February 2012

Relief for Valuers – Despair for Buy-to-Lets?

Thu, 16/02/2012 - 13:30 — Richard Cooper

As the economy continues to falter and property prices decline further, buyers of property, overwhelmed with buyer’s remorse, seek to recover losses from failed investments made at the height of the boom.

In Scullion v. Bank of Scotland t/a Colleys, the High Court decided that a lender’s valuer did owe a duty of care to a low-value, buy-to-let investor. The High Court considered that those investors were unlikely to have commissioned their own reports and valuers should know that those investors would be relying on their valuations.  

Your guide to successfully selling your house.

Mon, 13/02/2012 - 12:26 — Keith Johnson

When selling your house you need to be sure that you can attract the right buyer and secure the sale at the best price possible. To achieve this it is key to present your property in the right way. Keith Johnson, Estate Agency Manager at Sydney Mitchell Solicitors and Estate Agents talks through the do's and don'ts when selling your house.

Sydney Mitchell LLP gain the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme

Thu, 09/02/2012 - 10:51 — Linda Heyworth

Leading Midlands property law firm Sydney Mitchell is proud to announce that it has gained membership to the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) - the mark of excellence for the home buying and selling process for legal firms.

Sydney Mitchell Quiz Night

Thu, 09/02/2012 - 15:17 — Linda Heyworth

On Wednesday 22nd February, Sydney Mitchell are holding a Quiz night in aid of Headway West Midlands.

All entrants are welcome and will be competing for the Sydney Mitchell trophy in our fourth annual quiz taking place at Maple House, Corporation Street, Birmingham, B4 6TB. Entry costs £100 per team of four.

For further information, or to reserve your team's place, please email k.shakesheff@sydneymitchell.co.uk

Health Check Seminar for Business

Thu, 09/02/2012 - 15:39 — Liz Thomas

Sydney Mitchell invite you to a Health Check Seminar for Business (DATE TO BE CONFIRMED), from 4pm to 6pm. This is a joint event with Prime Accountants, CIPP and Solihull Chamber.

Just how healthy is your business? Experts give you 10 key areas to review. Just what are the pitfalls and cost of getting your employment, payroll and PAYE wrong?

The event takes place at The Village Hotel, The Green Business Park, Dog Kennel Lane, Shirley, B90 4GW and will cost £25 plus VAT for each attendee.

Claim successful despite cause not being proved.

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:23 — Jonathan Simpson

When a claim is made for a personal injury, you would normally think it necessary to prove that the injury was caused by the action of the person or business claimed against for the claim to succeed.

Divorce and family location

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:28 — Karen Moores

When a marriage breaks up, it is usual for the couple to separate physically as well as legally and in some cases the physical separation can be considerable. With the increase in international travel and residence abroad, marriages between persons of different nationalities are becoming increasingly common.

New tribunal award rates from 1st February 2012.

Wed, 01/02/2012 - 13:29 — Dippalli Naik

From 1 February 2012, the limits in respect of employee claims will increase in accordance with The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2011 (SI 2011/3006). Dippalli Naik, Solicitor, at Sydney Mitchell LLP, outlines the changes below:

1. For payments in relation to rights protected under the Employment Rights Act 1996: