Newnham and Jordan Solicitors are proud to sponsor the Corfe Mullen United under 14s team.

Last weekend saw them play Branksome United at Haskell’s Recreation Ground inPoole. The team played a fantastic game, and the manager commented at the end that he was delighted with their performance.  This writer is pretty pleased as well, especially as standing freezing on the sidelines, we saw Corfe score 9 goals.

Go Corfe!

The boys are having a great season and are currently second in their division of the Bournemouth youth league. Next Sunday they have a home match in the Dorset Cup against Weymouth FC – I just hope that I won’t be standing in snow…

You can find full details of the their results so far this season at the club's website here.

Newnham & Jordan Solicitors is a local firm based in and around Wimborne and Poole. We think it is important to support the local community, both by helping our local sporting heroes, and by providing high quality Family legal services at the best prices we can manage.

Remember we will come to you at home or work at a time convenient to us both – and that includes meeting for coffee if you like.

Newnham & Jordan Solicitors in Wimborne, serve the Bournemouth, Poole West Hampshire and South Dorset area with the benefit of flexible appointments in our office, your home or other convenient location to suit you. For a comprehensive range of legal services, including driving offences call: 0845 680 7871 or fill in the online enquiry form.

The Directors of Newnham and Jordan Solicitors are pleased to announce the appointment of  David Williams as Director of the company.

David has over 34 years experience in the law specialising in family law,  road traffic offences and general litigation. He brings a wealth of experience to this new and vibrant law firm. The 3 Directors all work remotely from home enabling them to provide a far more flexible and cost effective service for their clients including free initial consultations or appointments in client's homes, our offices or other convenient venues including early morning, evening and weekend visits.

The Directors pride themselves in providing a refreshing, down to earth approach to legal matters for the benefit of the client whilst delivering value for money with 'fixed fees' wherever possible.

David qualified as a solicitor in 1988 (having previously been a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives ) and has worked in Dorset since 1990. He is well known and respected across the region. He is based in Parkstone, Poole but willing to travel across the whole region.

The other Directors are Angie Newnham ( based in Wimborne) who specialises in Residential, Conveyancing, Wills and private client work and Sarah Jordan ( based in Corfe Mullen) who specialises in Family Law, TOLATA Claims and Residential Conveyancing.

Angie and Sarah started the law practice on the 1^st December 2010. In less than two years it has created a niche market for itself and clients already recognise that the Director's modern approach to law, in a fast moving world, provide flexibility and real client satisfaction.

For a free initial consultation with David contact him on:

0845 680 1783 or 07793 055104

E mail davidwilliams@newnham-jordan.co.uk

or via the online contact form

The Directors and Staff at Newnham & Jordan would like to wish all our clients and business colleagues a very happy Christmas and New Year.  It has been a pleasure to act for you and work alongside you during 2012 and we are looking forward to continuing with you in 2013.

Please note that the office will be closed from mid-day on the 21st December 2012 and will re-open on the 2nd January 2013.  If you have an urgent matter during this period please send us an email via either our email system or the online "contact" form marked "urgent" or leave us a voicemail as emails and voicemails will be checked periodically during the Christmas and New Year period and urgent matters will be responded to accordingly.

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:

• a long night in a police cell
•  humiliation in front of your friends and the police
• humiliation in the face of your family the morning after
•  the realisation that you will be banned from driving for a minimum period of 12 months ( less 3 months reduction for taking and passing a driver’s awareness course) or possibly a longer ban
• likely loss of employment
• possibility of a marriage or relationship breakdown
• the possibility of losing your home
• possibility of alienating your children
• significantly increased motor insurance premiums for the next 10 years
• the possibility that you may not be able to secure motor insurance for 12 months after serving the ban
• the possibility of having to sell your car
• personal  frustration at not being able to drive

So please take care and have a very Merry Christmas – drink sensibly and drive safely but if you do have an unfortunate incident I will be on call all over Christmas and New Year.

David Williams - Mobile:  07793 055104             Office  DD: 0845 680 1783

Email: davidwilliams@newnham-jordan.co.uk

Newnham & Jordan Solicitors in Wimborne, serve the Bournemouth, Poole West Hampshire and South Dorset area with the benefit of flexible appointments in our office, your home or other convenient location to suit you. For a comprehensive range of legal services, including driving offences call: 0845 680 7871 or fill in the online enquiry form.

