The legal services sector has reached a critical juncture in its history and it is only those firms which proactively embrace and chase change who will survive and thrive as we move further into the twenty first century.Patrick Susskind, IT Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, and considered by many to be the world’s leading expert in legal technology, is of this view. Simply put, in his opinion, if firms are to prosper over the next decades they are going to have to find a way to achieve “more for less”.Although, at a superficial level, this…

Financial technology, or what we now know by the name FinTech, has had an enormous and profound impact on clients of the economic industry. Where there was once a large degree of scepticism regarding whether FinTech was simply a way to cut the financial cost of human interactions, there is an acceptance – on both sides of the fence; client and financial adviser – that FinTech has made things easier and more efficient. In fact it has been largely beneficial to consumers, ensuring that the market has been opened up to innovators, who, through the intelligent use of technology, have…

Dreaming of working by the beach or enjoying a siesta in-between calls? If the vibrant culture and sun-kissed terrains of Spain beckon you, it’s time you learned about Spain’s enticing Digital Nomad Visa (DNV). In today’s increasingly digital landscape, Spain is emerging as a hotspot for digital nomads, and its DNV is the golden ticket. Unraveling the Spanish DNV What exactly is the DNV? The Digital Nomad Visa is tailored for non-European individuals keen on working remotely from the beautiful landscapes of Spain. Whether you’re freelancing or working for an overseas company, Spain welcomes you with open arms. Key Prerequisites…

Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act imposes a legal obligation on the registered keeper of a vehicle to provide the driver’s identity at the time of an alleged road traffic offence.Failure to name the driver can face severe penalties, including:six penalty points on your licence and,up to £1000 fine.   The legal obligationIt is important to note that nominating either yourself or another as the driver at the time of an alleged offence is not the same as confessing to having committed the offence itself. It is simply providing the police with one piece of evidence specifically concerning driver identification.The…

A new traffic enforcement van, equipped with hi-tech cameras and AI technology, is now in operation. The van, operated by Safer Roads Humber and National Highways, is designed to detect potential lawbreakers, including those who are speeding, using their mobile phones while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.On its first day of service, the van detected 56 motorists suspected of breaking the law, by using their mobile phones while driving or failing to wear a seatbelt. The cameras, attached to a tall pole that protrudes from the roof of the van, look…

It has been revealed that life-saving research is on hold due to a three-month backlog in approving medical trials. Any study involving giving humans drugs must be signed off by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), including testing new medications and vaccines for diseases such as dementia, cancer and heart disease.However, the watchdog’s approval process, which should take a maximum of 30 days, has tripled to three months since last summer, with some being delayed for six months. Researchers have warned the delays mean patients having to wait longer to receive any potentially life-saving treatments. MHRA chiefs have…

An NHS maternity department at the James Paget Hospital in Norfolk has been handed a warning notice by the Care Quality Commission over safety failings. The health watchdog said it was taking the action over the Hospital to prevent patients coming to harm, after inspectors found the unit did not have enough staff to care for women and babies and keep them safe. The hospital apologised and said it had made “immediate” improvements.Between June and November 2022, there were 30 “red flags” that the inspectors found, of which more than half related to delays or cancellations to time-critical activity. In one instance,…

The Care Quality Commission has found that maternity services at the Bradford Royal Infirmary have improved but work still needs to be done, with inspectors saying the unit as a whole was still rated as “requiring improvement”. Inspectors found the service “didn’t effectively record or store medicines, which could put people at risk of harm,”, and there were “not always enough staff to meet people’s needs, which the trust must address to keep people safe”. According to a new CQC report, the most recent inspection which took place in January, found leaders at the maternity unit ran services well “using reliable…

What is a Proprietary Estoppel claim?A proprietary estoppel claim is a claim made under the Equitable Doctrine of Proprietary Estoppel in respect of ownership of property. This type of claim usually arises where property has been promised to another but without any written evidentiary proof.The usual rule is that for land to be transferred to another party then it must comply with the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989. This provides that any document must be in writing and must be witnessed as a deed for the ownership of property to be transferred. As this is not always the…

Rochford v Rochford [2021] WTLR 951Adult child claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975On 21 and 22 January 2021 I was involved in a two-day virtual trial before Recorder Williamson QC. I acted on behalf of the Claimant in bringing a claim against the estate of her late father under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. James McKean of New Square Chambers acted as the barrister. Although only in the county court and not a substantial claim or estate, the claim is important as very few adult child claims under the Act go…