It can be difficult to consider that one day you may no longer have the ability to make decisions for yourself. Yet the reality is that these circumstances can and do occur, highlighting how important…
What impact will the reforms to whiplash have on the personal injury sector?
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed last year (2018) that Royal Assent has been granted to legislation that will reform the personal injury sector in a bid to curb the whiplash epidemic. The Civil Liability…
Law firm boosts property department with two hires
Welsh law firm Hutchinson Thomas has appointed two solicitors to its property team. The law firm, which operates from Neath and Swansea, recently welcomed Jemma Collins and Jacqui Jones to the business, who are both…
Why professional help is best when writing a will
The idea of writing a will can be a difficult consideration for many people. Yet perhaps what is more distressing is the thought of leaving loved ones without the financial security you would have wished…
Changes to probate fees: soaring fees and upfront payments could leave many in financial hardship
From April 2019, there will be changes to probate fees in England and Wales, the government has announced. The changes, which will see a new fee structure implemented, are said to leave many out of…
What the changes to stamp duty mean for first time buyers of shared ownership properties
Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced during the 2018 budget that first time buyers in shared ownership homes will no longer have to pay stamp duty land tax on the first £300,000 of homes that cost up…
Hutchinson Thomas expertise recognized in Legal 500
Law firm Hutchinson Thomas, which has offices in Swansea and Neath, has achieved top tier ranking in one of its key practice areas and has been recommended in seven others in the latest Legal 500…
Legal action over non-disclose of Huntington’s disease could shake up patient confidentiality
Major changes to patient confidentiality could be on the horizon as a woman brings a case against a London Hospital after its failure to disclose her father’s hereditary disease before having her own child. The…
The little-known property law that can prevent you getting a mortgage
Existing and would-be homeowners have been warned that a little-known conveyancing law could prevent them securing a mortgage on a property – and affect its marketability when they sell. Adrian Morley, a specialist in residential…
Why new energy laws may slash the value of your property
Many homeowners and landlords are unaware that new laws designed to make homes and commercial premises more energy efficient could have a negative impact on the value of their properties, Rob Howells, a specialist in…