then the police have evidence that you (or the person driving the vehicle at the time) were travelling in excess of the speed limit.

August 12, 2019

The 12 week joint consultation launched by the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Care on 26 March 2019 entitled “Coronial Investigations of Stillbirths” ended on 18 June 2019.

August 9, 2019

The stats are out, and according to the Office for National Statistics, the number of cohabiting couples has increased by 25.8% in the last decade. Even the current Prime Minister is jumping on the bandwagon with this particular trend, but it’s important to be aware of how you can protect you and your relationship in this scenario.

August 7, 2019

Parental alienation is often in the headlines and quoted by many separated parents who are being denied time with their children. But what is ‘parental alienation’ and how do the courts deal with it?

August 2, 2019

Trethowans Solicitors has made a further two appointments at its Bournemouth office as it continues to grow at a rate of knots.

August 2, 2019

A recent Supreme Court case has provided helpful clarification on defamation from social media posts.

July 30, 2019

Not necessarily. There are several exemptions to the requirement under data protection law for employers to provide employees with a copy of their personal data. However, these must be considered carefully and on a case by case basis.

July 29, 2019

Automatic push payment fraud is a growing problem where fraudsters deceive an individual or business to instruct their payment services provider, such as their bank, to send money to an account controlled by the fraudster. An increasingly common example is when a fraudster intercepts or replicates a genuine business email and instead inserts their own bank details.

July 26, 2019

The country’s divorce from Europe has shone a light on the complexities which can arise on the breakdown of a relationship. My advice, as a family lawyer, is to say plan for the worst and hope for the best!

July 26, 2019

The Court of Appeal have recently ruled in Woodward & Anor v Phoenix Healthcare Distribution Ltd that the Defendant’s solicitors were under no duty to flag a mistake to the Claimant’s solicitors.  Although this case appears at first blush to concern a fairly narrow point, it could well have wider implications.

July 24, 2019

The law of proprietary estoppel remains a difficult are area of law, which continues to develop many years after it first evolved after the Second World War.

July 23, 2019

If your business is thinking of making use of its outdoor space, here are some top tips to consider before placing any furniture outside:

July 20, 2019

In the footballing world the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has caused hot debate, even more so in the UK given its imminent introduction to the Premier League.

July 19, 2019

Court fees can be a significant hurdle to commencing litigation, with fees up to £10,000 being required to even issue a claim. There is currently no appetite for abolishing these fees and they are only set to rise in the future.

July 18, 2019

When a loved one passes away it can be an upsetting and stressful time. Many people are not sure what steps they need to take or what procedures or legal rules they need to follow particularly if they are named as executor in the will or if a will cannot be found and an intestacy situation arises.

July 17, 2019

Earlier this year applications for visas made from within the UK moved on-line. After you’ve submitted your application you’ll be directed to make an appointment with Sopra Steria to enrol your biometric information.

July 16, 2019

A recent Court of Appeal decision (Zurich Insurance v Romaine 2019) indicates a crackdown on personal injury fraud says Kelvin Farmaner, Partner with Trethowans Solicitors in Southampton.

July 16, 2019

When a person dies, someone will need to deal with their affairs and administer their estate. That role is entrusted to a personal representative (more commonly referred to as an executor if the deceased left a valid Will).

July 15, 2019

The Lord Chancellor has today announced the new discount rate will be minus 0.25%, effective from 5 August 2019.

July 15, 2019

The Report from the Pension Advisory Group

July 13, 2019

Trethowans has unveiled a string of promotions as it continues to develop its award-winning legal team.

July 12, 2019

The Joe Glover Trust has been selected as Trethowans’ charity of the year for its Southampton and Winchester offices.

July 10, 2019

A woman who was sexually abused for many years by her step-father won a landmark case in 2018 which overturned a rule, whereby victims who lived in the same home as their attacker could not claim compensation.

July 9, 2019

The Southern Spinal Injuries Trust has been selected as Trethowans charity of the year for the Salisbury office.

