The case of a con man who targeted pensioners in Runcorn and Widnes shows just how important it is to get legal advice about Wills & Trusts from a qualified lawyer.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/16/2015 -- When it comes to drawing up your will, or setting up a trust, using a qualified lawyer who knows what they're talking about is the best way to ensure you get a legally sound result that actually reflects your wishes. It's a message that carries extra weight after a recent court case involving a businessman who scammed vulnerable pensioners in Runcorn and Widnes out of thousands of pounds in exchange for providing them with poor quality wills and trust deeds.

Businessman Samuel Eaton targeted pensioners in and around Runcorn and Widnes through his bogus companies, The Pensioners' Association and The Senior Citizen's Advice Centre. From his base of operations in an industrial estate in Wigan, Mr Eaton produced literature which gave the impression his services were affiliated to AgeUK, Macmillan Cancer Support and the charity Sense.

In addition to misleading marketing materials, Mr Eaton also 'cold called' potential victims before visiting them at home and convincing them to hand over hundreds of pounds in exchange for wills and trust deeds. But when these documents were examined as part of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court this week, experts found they were riddled with errors, inconsistencies and ambiguous clauses, making them basically useless.

Finding Mr Eaton guilty of four offences of 'engaging in a commercial practice which contrived the requirement of due diligence', trial judge Alan Conrad QC said that he had committed "serious offences involving a number of different victims, some particularly vulnerable." The judge sentenced Mr Eaton to an 8 month jail sentence and ordered him to pay almost £4000 in legal costs and compensation to his victims.

Wills and Trusts in Runcorn and Widnes from qualified solicitors

When it comes to drafting a will or setting up a trust, many people worry about the potential costs involved. This is why services provided by un-qualified individuals such as Mr Eaton, or un-regulated businesses, can be an attractive alternative.

However there are substantial risks associated with this approach, as was shown in this case. The quality of the legal documents provided is often far lower than if the will or trust deed was drafted by a fully qualified solicitor. This can mean people are left with poorly-worded documents with unenforceable terms that aren't worth the paper they are written on.

Kristel Clarke, one of the Wills and Trusts Solicitors at Canter Levin & Berg in Liverpool says that for many elderly people, it can be difficult to know who to go to for professional advice about making a will. Kristel and her colleagues from the Wills and Probate department at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors provide legal advice to people looking to draw up a will or who need help setting up a trust.

About Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors
Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors run legal advice clinics at the Age UK offices in Runcorn, Widnes, St Helens and Warrington, offering local people an easy and convenient way to get face-to-face legal advice concerning wills and probate matters from a fully qualified solicitor. All free appointments at these legal advice clinics are 30 minutes long and come with no obligation to purchase any other legal products.

For more legal advice on Wills, Trusts or Probate Administration, call the team at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors on 0151 239 1064.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

As a new charge levied at anyone convicted of a criminal offence in England and Wales is introduced this week, Criminal Law Solicitor Richard Hughes from Canter Levin & Berg offers his opinion.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/16/2015 -- From April 13 2015, a new Criminal Courts Charge has been introduced in England and Wales. Announced by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling back in March, this charge of between £150 and £1200, depending on the type of case, is not means-tested.

The Criminal Courts Charge will be levied in addition to the monies which those convicted of an offence currently have to pay. These include the prosecution's legal costs, a compensation payment to the victim of their crime and a Victim Surcharge – which funds victims' services. All of these charges are in addition to the sentence the guilty person receives, which can itself take the form of a fine.

Where costs awards differ from the new Criminal Courts Charge, is that they are set by the courts individually in each case, based on what the court decides it would be "just and reasonable" for the convicted person to pay.

The new charges have already come in for criticism from a number of prominent figures and organisations in the legal sector, including the Law Society, which called the introduction of the fees "disturbing" and Frances Cook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, who said that the charges were nonsensical, as in many criminal cases, those found guilty "do not have the means to pay".

Currently, hundreds of millions of pounds in unpaid fees are owed to the courts service by people who have been convicted of an offence. Announcing the new charges last month, Mr Grayling estimated they could raise £135 million a year, reducing the "burden (of the running costs of the criminal justice system) on hardworking taxpayers".

However Richard Monkhouse of the Magistrates Association, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live criticised the estimate of the amount of money that charge could bring in, saying: "We see an awful lot of people who are offending because they have no money, so just slapping another fine on them isn't actually going to make a big difference if they are unable to pay.' 'It is surely a waste of taxpayers' money to pursue payment of these charges from people who are unlikely to ever have the means to pay."

A Criminal Law Solicitor's opinion

The Criminal Law department at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors in Liverpool provides legal representation to people accused of an offence. Richard Hughes, one of the specialist criminal law solicitors gave his opinion on the new charges and how he thought they would affect people who have been found guilty of a criminal offence:

"These new charges are outrageous and a threat to a fair trial. Although this will not affect the robust advice that solicitors give to those who maintain their innocence, the difference in the charges for a guilty and not guilty plea may well affect the decision made by individual defendants.

This is one of the most significant changes ever to be made to the sentencing process and it has been brought in by the back door, by way of a statutory instrument, thus avoiding any appropriate scrutiny, debate and challenge.

The effect of the charges is to impose a very significant additional mandatory financial penalty on defendants, regardless of the seriousness of the offence or the defendant's financial or personal circumstances."

About Canter Levin & Berg - Criminal Law Solicitors
If you have been accused of committing a criminal act, you will need a solicitor to represent you throughout the criminal justice process and in court. At Canter Levin & Berg our criminal defence solicitors represent clients in all of the Merseyside and Lancashire courts as a matter of routine. We also have a national presence allowing us to operate in courts throughout England and Wales. For more information on our criminal law services, contact one of our specialist solicitors on 0151 352 0016 or visit our website.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Solicitor and Family Law specialist Rebecca Finnigan says this week’s BBC Panorama 'DIY Justice' shows that there are no winners in the current civil justice system.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/15/2015 -- Legal Aid used to help with the costs of professional advice for people who could not afford it, however in April 2013, the justice system in England and Wales changed dramatically.

Cuts to the legal aid budget, designed to save around £350m a year, meant that many civil and family law cases no longer qualified for funding to cover the legal costs of those involved. This included funding for divorce cases and some cases of historic abuse.

On 30th March, the BBC's Panorama programme 'DIY Justice' covered the impact that these cuts have had to ordinary people hoping to bring their cases through the courts. Following a handful of litigants in person in the run up to their court appearances, the programme makers also spoke to former justice secretary Kenneth Clarke and retired judge Sir Alan Moses.

After viewing the programme, Rebecca Finnigan, a Solicitor within the Divorce & Family Law Department at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors and an accredited member of the Law Society's Family Law Panel, offered her thoughts on the issues raised:

This week's Panorama demonstrated the difficulties faced by litigants in person (people who represent themselves) when going through the family court process.

The programme began with the case of a lady who had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and sought her daughter's return from the care of the child's father. She was not eligible for 'exceptional case' legal aid and despite her serious mental health condition she was left in a situation where she had to represent herself and present her own case to the court. It was clear that this was a traumatic experience; it was apparent she had difficulties in expressing herself in court and as result she felt that she had not done a good enough job in presenting her case.

We saw another mother who was told she was not eligible for legal aid because although the child's father had a criminal conviction for assaulting her, this was more than 2 years ago and was therefore not relevant to securing legal aid. This really did concern me, because the information given was inaccurate.

It is in fact the case where the other party has a specified criminal conviction for a domestic abuse offence against the other, then that is relevant for applying for legal aid so long as the conviction is not 'spent'. As a result, this mother had to represent herself and was left in a position where she had to cross-examine the child's father, who had a conviction for a violent offence against her. Predictably she found this extremely daunting, and again felt that she was not able to do justice to her own case as a result.

That is not the whole story though. We did see a father who as a litigant in person, successfully argued that he should have more contact with his children. It was also apparent that this was an intelligent and particularly articulate man, who, having been unemployed for the last 4 years, had used his time to dedicate himself to becoming a lay-expert in family law. The camera even focused on some of his reading literature, including the book by "Mr Loophole", although I remain unconvinced of the application of this particular style of law to family proceedings!

Whilst this demonstrates that acting as a litigant in person is not an automatic recipe for disaster, it must be said that we were not told of any complicating factors in his case, such as mental health problems, domestic abuse falling short of the threshold for qualifying for legal aid, or extremely high emotion.

What summed up the programme for me was the moment when the presenter said that this particular father had "won" his case. It is a long established principal that there can be no such thing as winners or losers in children law cases and it is clear that for litigants in person they feel very much that if they do not achieve the outcome they were hoping for, they have "lost" their case. It compounded my personal belief that the lack of legal aid to very deserving parties is not about depriving them of 'equality of arms' against parties who do qualify for legal aid, or who can afford privately paying legal representation.

The lack of legal aid places some of society's most vulnerable people in positions where, despite the very best efforts of judges who are sympathetic and sensitive to the difficulties faced by litigants in person, they do in fact very often feel powerless, unable to articulate themselves fully, intimidated by a complex process, and ultimately many are left feeling that justice has not been done as a result.

Again, this does not necessarily mean that legal aid should be available so that everyone has 'equality of arms', but what the severely restricted availability of legal aid demonstrates, is that for very many reasons vulnerable people do not feel confidently able to articulate their cases. This results in a feeling amongst many people who are going through the family courts, that justice has not been done and that their children's best interests have not been served."

About Rebecca Finnigan
Rebecca Finnigan is a Family Law Solicitor at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors in Liverpool. For advice if similar legal issues are affecting your family, call Canter Levin & Berg on 0151 239 1000.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Personal Injury Solicitor Ruth Bennett shares her professional opinion on the latest whiplash claims figures published by the insurance company Aviva

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/14/2015 -- According to the UK's largest insurer, Aviva, the number of whiplash injury claims made by motorists is expected to top 840,000 this year. This marks an increase of 9% compared with the figure for 2013/2014. In comments made to the BBC, Aviva said that the 'compensation culture' of the UK was to blame for the increase, with too many fraudulent or exaggerated claims still being made.

Aviva also proposed further changes to the way claims involving whiplash and other similar injuries are dealt with. This included a reduction in the limitation period, so that these claims must be made within 12 months of the date of the accident and that in order to make claim, the injury symptoms must last for more than 3 months.

Ruth Bennett, one of the Road Traffic Accident Solicitors at Canter Levin & Berg spoke out about the latest accident claim statistics, the proposals from Aviva and the continued attacks by insurance companies on genuinely injured accident victims:

Personal injury claims are made by the injured Claimant not by a Solicitor but innocent injured victims of another's negligence have the right to legal advice and representation and pursue personal injury claims from the at fault party.

The government has enacted many changes in recent months that have affected the ability of injured accident victims to obtain access to justice - thereby saving insurers like Aviva a great deal of money.

The insurer's proposals for change are misleading, insurers are already able to offer the injured Claimant treatment; damages are already awarded by reference to a tariff, the Judicial Studies Board Guidelines; and Solicitors firms are no longer able to pay referral fees.

There is a duty of insurance companies to address the issue of a 'compensation culture' if they believe it exists, first ensure they are not paying referral fees for personal injury claims and secondly if they believe a claim is fraudulent do not pay it but challenge it in Court. If claims are spurious or have no merits they will fail and no damages or costs will be payable.

The insurance companies state premiums 'could' be reduced if changes are made. There has been a raft of changes to the industry in recent years, particularly aimed at reducing the costs for insurance companies but surprisingly the reduction in premiums for consumers never comes and here is another example.

Here at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors, our specialist Road Traffic Accident Solicitors deal with thousands of claims each year made by people who have suffered genuine injuries through no fault of their own in accidents on the road.

For more information or to make a claim yourself, call 0151 239 1190.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Landmark ruling affects children and protected parties in cases where there has been a negotiated settlement.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/10/2015 -- In a ruling announced in February this year, the Court of Appeal has said that children and protected parties in medical negligence and personal injury cases should not be publicly named unless anonymity is unnecessary or inappropriate.

This judgement has reversed the current default position, where claimants who are seeking anonymity in relation to a negotiated settlement must make a formal application to the court.

What might this mean for my personal injury claim?

This judgement will affect personal injury claims where the claimant is a child (someone under 18) or where they are a protected party (someone who, for whatever reason, lacks the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves).

Until this week's judgement, these vulnerable claimants had been on an uneven footing in respect of anonymity because, unlike the majority of people who make personal injury claims and who are non-protected parties, their undisputed settlements must always be subject to court approval. This meant that the settlements could be reported on by the press unless a specific application for anonymity had been made.

However, in this latest judgement, the Court of Appeal supported the argument that the pursuit of open justice meant that the court should be 'more willing to recognise a need to protect the interests of claimants who are children and protected parties, including their right and that of their families to respect for their privacy'. The court also said that the public interest in these cases 'may usually be served without the need for disclosure of the claimant's identity'.

A Personal Injury Solicitor's viewpoint

Here at Canter Levin & Berg, we spoke to Phil Scott, one of our specialist Personal Injury Solicitors, who explained why he thought it was about time that vulnerable claimants were treated equally in respect of their rights to anonymity:

I think the promotion of consistency and even-handedness should always be welcomed in the execution of the Law and I think it is very hard to argue against that. It is important for those who have a disadvantaged position in society to be afforded the same rights as the rest of the general population.

About Canter Levin & Berg
At Canter Levin & Berg we regularly enable the settlement of high-value cases involving children and protected parties. The protection of anonymity for these people (and by extension, their families) is vital to minimise the risk of exploitation.

