Blog

The myth of common law marriage

Cohabiting couples are the fastest growing family type in the UK, with approximately 3.3 million in 2016. Unmarried partners often assume they...

Sexual harassment in the workplace: an employer's quick guide

Not a day goes by at the moment without sexual harassment claims being splashed across the media. You might think that this is a problem reserved...

No, you still can’t have a divorce, Mrs Owens

To the frustration of many family lawyers, who strive to help clients end unhappy marriages with as little blood on the walls as possible, the...

Porter Dodson recommended in Chambers HNW 2018

Porter Dodson has once again been ranked in the global Chambers High Net Worth guide.

A quick guide to the divorce process

Your marriage has broken down. You’re already going through an incredibly emotional and difficult time. On top of that you now also need to...

Corporate commercial associate appointment

Porter Dodson has strengthened its Corporate Commercial offering with the appointment of David Culshaw. He joins as an Associate Solicitor,...

Mental health in the workplace: an employer's quick guide

Let’s be frank, talking about mental health is an awkward process. Awkward for the sufferer and awkward for the listener. Take by way of...

Personal Representative: Will I be personally liable?

It is likely that at some point either you, a family member or a friend will be appointed to act as a Personal Representative of an estate.

Money raised for League of Friends Musgrove Park

Local charity, League of Friends Musgrove Park, has been presented with a cheque by Porter Dodson.

GDPR: Who is the data controller, who is the data processor and what is the lawful basis?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on 25 May 2018. The new regulations place new and greater responsibilities on data...

Stress in the workplace - as an employer, what can you do about it?

An estimated 49% of all working days lost to ill-health are due to stress, depression or anxiety *. Stress is the most common cause of long-term...

Senior Judge warns divorced couples they aren’t actually divorced

Senior family Judge, Sir James Munby, has today issued a warning that staff at the so-called divorce centres have made a number of errors in...

Is DIY divorce worth the risk?

With divorce rates increasing each year and the enticement of cheap, online do-it-yourself divorce services, it's no wonder that more people are...

Commercial surrogacy vs altruistic surrogacy – what is the difference?

Commercial surrogacy is widely thought of as the preserve of the rich and famous. But what makes a surrogacy arrangement commercial rather than...

Sawing the dog in half: How to deal with pets during a divorce

When it comes to deciding who keeps what following a divorce, some personal belongings, often termed as ‘chattels’, are more emotive than others....

How do I obtain a copy of my deeds for my property?

‘Deeds’, as most people remember, is a large parcel of old documents, such as conveyances. These show how the property has passed between each...

New family partner at Porter Dodson

Porter Dodson has appointed a new partner to its family team. Cathryn Smith joined the firm in 2015 and works in the Yeovil office with some 75...

Can my ex-wife get my pension?

With the introduction of workplace pensions, pension benefits are fast becoming one of the most valuable assets that will need to be taken into...

6 disadvantages of collaborative divorce

You’re looking to get a divorce as quickly and as painlessly as possible but when it comes down to it, there are actually a few options. You will...

Which countries allow surrogacy? A guide to surrogacy options globally for UK parents

When considering surrogacy, one of the first questions you may stumble on is where to pursue an arrangement. Online search engines provide a...

GDPR, a benefit for consumers; a headache for small businesses

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force on 25 May 2018. GDPR compliance captures all manner of personal data processed by...

If you haven’t got something nice to say: 7 rules for communicating with your spouse during a divorce

It is well-known that divorce can bring out the worst in people. Relationships that were once happy can turn into bitter feuds about who should...

What is a common law marriage?

Common law marriage is fake news A ‘common law marriage’ does not exist. It is a myth, a figment of the imagination, a fiction, a nonsense: it...

What is a clean break order in divorce?

Divorce is stressful enough. Whilst getting a Decree Absolute legally ends a marriage, many do not realise that obtaining a divorce does not bring...

Nisi to see you, to see you Nisi: applying for a Decree Nisi

If you are considering getting a divorce, you may have heard the Latin phrases Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute being used by friends, family or...

Mediation vs collaborative law

Although both mediation and collaboration are alternative methods of resolving issues between divorcing and separating couples, they differ...

Employers urged to use surveillance with caution

Frustrating, isn’t it? As an employer, you naturally expect to be able to control things within the workplace but then some clever legal judgment...

Diversity in the workplace – are developments at the FA a game changer?

Football, they say, is a game of two halves. However, the concern has been that when it comes to recruitment, FA recruitment policy has been...

What are the grounds for divorce in the UK?

Under the law of England and Wales, a divorce cannot be applied for until a couple has been married for one year. There is one ground for divorce,...

Apprentices & Employment Law: Understanding their legal status

Apprenticeships are like the ‘little black dress’ of the employment world; they never go out of fashion. Indeed, the Government is keen to create...

Partner appointment at Porter Dodson

Porter Dodson has recently appointed a new Partner in the Residential Property team based in the Yeovil and Sherborne offices, heading up the...

Adoption vs Surrogacy – what do they entail?

There are now many options outside traditional family-building for those who need or wish to pursue another route.

What is parental alienation?

There is hope for parents denied contact by the other parent who has “alienated" the child from them and they are being refused a relationship...

Self-employed worker can claim 13 years of unpaid holiday pay

The European Court has recently decided that a self-employed window salesman, who successfully claimed worker status, is entitled to claim unpaid...

Always use professionals when choosing a Power of Attorney

Elderly Theft: Robbing the Relatives, which was broadcast on ITV1 on Thursday 30th November, certainly sets out in no uncertain terms the...

Fired after using a crisp packet to block PDA

As an employer, you may sometimes despair at the antics of your staff. If so, perhaps spare a thought for an Australian employer who was left with...

Do you need a Change of Name Deed following divorce?

You may think that once you are divorced, your surname will revert to your maiden name or whatever surname you used before your marriage.

GDPR - Some of the most significant developments to be aware of

Following on from part one of our GDPR update - GDPR – What does it mean and is your business compliant? - below are some of the most significant...

Stamp Duty Relief for first-time buyers

At last, we have had some long-awaited good news from the budget for the housing market.

Sexual harassment complaints and whistleblowing

The resignation of Michael Fallon last week from the role of Defence Secretary was notable in being the first resignation from a senior government...

Wills & surrogacy – how do they fit together?

It is widely acknowledged that Wills are one of the most important documents to arrange during your lifetime. They formally record your post-death...

GDPR - What does it mean and is your business compliant?

On 25th May 2018, a little over six months away, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force, replacing the Data Protection...

National Fertility Awareness week 2017

This week marks annual fertility awareness week in the UK. It aims to change perceptions of fertility issues, raise funds to support the 1 in 6...

Recommended in Chambers UK 2018

Porter Dodson has once again been ranked in legal directory Chambers UK.

Are your employees too busy to take a break?

Most employees who work for more than 6 hours are entitled to a rest break of 20 minutes, but what if your employees are too busy to take their...

Somerset Business Awards 2017 Sponsor

Porter Dodson was proud to sponsor the Technology & Innovation Award at the recent Somerset Business Awards 2017.

Pension Sharing Orders in divorce

Results from a recent survey by The Office for National Statistics identify that the number of couples divorcing has risen for the first time in 7...

ACAS releases new guidance on mental health in the workplace

The Government’s Department of Health advises that one in four of us will experience mental ill health at some point in our lives.

Co-parenting by choice – what is it and what do you need to consider?

When faced with the term ‘co-parenting’ many people, understandably, think of divorced or separated parents who are sharing the care of their...

Grieving parents to be given two weeks' statutory paid leave

Under measures announced by the Government today, all parents in full-time and part-time employment would be entitled to two weeks' bereavement...

Recommended again in the Legal 500

Porter Dodson has been recommended in the latest edition of the Legal 500 UK (2017).

Who said tax doesn't need to be taxing

The new corporate offences of failing to prevent the facilitation of UK and non-UK tax evasion create potential liability on employers for their...

Estranged daughter awarded money in Wills dispute

An estranged adult child who, along with her siblings, had been disinherited from benefitting from her late father’s estate worth in the region of...

Porter Dodson recommended in Chambers HNW 2017

We are delighted to have been ranked in the global Chambers High Net Worth guide.

Snooping on your employees - did it just get more difficult?

A recent case in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has been big news in the past week and heralded by some as a victory for the employee...

Sellers beware...

When you come to sell your property so much happens very quickly, especially if you are lucky enough to find a buyer promptly.

Are you right to suspend your employee?

The odds are you’ve reserved the right to suspend employees accused of misconduct whilst you investigate the allegations against them, either...

We’re sending our Chairman to Scotland on a bike!

For Stephen Wray, road bike fanatic, solicitor, and Chairman of Porter Dodson Solicitors, the 9th September is going to be a monumental day.

Will reform proposals: from paper to electronic?

It may come as a surprise but the laws governing Wills date back to 1837. In the last 150 or so years, there have been many changes within...

As an employer, whose actions are you responsible for, anyway?

Life is complicated enough for employers. Any sensible business worries about its staff, its duty of care to staff and its compliance with a long...

Is having a Power of Attorney a risk?

A retired senior judge, Mr Lush, has commented today warning about the risks of Powers of Attorney. Whilst his warnings are valid, the concern is...

Will discrimination compensation increase?

Employment Tribunals are currently consulting over increasing compensation for discrimination claims.

Cheque presented to the Rosie Crane Trust

Employees at the Taunton office held regular fundraising events and activities, such as dress down days, bake sales and Office Olympics, to raise...

Employment Tribunal fees found to be unlawful

The Supreme Court has confirmed that Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal fees are unlawful and will be quashed.

Court of Appeal provides clarity on ‘public interest’ whistleblowing cases

The recent case of Chesterton Global Limited -v- Nurmohamed 2017 has allowed for the first time the Court of Appeal to consider what it means for...

Moles Brewery sold to South West drinks company

Founders of the well-known South West based Moles Brewery, Black Rat and West Country Gold Cider brands have recently sold the company to...

Too much social media usage on holiday could ruin your relationship

A recent report* highlighted that too much time spent checking social media whilst on holiday could result in arguments and even complete...

Latest update from Stephen Mahoney – Vice President of DASLS

Since Stephen Mahoney, Partner at Porter Dodson, took over as Vice President of the Dorset and Somerset Law Society (DASLS), his involvement has...

Charlie Gard's parents lose their final ECHR appeal

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) yesterday refused to intervene in the case of terminally ill baby Charlie Gard.

Father directly discriminated against by employer's shared parental pay policy

You may have heard about the recent case of Ali v Capita Customer Management Limited - a case which found that a new father had been directly...

Surrogacy - keeping it in the family

As surrogacy continues to grow into a mainstream pathway to parenthood, more intended parents are looking to family members or close friends to...

Law Society President visits the Taunton office

On Monday, members of our Taunton office had the opportunity to meet with the President of the Law Society, Robert Bourns, to discuss issues...

Three month gap will break series of deductions in holiday pay claims

In the long-running case of Fulton & anor v Bear Scotland Ltd, the Employment Appeal Tribunal has confirmed that in claims involving ongoing...

A cautionary tale when sending an email

It’s not uncommon. You’re busy and trying to multi-task and accidentally hit ‘reply all’ or ‘forward’ when you shouldn’t. Before you know it, your...

Private Client team strengthened with the arrival of Merlin Lewis

The large Private Client team at Porter Dodson has been further strengthened with the latest arrival, Merlin Lewis as Associate.