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.

• 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

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?

It is interesting to see that the Co-op, among others, has just launched their new “fixed fee” DIY divorce scheme costing, on the face of it, just £99. They will charge another £50 if you want them to check the forms you’ve filled in and £150 an hour if you want further advice over the phone or by email.

Many other law firms including traditional High Street practices, on-line law firms and other virtual law practices have been offering fixed fees for some time. But what do you actually get for your money and where’s the catch?

The simple answer is that it doesn’t just cost £99 or the basic figure quoted – in reality it will cost a lot more than that…

The quoted fixed fee is simply what they charge for a DIY kit of forms, with perhaps no mention of the hidden extras that a divorce will require. In addition there will be at least:

• Court fees to be paid – currently £340 to issue your divorce petition,
• £90 to issue any other application within those proceedings giving notice to your spouse,
• £45 to apply for the decree absolute that actually means you are divorced,
• And of course VAT on the fee lawyers at 20%

So a fixed fee divorce that is supposed to cost you £99 at the Co-op will actually cost you a minimum of £503.80.

And remember that this price does not include any work associated with the children, or property and financial or other matters.

The Co-op also do fixed fee managed divorces for a total of £955 which includes Vat and court fees. At this price they also provide support by phone and email.

But you have to ask:

• Do you get to meet the lawyer?
• Who are they?
• Where are they?
• Will they treat you with respect in your time of need?
• Will they care about you and your family and your problems?
• How much time will they spend with you?
• Can you call them out of office hours?
• Will you get to speak to the same lawyer every time?
• What kind of lawyer are they?
• Are they a solicitor or paralegal or not really qualified at all?
• What do they know about life, the Law and Family problems?
• Are they any good?

How will you know the answers to any of these questions if you only ever speak to them by telephone or communicate by e-mail? You may not even get to speak to the same person twice.

Not much of a service when your marriage is breaking down and your life is in turmoil.

And what about the really important things? The children? Money and property issues and worries? Where will you live? Can you afford it? The business? The pensions and savings? Those mounting debts? Your problems at home and at work as a result? Can you cope? Who can help?

Are all these issues covered by the fixed fee? Of course not! It’s just a gimmick; an enticement to induce you to buy their services without really knowing how much it will really cost.

Newnham & Jordan, really do offer fixed fees

At Newnham & Jordan    Sarah Jordan and David Williams really do offer fixed fees, not only for the divorce process, which is normally straightforward, (although not without pain). But also for the really important and often complicated bits – the children and the really messy stuff – the finances and the property etc.

NO HIDDEN EXTRAS at Newnham & Jordan

For the divorce process we are as transparent as we can be. Our fixed fee is £865 if you divorce your husband or wife - which includes not only our fixed fee but also includes VAT and the Court fees to issue the petition and apply for decree absolute. And just £240 if you are the party being divorced.

For the children, or property and financial or other matters we will supply you with a fixed quote (in almost every case) for each aspect of the work that you will need us to carry out on your behalf to see you through the whole process; even for contested cases.

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

PERSONAL FACE TO FACE SERVICE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE FREE FOR THE FIRST 1.5 HOURS

We will also see you face to face initially for FREE for up to 1.5 hours – no catches!

As we are a virtual law practice without offices and high overheads we can see you at home or other comfortable and convenient yet private location without the stuffiness of an office. We will even buy you a tea or coffee without sticking it on the bill!

Yes that’s right we will come to you at a time that suits you.

We also offer appointments out of office hours and at weekends. We are caring and compassionate and dedicated to our clients and want get the right results for them. We have years of experience and that is something that many other law firms cannot offer you.

Finally we will be there with you – not simply at the end of a phone line or on the internet.

Contact us now to discuss your problems and arrange a FREE consultation at a time and place to suit you.

Call David or Sarah on 0845 680 7871 or e-mail us at office@newnham-jordan.co.uk. We will respond as soon as one of us is available – and within 24 hours.

A recent case demonstrated that challenging a will that may have been made under undue influence can be very difficult to prove, even where confusion and even inebriation may have affected the person making the will.