June 26, 2019

Trethowans is showing its support for servicemen and women across the region by sponsoring Salisbury’s forthcoming Armed Forces Day event.

June 26, 2019

Hope for Food has been selected as Trethowans’ charity of the year in Bournemouth and Poole.

June 21, 2019

“But I’m just selling; the buyer takes the risks with everything, right?” Wrong. If you are selling a house or flat, there are so many things a buyer can challenger you over, even after you have sold, and so you need to make sure you have the best conveyancer on your side, to guide you and shield you from that happening.

June 21, 2019

If you have assets worth in excess of the Inheritance Tax allowance (currently £325,000) your estate will be liable to tax following your death at a rate of 40% on the value of your assets over the allowance (unless you leave your assets to an exempt person or body, such as your spouse or a charity).

June 20, 2019

The question of whether compensation can be sought in divorce proceedings is a question our family solicitors are often asked by clients.

June 17, 2019

Is it possible to bring a claim for damages for clinical negligence if your surgery has been delayed and if, when it eventually occurs, you suffer a chance complication during that surgery which causes you to suffer serious injury?

June 15, 2019

Gifts in Wills are incredibly important to UK charities, currently amounting to 13% of all charitable donations (approximately £2 billon per year).

June 14, 2019

Tedworth House is a recovery centre in the South of England. It is also the home of Help for Heroes Support Hub.

June 13, 2019

According to the National Education Union (NEU), more than 200 teachers in the UK have died from mesothelioma since 2001.

June 11, 2019

Owning flats brings complications that are not found with other properties, some of which will be addressed in this article.

June 5, 2019

Eight years after the BBC’s Panorama programme exposed the shocking abuse of vulnerable adults at the Winterbourne View private hospital run by Castlebeck (Care) (Teesdale) Limited, Panorama has again highlighted similar catastrophic failings in caring for vulnerable adults, this time at the Whorlton Hall private hospital in County Durham.

June 5, 2019

Our private client solicitors constantly hear misconceptions regarding personal legal matters like Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

June 2, 2019

Pulse draws attention to the 583 GP Practice closures over the period between 2013 and 2018, highlighting the considerable challenges faced by primary care.

May 29, 2019

Trethowans has been named as Law Firm of the Year at the Solent Deals Awards 2019.

May 21, 2019

Following the recent announcement for divorce law reform in England and Wales, development with the law on civil partnerships also comes under the relationship spotlight.

May 21, 2019

Mediation continues to be a strong option to resolve corporate disputes, with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution reporting an 89% success rate in its recent 2018/2019 survey.

May 20, 2019

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides individuals with certain rights when a business processes their personal data. Personal data includes information relating to natural persons who can be identified or who are identifiable, directly from the information in question or who can be indirectly identified from that information in combination with other information.

May 17, 2019

Free, hands-on support is being offered to Salisbury families going through divorce or separation on June 13 at the Mercure White Hart Hotel.

May 16, 2019

Members of Bournemouth’s business community swapped their suits for sports kit on Wednesday (May 15) as they took part in AFC Business’s Play on the Pitch Tournament.

May 15, 2019

This week the government have announced plans to increase the categories of people who can claim statutory bereavement damages in fatal injury claims.

May 13, 2019

We invest our time and money perfecting terms and conditions to suit our business needs, but many then unknowingly accept their counterpart’s terms through a “battle of forms”. So how can you win the battle?

May 8, 2019

Trethowans has become an official partner of AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust (CST).

May 1, 2019

Leading regional law firm, Trethowans, has appointed a new Partner in their Salisbury office, in the form of Guy Morgan.

April 29, 2019

The Northern Ireland Department of Justice has announced that it will increase the amount of statutory bereavement damages from £14,200 to £15,100 on 1 May 2019.

April 28, 2019

At the time of writing it is still not clear whether the UK will leave the EU on 29 March, 12 April, 22 May, or indeed at all. Bearing in mind that Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union was triggered 2 years ago, it is perhaps surprising that with a week to go such uncertainty remains.

