Domestic abuse, was once seen as a gender-specific offence committed by males towards females. From as early as the mid 1800’s, the law deemed it a husband’s acceptable right to exert control over his wife, through the use of physical abuse.

According to research from broker L&C Mortgages, almost a third of first-time buyers (31%) are unsure whether the recent stamp duty changes will benefit them, leaving them underestimating what they can afford. So, what do the changes mean, and how do they affect first-time buyers?

Like many other people at home and at work across the country this morning, the staff at Ramsdens Solicitors will be getting together for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. The idea of the coffee morning is to encourage people to talk to one another and to help raise awareness and funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

By 1st January 2019, large companies incorporated in England and Wales will be obliged to comply with new governance rules aimed to improve transparency and accountability across the UK. The initiatives will apply equally to public companies and private limited companies provided they meet certain thresholds.

Over the last 18 years, the government has debated and discussed the increasing social problem of domestic abuse within the UK and reinforced the provisions available to law enforcement agencies. A the beginning of the 1990’s the Home Office took an approach to address and develop policy on domestic violence at a National and Multi-agency level. By 2003, numerous policy documents surrounding domestic abuse and the increase in reports had been published and presented to the government. They reacted to these findings by proposing a strategy tackling prevention, protection and justice for victims of domestic abuse; supporting victims to rebuild their lives.

September marks the start of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month https://www.worldalzmonth.org/ with World Alzheimer's Day taking place on 21 September 2018.

The Justice Secretary, David Gauke has announced plans to introduce no fault divorce. It has been reported that he is preparing a consultation on reforming the current divorce law which is over 40 years old!

The rules defining a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) are changing. ACT NOW! At present the following criteria must be met for the property to be classed as an HMO: Comprise 3 or more storeys; Are occupied by 5 or more people living in two or more single households; and The occupiers share basic amenities such as bathing and/or cooking facilities. That will change on 1 October 2018. If you have a license already, you still need to pay attention to these rules as they may affect you.