• Posted by admin
• 13 December 2012
• Blog, Road Traffic Law

Most of us like the odd tipple – and yes I like to down a few sherberts, just  like the  majority of you,  from time to time.

However, it is hugely important all year, but particularly at Christmas and New Year, when there will be a greater police presence on the road, that you do not drink and drive.

It is much better to nominate a non drinking driver in a group of friends or to leave the car at home (with the car keys) and take a taxi.

The ramifications of being caught and convicted of drink driving are almost too painful to contemplate, but lets think for a moment what those consequences might be:

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• Posted by admin
• 02 December 2012
• Blog, Family law

Proposed New Child Maintenance System

The Child Support Agency (CSA) is being wound up and replaced by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS).

The current proposals are:

• To impose an application fee to the CMS of about £20.
• An ongoing deduction which may be around 7%. This will be paid by the parent with day to day care of the children.

The application fee will be waived if the applying parent has suffered domestic abuse and reported it to the police or a relevant agency. It appears that the ongoing deduction will be paid by all parents receiving child  maintenance.

Rolling out at the end of 2012 and during 2013.

The Department of Work and Pensions intends to roll out the process of opening child maintenance cases under theCMSscheme later this year for applications made by a parent with 4 children who have the same father. Most other families will come under the new scheme in 2013.

Government policy  favours encouraging direct payment by one parent to another. At present theCSAcan provide an assessment, but parents can agree for payments to be made directly without the involvement of the CSA in collection. Under the new scheme it is being proposed that if a parent fails to make a direct payment, they will have to pay a collection  surcharge of perhaps around 20% of the child maintenance payment.

Newnham and Jordan Solicitors based in Wimborne can provide advice on family law related matters. We offer a free initial meeting at a place and time convenient to you. We also offer competitive fixed fees for Divorce and Dissolution of Civil Partnership and Financial Orders. Or call us on 0845 680 7871 (local rate)

This article is intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

• Posted by admin
• 15 October 2012
• Blog, Road Traffic Law

• Do you drive a van in the course of your employment ?
• Do you know its maximum laden weight?
• Do you know the maximum speed limits applicable to your vehicle?

Make sure you know the speed limits that apply to your vehicle at all times.

For goods vehicles not exceeding 7. 5 tonnes maximum laden weight, the maximum speed on a dual carriageway is in fact 60mph – 70 mph on a motorway (reduced to 60 if articulated or towing a trailer).

For a goods vehicle or van exceeding 7. 5 tonnes maximum laden weight, the maximum speed on a dual carriageway is 50mph and 60 on a motorway.

On single carriageways under 7.5 tonnes has a maximum speed limit of 50, and a vehicle exceeding 7.5 tonnes a maximum speed limit of 40mph.

In built up areas the maximum speed limit for all vehicles is 30mph.

Many van drivers assume that the maximum speed on a dual carriageway is 70mph, regardless of the size or weight of the vehicle, but this is not the case.

For advice about this and all other traffic offences, contact David Williams at davidwilliams@newnham-jordan.co.uk. or on 07793055104 or 0845 680 1783

• Posted by admin
• 15 October 2012
• Blog, Family law

Newnham & Jordan, Solicitors launch a high quality fixed price family law scheme.

Too Good to Be True?

Well not at Newnham & Jordan

We offer a fixed fee of just £865 if you divorce your husband or wife - which includes not only our fixed fee, but also VAT and the Court fees to issue the petition and apply for decree absolute. And just £240 if you are the party being divorced. And that includes up to 1.5 hours free face to face meeting at a time and place of your choosing including weekend and evenings. That’s a saving of £90 on the Co-op’s managed divorce fee and they won’t come and meet you.

For the children, or property and financial or other matters, we will supply you in almost every case, with a fixed quote for each aspect of the work that you will need us to carry out.

So you will know from the outset how much it is going to cost you.

So what about those £99 divorces?