April 24, 2019

Emilie Holland, family solicitor, reviews the approach, court orders available and top tips for parties when dealing with a divorce involving company assets.

April 23, 2019

The high street isn’t dying – it’s changing. That’s the message from commercial property lawyers at Trethowans Solicitors in Bournemouth, who say shopping districts across the country are starting to adapt to new consumer habits.

April 18, 2019

Trethowans has been named one of the best law firms in the South Coast, after being shortlisted in three categories at the Solent Deals Awards.

April 18, 2019

It is estimated that 1/3rd of adults aged over 50 are grandparents and there are 14 million grandparents in the UK.

April 15, 2019

Currently, the cost of obtaining probate is relatively nominal – it costs the deceased’s estate £155 for a professional application or £215 for a personal application – but now probate fees are planned to rocket to eye watering levels.

April 14, 2019

Andrew Carswell is a partner specialising in Commercial Litigation and in particular Contentious Probate and Trust disputes. He provides an overview of some of the situations he encounters where families disagree over the Wills.

April 13, 2019

The first complete video hearing has taken place in the County Court. Could they become a regular occurrence in the future?

April 12, 2019

An unusual example of the court’s approach to family wealth held in trust.

April 11, 2019

Trethowans has offered permanent jobs to all of its current second year trainees qualifying in September 2019 as it works to create the next generation of legal experts.

April 11, 2019

Specialist Personal Injury solicitor at Trethowans, James Braund, explores the implications of the increasing shift towards autonomous vehicles in the UK.

April 10, 2019

Divorce laws in England and Wales will at long last be reformed to simplify the process and hopefully reduce hostility between separating spouses.

April 3, 2019

Implemented five years ago, the scheme currently only provides compensation for individuals with mesothelioma; this letter argues that the same help should also be extended to those living with other asbestos related diseases, such as asbestosis or pleural thickening.

April 2, 2019

Salisbury-based paralegal and Family Law specialist at Trethowans, Dawn Gore, has been honoured with a national legal award.

March 29, 2019

John Hall, specialist asbestos solicitor at Trethowans, looks at the latest figures from the Health & Safety Executive – what can we learn?

March 28, 2019

For a self-insuring company or, an insurer whose driver has been involved in a road traffic accident, there are a number of things which need to be established quickly.

March 26, 2019

Experienced private client solicitor, Chris Pemberton, has been appointed as a Partner by leading regional law firm in Salisbury, Trethowans.

March 25, 2019

Free, hands-on support is being offered to Dorset families going through divorce or separation.

March 25, 2019

Laura Rowe, specialist Clinical Negligence solicitor, reviews the first case in which an NHS Trust was fined for not apologising to a family in good time.

March 20, 2019

Trethowans turned back the clock to the golden age of cinema last night as it joined Bournemouth Pavilion for its 90th anniversary celebrations.

March 20, 2019

Bournemouth-based Insurance company LV= have recently been backed by the Supreme Court over when an unknown Defendant can be sued.

March 19, 2019

As well as offering attractive premises to work from, employers need to help their local town or city to be an attractive place to live and work in.

March 18, 2019

Trethowans is going back in time tommorow in support of Bournemouth Pavilion.

March 15, 2019

James Braund, Personal Injury Solicitor, considers recent developments in personal injury claims against untraced drivers in Road Traffic Accidents.

March 13, 2019

James Braund, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Senior Associate Solicitor, considers the ongoing review of the personal injury discount rate.

March 11, 2019

Most of us will have had the misfortune of visiting a Hospital A&E department at some point in our lives, but waiting how long is too long for treatment?

March 7, 2019

It is a legal requirement that a child’s birth is registered within 42 days of his birth. You may well have already decided on your child’s first name before his birth, but what about surname and what if you subsequently want to change it?

March 6, 2019

The High Court certainly thinks so and said as much in a robust judgement last week.

March 4, 2019

Law firm Trethowans has added to its growing trophy cabinet after winning two awards at the Dorset Legal Awards last week.

