Blog
All content is subject to changes in the law. For the most up to date advice, call us on 0191 232 9547.
What is Family Arbitration?
Read our Q&A on Family Arbitration to find out more or visit our page. We have two qualified arbitrators here at David Gray, partners and family solicitors Lucy Mead & Elspeth Thomson, who are here to help if you have any questions about whether this process might be...
read more
The Thorny Question of Spousal Maintenance
The recent case of Mills –v- Mills as brought to the forefront again the ongoing problem of “how much and for how long”. The Mills divorced in 2002 and Mrs Mills received a capital sum to enable her to purchase a property free from mortgage. She had been suffering...
read more
North East Business owners hit with Home Office penalties
The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 allows the Secretary of State to serve an employer with a civil penalty where they are found to have been employing someone illegally. In 2014 the maximum civil penalty for employing someone illegally was doubled by the...
read more
Will I have to sell my home to pay for my care fees?
As we get older it is often a worry about how we will be cared for and how this will be paid for. As many people own their own home, when they move into a care home it can be a worry as to whether their home must be sold. We will take a look at the process and the...
read more
Solar Buyback – Is it worth it?
Thomas Edison said “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy… I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” There are currently 1.5 million homes in the UK with solar power systems, putting Britain fourth in the European solar...
read more
Getting on the property ladder
How to buy a house with no deposit Often one of the biggest barriers to owning your own home is getting that all important deposit together. The Post Office believe they have come up with a solution to this, helping first-time buyers get on the housing ladder. The...
read moreAre you eligible for a Power of Attorney refund?
Recently, the Ministry of Justice disclosed that almost 2 million people could be entitled to a partial refund of their power of attorney registration fees. Refunds are available to those who made applications to register Lasting Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers...
read more
Family Reunion
Would you leave your 18 year old in a war torn country? Earlier this month Ali Hossain’s* wife and four children finally arrived safely in the UK, from their home country in the Middle East where war continues to rage. For Ali, the wait had been long and anxious....
read moreUpdate on Home Office fees Spring 2018
Update on Home Office fees Generally, the Home Office increases its fees in early April of each year, although it has been known to do this in mid-March. One of the changes that has recently been announced is the doubling of the Immigration Health Surcharge paid by...
read moreCongratulations!
Congratulations to solicitors Samantha (Sam)Farndale and Anna Curphey from the Family Law Team at David Gray on receiving their Resolution Family Law accreditations. Sam is now an accredited specialist in complex financial remedies, cohabitation & TOLATA and Anna in...
read more
Leasehold Property
A recent article from the Newcastle Chronicle highlights the importance of obtaining advice when it comes to purchasing a leasehold property. In this case homeowners in the affected streets need to extend their leases. Many mortgage lenders will refuse to advance...
read moreChancellor Announces Relief for First Time Buyers
Chancellor Philip Hammond yesterday delivered a hotly anticipated budget where he revealed relief for first time buyers by limiting the amount of Stamp Duty they will pay on their first purchase. Hammond hopes that a change to the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) will...
read more
Top marks for David Gray from Chambers & Partners
On 2nd November 2017 Chambers & Partners, the leading independent guide to rating Solicitors and Law Firms in the UK announced their annual rankings. David Gray Solicitors LLP retained Band 1 rankings for their Family and Crime Teams. Ranked Lawyers included - Lucy...
read moreHave you been wrongfully locked out of your bank account due to your immigration status?
On 30th October 2017 new measures came into force which require banks to check the immigration status of existing account holders. If you are in the UK illegally you will be classified as a “disqualified person” and your account will be closed by the bank. This...
read more
Legal aid restrictions lifted for victims of domestic violence
The Ministry of Justice today announced changes to the law for victims of Domestic Violence, in place from January 2018 the new rules remove the current time limit and allow for admission of fresh categories of evidence. Read the full news story Managing Partner at...
read more
New Home Office Guidance on freezing the bank accounts of people illegally in the UK
New Home Office Guidance on freezing the bank accounts of people illegally in the UK From 1 January 2018 The Immigration Act 2016 introduced new rules that require Banks to perform periodic checks on current accounts to ensure that they are not operated by...
read more
Family Mediation
Sadly a great deal is expected from separating and divorcing couples, often at the most challenging and difficult time in their lives. The ending of a relationship is very often experienced by those involved as a trauma and a bereavement. We know that “typical”...
read moreContact At All Costs
‘Contact’ at all costs? The new protocol that must be applied by all Judges and family law practitioners in relation to Child Arrangements Orders where there is an allegation of Domestic Violence or Domestic Abuse. Domestic Abuse whether it be against men, women, or...
read more
Kinship carers
When family members step in to care for children When Social Services become involved with children due to concerns about the care they are getting from their parents, they have a duty to look at all extended family options before they consider foster care. There are...
read moreShould I appoint a financial Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), formerly known as an Enduring Power of Attorney, is a legal document that allows a person (the Donor) to appoint a person to make decisions on their behalf when they do not have the capacity to do so themselves. According to...
read more