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In support of our continuous fight against the COVID-19 virus to help protect our staff we would kindly ask that our clients do not visit us unless it is absolutely necessary, should you need to visit you must make an appointment before doing so. Thank you for your co-operation at this unprecedented time. Stay Safe.

In line with the medical advice issued to date. We would like to make all of our clients and colleagues aware that in the coming days/weeks it may be necessary for some of our staff to remain at home. The nature of our work makes it extremely difficult for our staff to work from home and we would ask that this be taken into consideration as we may be operating with reduced staff numbers. Consequently we may not be able to return telephone calls and/or emails as we would otherwise do and we request your patience and understanding whilst the potential effects of this unprecedented period unfolds. Please be assured a substantial amount of our substantive work is being done and we would be grateful that you only contact us if absolutely necessary and preferably by email. If you have access to…

Why should I make a Will? Everyone aged 18 or over who owns property or has savings or has a child or children under 18  should have an up to date Will.  If you do not have a Will the person or people you wish to inherit your assets on your death may not receive them as the government will decide who inherits your assets and these people may not be the ones you wish to inherit anything from you. This can cause untold stress and anxiety for your loved ones as well as a potentially costly and lengthy legal dispute following your death. What is usually included in a Will? Firstly you can appoint an executor who is a person of your choice who you would like to sort out your estate on your death.  The executor is responsible for collecting…

As of the 13th February 2020 Aldermore have amended their panel qualification criteria. This change is great news for both us and our clients as it means that Sweeney Miller Law can now act for clients wishing to use Aldermore as their lender. Need a quote for buying or selling your home? Call us today: Newcastle: 0345 900 5401 Sunderland: 0191 568 2050

Government plans to curb whiplash claims by April 2020 remains of serious concern to all personal injury lawyers who feel the public will be at a disadvantage when the new legislation is introduced. Sweeney Miller Law is among many law firms monitoring the implications of legislation aimed to reform the personal injury claims system which will reduce compensation for claimants, even those who may be unable to work for months. The Civil Liability Bill has passed through the House of Commons and will introduce a fixed tariff for whiplash damages, complemented by a rise in the small claims limit from £1,000 to £5,000 for road traffic accident-related personal injury claims and from £1,000 to £2,000 for other personal injury claims, such as public and employer’s liability. The small claims limit change means legal costs cannot be recovered when the damages are…

We are often instructed by parents who have separated and struggle to come to an agreement with their ex-partner regarding contact arrangements with their children. The breakdown of a relationship between parents can often result in conflict and disagreements with each other. During the depths of despair with one another, this can result in the parents having difficulty putting their child’s needs first. In more extreme circumstances, when a parent is actively trying to turn their child against the other parent, this can become harmful for the child. This issue has become more prominent in the news lately and is commonly referred to as parental alienation. Parental alienation is a complex area and any sign of this should be acted upon quickly to avoid any further alienating behaviour that could be harmful to children. Parental alienation is recognised by CAFCASS…

About this event There are experts on hand during the event to give you advice on the latest market updates. Speakers at this event are: Ian Donald – TAP update – Northumbrian Water Tony Fairs – Buying a property at auction – Fairs Estates Ben Beadle – Introducing the NRLA – National Residential Landlords Association. Come along and get the information, help and assistance you need for your property business. Doors open 5.30 pm. Tickets are free but spaces must be reserved here: Register Here

Solicitors often advise their clients not to apply for their decree absolute until all the finances of the divorce have also been settled and an order has been approved by the court.  But why? 1. In the event of remarriage If one party obtains a decree absolute and then remarries, he/she may lose some or all of their rights in any subsequent attempt to claim from their former spouse.  So, whatever else might happen, it is almost always advisable not to remarry until a divorce financial settlement order has been signed, sealed by the court and the time to appeal the order has passed. 2. Some assets cannot be transferred There are some circumstances where particular assets, for example, pensions and trust funds cannot be transferred except to a spouse. In those circumstances, it would be wise to delay applying for a decree…

The family home is usually the biggest and most important asset that a divorcing couple will own. This article will consider the ways in which the property can be dealt with on divorce. Selling the family home Wherever possible, the court will look to achieve a financial clean break for the parties when deciding how the matrimonial assets should be divided on divorce. This means the parties’ assets are split between so that they can both move on with their lives without any ongoing financial ties to the other party. If there is sufficient equity in the property to sufficiently rehouse both parties’ needs then the courts are likely to order the marital home to be sold and the sale proceeds to be divided in a split that meets the parties’ needs. If there is not enough money available to enable one of…

Have you been separated for some time but have been putting off getting divorced because you cannot face the hassle you know will come from your ex when trying to finalise your divorce and financial settlement? It is time to seize the day and get things moving. New Year, fresh start – time to get the divorce finalised! I recently acted for a client in relation to their divorce financial settlement who came to me after having instructed numerous other solicitors who had unsuccessfully tried to help her reach a financial settlement with her husband, who was unrepresented and dealing with the matter himself as a litigant in person, without any legal advice. My client was understandably at her wits end after spending thousands of pounds in legal fees and seemingly getting nowhere. When she first came to me for advice my…

It is easy to assume that nothing will go wrong in the future and hopefully nothing will. You might assume that as you have a good working relationship and trust your fellow shareholders, you don’t need a formal document that sets out your working arrangement. If a situation arises in future where there is a disagreement, although the articles will help to some extent, a well thought through shareholders’ agreement will give individual shareholders more protection. For example, if one shareholder acts dishonestly then there is normally not a lot that you can do to make them transfer their shares unless there are specific provisions contained within the documentation. If you are going into a new venture with someone, shareholders’ agreement gives you more confidence about your future relationships with them and helps you to avoid costly litigation in future. Are articles…