For more information about making a Personal Injury claim, please call our claims helpline on 0151 239 1180.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors have been re-awarded our Lexcel accreditation by the Law Society following a successful annual inspection

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/08/2015 -- Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors are pleased to announce that, following an inspection earlier this year, we have been re-awarded the Lexcel Legal Practice Quality Mark by the Law Society for the eleventh year running.

What is Lexcel?

The Law Society Lexcel accreditation is a quality mark designed to show that a legal practice offers the highest standards of client care and practice management. By using a Lexcel accredited firm, such as Canter Levin & Berg, you can be sure you're getting the best possible legal service from your solicitors.

Lexcel accreditation is awarded for 3 years at a time. During that time we receive an annual monitoring inspection where an independent assessor visits the firm to check that we are continuing to comply with the standard.

To reach the Lexcel standard, as a firm we have to demonstrate our commitment to protecting the confidentiality of all of our clients. We also have to show that we communicate clearly and honestly with our clients about their cases, which includes being upfront about our costs and providing them with information as their cases progress. Additionally we have to show that we deal with any complaints we receive in the proper manner and that we operate a comprehensive complaints procedure.

Choosing a Lexcel accredited Liverpool Solicitor

About Lexcel
As Lexcel accredited Liverpool Solicitors, here at Canter Levin & Berg we can provide you with top quality legal advice on a range of issues, including employment law, family law, personal injury and road traffic accident compensation claims and criminal law.

In addition to the Lexcel standard, which applies to the whole firm, several of our solicitors have received individual accreditation from the Law Society, reflecting their expertise and that of their departments within their chosen area of law. We also hold accreditation from the Law Society for our work with personal injury law, family law and children law.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Airlines lose landmark case at Supreme Court - opening the way for payments to passengers whose flights were delayed.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/03/2014 -- Millions of people who have faced delays on airline flights will now be able to claim compensation for these delays from the airlines involved, following two landmark rulings at the Supreme Court in London this week. Two airlines, Thomson and Jet2 had been appealing EU rule 261/2004 arguing that the length of time that compensation can be backdated to should only be 2 years and that technical faults that delayed a plane's departure were not the airline's fault.

Fortunately for passengers, both airlines lost their test cases against 2 of their passengers, which means that around 3,000 other claims that had been on hold can now proceed. Lawyers acting for the passengers in the technical faults case said that up to two million people a year could now be eligible to claim compensation if their flight into or out of the European Union had suffered a delay. Depending upon the length of the delay, the compensation for each passenger, per flight, could be as high as £470 (€600).

The other ruling affirmed that claims for Flight Delay Compensation could be made for flights from as far back as 6 years ago. This means that up to £4billion could be paid out in Delayed Flight Compensation for flights from 2008 to 2014.

Claim your flight delay compensation today

About Canter Levin & Berg
Here at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors, our compensation claims team are on hand to help you to make an application for Flight Delay Compensation. We have experienced solicitors on our staff who will conduct your claim quickly and professionally, without having to deal with the airlines yourself.

For more information on how we can help you if you've been affected by a delayed flight within the last 6 years, call our offices now on 0151 239 1000.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Canter Levin & Berg Solicitor Matthew Rogan agrees with comments from a former Judge that the rising number of parents representing themselves in family courts is having a damaging effect on their children.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/16/2014 -- A former Family Court Judge has become the latest senior legal figure to criticise the cuts to legal aid which came into effect in April 2013. Crispin Masterman, who was a designated family judge for Cardiff and Pontypridd, told BBC Wales that, in his opinion, children were being damaged when their parents represented themselves in legal proceedings through the family courts without the benefit of legal advice from a qualified Family Law Solicitor.

In making his comments, Mr Masterman joined a growing list of judges, magistrates and lawyers who have criticised the provisions of The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012.

The act, which removed legal aid support from a range of family law matters, including most divorce proceedings, has been blamed for slowing down cases going through the family courts, where, over half of all the parties were now unrepresented by a Family Law Solicitor.

Currently, legal aid is only available in cases where there is proven evidence of domestic violence or for cases where parents are challenging care orders that have been imposed by a local authority.

Speaking about the effects that the removal of legal aid in the vast majority of family law cases has had, Mr Masterman said taking trained professional Family Law Solicitors "out of the equation" had meant there were more contested court hearings and more delays in resolving cases.

He went on to say that; "The Children Act says that the welfare of the child is paramount in these cases, which is a given. But it also says delay is the enemy of a child's best interests, and so anything which means that the resolution of a child's interests takes longer, must be damaging to the child."

About Family Law Solicitors in Liverpool
Here at Canter Levin & Berg, we've spoken out on numerous occasions against the cuts to legal aid in family law cases, Matthew Rogan, one of our Family Law Solicitors echoed the sentiments of other professionals who have commented on this issue, saying:

"When Legal Aid was removed from the majority of Private Family Law cases last April, Judges and Lawyers were keen to express their fears about the changes being to the detriment of those children involved."

"Sadly those fears have now become a reality. It is likely that there is an even more disproportionate impact on the country's most vulnerable children from its poorest areas in that their parents are less likely to be able to afford private legal assistance"

For fixed-fee legal advice on Family Law matters from professional solicitors, call Canter Levin & Berg now on 0151 239 1000.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors are delighted to announce that one of our Employment and Dispute Resolution Solicitors, Sean Carty, is now a Football Association Registered Lawyer

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/13/2014 -- Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors are very pleased to announce that Sean Carty, one of our specialist Employment and Dispute Resolution Lawyers based at our Liverpool head office, has become an approved lawyer with The Football Association.

This recognition comes after Sean negotiated the successful transfer of Magaye Gueye from Everton to Millwall Football Club. Frenchman Gueye, who also plays internationally as a forward for Senegal, had been on Everton's books for 4 years before he completed his transfer to the London club at the end of July.

Sean's status as a Registered Lawyer means he is now able to act as an agent for players aged over 16 at all levels of the professional game. Speaking after receiving confirmation of his approval from the FA, Sean said:

"As someone with a great passion for football and a wealth of experience in playing competitive sport for most of my life, these attributes marry perfectly with my talents as an astute Employment and Dispute Resolution Solicitor. My clients benefit not only from my expertise of the sports industry and genuine understanding of the commercial side to it, but as a Registered Lawyer with the FA my skills and abilities far outweigh those of a regular agent."

Football Association Approved Lawyer in Liverpool

For advice regarding football contracts at a professional or semi-professional level, speak to Sean Carty, our Liverpool City Centre based FA Registered Lawyer.

As an FA Registered Lawyer and an Employment and Dispute Resolution Solicitor, Sean is extremely well placed to offer high quality, legally sound advice if you, or a member of your family, are currently negotiating to join a professional or semi professional football team in, to transfer from one team to another or to negotiate changes to or a renewal of your contract.

For more information about any aspect of professional football contract law, you can contact Sean on 0151 239 1138 or visit the Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors website.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Who gets the pets? Family Solicitor Joanne Rowe explains what can happen when separating couples contest the custody of the animals they own.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/22/2014 -- The UK is a nation of pet-owners, so it is perhaps unsurprising that for many separating couples, custody of the beloved family pet is an issue that comes second only to the custody of their children.

According to a survey undertaken by the Co-Operative group in 2011, around 20 per cent of separating couples sought out legal advice and fought for the custody of their pets when their relationship broke down. In legal terms, the family pets are personal property and just like any other property they can be fought over by both parties in a divorce, or during proceedings to dissolve a civil partnership.

More and more of us view our pets as yet another family member rather than a possession. The 2011 survey found that for around 1 in 10 people, losing ownership of their pet was actually worse than breaking up with their partner in the first place.

This anxiety is one of the factors driving increasing numbers of people to seek professional legal advice from a family law solicitor to help them to retain custody over their animals.

How do the courts view animal custody disputes?

Joanne Rowe, one of the Family Law Solicitors at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors, offered her take on the issue of animal custody, including her advice for people concerned that the breakdown of their marriage or civil partnership could cost them custody of their pets.

"Cases involving custody of an animal can get very emotional, as many families will consider the pet to be almost an extra child as well as associating them with memories of happier times.

I've dealt with a few cases involving disputes over pets whose owners have been going through a divorce and from my experience each of these cases throws up some interesting and unusual challenges.

As far as I can tell, the courts have yet to adopt a standard procedure when it comes to dealing with animal custody disputes. Some judges will be keen to make a decision on the custody of the family pet as part of the divorce settlement, whereas I've had cases before other judges who make it quite clear that they want nothing to do with disputes like that.

I remember one case involving a client who applied for an injunction as she had left her partner due to domestic violence. At the injunction hearing, the judge made it clear he considered my client's concerns over her dog, which was still being looked after by her ex-partner, a matter of 'personal property'.

The judge went on to say that if my client wanted to recover her dog, she would need to make a separate application to the court to get it back. Eventually my client used her own initiative and recovered the animal from the garden of one her ex-partner's friends.

In another case, which was a divorce, involving a couple with no children, but several cats, there was an agreement that the cats would stay with the wife, but there was an issue over whether the husband would contribute to the care costs of the cats. In my opinion, had the case gone to court, the wife would have been very unlikely to have been awarded any extra assets or a maintenance contribution for the cats.

Imagine my surprise then, when I was informed by the husband's solicitors that he was willing to pay somewhere in the region of £200 a month in addition to the maintenance already agreed, just to care for the cats!"

Advice about animal custody disputes from Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors

As courts become more involved in animal custody disputes in divorces and civil partnership dissolutions, getting the right legal advice from solicitors who know what they are talking about is becoming increasingly important.

The Family Law team at Canter Levin & Berg understand that for many people who are going through the breakdown of their relationship, or who have faced abuse or threats of violence from their partner, the uncertainty over what might happen to a beloved family pet will only serve to increase the anxiety they are already feeling at what is always an emotional time.

That's why whenever our solicitors take on a Family Law case, such as a divorce or civil partnership dissolution, we make sure that we listen to the wishes of you the client. We aim to understand what matters most to you, whether it is your pets, your other possessions or your home.

This enables our solicitors to work to secure you an outcome from your divorce or civil partnership dissolution that leaves you both financially secure and in possession of the things that really matter.

For more information on how we could help, you can talk to one of our Family Law Solicitors by calling 0151 239 1000. Alternatively you can request a call back by using one of the enquiry forms on our website.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Liverpool Solicitor Martin Malone criticizes the use of so-called 'panel solicitors' by before-the-event insurance companies, pointing out that in many cases, restricting the rights of customers to choose their own independent legal representation is in fact illegal.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/21/2014 -- The close relationships between insurance companies and the so-called panel solicitors that they appoint to deal with their customers legal claims not only reduces choice, but may also be breaking the law, says Martin Malone, Solicitor and Partner at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors.

Panel Solicitors are those firms appointed by a number of Before the Event Insurers to deal with any legal matters their customers may have. These firms bid for work from the insurance companies, often agreeing to accept a fixed flat fee for each case they receive from the insurer.

The bidding process for work from insurance companies leaves little room for the consideration of the complexity of cases these solicitors might end up having to deal with or whether any of these claims will be contested. It can also lead to situations where people who have taken out a legal expenses insurance policy with a specified level of cover , for example £50,000, may find they actually get a service from a panel solicitor that cost their insurance company less than a tenth of that figure.

Speaking from his own experience as a Solicitor, Martin Malone said:

"One of the key problems with panel solicitors agreeing to work a fixed fee is the effect that this has on the level of service they provide to their client. In my opinion fixed fees create a disincentive for a solicitor to advise their client in certain circumstances.

For example, I doubt a solicitor will be inclined to advise their client to proceed with a fully contested claim when they could settle that claim at the earliest opportunity, sometimes for much less than the claim is actually worth.

In both scenarios the solicitor involved will be paid the same amount, but if he or she chooses to advise the client to settle, they will save themselves a huge amount of time and effort, even if it results in an unsatisfactory outcome for their client."

Martin's comments echoed those of prominent legal blogger Kerry Underwood, who on his own website has been very critical of the restrictions insurance companies seek to place on the right of their customers to choose their own independent legal representation. As well as misleading information from Before the Event Insurers, Mr Underwood says consumers are also ill-served by the Financial Ombudsman Service which wrongly states on its website that insurers can appoint panel solicitors "for legitimate commercial and quality-control reasons".

According to a European Directive, implemented by the Insurance Companies (Legal Expenses Insurance) Regulations 1990, consumers do have the right to choose their own lawyers. Those lawyers may have to negotiate payment rates with the insurer but, if necessary, the difference between the rate paid by the insurer and the lawyers' standard rates can be covered by a "no win lower fee" agreement.

Offering advice to people who are about to make a claim on their legal expenses insurance policy, Martin Malone said:

"If you are told by your legal expenses insurer that you have to use a panel solicitor, tell them that they are wrong. Make sure that you understand your rights, especially when it comes to being able to choose the solicitor you want to represent you in a legal matter."

About Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors
Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors are a Liverpool-based firm of Solicitors who have been providing independent legal advice to clients, many of whom have legal expenses insurance, since 1947.

We are not part of any insurance company panel of solicitors, so we will make sure that our priority is, above all, looking after your interests.

For more information on the services our Solicitors can provide if you are looking to fund your legal costs through your legal expenses insurance cover, call our offices on 0151 239 1000, or visit our website to find out more about how we could help you.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

From later this year, parents will be charged if they choose to use Government-provided services to arrange child maintenance payments. Matthew Rogan, a Family Law Solicitor at Canter Levin & Berg, looks at how this might affect single parents.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/28/2014 -- Last week the government announced it is to begin sending out letters to single parents across the country informing them of changes to their child maintenance arrangements.

One of the major changes detailed in these letters is a move towards encouraging parents who no longer live together to agree their child maintenance agreements themselves, rather than relying on a central agency to arrange this, as has happened in the past.

This change of approach to arranging child maintenance payments stems from the decision by the government to abolish the Child Support Agency (CSA) and replace it with a new Child Maintenance Service.

Government Ministers argued that the old system for processing payments was inefficient, costly to run and relied on a computer system that was "notoriously riddled with defects". However for many single parents using the CSA was their only option after attempts to reach.

However massive backlogs built up meaning delays in processing payments to the parent taking care of the child. The free service, with annual operating costs of £74 million, was also said to "take responsibility away from parents, encouraging conflict and hostility at huge expense to the taxpayer".

Fees for use of the new Child Maintenance Service

Parents currently using the CSA are set to receive letters from the Department of Work and Pensions this week which will let them know about the introduction later this year of new fees for arranging and processing child maintenance, if they cannot come to a suitable agreement themselves.

The new system, which has a £20 up-front registration fee, will see the parent who is paying the child maintenance charged an additional 20% as a fee, whilst the parent receiving the money will also be charged 4% in order to get access to the payments.

Many charities who work with single parents have expressed their concerns about the introduction of the fees for arranging payments. Speaking to the BBC News website, Fiona Weir, chief executive of the charity Gingerbread said,

"While many parents are able to agree private child maintenance arrangements, for many other parents, this just isn't possible without government help. We're very concerned that closing CSA cases and bringing in charges may deter some parents from making new child maintenance agreements or pressure single parents into unstable arrangements, and children will lose out on vital support."

Speaking about the changes to the system for child maintenance, Matthew Rogan a Family Law Solicitor from Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors said:

"In my view, the decision by the government to start charging a substantial premium for arranging child maintenance payments is not only unjust, but is also likely to deter many parents, particularly those on low incomes, from using the service.

These charges will serve to increase the acrimony between separated parents, both of whom will have to pay some amount for use of the service. Most importantly, the children involved could lose out on precious financial support that is meant to provide for their needs throughout childhood."

About Child Maintenance Agreement advice at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors
At Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors, our Family Law team can help when it comes to arranging child maintenance agreements between you and the other parent of your child or children. We offer a fixed fee service for arranging these agreements and we can be instructed by either parent in this matter.

For more information on child maintenance agreements, you can talk to one of our Family Law Solicitors by calling 0151 239 1000. Alternatively you can request a call back by using one of the enquiry forms here on our website.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Despite news coverage to the contrary, official government statistics indicate a year-on-year fall in the number of people claiming compensation for whiplash injuries.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/09/2014 -- Given the number of times whiplash claims are mentioned in the media, you'd be forgiven for thinking that these kinds of road accident compensation claims are undergoing a rapid growth at the moment.

However, as figures from the Government's own Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU) show, whiplash claims, and road accident claims in general, have actually decreased over the past 3 years.

The Compensation Recovery Unit is run by the Department for Work and Pensions and is responsible for calculating how any compensation a person receives as the result of a successful accident claim will affect the benefits they are entitled to.

For over 20 years, the CRU has been publishing details of the number and types of claims it has been notified about by insurance companies, who must notify the CRU whenever they receive a compensation claim. As these notifications are compulsory for insurers, the CRU statistics are therefore some of the most accurate available when it comes to assessing the total number of whiplash claims each year.

What these stats reveal is a decline in the number of reported whiplash claims over the past 3 years, with a decline from 571,111 of these claims in 2010/11 dropping slightly to 547,405 claims in 2011/12 and falling below 500,000 last year, 2012/13, when 488,281 claims were recorded.

The figures for whiplash type injuries reflect a decline in the overall number of motor accident claims reported to the CRU, which fell from 828,489 in 2011/12 to 772,843 in 2013/14.

About Whiplsh Accident Claims at Canter Levin & Berg
At Canter Levin & Berg, our road accident solicitors work on behalf of genuine accident victims, including those who have suffered whiplash, or related injuries. Commenting on the latest figures from the CRU, and on the misrepresentation of whiplash claims and motor accident claims in general in the media, solicitor Ian Troop said:

"For some time now we have heard both insurance companies and the Justice Minister painting a picture of grasping and unscrupulous Claimants driving an 'epidemic' of whiplash claims. The government's own statistics, however, give the lie to these claims – whiplash, and indeed injuries arising out of road accidents generally, are in fact falling, and at a significant rate (nearly 10% according to the latest available annual figures). Whether the insurers and Mr Grayling now come out and welcome this is another matter."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

A year after the introduction of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, Family Law Solicitor Edwina Harkin takes a look at the effects

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/10/2014 -- The 1st of April this year marked the 1st anniversary of the most drastic changes to civil legal aid since its introduction back in 1949, as part of a plan to save £279million from its budget.

In order to make these savings, the government removed several areas of Family Law from the scope of legal aid. These included most private family cases (except those involving evidenced domestic violence, child abuse or abduction); welfare benefits; housing disputes (other than those involving serious disrepair, homelessness or anti-social behaviour); and education (except special needs cases).

At the time the cuts were announced, the then Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly said the reforms would ensure 'we will continue to have one of the most generous legal aid systems in the world'. The minister's statement was accompanied by other assurances that there would be a range of options available to deal with legal issues without having to go to court.

The effects on Children

However, figures from the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) appear to show that thousands of people who would previously have been able to claim legal aid assistance for help with a family dispute involving children now have to represent themselves during these difficult legal proceedings.

Before the introduction of the cuts, in 82% of family law disputes involving children at least one side had access to legal representation. But by December last year that figure had fallen to 58%, meaning that in over 4 in 10 family law cases involving children, neither side had access to an expert family lawyer.

The effects on victims of Domestic Abuse

There is also evidence that many victims of domestic abuse are missing out on legal support as their case no longer meets the strict criteria set out by the Legal Aid Agency.

Women's rights groups published a report showing 47% of the 117 domestic abuse victims they surveyed took no action in relation to their family problem as a result of not being able to apply for legal aid. This potentially means that, across the country, many people more people than previously are forced remain in abusive relationships.

What do Family Law Solicitors think about the cuts?

Edwina Harkin, a Family Law Solicitor at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors, has experienced at first hand the effects that the cuts to legal aid for family legal matters have had on her client's ability to access legal advice from a qualified solicitor:

"The dismantling of Legal Aid has had a devastating impact on Family Law over the last year.

Many people, including some of the poorest and most vulnerable who are involved in family law cases that would have previously been resolved through negotiation are now finding themselves resolving these matters in court.

The court room environment can lead to increased animosity and litigation, which is often the last thing that people in these situations want. But this is an unfortunate effect of the restriction on the availability of legal advice for those who cannot afford to pay for it themselves."

