Immigration Health Surcharge has Doubled
From today, the UK’s immigration health surcharge has been doubled from £200 to £400 per visa applicant per year. The increase also applies to those eligible for the discounted rate, which has risen from £150 to £300. This affects students and those on youth mobility schemes. The new rates apply to all relevant applications made […]
Claiming Under the Sale of Goods Act (What You Should Do!)
Claiming under the Sale of Goods Act is the route a consumer should take if they have purchased an item that isn’t of the quality they expected. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 states that all goods purchased or sold in the UK must be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for the purpose […]
Claims: How the MOJ Portal Works
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) claims portal is an online hub where all parties to the claim enter required information, basic validation checks can be carried out, notifications can be sent to all parties to keep the claim process moving and time limits and deadlines can be set and clearly communicated to all parties. Initially […]
Using the Small Claims Court
If you are owed money by a person or a business, you may seek to obtain that money through the small claims court. Strict limits apply to the amount you can recover in the small claims court. In England and Wales, the total you can claim is £10,000. In Scotland, the total is lower, at […]
What is the Difference Between a Lawyer and Solicitor?
What is the difference between a lawyer and solicitor? ‘Lawyer’ is generally understood to be an umbrella term for a qualified legal practitioner, and can include both a solicitor and a barrister. A solicitor is qualified to provide legal advice and representation directly to members of the public. Below we look at the different roles […]
How Does Domestic Violence Affect Child Custody?
When there have been instances of domestic violence, this further complicates the issue of child custody between separating parents. It becomes even more challenging to decide on the issue of child custody as the focus needs to be not only on the safety of the child, but also on the safety of the parent who […]
Making a Joint Custody Agreement
Joint custody, or joint residency as it is referred to in the UK Children’s Act 1989, is a legal decision regarding where the child or children of separated couples will live. Joint custody does not necessarily indicate a 50/50 split for the parents, it is simply that both parents have the child living with them […]
Consumer Rights Act 2015: How to Claim a Refund
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, should you purchase an item or service that is faulty, you may be eligible for a refund. To be considered faulty, your purchase has to meet at least one of the following conditions: It isn’t of a satisfactory quality. It isn’t fit for purpose. It isn’t as described. There […]