Psychometric test used in recruitment process found to be discriminatory

The recent case of The Government Legal Services (GLS) v Brookes has highlighted the need for employers to exercise caution when using selection...

Money raised for Mosaic by Dorchester office

Dorset charity, Mosaic, has been presented with a cheque by Porter Dodson.

Is surrogacy legal in the UK?

One of the biggest surrogacy myths is that it is illegal in the UK to pay a surrogate mother. However, surrogacy has been a viable family-building...

Partner elected as DASLS Vice President

Stephen Mahoney, Partner and Wellington Office Head, has recently been elected Devon and Somerset Law Society's (DASLS) Vice President.

Should I be paying for care?

Care funding, whether it be in the home or in a residential/nursing home environment, is very expensive no matter which way you look at it.

Porter Dodson is supporting local charity, St Margaret’s Hospice

With the new regulations surrounding communications coming into force in May 2018, St Margaret’s Hospice is asking their supporters to complete a...

Supreme Court rules in favour of animal charities in Will dispute

It has been just over two weeks since the Supreme Court’s ruling in Ilott v The Blue Cross and others (previously known as Ilott v Mitson) was...

Inheritance tax – will your family qualify?

Next month (April 2017) sees the introduction of a new inheritance tax allowance that is going to significantly improve the tax position of many...

Do you need a donor agreement?

If you are hoping to enter into a donor arrangement, either with someone you know well or someone you have met solely to conceive a child,...

Attempt to stop spousal maintenance payments defeated

A lawyer ex-husband sought permission to appeal an Order that he continue to pay maintenance to his former wife but permission was refused.

Property fraud: what precautions can you take?

You may have recently heard of some cases whereby unscrupulous people have sold or tried to sell properties that are not owned by them.

Please Sir, can I get divorced?

The widely reported case of Tini Owens (66), who is seeking to overturn a decision by Judge Robin Tolson to reject her request for a divorce from...

Desperately seeking surrogacy

Safe and tested surrogacy destinations are becoming fewer and the associated costs as diverse as their geographical proximity.

Inappropriate final written warning can be dangerous to rely upon when looking to dismiss

The recent case of Bandara v British Broadcasting Corporation (2016) highlights the need to think carefully when issuing disciplinary sanctions,...

Chaos at court

A recent report of a hearing in the Appeal Court is a timely reminder that when people divorce, a judge is entitled to take account of all of the...

Dispute Resolution Associate Solicitor appointment

Porter Dodson has strengthened its Dispute Resolution team with the appointment of Anusheh Burcher. She joins as Associate Solicitor, working from...

Recent plumber case puts spanner in the works

The case of a Pimlico plumber who has questioned his precise employment status examines the entitlement of individuals working in an increasingly...

What rights does a surrogate mother have?

If you are considering pursuing a surrogacy arrangement, either in the UK or overseas, one of your first concerns is likely to be what legal...

Deal or no deal

A Judgement of the Court of Appeal is a timely reminder that people who divorce should conclude their financial arrangements, or run the risk of...

Presumption of contact with child after parental separation

A recent hearing before High Court Judge Peter Jackson flagged up the often very difficult decisions the Family Court is forced to make when...

Can you now rely on expired warnings when dismissing employees?

The recent case of Stratford v Auto Trail VR Limited suggests that in some circumstances, you can.

Porter Dodson raise money for Yeovil Hospital Charity

Yeovil charity, Yeovil Hospital Charity, has been presented with a cheque by Porter Dodson.

Ministry of Justice pickle over pensions is a lesson to all employers

Nothing sparks more debate than when the Ministry of Justice falls foul of the law over which it presides.

All I want for Christmas is… a family?

As the festive season surrounds us, it is an opportune time to step back and reflect not only on the last year but also on our hopes for the...

Employer: you may be liable for the improper actions of staff at the work Christmas party

A recent case acts as a timely reminder to employers that they may be held responsible for the improper behaviour of their staff at work social...

Delay in making financial application

Following the case of the wind farm millionaire, Wyatt-v-Vince, where the wife successfully obtained a lump sum payment many years after the...

Porter Dodson move to Telford House

Porter Dodson has moved to new offices in Yeovil, located at Telford House, The Park, which is in a prominent position overlooking the Hospital...

Shortlisted for the 2017 DASLS Law Firm of the Year, and Innovation Awards

Porter Dodson is delighted to have been shortlisted for the 2017 Devon & Somerset Law Society Law Firm (11+ Partners) of the Year, and Innovation...

Porter Dodson recommended in Chambers UK 2017

Porter Dodson, has once again been ranked in Chambers UK.

Family breakdown over a property dispute

The legal principles surrounding property ownership can be complicated and promises made can be binding.

National Fertility Awareness Week 2016

31 October – 6 November marks the UK’s annual fertility awareness week, which seeks to promote awareness of the 1 in 6 couples who struggle to...

Be Uber careful if you are an employer

In October 2015, several drivers submitted claims against taxi company, Uber, claiming that they are workers and should, therefore, be entitled to...

Just one point away!

Having signed up for the Moonraker Challenge, committed ourselves to seven miles and taken our compass reading lessons, we set out one sunny...

Can my step-dad adopt me? A guide to step-parent adoption

Thousands of children and young people in the UK are raised by an adult who is not their biological parent. In some circumstances, this may be the...

On the right track?

The Porter Dodson Moonraker team met yesterday with our very own Bear Grylls, Phil Stocker.

Networking with a Difference

As a Firm, we support many local projects and networking events around Somerset and Dorset. Our most recent endeavour was a networking bike ride...

Can anyone use a compass?

So there we all were, sat quite happily at our desks one September afternoon, minding our business, when a very innocent looking email arrived...

Is it ever too late to apply for a parental order?

If you pursue surrogacy, whether in the UK or abroad, it is vital that you obtain a parental order. This is the bespoke legal ‘solution’ for...