It is important to note that whilst there have been dramatic cuts to legal aid which has limited its availability in Family Law cases, it is still available in limited circumstances, for example cases involving domestic violence and Public Law Proceedings.

About Canter Levin & Berg - Family Law Solicitors in Liverpool
If you need advice about a Family Law issue, call the Family Law team at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors on 0151 239 1000. Our Liverpool Solicitors will assess your case and provide advice on you whether you are eligible for legal aid support for your case. If you are not eligible, our solicitors will be able to explain the funding options available to allow you to receive affordable, independent legal advice.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ruth Bennett from Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors responds to a proposal from the Association of British Insurers calling for the removal of damages in low-value road accident claims.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/28/2014 -- In a speech this week, a senior figure within the insurance industry has called for a debate on whether compensation for whiplash and other minor road accidents should be scrapped.

James Dalton, head of motor and liability for the Association of British Insurers called for a public policy debate on whether or not to remove the payment of any damages in low-value claims. Mr Dalton proposed that insurance companies would only pay out for the medical treatment required by the injured person.

Major insurers in the UK have tried many times to limit the damages paid out to injured accident victims, however this speech marks the first time that a senior figure in the insurance industry has proposed a complete removal of these damages. This is a change which could potentially affect many of the thousands of people who suffer injuries in road accidents each year in the UK.

In comments made in his speech at the Modern Claims conference in London on Monday, Mr Dalton said:

"We need a debate about whether someone should be awarded money for a low-value, low-impact and very minor injury claim. It's a debate about whether you should be provided with rehabilitation and no cash. That is a legitimate public policy debate for society to have and politicians to decide on."

As well as proposing an end to paying compensation for people affected by conditions such as whiplash, Mr Dalton also confirmed that the ABI was working to raise the small claims limit - the threshold below which legal costs will not be awarded in the event of a successful claim.

These proposals, if introduced, could mean many more people injured in road accidents through no fault of their having to cover their own legal costs, or representing themselves in court without legal advice from a solicitor.

Road accident solicitors respond to the proposals

Here at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors, our road accident claims department deals with hundreds of cases every year involving genuine accident victims who have suffered injuries through no fault of their own. Road Accident Solicitor Ruth Bennett was concerned to hear about this latest attack by the insurance industry on injured accident victims and had this to say in response to Mr Dalton's speech:

"The proposals in Mr Dalton's speech, if put in to practice, would severely limit the ability of innocent victims to obtain quality legal advice, leaving genuinely injured people to pursue substantial and often very complex Court cases against Defendant insurers, who will likely have teams of lawyers to defend them.

Whilst Mr Dalton may consider cases with a value of less than £5000 to be minor that isn't the case for the injured person involved. His proposal would leave victims of injuries such as whiplash (which can take up to two years to heal), fractures or scarring unable to afford access to justice.

The proposal for rehabilitation as opposed to a cash settlement is also flawed, as rehabilitation will help only certain people to recover from their injuries. This proposal would leave innocent accident victims without adequate recompense for the injuries they have suffered, and the impact these injuries could have had on their lives."

About Canter Levin & Berg
Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors are a law firm based on Merseyside offering a comprehensive range of legal services, including road accident claims, from offices in Liverpool and Kirkby. Our solicitors help people who have been genuinely injured in a non fault road traffic accident to claim compensation for their injuries.

To speak with one of our expert road accident solicitors to find out if you can make a compensation claim against the person responsible for your injuries, call Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors today on 0151 239 1180.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Employment Law Solicitor John Booth has been following developments with regards to Disclosures of Information following a recent Employment Appeal Tribunal case.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/30/2014 -- A judgment in a recent Employment Tribunal case concerning protected disclosures has implications for all employers.

In the case of Norbrook Laboratories (GB) Ltd v Shaw, Mr Shaw, a sales manager sent two emails to his employer's Health and Safety Manager Mr Cuthbertson and another one to their HR department, pointing out that the snowy weather (remember January 2010?) was creating hazardous driving conditions for the sales staff he managed. In the first email to Mr Cuthbertson, Mr Shaw said:

"Could you please provide me with some advice on what my Territory Managers should do in terms of driving in the snow. Is there a company policy and has a risk assessment been done."

Mr Cuthbertson advised that there was no applicable company policy or risk assessment. Mr Shaw therefore sent him a second email later on the same day in the following terms:

"I was hoping for some formal guidance from the company. The team are under a lot of pressure to keep out on the roads at the moment and it is dangerous. Do I log this as the formal guidance?"

The judgment does not record whether or not Mr Cuthbertson responded, but a week later, in response to the fact that his sales staff were asking what would happen to their pay if they were snowed in, Mr Shaw then emailed the company's HR department, raising the pay issue, but including the following paragraph:

"I am only after a simply (sic) policy statement to increase transparency and help build morale and goodwill within the team. As their manager I also have a duty of care for their health and safety. Having spent most of Monday and Friday driving through the snow I know how dangerous it can be. In addition the time spent battling through the snow is unproductive; they can gain more sales by phoning customers. If they are not going to be paid then I have to put in contingencies for diverting calls to those team members still on the road. In the absence of any formal guidance I take full responsibility for the directions given to my team."

When Mr Shaw was later dismissed (with less than one year's service) he argued that he had been dismissed for making a "qualifying disclosure", i.e. a protected disclosure which is commonly known as "Whistleblowing". Being dismissed for making a protected disclosure is one of the exceptions which allow an employee to bring a claim of unfair dismissal with less than two years' service.

In order to count as a protected disclosure, the worker concerned must make a disclosure of information. Making an allegation that the employer has done something wrong, or expressing an opinion to that effect is not enough. The worker making the disclosure must reasonably believe that the disclosure of information tends to show that the employer is failing or is likely to fail to comply with a legal obligation which to which he is subject, or (as was the case with Mr Shaw) that the health or safety of any individual has been, is being or is likely to be damaged. It is irrelevant whether or not the disclosure is true. The employee making the disclosure must however reasonably believe that it is true when he discloses the information.

Protected Disclosures Advice for Employers

Employers should take note of the three emails above, we're sure we won't be the alone in our surprise that the content of the emails in this case sufficed to count as a protected disclosure. The important issue here is that even though the three emails above, when taken individually, might not amount to a qualifying disclosure, when taken together, they did do so, even though they were not all made to the same person.

The implications for employers are clear. It is important to listen carefully to a worker who believes the employer has done, is doing, or is likely to do something which is either unlawful or potentially dangerous to workers' health and safety. It is also important to ensure that you take appropriate employment law advice when such issues occur, as very few employers would have got this one right!

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Liverpool Solicitors Canter Levin & Berg have passed both Lexcel and Investors in People assessments this year.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/28/2014 -- based solicitors Canter Levin & Berg have made a positive start to the New Year by successfully completing two major assessments, Lexcel and Investors in People. These assessments confirmed that the firm maintains high standards in client care, practice management and in the training and development of our staff.