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• Posted by admin
• 14 May 2012
• Blog, Road Traffic Law

For careless driving or drink driving  you will need legal advice. If you need help in relation to traffic offences or a traffic prosecution our expert  Road Traffic Solicitor David Williams can help you.

With free initial consultations and flexible appointments to suit you, David  will provide you with an assessment of your case.

For more information see our Road Traffic Offences page or Contact David on:

07793 055104 or 0845 680 1783

• Posted by admin
• 28 February 2012
• Blog, Road Traffic Law

Mr X was a 25 year old. He has never held a Provisional Licence and never passed a driving test.
In 2007 he was convicted of dangerous driving and disqualified for 4 years and until he passed an extended driving test. At the same time he was disqualified for 2 years (concurrent) for an alcohol related offence of failing to provide a breath specimen for analysis.
His disqualification notionally expired in June 2011 but he failed to apply to DVLA for a Provisional Licence or to pass the extended driving test. 3 weeks later he was stopped by the Police at 03.00 driving under the influence of alcohol; unaccompanied, without L plates and no insurance. He was still a disqualified driver.

How can we help him?
We can help to show the Court he is a young man with ‘issues’ in his life, and help him to avoid being sent to prison.
He will be disqualified for a further minimum period of 3 years for the drink/driving offence but may keep his liberty.

If you need help with any driving offences don't delay contact David Williams at Newnham & Jordan Solicitors

Tel: 0845 680 1783

Mob:07793 055104

• Posted by admin
• 26 January 2012
• Blog, Road Traffic Law

I already have 9 points on my licence.  Yesterday I got flashed by another speed camera on my way to work.

I was running a bit late, I was only doing 60 in a 50mph.  Is there any way I can do a Driver’s Training or Awareness Course, or even pay a greater fine, to avoid another 3 points on my licence?

If I get 3 points I will be banned for 6 months.  That will be a disaster- not only for me but for my family as well.

I could lose my job; and I won’t be able to take my daughter to school.  It’s too far for her to walk and there is no bus.   I need my car for my job. If I lost my job I can’t pay the mortgage.  My wife only works 20 hours a week.  We will lose the house.

What  can I do?

Call David Williams Solicitor at Newnham & Jordan immediately

David is an expert in Road Traffic Offences and can advise and represent you.

You may have a case for exceptional hardship and may be able to avoid being disqualified

For a free 15 minutes telephone consultation CALL HIM NOW on 0845 680 1783 or 07793 055104

• Posted by admin
• 13 June 2011
• Blog, Family law

The European Maintenance Regulation comes into force across all 27 member states on 18th June 2011. The intention is for maintenance creditors to be able to obtain a decision in one member State which is automatically enforceable in another without any further formalities such as registration.
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• Posted by admin
• 10 June 2011
• Blog

We all know that too much sun is bad for your skin, and that too much exposure can lead to development of skin cancer, which is a life-threatening disease. There is no substitute for taking precautions to reduce the chance of developing this form of cancer, but scientists are excited by results of tests of a drug called Vemurafenib which works on a faulty gene.

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• Posted by admin
• 07 June 2011
• Blog, Equine Law

Horses for Loan – Do I need legal advice?
There are many horses for loan available all over the UK. For the owner, the horse and the borrower, it can often be a perfect arrangement. However, it can also go badly wrong, often due to unforeseen circumstances, with lengthy disputes taking place. Where a potentially valuable competition horse is involved, handing over the responsibility of its care and training to another person is a major concern. But the borrower faces just as many concerns having to commit to paying livery fees, the on-going costs of upkeep not to mention the huge amount of time spent in training and competing.

Typical Horse Loan Disputes
Typical forms of dispute involving horses on loan usually centre around disagreements over the loan period, the standard of care the horse is receiving and who pays for vet’s fee’s, shoes insurance etc. Sometimes it can be a simple falling out between one another (including the horse!) and this possible outcome is very rarely discussed before the loan begins.
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