Recognition in the Legal 500 once again

Porter Dodson has been recommended in the leading industry guide, Legal 500 UK (2016), once again.

Bringing home baby - how long does it take to travel home with your child after surrogacy overseas?

If you are considering pursuing an international surrogacy arrangement, one of the first questions on your mind is likely to be how long it will...

Family successfully challenged validity of Will

A family have won their legal battle to overturn their brother’s Will after it was found that the deceased, David Poole, did not know and approve...

When is the right time to divorce?

If you are considering getting divorced, you are likely to have many questions about the process. One of the key questions asked is ‘when is best...

Increase in inheritance disputes

Inheritance disputes are never far from the headlines with more people realising that they may (in certain circumstances) be able to bring a claim...

The HR implications of the Leave vote

Following the landmark result of the referendum, interested parties may be inclined to capitalise or speculate on what comes next, but the...

Taunton office raises £822.18 for St Margaret’s Hospice

Somerset charity, St Margaret’s Hospice, has been presented with a cheque by Lesley Gaskell, Partner at Porter Dodson.

Competitive edge or criminal act?

Employees who take customer or client information when they leave their job might want to reconsider their actions following a recent warning from...

Wind farm millionaire: case settles

Despite declaring a decision by the Supreme Court to allow his ex-wife to pursue a financial claim against him twenty years after they divorced,...

Is surrogacy possible for single people?

For many years there has been understandable confusion surrounding whether single prospective parents can pursue surrogacy in order to create...

Porter Dodson recognised as an Investor in People

Porter Dodson has been awarded the Investors in People Gold standard, joining the top 7% of accredited organisations across the UK who believe in...

Euro 2016 & Rio Olympics: How to avoid an own goal and achieve gold at work!

Our television screens will soon be ablaze with some of the biggest events of the sporting calendar – the 2016 UEFA football European...

Cycling… The Coast 2 Coast Event

It has been around two weeks since the cycle ride took place. The “never again” that followed immediately after the event and for the few days...

Change to planning guidance on affordable housing contributions

The provision of affordable housing has been a hot topic both in the media and Government for many years. Local Planning Authorities seek to...

Cycling... Go On! Give it a Go!

Well, a week has now passed since the Porter Dodson Pedalers completed the DSAA C2C cycle challenge. Firstly, I have to say that parading past my...

Time to spring clean your contracts and handbooks?

When advising our clients about various disciplinary and performance issues, one of our first queries is likely to be about the employee’s terms...

Cycling… The set backs

Well I had good intentions, I did the training on the turbo (see last blog post on 17th March) and I even managed to go out and about on some...

No romance without finance

The rather sad tale of equestrian lover Kristin Liden is a timely reminder of the precarious position of the so-called common law wife.

Porter Dodson ranked 7th for economic growth

The Lawyer magazine reported last week that across a spread of financial measures, Porter Dodson showed the 7th best growth performance of the Top...

The lion’s share; fair?

Jane Morris gave up her career after she and her husband decided that she should stay at home and care for their three children. Her husband,...

Cycling... Some warm weather training

After a couple of months on the turbo trainer (see Cara Hough’s blog of 17 March 2016), I decided to follow in the illustrious footsteps of Sir...

Judicial Separation vs Separation Agreement

Following on from our previous blog piece regarding the difference between Divorce and Judicial Separation, here we explain how to achieve a Legal...

Pensions in divorce

Pensions can be a big asset, sometimes the biggest asset, for divorcing couples and couples dissolving their Civil Partnerships. However, many...

How to get a parental order in the UK

A parental order is the bespoke legal remedy for families who have pursued surrogacy in order to have a child. Due to our outdated laws in the UK,...

The National Living Wage: are you ready?

From 1 April 2016, workers aged 25 and over are entitled to the National Living Wage, currently set at £7.20 per hour. It is, in effect, a new...

Divorce without blame

Richard Bacon MP has proposed an amendment to the current law on divorce. The No Fault Divorce Bill will be presented for its second reading in...

What is UK law on surrogacy?

If you’re expecting a baby with the help of a surrogate based abroad you may be wondering what impact English law has on your arrangement and if...

Cycling… Getting out there

You’d think it would be easy to start training once you’ve got the bike. But then it rains, or it’s frosty, or it’s dark.

National LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week, 7-13 March 2016

This week marks the national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Adoption and Fostering Week, raising awareness in the LGBT community that...

Maternity and paternity rights after surrogacy

For many years, those who had a child through surrogacy were not afforded the same entitlement to paid time off work as those who had children...

Why not just let the judge decide?

In just about every collaborative case handled, and the same is true for mediated cases, there comes a point where one or other of the parties, or...

Cycling… The Bike

It took at least a week before the enormity of the event and the challenges it would bring really sunk in. In my naivety I assumed I would be able...

A costly reminder to make sure your affairs are in order

A woman has won her legal battle to stop her partner’s share in their property passing to his estranged wife.

Sperm donation – the risks and benefits

For thousands of prospective parents every year, conceiving with donor sperm is a very real prospect. As one of the oldest alternative family...

Starbucks loses disability discrimination case: a reminder for employers to be vigilant

The Employment Tribunal has ruled that an employee at Starbucks was discriminated against on the ground of disability as a result of dyslexia....

Joy's upcoming adventure to darkest Peru!

In May of this year, Joy Woollerton, one of our Residential Property legal advisors, will be trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu to raise...

Cycling… Remind me, why did I agree to that?

Signing up for the event... Having joined the Firm last year, I’ve only recently learned of the Dorset and Somerset Coast 2 Coast (C2C) cycling...

Yeovil office raises £900 for St Margaret's Hospice

Somerset charity, St Margaret’s Hospice, has been presented with a cheque by Robert Fox, Managing Partner and Yeovil Office Head.

Planning ahead with a Lasting Power of Attorney

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) are becoming more popular as people plan ahead for a time when they may like or need assistance with their...

Challenge against legal ban on heterosexual civil partnerships

The Royal Courts of Justice is set to hear a challenge against the legal ban on heterosexual couples entering into civil partnerships today, 19th...

I spy... Employees private messages at work can be monitored by employers

Judges from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) have ruled that employers can read workers’ private messages sent via chat software and...

Stamp Duty Land Tax changes for second home buyers

It was announced in the Autumn budget last year that an additional Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) charge of 3% on the entire purchase price would be...

Marriage law is outdated and in need of reform according to the Law Commission

The Law Commission, which advises the government on reform, has carried out a scoping review of marriage law and concluded that it is outdated,...

The perils of a go it alone divorce

The potential perils of failing to get expert legal advice when settling financial arrangements following divorce has again been demonstrated,...

Shortlisted for the 2016 DASLS Law Firm of the Year Award

Porter Dodson is delighted to have been shortlisted for the 2016 Devon & Somerset Law Society Law Firm (11+ Partners) of the Year Award category.

National fertility awareness week, 2-8 November 2015

This week marks National fertility awareness week, highlighting the one in six couples who suffer with infertility in their quest to have a family.

High Court ruling to review child maintenance payments

A well-known football player, in his mid 30s, has won a High Court ruling for a review of the child maintenance payments he had been ordered to...

Taunton office raises £1200 for The Conquest Centre

Somerset charity, The Conquest Centre, has been presented with a cheque for a significant sum of money by Lesley Gaskell, Partner in the Taunton...

Porter Dodson ranked in Chambers UK

Porter Dodson has been ranked in the 2016 edition of Chambers UK once again.

Surrogacy options for gay couples – which destinations are open and what you need to do

Due to the lack of global surrogacy regulation, destinations offering surrogacy services come and go. Thailand, for example, was a popular...

What is working time?

It is becoming increasingly common for employees not to have a fixed place of work. Many sales agents and home-based workers spend their time on...

How to bring your child back to the UK after an international surrogacy arrangement

If you are expecting a child with the help of a surrogate overseas, your first concern, once your baby has been discharged from hospital, will be...

Using a donor to conceive with your same sex partner – who are the parents and what can you do to protect yourselves?

There are now many options for starting a family within a same sex relationship. A popular choice for many lesbian couples is to conceive with a...

Honesty really is the best policy

The Supreme Court has today handed down two important Judgments. These send a clear message to all those involved in settling their financial...

Porter Dodson takes on the Commando Challenge

On 10th October 2015, a team of solicitors, managers, legal advisors and support staff from the firm completed the Commando Challenge in aid of...

Employment law changes - 1st October 2015

Numerous employment law changes came into force today as a result of the Deregulation Act 2015. Key changes include:

Porter Dodson recommended in the Legal 500 again

Porter Dodson, has once again been recommended in the recent edition of leading industry publication, Legal 500 (2015).

Sickness absence doesn't have to be a problem for employers

The average manager spends 20 working days each year dealing with absence issues; that’s one month out of twelve or just over 8% of working time....

What are the legal issues surrounding donor sperm?

News hit the press last week of the national sperm bank’s first birthday. Amongst reports was the revelation that the bank had only recruited nine...

Austen Whetham & Guest joins Porter Dodson

Porter Dodson, a UK Top 200 law firm, has today merged with the highly regarded local solicitors, Austen Whetham & Guest of South Street, Bridport.

The Consumer Ombudsman: A knight in shining armour, or a delay to legal recourse?

Most of us can say that at some point we’ve had a complaint about goods or services, relating to things such as retail companies, home improvement...

3.5 million people in the UK affected by infertility

The NHS has widely publicised statistics that show 1 in 7 couples suffer from some degree of infertility in their lives. As such a widespread...

Fired over a Facebook faux pas...

In the recent case of The British Waterways Board v Smith, the Employment Appeal Tribunal found that Mr Smith was fairly dismissed because of...

Are changes to the tax status of settlement payments on the way?

The Government is consulting on the tax treatment of payments made to employees upon termination of their employment.

Divorce in later life

A recent census by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that 9% of people in the over 65 age bracket had divorced by 2011. Ten years...

Cycling from London to Paris

Our Business Excellence Manager, Phil Stocker, is spending the next few days cycling the long journey from London to Paris to raise funds for...

Summer budget 2015: an outline of the new Inheritance Tax relief for family homes

On Wednesday, the Chancellor George Osborne announced in the summer budget that a special Inheritance Tax relief for family homes will be...

Holiday pay calculations and the inclusion of voluntary overtime

In addition to the current legislation regarding the calculation of holiday pay, there have been a number of recent court judgments on the topic.

Mother on the run

A Judge in the West Country has taken the unusual step of asking for help from the Press to trace a Somerset mother, who has gone on the run with...

Exclusivity clauses in zero-hours contracts banned from today

Employers who do not guarantee staff any hours of work and prevent them from working for another employer will no longer be able to enforce such...

On your bike!

Our Business Excellence Manager, Phil Stocker, and Taunton office head, Stephen Wray, joined nearly 600 other cyclists on Sunday 17 May 2015 for...

Gay beliefs v religious beliefs: gay cake row judgment

Today, a judge in Northern Ireland has handed down an eagerly awaited judgment in relation to a row over a message supporting gay marriage to be...

Overtime & holiday pay – beware but no need to panic!

Over the last couple of weeks, we have fielded numerous calls and emails from worried business owners in respect of the emerging position over...

Judge says divorce battles are “like a boxing match”

Mr Justice Holman has urged a couple to avoid the “painful destructive experience” of having to give evidence against each other in open Court,...

Break failure

Commercial lease break clauses continue to be a rich source of dispute and a challenging economic climate makes it easy to understand why. For...