A Granddaughter challenged her Grand Mothers will alleging that it was made whilst under the 'undue influence' of her Grand Mothers neighbour in order that he would benefit from the will.

The neighbour had been present when the solicitor visited the woman to take her instructions for the will and she referred to him for guidance. She also showed a significant degree of forgetfulness and confusion, to the extent that the solicitor wished to obtain a doctor’s opinion on her mental capacity to make a will.The woman later contacted the solicitor, saying that she did not want to see a doctor and no longer wished to go ahead with making the will. Her neighbour later telephoned the firm to confirm this. It was the view of the solicitor that the neighbour was involved in that decision.

She then found a new solicitor, who prepared a will for her that passed her entire estate to her neighbour.

When the will was challenged in court, evidence was produced that the woman had been taking a cocktail of drugs and also drank heavily. She was normally inebriated by mid-morning and also suffered from confusion.

Despite these circumstances, surprisingly, the judge ruled that there was ‘no arguable case’ that the neighbour had exercised undue influence over the woman and rejected the challenge to the will.

The case shows how high the hurdle is that has to be overcome in order to demonstrate that a will has been procured by undue influence.

Newnham & Jordan Solicitors are regulated, professional wills and probate solicitors in Bournemouth, Poole and the local area. For help with making a Will or amending an existing one we offer home appointments and a cost effective service. Contact us on 0845 680 7871 or via the online form

The contents of this article are 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.

The Ellingham & Ringwood Agricultural Society Show will be held on Saturday 11th August 2012. Newnham & Jordan Solicitors are proud to announce sponsorship of the Mixed Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony Class 42. The show is a fun day out for all the family with lots to see and do. You may even see Angie Newnham competing in the show jumping! Click here for a more detailed look at the various events and displays.

With effect from 2 April 2012  the maximum right to buy discount for council tenants has been increased to £75,000.

This constitutes a considerable change in policy by the present government. Previously, right to buy had become unattractive , by capping the amount of discounts according to location. In most of greater London for example the maximum discount was only £16,000.

The right to buy discount available depends on the amount of time the tenant has occupied the property. For freehold houses, the discount starts at 35% and increases at 1% per year to 60%. For leasehold flats the starting figure is 50%, rising to 70% at 2% per annum. For example, if you wanted to buy a flat worth £200,000 and had been a public sector tenant for ten years, you would qualify for a 60 per cent discount (£120,000). However, the maximum discount is £75,000. This means that if the flat was worth £200,000, you could buy it for £125,000. It is also important to realise that if the property is sold within 5 years of the right to buy then some of the discount will have to be repaid. More information on eligibility and discounts  can be found on the Direct Gov website.

Any tenant  wanting to exercise their right to buy must first submit a Right to Buy  Claim form which can be downloaded from the internet. The relevant council must then respond, admitting or disputing the claim, and follow up with an offer notice, setting out the terms of the of sale.  In some circumstances the council may decide that certain properties are planned to be demolished. Should the property be expected to be demolished within 7 years the council has to issue a Demolition Notice to the tenant and the right to buy that particular property is removed. Other exceptions may also apply and more information can be found here.

Once the terms are settled the transaction will follow a standard conveyancing process but with some significant differences. For example, although provisions for the repayment of the discount will be secured against the property, mortgage lenders are given priority, meaning that in the event of a forced sale, they will be able to sell free of the discount requirement. The council will then seek to recoup its loss from any resulting surplus after the prior mortgage has been paid off. However, transferring the property to other family members may be exempt form the recoup of any discount. For right to buy leaseholders, new measures have now been put in place making sure that service charges for the first 5 years are established. Beyond 5 years terms can be negotiated to avoid punitive service charges.

For all these reasons it is vital that anyone seeking the right to buy, obtains professional legal advice from a qualified property lawyer who is experienced in this area. They will be able to provide potential buyers with;

• Assistance with the application process
• Negotiating suitable terms
• Making sure that the final contract covers the service charge aspects
• A full explanation of your rights under the contract

Angie Newnham at Newnham & Jordan Solicitors is a fully qualified, experienced property lawyer who can assist you with your right to buy.

Contact her on:  0845 680 7831