February 28, 2019

Employers should be aware when they receive an Enhanced DBS check they may be given extremely sensitive information which shouldn’t have been released and which they shouldn’t use.

February 27, 2019

A Claimant was finally successful in running an ‘overalls case’ argument in the High Court, in the recently decided case, Carey -v- Vauxhall Motors Limited.

February 27, 2019

Employers are asking me if they’ll have to start making right to work checks for EU citizens after 29 March.

February 25, 2019

An increasing trend is for people to volunteer up photocopies, or a print-out of bank statements, or even email them to conveyancers. Sometimes with the commentary that ‘we bank/our utilities are all online, so we can only print off statements/bills’.

February 25, 2019

Dawn Gore, a family law Paralegal here at Trethowans with over 30 years experience answers your questions on the terminology used whilst separating or post separation.

February 6, 2019

How could Brexit affect how UK citizens handle accidents and injuries abroad? Experienced insurance solicitor, Kelvin Farmaner, explores the possibilities.

January 28, 2019

Trethowans has announced a trio of new female partners as it continues to tip the national trend when it comes to women in senior roles.

January 25, 2019

This has been a good week for EU citizens living in the UK and concerned about the quality of their welcome.

January 24, 2019

There is no doubt that mediation can resolve conflict and foster a positive co-parenting relationship post separation in a way that adversarial court litigation will never achieve.

January 21, 2019

This week is National Family Mediation Week, raising awareness of mediation as a way to resolve family disputes without the need for court action.

January 18, 2019

You may think as you own your home you have the right to make alterations to the outside, to park a caravan or commercial vehicle, to work from home or even to keep chickens, but you could become liable for legal action if your deeds state otherwise.

January 16, 2019

As Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announce they are to have their 4th child, via a surrogate mother, social media has gone into a frenzy with well wishers congratulating the couple.

January 15, 2019

A recent report by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (“BEISC”) has recommended that the Government introduce, amongst other things, a statutory requirement that companies pay their supplier’s invoices within 30 days.

January 14, 2019

If you made a Will or an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) with David Davies solicitors in Salisbury, there is a chance that we are now holding this for you.

January 11, 2019

Trethowans has been listed in the 2019 edition of Headway’s Head Injury Solicitors Directory.

January 10, 2019

From 3 January 2019, single parents who have had a child born through surrogacy are able to apply for a parental order in the UK, finally providing them with legal parent status.

January 4, 2019

Facing a breakdown in your relationship is a daunting prospect and is likely to impact all areas of life including your home, finances, children and the wider family.

January 3, 2019

With the excitement (and stresses) of Christmas over, we start to look forward to the lighter evenings and warmer days of summer. This is the time when we also start thinking about booking a holiday.

January 2, 2019

On what basis will the UK leave the EU? How will the UK’s departure affect the remainder of the EU?

December 5, 2018

Law firm Trethowans has been named as one of the best in Dorset, after being shortlisted in the Dorset Legal Awards.

December 4, 2018

Trethowans has raised £5,000 for the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) through its annual fundraising dinner.

December 4, 2018

Leading law firm Trethowans got in to the Christmas spirit early, with a drinks party marking the opening of the glittering Christmas Market which runs until Christmas Eve.

November 30, 2018

Our mini-series this week has focused on the arrangements you make in respect to your children on separation and what external support or advice you may need.

November 29, 2018

Law firm Trethowans is revolutionising the way it stores and uses client and case information as part of a major IT upgrade that is taking place over the next few years.

November 29, 2018

We mentioned previously about the desire to avoid using handover to communicate about any issues.

November 28, 2018

If you have decided with certainty that you are going to separate you need to plan how to tell the children and support them generally.

November 27, 2018

There are a number of different processes you could consider to resolve areas in dispute.

November 26, 2018

As the issue of gender imbalance in the workplace continues to create headlines, one law firm is bucking the trend.

November 26, 2018

Resolution’s members are family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes.

November 23, 2018

As the festive season approaches, we start to turn our minds to the arrangements for Christmas Day.