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From January 2018, time limits preventing victims of domestic violence from obtaining legal aid for court proceedings will be scrapped. These restrictions have been heavily criticised, not least by the Law Society, and have left large numbers of women confronting abusive ex-partners without representation. The restrictions will also be relaxed to accept evidence from victim support organisations. Paul Miller, senior partner at Sweeney Miller, said: “The decision by the Government to move in this direction can only benefit the public and in particular those who have suffered domestic violence and seek their day in court. The move is also long overdue, according to Law Society of England and Wales president Joe Egan. He said: “The government’s decision will make it easier for victims to provide evidence and to qualify for legal aid.

The Law Society has warned of a ‘wild west’ outcome if two consultations put out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) are taken up. And Paul Miller, of Sweeney Miller, said: “It is good that the Law Society is raising these issues now because any proposed changes to legal services need to be considered very seriously. “The risk is that changes can do more harm than good and impact not only on the quality of legal services in our country but also negatively impact on clients.” Law Society president Joe Egan said: “Under the guise of improving access to legal advice, the SRA is proposing changes to its handbook that can only put consumers at risk and undermine trust in legal services. “We are gravely concerned the SRA is ploughing ahead with proposals that would see solicitors subject to entirely different regulations depending…

Solicitors are regularly brought in to resolve disputes where injuries have been caused by negligence or lack of safety precautions, either in the workplace or the public environment. But much litigation could be avoided if there was greater emphasis on avoiding accidents in the first place. And the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has been leading efforts by organising a series of events around Injury Prevention Day in August. Lindsey Christie, head of litigation at Sweeney Miller, said: “Prevention is better than cure and the more people are made aware of simple and sensible precautions that can be taken, the better. “That is particularly important on the roads where drivers should avoid things like tailgating for example.” Brett Dixon, APIL president, said: “We want to see fewer people injured needlessly. “We are dealing with a continued onslaught in relation to soft-tissue injury claims but…

The ruling will offer hope to tens of thousands who might want to take their employer to a tribunal for bullying or discrimination but were put off by the fear of having to fork our four-figure fees. Paul Miller said: “This is a common sense decision and is to be welcomed. In our view, those who look to go down the employment tribunal route do not make the decision lightly. “And if they do have a legitimate grievance it’s wrong that they would be put off because they can’t afford the fees that existed up to to this point.” The Sunderland and Newcastle firm of solicitors take a stance which is reflected nationally by the Law Society. Law Society president, Joe Egan, said: “This decision is a triumph for access to justice, and a resounding blow against attempts to treat justice as a…

The chaos at Heathrow and Gatwick earlier this year, where an IT failure left tens of thousands stranded, has raised public awareness passengers can claim money back if flights are delayed more than three hours. Claims can be made up to six years after the date of the delayed flight but Sweeney Miller solicitor Lindsey Christie warns that without the proper  paperwork, there could be some turbulence during legal action. “When it comes to making a claim it is much quicker and easier if you have the paperwork to back it up – your flight tickets, your boarding pass, anything which gives clear proof that you were supposed to be on the flight that doesn’t take off on time,” Lindsey explains. “Too often we hear of people who may have legitimate claims but can’t lay their hands on the tickets or proof that…

The law firm is experienced in compromise agreements – a special contract drawn up for when employees leave companies – and Lindsey Christie of Sweeney Miller will provide legal advice on compromise agreements for the fixed fee available, which is paid by the employer. Lindsey said:“We’re aware that there might be a lot of people in the Sunderland area looking at leaving their current employment who will have to complete a compromise agreement. “If you are being made redundant or leaving your job and looking for a solicitor to advise and sign your compromise agreement with your employer, we are here to help. “We’ll arrange an appointment as soon as possible for the fixed fee payable by your employer on your behalf.” Anyone who wants further information should contact Lindsey on (0191) 568 2050 or email:  lindsey@sweeneymiller.co.uk.

On Sunday, April 30, the 5k Race for Grace Obstacle Challenge is expected to attract hundreds to Herrington Park. And Damien Todd, conveyancing solicitor from Sweeney Miller’s Sunderland office will be taking part alongside colleague Faye Brown. Damien said: ““I am taking part in the Sunderland 10k for Grace House but when I heard about the 5k Race for Grace Obstacle Challenge I thought it sounded great fun. “And once my colleagues heard  I was taking part they wanted to take part too with their friends and family.” The Grace House Appeal started in 2003, and since then over £5m has been raised to care for and support some of the most disadvantaged and socially excluded children and young people. Sweeney Miller solicitors Faye Brown and Damien Todd with four-year old Isla Carpenter, who will all take part…

And the North East solicitors are backing efforts from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) to ensure the issue is rightly highlighted to the public. The fear is that people injured in traffic accidents will be robbed of fair compensation in the mistaken belief that insurance premiums will fall as a result of Government proposals for personal injury in its Prisons and Courts Bill. If you received a traffic ticket as well you can fight the traffic tickets houstonhere. The bill was unveiled by the Justice Secretary by this month and has been trailed by claims that if personal injury claims are changed and restricted, insurance premiums for motorists would fall. But Neil Sugarman, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) a national not-for-profit group which represents injured people, has pointed out (click here for the details) that data…

There are fears that if proposed Government changes overseen by former Chancellor George Osborne go-ahead, whiplash victims will be penalised, compensation for soft-tissue injuries will be limited or scrapped altogether and changes to small claims limits will play into the hands of insurance companies. And this month many legal interests, including the Law Society, lobbied the Government over potential Ministry of Justice reforms which could have a big impact on the personal injury sector. Paul Miller of Sweeney Miller said: “The suggested reforms are supposed to be aiming at improve things but our fear is that they will have the reverse effect as far as the public are concerned. “And we would call on the Government to look very closely at proposals in front of it and put the onus on putting the interests of the public, and claimants in this case, before…

The survey shows that one in five motorists have driven the day after a heavy drinking session, despite knowing they could be over the drink-drive limit. Commissioned by the Automobile Association, the poll questioned almost 20,000 drivers and found 29% of those aged 25 to 34 years – and 20% of all respondents – admitted to possible drink driving the following morning. And Sweeney Miller partner, Paul Miller, said: “There are probably still many people who believe that as long as you’ve had a good sleep after a night out, you’re safe to drive the next day. “This valuable survey shows that’s often not the case and we’re hoping that more people than ever before in our region will hear this Christmas safety message, of keeping an eye on this often overlooked aspect of potential drink driving. “In an ideal world, everyone would…

North East solicitors Sweeney Miller are backing calls to ensure access to justice for all in the wake of cuts to legal aid. Proposals for a set of minimum standards to ensure access to justice for all have prompted the Law Society to warn that the justice system is at breaking point and that civil legal aid cuts will ultimately cost tax payers more than they will save. Responding to an interim report from the Bach Commission on Access to Justice, Law Society chief executive Catherine Dixon said: ‘The right to British justice should apply to everyone who is subject to the laws of this country irrespective of background or income. This is sadly no longer the case. ‘Successive governments have repeatedly cut the legal aid budget and the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders…