Blogs
What is a Fact-Finding hearing?
If you’re involved in family court proceedings, particularly where there are serious allegations such as domestic abuse, you may encounter a fact-finding hearing if the accused party denies the allegations. These hearings enable the family court to determine whether disputed allegations are tr....
How Terms of Business can help avoid contract disputes – a case study
Commercial contract disputes can be difficult for all involved. As well as potentially leading to financial loss, they often cause delays, reputational damage and stress, particularly where relationships have broken down. When agreements are informal or unclear, disputes can become even more comple....
Earning less, paying more: the high price of illness and injury
Recovering from a serious injury or living with a chronic health condition can be expensive. Travelling to appointments, paying for in-home support, attending therapy sessions, following a specialist diet: these are just some of the additional costs that can come with being ill. On top of these ....
The Renters’ Rights Bill: Progress Report
Regarded as the most significant reform to the private rented sector since the Housing Act 1988, the Renters’ Rights Bill is due to come into effect later this year. This article provides a brief update on the Bill’s progress and some of the key upcoming changes. Timeline to implementati....
Is domestic abuse still seen through a gendered lens?
In the last few days, a brief yet striking clip of French President Emmanuel Macron appearing to be shoved in the face by his wife (Brigitte Macron) as they exited an aircraft has circulated widely online. Although The President initially dismissed the clip as a “joke” and “teasing”, the....
Inquest conclusions explained
When a person dies unexpectedly, it can be beneficial for families and authorities to have answers about what happened. An inquest conclusion can help provide these answers – whether it’s confirming an accident, a suicide or an unlawful killing. An inquest is a judicial process that takes pl....
How Inquests can support medical negligence claims
Premature discharge from hospital. Missed sepsis diagnosis. Delayed surgical intervention. The wrong medical decisions can come with fatal consequences. The loss of a loved one is extremely emotional and stressful – even more so when there’s a possibility that their death could have been ....
Variation applications for spousal maintenance
Spousal maintenance – where one spouse pays the other a regular sum of money from their income following separation or divorce – is designed to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage. However, life changes constantly, ....
What to expect at an inquest: explaining the inquest procedure
Being involved in an inquest can feel unfamiliar or overwhelming, but understanding the inquest procedure can help you to prepare and to get answers to any questions you have. Before the inquest: the pre-hearing stage The process often begins with a post-mortem examination to establish a ....
What is an inquest?
When someone dies unexpectedly in medical care, an inquest can provide vital answers. It’s a public legal process designed to investigate the circumstances surrounding a death. For families, it can be an important step in understanding what happened and whether the death could have been avoided. ....
An introduction to inquests and how we can help
When someone dies suddenly, or in unexplained circumstances, an inquest may be held to establish the facts. At Attwaters, our Clinical Negligence team has particular expertise in guiding families through this difficult process. What should you expect from an inquest? An inquest is a legal....
Building Liability Orders (BLOs): Corporate exposure and strategic considerations
What are BLOs and why should companies care? Building Liability Orders (BLOs) were introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022 to address situations where a company directly responsible for building safety defects is unable to afford the cost of repairs. They aim to protect leaseholders fr....
