After being named as one of the UK's top three large conveyancing companies in the Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year 2013 Awards, Howells Solicitors has continued its impressive 2014 with a number of accolades and industry achievements.

This year, the leading Welsh legal practice has:

• Been named as the UK Family Law Firm of the Year by Corporate LiveWire.
• Announced a new office in Bridgend which is to open in the summer of 2014.
• Recruited and promoted more than 20 legal professionals across South Wales.
• Been named by Chambers and The Legal 500.
• Had individual solicitors also named by Chambers and The Legal 500.
• Completed the first Help To Buy Wales house purchase.
• Maintained membership of the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
• Introduced Howells' Employment Law Packages (HELP) to provide employment law advice and guidance for employers.
• Worked closely with the University of South Wales to help law undergraduates and provide pro-bono legal advice via University drop-in clinics.
• Provided pro-bono legal advice for Welsh charities and organisations supporting individuals overcoming addictions and adversity.More...

Buying a home is never easy – and when you’re looking to get onto the housing ladder for the first time it’s that little bit tougher. The process is filled with plenty of paperwork, uncertain procedures and, of course, a huge financial commitment.

When it’s your first time buying a house, how can you ensure you’re buying the right property? How can you make the process as stress-free as possible? How can you minimise your outgoings during this expensive time?

Here are ten tips for the new homebuyer: More...

Karis Jones, solicitor, with Andrew Sims, administration and project support, Recovery Cymru meeting with a Recovery Cymru member.

Howells Solicitors will be providing their legal expertise free of charge to members of recovery Cymru, a self help, mutual support community for people recovering from drug and alcohol problems in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Karis Jones, part of Howells' team of solicitors in Cardiff, a family law specialist from Howells Solicitors will be attending the Cowbridge Road East office of the not for profit organisation every other month to meet members seeking legal advice regarding children matters.

Due to the significant changes in Legal Aid funding and the quality of advice being provided, the first clinic earlier this month proved to be very popular. Karis explains: “When we were approached by Recovery Cymru and learned about the support services they provide, we were keen to help and agreed to run free legal clinics for their members.

"Unfortunately the changes to the allocation of Legal Aid has made it often impossible for everyone to seek legal advice in respect to family matters. These clinics help those in a vulnerable position and the advice provided has been appreciated.” More...

Welcome to the first blog in a series of FAQs. This series will answer queries that our conveyancing team get asked by homeowners and house buyers on a regular basis. So, without further ado...

Can You Sell A House When You’ve Lost the Property Deeds?

Q: I have just accepted an offer on my mother's house who has recently died. Grant of probate has been given in my name but I cannot locate the title deeds to the property. Is the grant of probate sufficient on its own for me to sell my mother's property?

A: No, as the grant of probate doesn't prove that your mother owned the property.

You will firstly need to contact the Land Registry to ascertain whether or not the property is registered. If the property is registered, you needn't worry about the lost house deeds as the Land Registry will hold official copies of all the documents that you would require to sell the property.More...

Most business owners know that employment legislation can be as changeable as the British weather, and this year certainly has been no exception.

Tribunals are reeling following the introduction of fees and the complex ACAS Early Conciliation Scheme now being mandatory before a claim can be lodged has caused countless problems for both employers and employees.

Another huge change was introduced in June of this year as employees will no longer have to have parental responsibility for young children or be a carer to request flexible working.

There will still be some conditions that need to be met before employees can make such a request:

•    Must have 26 weeks’ continuo

us service;
•    Request made in writing containing certain specific information; and
•    One request can only be made per a 12 month cycle.More...