The Legal 500 UK 2013 guide recognises the very best lawyers, solicitors and barristers who set the benchmark for excellence across the UK market. In this year’s edition of the guide, Howells Solicitors are delighted to have received recommendations from the esteemed publication.

Five solicitors from Howells have been recommended for their private client expertise, and Margaret Phillips, head of the firm’s Family Law and Matrimonial team has been listed in the elite ‘Leading Lawyers’ list, a guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide.

Richard Scott, partner, and Margaret Phillips, have been individually recommended for cases involving substantial assets, including offshore trusts, whilst Jayne Hunt, partner and branch manager of the Caerphilly office, has received a recommendation for her family law work.

Claire Davis, partner and branch manager of the Newport office and John O’Connell, equity partner, have both been recommended for their work involving specialist personal tax, trusts and probate cases.

The family law departments in the firms Cardiff, Swansea and Caerphilly offices have also been individually recognised. More...

Following their introduction in 2005, well over 120,000 people have entered into a civil partnership. However, the latest statistics show a considerable rise in the number of gay couples seeking a dissolution to their civil partnership. So, is the honeymoon period coming to an end?

Recent research shows that during the last year alone there was a 20 per cent rise in the number of gay couples seeking to dissolve their civil partnerships, only 8 years after their introduction.

Statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that there were 794 dissolutions for the year 2012, of which 60 per cent were between lesbian couples. More...

MISTAKE 1: Not spending enough time with your children

Whether you are happily married, about to divorce or already separated, spending as much time as you can with your children will do nothing but benefit them (and you). This can be anything from helping with homework, eating dinner together, fixing a bike tyre, helping them clean their room, taking them to a medical appointment, shopping for their needs etc. Statistics show that children who have a lot of time with both parents excel academically, socially and personally. If you wind up in a custody contest, your track record of constant contact may save you in court.
 
MISTAKE 2: Leaving the marital home More...

Karis Jones, a family law specialist here at Howells has been attending the Huggard Centre, a Cardiff charity once a month to provide their service users and members of the public with free legal advice.

The charity, based on Dumballs Road, is open 365 days of the year. It provides support and accommodation for the homeless and works with authorities and organisations to overcome the problems and barriers which force individuals to sleep rough. The facility also includes a hostel and shared housing which can accommodate approximately 70 people.

During her monthly visits, Karis provides a free legal surgery to service users and members of the public on any issues relating to family law. Due to the significant changes in Legal Aid funding and the quality of advice being provided, Karis’ sessions are very popular at the centre. Karis explains: “The Huggard Centre has been providing frontline services to homeless people for over 20 years. Unfortunately, the economic climate and changes to the allocation of Legal Aid has made it often impossible for everyone to seek legal advice in respect to family matters. The surgeries help those in a vulnerable position and the advice provided is appreciated.” More...

Due to the higher than average levels of stress associated with their jobs, it is perhaps not surprising that divorce rates where one partner works in the police force are twice the national average. The physical danger and conflict which is inherent in their jobs can have a lasting impact on their relationships, and matters can quickly deteriorate.

If a police officer is going through a divorce or separation, the desire to protect the pension they have worked so hard for understandably features highly on their list of priorities. This is precisely why they should seek the best possible advice from a legal team who take the time to stay on top of the latest new pension regulations and matters such as pay and rent allowance.      

Police pension schemes More...