Author Archives: hjs

1. National Bring Your Dog to Work Day!

   June 18, 2019 4:51 pm Leave a Comment

   We supported the national Bring Your Dog to Work day on Friday 21st June.  We dressed down to raise money for the local Dogs Trust, raising a total of £50.00.

   

   Lots of furry friends joined us at the office for the day.  Pictured below, Receptionist Lucy with Tilly, Solicitor Sean with Tilly, Business Development Manager Emma with Ozzy & HR Manager Lindsey with Archie – not to mention Consultant Roger whose pup was far too mischievous to be let off the lead!

   

   

   

   

   

   Visit their website for more details: https://bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk/join-the-fun

2. Scott Richards Highly Commended in Corporate Social Responsibility Award!

   April 29, 2019 4:54 pm Leave a Comment

   We are delighted to announce that Scott Richards were highly commended in the annual Devon & Somerset Law Society (DASLS) award for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  Pictured below Paul Dyson, the Senior Partner with Joanne Osborne, Paralegal, holding the certificate.

   

   CSR is about companies conducting their business in a way that is ethical. This means taking account of their social, economic and environmental impact. It can involve a range of activities such as:

   • Working in partnership with local communities / charities 
   • Developing relationships with employees and customers 
   • Environmental protection and sustainability

   The Judges for this award looked for examples of the very best practice of how solicitors and their organisations have embraced their CSR and how this has benefited their communities, staff and clients.

   As a firm, we have always had the goal of supporting our local community in every way we can, whether it be by way of a one-off donation to a local cause, sports club or group of some kind, specific events in support of charities held at our offices such as Macmillan Coffee Mornings and Children in Need or joining in with organised events like the Rowcroft Colour Rush. 

   Says Jamie Dyson, Managing Partner “We were absolutely thrilled to be formally recognised by DASLS with this commendation.  It is a reflection of the wonderful staff that we have here and their generosity, commitment and enthusiasm. I am so proud of the entire team and the award is a fantastic recognition of their efforts.”

3. Divorce Reform

   April 10, 2019 4:46 pm Leave a Comment

   We are pleased to see that the government has announced new plans for reform on how the divorce process will operate, including removing the need to rely on blame-based petitions such as your spouse’s adultery or unreasonable behaviour and the ability for both spouses to apply jointly.

   We are hopeful that this change will help to reduce hostility between divorcing spouses at what is already a difficult time.

   Read the full article on Sky News here.

4. Top Tips for Separating Parents

   April 2, 2019 4:47 pm Leave a Comment

   The effects of family breakdown can be very traumatic for all those involved.  Our highly experienced team understand that difficult situations are part of any family breakdown, whether it is divorce, separation or the dissolution of a civil partnership.

   Our two Family Partners are both members of Resolution.  What does this mean for you?  

   Resolution’s 6,500 members are family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Resolution members follow a Code of Practice that promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems. Their members encourage solutions that consider the needs of the whole family – and in particular the best interests of children.

   The short Resolution film for separating parents provides top tips to help minimise the impact of conflict on children and the importance of working with a Resolution member.

   You can view the film here.  If you would like to find out more about what Resolution members do, please visit their website.

5. PATH Torbay Donation

   March 13, 2019 4:57 pm Leave a Comment

   Our final Christmas-Card Fund donation went the brilliant charity, People Assisting Torbay’s Homeless (P.A.T.H.), who provide a daily food bank, support centre and 365 day outreach programme for   homeless people in the local area.

   Founder Kath Friedrich is  pictured here with Assistant, Claire Robins accepting a cheque for £150.00.

   

   We wish P.A.T.H. lots of luck for the future with the fantastic support they provide.

6. #shoplocal Facebook Competition Winners!

   March 6, 2019 4:56 pm Leave a Comment

   We are pleased to announce the winners of our #shoplocal Facebook competition.   

   1st place, the #shoplocal hamper – Chloe Rigler
   2nd place, £100 voucher for Go Segway Exeter – Matt Back
   3rd place, £75 voucher for Mount Pleasant Inn – Perry Taylor

   For more details, please head over to our Facebook page.

   Congratulations to our 1st place prize winner, Chloe Rigler pictured here with Partner, Adam Clinch-Othman collecting her prize.  We hope you enjoy your #shoplocal hamper.

   

   Congratulations to our 2nd prize winner, Matt Back pictured here with Client Liaison, Joanna Grasse and Receptionist, Lucy Bowen. Having recently experienced Go Segway ourselves, we know that Matt will have a fantastic time!