Baroness Hale calls for no-blame divorces

Britain’s most senior female Judge, Baroness Hale, has said that she wants to see the bitterness taken out of most divorces so that one person...

Increase to National Minimum Wage – 1 October 2015

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the minimum hourly rate of pay that the majority of workers should be paid.

Changes in the uses of deeds of variation

The Chancellor announced during the recent Budget that the government will review the uses of deeds of variation as these can currently be used to...

New Commercial Partner appointment at the Yeovil office

Porter Dodson has further strengthened its Commercial services offering with the appointment of Victoria Walker. She joins as Partner in the...

Update on delayed financial relief claim

Further to our earlier post on a former wife making financial claims years after divorcing her ex, five Supreme Court Justices have ruled that the...

Maintenance – not a meal ticket

The press have widely reported the case of Wright, where a divorced wife was told by the court to get a job and not to expect her former husband,...

Making provisions in your Will for family heirlooms

Last summer we were fortunate enough to see a wonderful array of family heirlooms when we hosted an antique valuation afternoon tea at Crowcombe...

New to business?

Coming up with an idea is only just the start for those venturing into new business. Turning that idea into trading reality involves time, energy,...

Convicted after cutting down clematis

Spring will soon be upon us and the green fingered amongst us will be looking forward to getting into the garden to carry out some long awaited...

Avoid the Christmas credit hangover

This time of year is particularly tough for businesses. A number of factors, including the inertia caused by the festive shutdown, can lead to a...

Whither now?

This time last year I commented that the changes in lending rules in the Spring were likely to lead to a flurry of activity before the changes...

Former wife making financial claims years after divorcing her ex

The Supreme Court is dealing with an appeal that could have far reaching consequences for people who divorced decades ago but did not deal with...

Residential Property Tip of the Week 05/01/15

Energy Performance Certificates or ‘EPC’s: do you know they last 10 years? You may not need to get one when you sell if one was fresh when you...

European court rules that obesity can constitute a disability

The European Court of Justice (the ECJ) has ruled in the case of Kaltoft v Municipality of Billund (Case C-354/13) that obesity can constitute a...

Back-dated holiday pay claims limited to 2 years

We recently commented on the UK Employment Appeal Tribunal case of Bear Scotland v Fulton (“the EAT case”) which ruled that holiday pay should...

The new Shared Parental Leave Regulations

The Shared Parental Leave Regulations (“SPL Regulations”) provide parents with a new legal right that will allow them to share caring...

Skeletons in the cupboard

Recently, the Mail Online had a piece about disclosing skeletons in the property closet and what you are obliged to reveal. It mentioned the...

Stamp Duty Land Tax changes - how might that affect you?

The Chancellor’s announcement on Stamp Duty Land Tax levels is a positive and welcome move. I welcome the very short notice which meant that...

Is your business prepared for winter workplace problems?

[This post was last updated in December 2017]

Porter Dodson ranked in Chambers UK 2015

Following on from their recent recommendation in the Legal 500, Porter Dodson’s position as one of the leading law firms in the South West has...

Breaking News – Holiday pay ruling may open the floodgates for backdated holiday pay claims against businesses

Today’s ruling in the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has confirmed that holiday pay should include overtime pay. This overturns the UK’s...

Worries over Wills and concerns over codicils: Should Will-writing be regulated?

Recently The Times wrote an article on the subject of unregulated Will-writing, stating that a legal watchdog report has warned that tens of...

Parental involvement provision

Family courts will presume that each parent will play a role in the life of their child as a result of the parental involvement provision which...

Change to employment law: new rights of fathers and partners of expectant mothers

Since 1 October 2014, fathers and partners of an expectant mother are entitled to take unpaid time off work to accompany the expectant mother to...

To register or not to register… that is the question

In England & Wales we operate two forms of conveyancing: one for property which is unregistered and the other where the property is registered...

New relationships a "fly in the ointment”

In a recent ruling regarding financial settlement in a divorce case, Mr Justice Mostyn said that new relationships are a “fly in the ointment of...

High Court voids 180 Italian cases amid fraud

Non-contested divorce cases taken out in Courts in England and Wales by 180 Italian couples have been declared void after a widespread fraud was...

Porter Dodson once again ranked in the Legal 500

UK top 200 law firm, Porter Dodson, has once again been recommended in the leading industry publication Legal 500 (2014), further reinforcing...

Improved intestacy rules?

Having heard there would be a change to the law on 1st October governing the distribution of a person’s estate when they have died without a valid...

New addition to Porter Dodson’s Taunton team

Porter Dodson is delighted to welcome Mark Banham to its Dispute Resolution team in Taunton following completion of his two-year training contract...

Taunton Partner takes on the Somerset 3 Peaks

This weekend Stephen Wray, Partner and Head of Porter Dodson’s Taunton office, undertook the Somerset 3 Peaks challenge in order to raise funds...

Rising interest in the bank of mum and dad

With property prices in the south west remaining high in relation to salaries and more attractive mortgage deals only being available to those...

Tribunal member appears asleep due to medical condition

If an Employment Tribunal member is apparently asleep for 15 – 20 seconds during a hearing and is observed drooling (though presumably drooling...

Support a charity in your Will

With three-quarters of the UK population supporting charities over their lifetime, it’s easy to remember that there is a big difference between...

Theft of customer data

In a recent case a former employee of Enterprise Rent-A-Car was prosecuted under section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1988 (the Act) by the...

The end of Employment Tribunals?

At the TUC Congress today, Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna says he will abolish the current Employment Tribunal system. The clear message...

Where children are concerned, #UseAProfessional

Recent media coverage of the case of a child removed from hospital in Southampton and taken to Spain for medical treatment highlights how...

Landowner’s liability for trees

The recent High Court case of Stagecoach South Western Trains Ltd v Hind (2014) has reconsidered the landowner’s duty to inspect trees on their...

Art or graffiti?