What is Investors in People?

An Investors in People assessment was held at Canter Levin & Berg in order to establish whether the firm met all of the evidence requirements for the Investors in People Standard by looking back at its activities over the past year. An independent assessor visited the firm and interviewed 19 members of staff, identifying areas where the firm exceeded the IIP standard as well as areas for improvement.

The assessment was successful and confirmed the firm continues to meet the requirements of the IIP standard. The IIP assessor noted that communications within the firm worked well, with senior staff described as open and approachable. It was also noted that levels of staff involvement in the firm were good, as was the learning and continuing development of staff members, to allow them to "develop their optimal potential".

What is Lexcel?

The Law Society Lexcel accreditation is a legal quality mark designed to show that a law firm offers the highest standards of client care and practice management. Awarded for 3 years at a time, Lexcel each firm will receive an annual monitoring inspection from an independent assessor who visits the firm to check that they are continuing to comply with the standard. The successful assessment this year means that Canter Levin & Berg have been awarded the accreditation for another 3 years.

The assessment this year highlighted the high standards of client care across all departments, as well as good feedback from the firm's clients and a low level of complaints.

Choosing a Lexcel and IIP accredited Liverpool Solicitor

As Lexcel and IIP accredited Liverpool Solicitors, Canter Levin & Berg we can provide you with top quality legal advice on a range of issues, including employment law, family law, personal injury and road traffic accident compensation claims and criminal law.

In addition to the Lexcel standard, which applies to the whole firm, several of our solicitors have received individual accreditation from the Law Society, reflecting their expertise and that of their departments within their chosen area of law. We also hold accreditation from the Law Society for our work with personal injury law, family law and children law.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Employment Law Solicitor John Booth warns employers to be mindful of the penalties that can be imposed for underpayment of employees.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/20/2014 -- The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has operated a scheme since 2011 under which employers who pay their workers less than the National Minimum Wage (NMW) can be "named and shamed", with their names published by HM Revenue and Customs. The scheme was amended in October last year to make it easier to do this. The requirement that the employer must owe its workers at least £2000 in total, and £500 on average per worker was done away with.

Now, in a move to show that the initiative has teeth, the maximum penalty payable by an employer (on top of paying back pay to the workers concerned) is to be increased from the present £5000 limit to £20,000. The Government have also made it clear that they intend to legislate to allow the penalty to apply in relation to each underpaid worker, rather than in relation to all of them together, as at present. That could seriously damage small employers businesses.

Employers have to be careful as they can accidentally find themselves in a position where they are accidentally paying less than the NMW. A typical case arises when a low paid worker earning just above the NMW is advised that he or she is a "salaried" worker on a fixed monthly wage and that they are required to work whatever hours are needed to carry out their work duties. If their wage divided by their salary results in a wage below the present NMW, the employer may find HM Revenue & Customs enforcement agents knocking on the door, and their names being published.

The Government's own website has a useful National Minimum Wage calculator allowing employers to check if they owe minimum wage employees any additional payments.

If you employ workers on NMW rates or close to it, it would be well worth while taking legal advice to keep out of difficulty.

This article was written by John Booth, an Employment Law Solicitor at Canter Levin & Berg. For advice on all areas of Employment law, including the National Minimum Wage, you can talk to John or one of our other Employment lawyers by calling 0151 239 1000.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

National media coverage highlighting tiny proportion of Criminal barristers who earn six-figure sums, as opposed to majority who take home much less.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/07/2014 -- Many people reading the news last Friday will have no doubt noticed some rather eye-catching figures for the salaries of legal-aid funded criminal law barristers released by the Ministry of Justice.

With phrases such as "Legal Aid fat cats" being used in print and online to describe some of the very high earnings of a tiny number of barristers, the criminal law team at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors decided to look more closely at the figures published by the MoJ. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they found that in terms of average wages, barristers in the criminal justice system earn much less than you might expect and quite apart from that, the MoJ's calculations appear to have inflated the headline figures.

Inaccurate statistics

This statistical release from the Ministry of Justice reveals the actual salary figures for the country's legal aid-funded Criminal Barristers. As you can see from the document, 4 out of 5 criminal law barristers "earn" less than £100,000 and there are significant proportions of the profession that get paid less than £20,000 a year for their work defending people accused of crimes. This is a task which Canter Levin & Berg are sure most people will agree is both very important and requires a meticulous approach, hard work and attention to detail in cases ranging from sexual assaults through to arson, dangerous driving and murder.

It is also worth pointing out that even the small number of very highly paid barristers (those working on high profile cases with long-running trials dealing with the most serious offences) will likely receive much less than £100,000 each year. As barristers are self-employed, they will have to pay VAT, at 20% as well as the many other charges a barrister is required to pay, such as professional fees (typically the costs of being part of a set of chambers), travel expenses to attend court and also payments to colleagues or assistants who may also have worked on their cases.

Pete Mitchell, one of the partners in the Criminal Law Department at Canter Levin & Berg discussed the misrepresentation and the efforts barristers are making to highlight just how important professional legal representation is to people facing criminal charges:

"Barristers have decided individually to support an action of non-attendance at court on the morning of Monday 6th January this year to protest at the Government's attempts to reduce access to good quality legal representation through properly qualified advocates. Continued cuts to the legal aid budget will detrimentally affect both the access to justice in England and Wales.

As solicitors we fully support this action by our colleagues at the bar. Both branches of the legal profession will continue to try and highlight to ordinary members of the public who will be the real losers in the Government's invidious attempts to undermine the rule of law whilst continuing to lay the blame at 'Fat Cat lawyers.' This is something even their own figures demonstrate is totally incorrect.

It is no coincidence that these figures have been published at this time as part of attempts to discredit the hundreds of decent lawyers working in the criminal justice system from the real threat – which is that this Government seems intent on destroying a criminal justice system which is the envy of the world and which is a primary right of every citizen of this country."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

A recent case Merseyside Solicitors Canter Levin & Berg have dealt with has opened up the prospect of securing legal aid funding for people defending themselves against Contempt of Court Proceedings in relation to allegations of fraud.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/03/2013 -- In an interesting development for people facing Contempt of Court Proceedings Sean Carty, a Solicitor at Merseyside-based law firm Canter Levin & Berg has been successful in securing legal aid for one of his clients. This legal aid funding will allow them to defend themselves in court from accusations of fraud in relation to a personal injury compensation claim.

What is Contempt of Court?

Contempt of Court Proceedings are often commenced in situations where an insurance company suspects that a claimant has committed fraud, either by staging an accident or by grossly exaggerating the injuries they sustained. Being found guilty of Contempt of Court is a very serious matter, that may lead to imprisonment.

Insurance companies are increasingly using Contempt of Court Proceedings to deal with individuals they suspect of making fraudulent compensation claims. For a genuine accident victim, finding out that they are facing proceedings for Contempt of Court can be incredibly daunting and distressing, especially with the prospect of a prison sentence if they are found guilty.