   

   Our mega first place prize was a super hamper full of all of the following prizes:

   1 x £20 voucher – The Jolly Good Fish Cafe here in Teignmouth
   1 x £20 voucher – Pink Says (hairdressers), Teignmouth
   1 x £20 voucher – Shoe Centre, Dawlish
   1 x voucher for 4 brownies (value of £10) The Rustic Kitchen, Teignmouth
   1 x £20 voucher Words & Pictures Gallery (art)
   1 x £20 voucher – Marine Garage, Dawlish
   1 x Bottle of Thunderflower Gin (worth £37.95)
   1 x Scott Richards water bottle
   1 x Dairy Box chocolates

   Thank you to everyone who entered the competition.

7. Children’s Hospice South West

   March 4, 2019 4:59 pm Leave a Comment

   Despite being a very festive bunch here at Scott Richards, we don’t actually send any Christmas cards.  Instead, we ask our clients to choose three local charities to donate our “Christmas card fund” to.

   Not only does this benefit our local community, but reduces our carbon footprint to boot!

   

   Pictured above: Paula Hullet (right) from the incredible charity Children’s Hospice South West, receiving a £250.00 cheque from our Residential Assistant, Carol Harwood.

   To find out more about this charity, visit www.chsw.org.uk

8. RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter Donation

   4:57 pm Leave a Comment

   Along with Children’s Hospice South West and P.A.T.H. Torbay, our clients chose the local charity, RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter to receive a donation from the Scott Richards’ Christmas card fund.

   Here is Trainee Solicitor, Camille Bittlestone (right), with Jo Evans from the charity.

   

   Camille is most definitely the biggest animal lover of our team and so we sent her off to visit the shelter in person with an opportunity to grab some bonus kitten snuggles whilst there! Camille mentioned how happy all the animals were at the shelter and how dedicated the staff are. Jo Evans told us that the shelter is currently undergoing extensive site works, including building new blocks and exercise areas for the dogs. We wish them lots of luck for the future!

   To find out more about this charity, visit their website here

9. Sea Cadets Receive Cheque from Scott Richards

   February 21, 2019 5:21 pm Leave a Comment

   Scott Richards hold a charity dress down day, usually on the last working Friday of each month.  One of the charities we have supported in this way is the Sea Cadets.

   Sea Cadets is different from school. There’s a lot of learning. But it’s done through activities – on the water, on land and in the unit – and their volunteers leading by example.   Further details can be found at https://www.sea-cadets.org/about

   The Sea Cadets were delighted to be presented with a cheque for the donations raised during our charity dress down days.

   

   Pictured: Front row left to right: Tom, Harrison and Thomas.  Back row left to right: Lt. Malcolm Fletcher, Amy, Riley and PO. Viv Pointer.  Becky Sharpe (left) and Jo Grasse (right) of Scott Richards presented the cheque.

10. Cohabiting Couples: How to Protect Your Interests

    January 28, 2019 5:17 pm Leave a Comment

    Recent research conducted by the University of Exeter has unveiled that 46% of people in England and Wales incorrectly believe that unmarried, cohabiting couples form a “common law marriage” which affords them legal status similar to those enjoyed by married couples – see their article here.

    In fact, no such common law marriage, or indeed specific legal rights for cohabiting couples exist, meaning that cohabiting couples are limited in how the law can protect their legal and beneficial ownership of a property.

    There are, however, some ways for cohabiting couples to protect their interests in the absence of any specific legislation; namely, by entering into what is known as a cohabitation agreement. 

    A cohabitation agreement records the arrangements reached between parties who live together; setting out each of their rights, responsibilities and financial arrangements in relation to the property and any personal property both during and following cohabitation should there be a relationship breakdown. Cohabitation agreements do not apply only to jointly owned properties, but also to property that is rented, owned solely by one party or indeed owned jointly in equal or unequal shares. The agreement can be a perfect opportunity to record these arrangements, which could otherwise be disputed.

    Not only does this provide clarity for both parties from the outset of the agreement being created, but it also proves valuable where a cohabiting relationship breaks down and parties otherwise dispute their respective shares in a property. This is particularly the case where the property is legally owned by one party, but the cohabiting party has made other financial or domestic contributions which they may well feel they have a right to benefit from. A cohabitation agreement can avoid this kind of uncertainty by regulating any rights that either party has over the property (both legally and beneficially) and what should happen to the property upon a relationship breaking down. Ultimately, having a cohabitation agreement in place and discussing each party’s rights and obligations in relation to the property at the outset of living together can therefore avoid the acrimony, cost and uncertainty of litigation after cohabitation ends.

    If you are planning to, or already, cohabit and feel this is something you should consider, then please contact us on 01626 772 441 for assistance.