In a criminal trial, the defence barrister or solicitor, is entitled and indeed under a duty to vigorously and if necessary aggressively defend his client’s position. This can involve an alleged victim, (note the word alleged), being subjected to a most uncomfortable or even traumatic experience. That is unfortunate, but the plan to give judges power to limit such cost examination, is completely unacceptable. There are all sorts of other solutions. Giving evidence behind a screen. Video evidence taking place in a room other courtroom, to lessen the stress. Evidence can sometimes be pre-recorded. It is being said by Judges…
Question: Hi, where to start… Yesterday I received a scary letter from the council asking me to attend a formal interview in accordance with the Police and criminal Evidence Act. It says I’m being investigated for Council Tax Benefit Fraud. To be honest, I have no idea if I’m guilty or not as I’m not even sure what it relates to. It says something about criminal proceedings being taken. 3 years ago, I was signed-off sick from work suffering from Depression and Anxiety. I’m still suffering from this, but when I left work, I got a good redundancy payout as…
We are told that Nigel Farage has broke electors Law and faces prison. His reported defence is that he relied upon professional advice at the time, this is no defence at all. It may well be good mitigation, but it will not stop him being found guilty if prosecuted. Also attempts to fight criminal charges in the press can backfire. He may want to take specialist advice.
Question: My children’s father who I broke up from about 3 years ago has his mail sent to my council house. He does not live here and has not lived with me ever in this property as I have been here for about 2 years. I didn’t think this was an issue and now I’m not so sure since I received a letter from the DWP telling me I was being investigated for benefit fraud. My credit rating is terrible so in return for him having his mail come here as he lives with his mum and her partner who…
Today’s Times is must read Section 2 page 61, but why wait for the election Legistate now, Give the Supreme Court the power to overide EC Human Rights law madness, as we were told was always intended.
Parties to a marriage or civil partnership can obtain an Order for a one-off payment, or instalments from the other spouse or civil partner to cover their legal costs. Now that Legal Aid has been pretty well withdrawn, this becomes a useful tool, apart from interim maintenance pending the final hearing. Rubin v Rubin [2014] EWHC 611 (Fam) is helpful. If you need help to get legal costs from the other party to a marriage or civil partnership look no further. Consult Hylton-Potts, the experts who offer fixed fees, and give excellent value. We operate a…
We are not doctors, but know that the impact of our legal work can be as important and life changing as that of a surgeon. We are informal and approachable, but deadly serious about helping you, just like a top surgeon.
Question: Hopefully you can help, I’m getting in touch about one of my clients. I work as a carer and I’m really worried for them. I’ll try and give you as much background into this as I have been able to find out from them, so hopefully you’ll know what I need to do if anything. She received a letter from the Job Centre plus which said she would need to attend an interview about her Income support and Housing Tax Benefits. From memory, the letter also stated that they believed there were good grounds for suspecting she’d committed an…
Question: I technically knew that my savings of £23’000 would impact my ability to claim benefits, but since these are my life savings. I knew they’d soon be exhausted and I’d be left with nothing for my retirement which is only a few years away now. I was interviewed already and told that because I had savings over the £16’000 threshold, this would mean I would have to go to court. I’m now awaiting a trial date and I’m worried I could lose all of my savings now and be left with nothing. I really don’t know what to do…
Question: I have spoken to the council who have been of little help as the landlord is a private landlord. I have made numerous requests to repair a leaky roof which is allowing water into my kitchen which is causing puddles to appear when it rains heavy. He has told me that it isn’t so bad and that I’ll have to wait until he can come and look at it, but this has been for over three months now. I can’t go on like this so I stopped paying the rent to force his hand, instead he threatened to kick…
