A gang of six criminals who made nearly £2 million from fraudulent car crash claims have been convicted at Southwark County Court. The gang comprised Mohammed Samsul Haque, Rosul Yusuf, Shalim Miah, Nazruislam Rahman, Noveed Akthtar and Halimur Rashid.
The Court heard that the gang faked over 120 ‘cash for crash’ scams to make £1.17 million for themselves and causing insurance companies to pay out a total of £1.91 million, over a period of three years.
Read more about the ‘cash for crash’ scams
The National Minimum Wage for adults is to rise by 2.5% to £6.08 an hour from 1 October 2011. The increase was recommended by the Low Pay Commission (LPC) and accepted by the Government. The rate for apprentices will rise by 10 pence, by 4 pence for 16-17 year olds and 6 pence for 18-20 year olds. The LPC said that it was taking into account the continued economic uncertainty while protecting the lowest paid workers from falling further behind the average.
Read more about National Minimum Wage changes.
In April 2011 changes to the Family Court Procedures in England & Wales introduced compulsory mediation meetings in divorce proceedings. This was one of the biggest changes to this practice area for many years as it provides a single set of rules for family proceedings, which mirror the type of structure that already exists in civil proceedings.
This meant that after 6th April 2011 all couples wishing to go to Court to resolve children or property issues following a separation or divorce would be referred to mediation prior to being allowed to go to Court.
Read more about these Family Law changes
It seems that the recession has seen an increase in the amount of disputes relating to land or more specifically boundaries.
Due to the current economic climate, you may have decided to extend your property as an alternative to moving house or your neighbour may be extending their property for the same reasons or you could be having works done to your property such as a new driveway.
Unfortunately, the increase in this type of work being carried out has led to more and more people experiencing difficulties with their neighbours.
What you may not realise is that disputes over property and more specifically boundaries are inherently problematic to pursue, can become very costly and protracted and ultimately the courts do not view such disputes in a positive way which could leave you at risk of ending up in a worse situation.
Read some helpful tips if you are concerned over a boundary or property related issue.
Why is it important?
The term “advance directive” or “living will” has received some media attention in the last 12 months with the production of BBC documentaries following the author Sir Terry Pratchett since his diagnosis with Alzheimers Disease.
We live in an ageing nation. People are living longer for a number of reasons. There is also an increase in age related mental health illnesses. This is proving a problem for the family members who are attempting to carry out their relative’s wishes. There is no right to deal with a person’s medical and welfare decisions unless that person has made a Lasting Power of Attorney. Some people would prefer to make their own decisions. The problem is when a person is no longer capable of making their own decisions. An Advance Directive or Living Will enables you to prepare for this eventuality NOW, taking the painful decision making process away from your nearest and dearest.
Read more about Living Wills.
The Legal Services Commission Board has recently started a formal investigation into how best to protect consumers of will-writing services along with the associated probate and estate administration services. The Consumer Panel published its advice in July 2011, which to their concern highlighted the close association of consumer detriment with will-writing.
Read more about the investigation here
Ban on Referral Fees in Personal Injury Cases
The “Compensation Culture”
The government has recently banned referral fees in accident cases as a measure to curb the, “compensation culture” in the UK.
“A ban on referral fees is a positive move by the Ministry of Justice as it creates a level playing field in solicitors acting on behalf of innocent victims and will help to rid the plague of “ambulance chasing” claims management companies; and only genuine claims will now be brought for which Levi Solicitors LLP will be happy to help”. Darren Brown (Partner Levi Solicitors LLP).
Read more about the Referral Fee ban
On 8 September 2011 the Law Society published a useful practice note on the responsibilities of COLPs and COFAs under the new Code coming into force 6 October 2011. Link: ttp://www.lawsociety.org.uk/productsandservices/practicenotes/complianceofficers/4977.article
This case will be of great assistance in the defence of professionals before disciplinary tribunals. Held: In deciding whether the admission of evidence before a disciplinary panel is fair, Article 6 ECHR and common law obliges a disciplinary panel considering serious charges amounting to criminal offences to take into account the absence of statutory safeguards. 21.6.2011