Expert Comments

Opinion

court

Ministry of Justice Reverse Increase In Sentencing Powers Of Magistrates

On 2nd May 2022, the sentencing powers of magistrates were increased from six months to one year, in an attempt to ease the backlog in the courts. At the time,…

March 10, 2023

Katie McFadden

Blog

extradition

Are You Facing Extradition Proceedings In The UK? Here’s What You Must Know Before Instructing A Solicitor.

If you have become a Requested Person in extradition proceedings in the UK your arrest and first appearance in court were likely a stressful, foreign and intimidating experience. Every year…

March 9, 2023

Francesca Cociani

Opinion

Flaming Fundraiser Challenge for The Children’s Trust

On 2nd March, we were very excited to volunteer at the Firewalk event organised by The Children’s Trust. Both of us assist child clients who have suffered a brain injury,…

March 7, 2023

Opinion

asbestos
mesothelioma

Exposure To Asbestos Dust From A Family Member’s Contaminated Work Clothes

The specialist Asbestos disease team at Hodge Jones & Allen assist Mesothelioma sufferers and their families every day. Many clients were exposed to Asbestos dust through their work carried out…

March 2, 2023

Lorna Webster

Blog

disrepair

Housing Disrepair Success Stories – No Hot Water or Heating & Cracks in Ceiling

The Housing Team at Hodge Jones & Allen have been defending the rights of tenants since 1977 and we understand how your life can be turned upside down when a…

March 1, 2023

Opinion

residential-property-disputes

Loss of Amenity From The Presence Of Japanese Knotweed – The Final Word In Davies v Bridgend County Borough Council (2023)

We recently reported on the case of Downing v Henderson (2023) where a buyer sued their previous seller for misrepresentation on the existence of Japanese Knotweed. The Dangers Of Knotweed…

March 1, 2023

Chun Wong

Opinion

general-crime

I Was Racially Profiled And Manhandled By The Police, Now They Have Charged Me With A Criminal Offence

Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, a recent CPS study concluded that black and minority ethnic individuals are significantly more likely to be charged than their white counterparts. As criminal defence lawyers, we…

February 28, 2023

Ghislaine Sandoval

Opinion

personal-injury

Self-Injury Awareness Day – 1st March 2023

Our aim with our blogs is to inform and assist. A word of caution around the information provided below which considers self-injury, particularly the types, why people may choose this…

February 27, 2023

Araba Quartey

Opinion

accident-in-public-spaces

Dog Bite Claims: Can I Claim Compensation For A Dog Bite Injury?

Owning a dog is a popular choice. However, unfortunately, it is without a doubt that there has been an upsurge in dog bite incidents. Dog owners have a responsibility to…

February 24, 2023

Leticia Williams

Opinion

housing-discrimination

What Is No DSS And Can A Landlord Refuse Me Housing If I Receive Benefits?

What is no DSS? ‘No DSS’ is a policy that you may have seen on housing advertisements if you have been looking for a property. If you see ‘no DSS’,…

February 23, 2023

Tess Baker

Opinion

court

Transparency In Family Courts – A Work In Progress

Open Justice This is a key principle of our legal system. Up and down the country, courts sit every day in open court, ie where members of the public and…

February 21, 2023

Opinion

Marriage: Changes in the law

Under the Age of Marriage Act 1929, the minimum age of marriage was 16, if parental permission was given. On Monday 27 February 2023 this is changing to only allow…

February 20, 2023

Jessica Wells

Opinion

child-law
divorce

The Unseen Client – A Child’s Rights In Family Proceedings

The guiding ethos at Hodge Jones & Allen is to Fight For What Is Right – but what is ‘right’ in private family law proceedings? In some cases this is…

February 16, 2023

Rebecca Shotton

Opinion

compensation

The Impact A Personal Injury Claim Can Have On Family Members

Life changing personal injuries are one of the worst an individual can suffer. Severe personal injuries can cause trauma, mobility issues and life changing medical support for the rest of…

February 15, 2023

Opinion

youth-crime

I Have A Criminal Record From A Mistake I Made As A Youth. How Will This Affect Me In The Future?

We all make mistakes in our younger years and unfortunately some of these can be costly and result in us having a criminal record. The anxiety of having a criminal…

February 13, 2023

Darrell Ennis-Gayle

Blog

disrepair

Housing Disrepair Success Stories – Damp And Damages From Water Penetration

We were instructed to deal with a case involving housing disrepair that was having a serious effect on our client’s health. The property suffered from damage that was caused by…

February 10, 2023

Opinion

compensation

What Are Special Damages In Personal Injury Claims?

Compensation in personal injury claims is made up of two elements: General damages and Special damages. General damages is the term used for compensation payable for pain, suffering and loss…

February 10, 2023

Opinion

residential-property-disputes

The Dangers Of Knotweed For All: The Lesson From Downing v Henderson (2023)

Japanese knotweed (‘Reynouria Japonica’) is perennial weed with hollows stems and wide leaves which grows extremely quickly and is difficult to control or destroy. It is the nightmare for most…

February 10, 2023

Chun Wong

Blog

disrepair

Housing Disrepair Success Stories – Water Penetration and Heating Issues

We were instructed to deal with a case involving serious disrepair. The property suffered from a severe ongoing leak when there was rainfal, as a result, rainwater penetrated and water…

February 9, 2023

Opinion

civil-partnership

The Proposal – What Is The Best Way To Formalise Your Relationship?

In this blog Jacqueline Major, Partner in the Family Team, talks about same sex couples thinking about formalising their relationships. PEOPLE OF THE PRIDE: We’ll all be free to fall…

February 8, 2023