The BBC has today reported on pressure to outlaw discrimination against employees on the grounds of tattoos. “Body art” is enjoying record levels...

ATED – a very uncuddly tax

Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) on property acquisitions is expensive. It is a tax which has not kept pace with inflation. The bands for SDLT have...

Tenancy Deposit Scheme – Double trouble for landlords

Landlords of residential properties, and their agents, who may have thought they were up to speed on the regulations governing registration of...

Partner appointments at Porter Dodson

Porter Dodson is delighted to announce the appointment of Nicholas Clegg and Chris Pemberton to the role of Partner following the firm’s...

The end of chancel repair liability?

As we commented in a previous blog post, chancel repair liability still continues to cause headaches for property lawyers and owners.

Periodic tenancy or tenancy at will?

The Court of Appeal has recently given judgment on a case which highlights falling rents following the recession. In the case of Barclays Wealth...

Modern Will planning for the modern family

Making a Will has never been more important. The “traditional” family unit of Mum, Dad and 2.4 children is now merely one of the myriad of family...

Custom build serviced plots loan fund

On 26th June 2014, the Government published their prospectus for a loan fund for custom built homes. The prospectus sets out how to access part of...

Is it time to update our divorce laws?

This week sees the second reading of a private member’s bill, the Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill, which was introduced by Baroness Deech...

Medical Practice Law Update

Over the last few months there have been various legal developments relevant to medical practices. There are also other important changes on the...

What is "Caveat Emptor"?

At Porter Dodson, we try to avoid bamboozling clients with legal jargon, but often get asked what is meant by the term “Caveat Emptor”. Translated...

Think you can do what you like in your Will? Think Again!

When thinking of making a Will, most of my clients assume that they can leave their estate to whomever they please and in any fashion they like. ...

Landlords in distress

Until 6 April 2014 it had long been a cornerstone of a commercial landlord’s powers that, in the event of default in payment of rent, a landlord was...

Renewable Energy: Questions to consider (part 2)

Questions and answers arising from the second in our series of Renewables seminars held across Somerset and Dorset. Additional questions and...

A surge in pre-nuptial agreements?

The Telegraph reported this month that Family Law firms have seen “a surge of interest” in pre-nuptial agreements since the publication of the Law...

Warning - Holiday Pay must include commission!

The European Court of Justice (ECJ), in the case of British Gas v Lock, has held that holiday pay should not be limited to basic salary when the...

Landmark case pushes the boundaries of whistleblowing protection

In the landmark ruling of Clyde & Co v Bates van Winkelhof the Supreme Court has confirmed that a member of a limited liability partnership (LLP)...

Walking for St Margaret’s Hospice

As in previous years, Porter Dodson has sponsored the Great Somerset Walk in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice. As well as being a fund raising event,...

Senior Family Judge suggests divorce should become an administrative process

In a speech made on 29th April 2014 Munby said divorce proceedings should be split from the process of financial remedy so that the divorce itself...

Search properly or pay the price

When you are discussing the costs of buying a house or flat with your solicitor, he or she should mention searches. If you are getting a mortgage...

£1200 raised by the Taunton office for the Beacon Centre

Porter Dodson’s Taunton office has raised £1200 for its 2013/14 nominated charity, the Beacon Centre. The money has been raised by employees...

Are there benefits to Alternative Dispute Resolution?

Written within the lecture notes of a nineteenth century lawyer named Abraham Lincoln are the words “Discourage litigation. Persuade your...

Changes to Child Maintenance

New applications for Child Maintenance are now being dealt with by the Child Maintenance Service. Existing cases using the Child Support Agency...

Porter Dodson Employment team ready to assist in Pre-action Conciliation

On Tuesday 6th May 2014 would-be claimants in the Employment Tribunal will first have to make contact with the arbitration service ACAS. This...

Solicitor retires after 36 years with Porter Dodson

Nick Williams has retired from Porter Dodson after more than 30 years with the Firm.

What is chancel repair liability?

Our property lawyers have been struggling with the knotty subject of chancel repair liability for decades, so why has it only just come to the...

Is obesity a disability?

Obesity in the UK is a growing epidemic. The UK is the tenth fattest country in the world and one of the fattest in Europe with levels of obesity...

Renewable Energy: Questions to consider (part 1)

Porter Dodson recently co-hosted a free Renewables seminar alongside Old Mill Accountants and Solar Systems in Somerset. The seminar provided an...

Changes to Statutory Sick Pay

As of 6 April 2014, it is no longer possible for an employer to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from its national insurance contribution. This is...

Requirement for separating couples to find out about mediation before going to Court

The Children and Families Act was given Royal Assent on 13th March 2014 meaning reforms will be introduced as part of the re-launched family court...

Have you thought about succession planning?

Spring is in the air, Autumn crops are enjoying a respite from the rain, lambing is well under way and the ground is now being prepared for sowing...

What is conveyancing?

We often a get asked for a “conveyancing” quote, so we thought we’d take a look at what the term “conveyancing” means; although we prefer to talk...

Pension Sharing Orders: ‘Family Law’s best kept secret’

A detailed study into pension sharing on divorce has been recently published and the study suggests that pension sharing orders are a valuable,...

Changes to Consumer Contracts

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has published new regulations on consumer contracts which are intended to harmonise distance...

Leaving money to charities in your Will not only benefits the charity

Making a Will is an important part of planning for the future and, for most, is hugely important in ensuring that their family and friends are...

The new Children and Families Bill

The Children and Families Bill awaits implementation shortly. We used to have “custody” and “access” of children on separation of parents. Then...

Trade mark infringement case: The Glee Club

Comic Enterprise Limited (Comic Enterprise) commenced proceedings against Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (Fox) for trade mark infringement...

TUPE, what’s changed and for how long?

The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, or TUPE, protects employees when they transfer from one employer to...

Who owns the copyright in a photograph?

There has been a lot of media coverage about the most re-tweeted photograph taken at the recent Oscars ceremony. But who owns the intellectual...

New Associate appointment at Porter Dodson’s Taunton office

Stephen Wray (Office Head at Taunton office), Ben Hingley and Bruce Weir

Changes to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and how it affects your school

Current law

What is the difference between divorce and Judicial Separation?

To find out how to achieve a Legal Separation, therefore remaining married, visit our blog post explaining the difference between Judicial...

European Commission unveils White Paper on 2030 climate change

The European Commission has recently presented a new proposed framework agreement with the intention of driving the EU towards a low carbon...

UK residential property market 2014: onwards and upwards?

The short answer is….? Almost certainly, yes. Not so much a question of “when” but “how high”?

Will the UK have its first tidal lagoon power plant?

Plans for the world's first man-made, energy-generating lagoon were submitted for planning approval on 7th February 2014. Swansea Bay Tidal...

Does your business structure work best for you?

With the rush of the 31 January deadline for tax self-assessment behind us for another year, business owners may well turn their thoughts to...

Employment Law Update – February 2014

Calculation of Holiday Pay should include Commission and Over-time: Recent cases of Neal v Freightliner Ltd ET/1315342/12 and Lock v British Gas...

Green Shoots 2014 style?

By Nicholas Clegg, Finance Director

Solicitors get a solar powered boost

Somerset and Dorset solicitors Porter Dodson has recently (January, 2014) installed solar panels onto its roof to help reduce its carbon footprint.

Education Briefing – January 2014

In this briefing we set out some of the changes to law and best practice which will affect Academy schools in 2014.

Prenuptial agreements to be made legally binding

The Law Commission has called for pre-nuptial agreements to be made legally binding in England and Wales. This recommendation follows a three year...

Taunton Office sponsored cycling for the Beacon Centre

On the 22nd November members of Porter Dodson’s Taunton office are doing a sponsored cycle ride in the reception area, covering 115 miles, which is...

Porter Dodson ranked in Chambers UK 2014

Porter Dodson’s position as one of the leading law firms in the South West has been further enhanced by its ranking in the latest publication of...

Porter Dodson Fertility ‘Highly Commended’ at Law Society Excellence Awards

Porter Dodson LLP is delighted to announce that their Fertility and Parenting team, headed by Partner Louisa Ghevaert, has been ‘Highly Commended’...

Legal 500 recognition for Porter Dodson

Porter Dodson’s position as one of the leading law firms in the South West has been further reflected in the mention of six of its Partners and...

Porter Dodson is supporting St Margaret’s Hospice Wills Week 2013

Porter Dodson is delighted to be participating in the 2013 St Margaret’s Hospice Make a Will Week initiative which runs from 9th September – 13th...

Solicitors support Charity Ride and Stride event

Volunteers across Dorset are gearing up to pedal for their parish at this year’s Ride & Stride event. The annual fundraising day, organised by...

Lawyers’ Guide published by Legal Ombudsman

The Legal Ombudsman published this week a guide for people considering using a lawyer. The guide, which includes a list of top ten tips, is...

Further accolades for Porter Dodson’s Family Law team

Porter Dodson Solicitors & Advisors is delighted to announce that Partner Louisa Ghevaert has been shortlisted by Jordan’s Family Law for its ‘Most...

Porter Dodson’s Solicitors: “Leaders in their Field”

Leading legal directory Chambers UK has announced that it is to name four of Porter Dodson’s Partners as “Leaders in their Field”.

End of an era as Legal Practitioner retires after 44 years

The end of June will mark the end of an era as wills, trusts and probate specialist Jill Griffin retires after 44 years’ service with leading...

Porter Dodson’s Renewables and Employment teams contribute to the latest edition of Somerset Chamber Newsletter

Catch up on the latest news regarding Renewables and Employment Law in the June edition of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce Newsletter.

Somerset Solicitors support prestigious Business Awards

Porter Dodson Solicitors & Advisors, a UK Top 200 Law Firm with offices in Somerset and Dorset, is pleased to be supporting this year’s Somerset...

Somerset Solicitors support Hospice Walk

Porter Dodson Solicitors & Advisors was delighted to support the Great Somerset Walk in support of St Margaret’s Hospice.

Porter Dodson’s Taunton Office celebrates five years at Blackbrook

Porter Dodson Solicitors & Advisors’ Taunton team recently welcomed more than a hundred guests to its offices at Blackbrook Business Park. The...

Partner retires after more than 30 years with law firm – but won’t be going far just yet!

After more than 30 years with the Firm, Nick Williams retired from the Partnership of Porter Dodson at the end of April.

Taunton’s competitive advantage

More than a hundred members of Taunton’s business community recently attended a Breakfast at Somerset County Cricket Club to discuss the benefits...

Hats off to the ladies at Taunton Racecourse

Porter Dodson Solicitors & Advisors hosted a reception for guests at this year’s Ladies Day at Taunton Racecourse.

De-mystifying diversifying for business owners

Ensuring that your business continues to grow year on year can be difficult; particularly in the current climate and it’s understandable for...

Keep it in the family – value of Pre-Nups

Amanda Jones, Associate and Family Law Solicitor, explains the value of pre-nuptial agreements.

Somerset and Dorset solicitors Porter Dodson sponsor Business Awards

Somerset and Dorset Solicitors Porter Dodson are pleased to sponsor the Western Gazette Business Awards 2013 in the category of Great Innovation...

Data Protection: Safeguard your reputation

Data protection is not just for “big business” – protecting customer and employee personal data is a key issue for any business or organisation,...

Porter Dodson Solicitors & Advisors are pleased to announce that Sharon Collier and Kate James have been appointed Partners

Sharon and Kate have been with Porter Dodson, a UK Top 200 Law Firm, since they completed their training contracts and are both members of the...

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