Until recently, defending these sorts of allegations might have meant spending significant sums of money on your legal defence. However, Sean's success in applying for legal aid for his client facing proceedings for Contempt of Court is a significant legal development and one that will have a huge impact on these types of cases. It enables people accused of fraudulently making a compensation claim to have an expert legal defence team to represent them in court.

Advice for people facing Contempt of Court Proceedings

For people facing Contempt of Court Proceedings in relation to a compensation claim, getting independent legal advice is vital. Being accused of Contempt is only the first stage of the proceedings so it is important to speak to an appropriately qualified legal expert at the earliest opportunity so that a legal defence can be organised early on.

About Sean Carty
Call Sean Carty, one of the Solicitors at Canter Levin & Berg on 0151 239 1138 for information regarding any application for legal aid funding in relation to a Contempt of Court case. Sean is able to provide expert advice on the legal options available to someone defending themselves from an allegation of Contempt of Court and will also provide help with making an application for legal aid funding.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Serious Injury Solicitor and Partner Romilly Houghton is once again recognised in the Headway directory of solicitors for her work with victims of brain damage and other serious head injuries.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/22/2013 -- Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors have once again been accepted onto national brain injury charity Headway's directory of approved specialist brain injury solicitors. As a firm, Canter Levin & Berg are once again represented by Partner and Serious Injury Solicitor Romilly Houghton.

Romilly's continued listing in the Headway directory recognises her expertise when it comes to providing top quality legal advice and representation to the victims of severe head and brain injuries and their families.

As Headway mention on their own site, "It is more important to instruct a solicitor with experience than to allow someone who is inexperienced to handle your case purely because he/she has an office close to your home."

To renew her listing on the Headway website, Romilly had to demonstrate that she was 'a solicitor with experience' when it comes to representing people who have suffered catastrophic brain injuries and also her knowledge of the law relating to serious head injury claims. This involved providing Headway with recent examples of cases where she had successfully represented people who had suffered a catastrophic brain injury and had helped them to recover compensation for their injuries.

Speaking about her work with serious head injury cases and the renewal of the Headway listing, Romilly said;

"I am delighted that my specialist knowledge and experience in the field of acquired brain injury has once again been recognised by Headway. It is of vital importance that victims of acquired brain injury choose a specialist solicitor from the Headway list to ensure that they are properly advised and receive maximum compensation for their injuries."

Serious Injury Solicitors in Liverpool
Serious Injury Solicitors can help you if you, or a member of your family, has suffered a serious injury, such as a brain injury, in a non-fault accident.

At Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors, our Serious Injury Solicitors understand that learning to cope with the effects of a serious injury is a process that can take a significant amount of time. We also realise that for someone living with a serious injury, being able to enjoy a reasonable quality of life is something that might require significant amounts of money being spent on care, support and adaptations around the home.

To find out more about making a claim for brain injury compensation either for yourself or on behalf of an injured family member or loved one, please call today on 0151 239 1000.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The UK’s most senior judge, Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger, has spoken out against cuts to the legal aid system, warning they could deny access to justice for those most in need. Ronan Molloy and Rebecca Finnigan from Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors added their thoughts about Lord Neuberger’s speech and legal aid cuts.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/17/2013 -- Delivering the annual Tom Sargant Memorial Lecture in London last night, Lord Neuberger attacked the reforms to the legal aid system, saying that reducing access to legal aid for some cases court make courts more inefficient, costing more money and potentially leading to situations where people had to drop legitimate claims they could not afford to pursue. If that happened it would, in Lord Neuberger's own words, be "a rank denial of justice and a blot on the rule of law".

The speech comes at a time when further cuts, of around £350 million, have been planned to the UK's annual £2 billion legal aid budget. In the words of the Ministry of Justice, the cuts "will create a sustainable legal aid system that will still be one of the most generous in the world. At a time when major financial challenges are being felt by businesses and households across the country the legal sector cannot be immune from the government's commitment to getting better value for every penny of taxpayers' money we spend."

In his speech, which was organised by legal campaign group Justice, Lord Neuberger warned of the potential harm from government cuts to the legal aid budget, saying that: "Cutting the cost of legal aid deprives the very people who most need the protection of the courts of the ability to get legal advice and representation."

Lord Neuberger also warned government ministers to be very careful that their planned reforms would not restrict the rights of members of the public to use the judicial review system.

Judicial reviews can be used to challenge the decisions of local councils and other public authorities and Lord Neuberger said that whilst he understood the government wanting to discourage "weak" applications for reviews, "One must be very careful about any proposals whose aim is to cut down the right to judicial review. The courts have no more important function than that of protecting citizens from the abuses and excesses of the executive - central government, local government, or other public bodies."

Legal Aid Solicitors in Liverpool
As a firm dealing with a variety of Legal Aid funded work, including both criminal cases and also family law, Canter Levin & Berg have been active both locally and nationally on the issue of legal aid reform. We have joined other law firms and legal professionals to protest in the cuts to the legal aid budget and to highlight the potential effect the cuts could have in denying access to justice for people who lack the means to fund their legal cases.

Criminal Law Solicitor Ronan Molloy added his thoughts about Lord Neuberger's speech and how the legal aid cuts will affect people who might need the help of a solicitor in relation to a criminal matter:

I would fully support the view of Lord Neuberger. The truth is spending on the Criminal Justice system has fallen for a number of years. These continuing and drastic cuts will reduce the access and quality of justice for both the accused and the victim. These are the very people who should be protected by the state.

Family Law Solicitor Rebecca Finnigan also spoke about how the cuts will affect her work dealing with vulnerable people who might need a legal aid funded solicitor to help them with their family law issue:

Whilst legal aid is still available for most types of family cases, the criteria as to who will qualify for Legal Aid are now very stringent indeed. Since the changes in Legal Aid were introduced in April 2013, we have seen a marked increase in people representing themselves within court proceedings. Many of these people would previously have qualified for Legal Aid and now cannot afford to meet their fees privately, so are left with no alternative but to navigate the legal system themselves.

Where previously the individual's Legal Aid would have funded items ordered by the court such as drug or alcohol testing, the removal of Legal Aid for very many people has left a 'black hole' as there is no other body or organisation who will fund this. The result is that individuals will have to fund such tests themselves or testing might be foregone altogether and the court could rely on other evidence such as what the parties say about the issue.

As a Family solicitor it is both saddening and infuriating to see vulnerable individuals with deserving cases having to represent themselves in court when they are clearly in need of quality legal representation, for example individuals whose contact has been cut off for no reason, or individuals facing false allegations.

The Family department now offers Fixed Fees for clients to help them to budget for legal proceedings, or simply for those who wish to know where they stand legally.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors have been unveiled as one of five law firms on the new Legal Advice Panel, established by the charity Neurosupport, for the provision of legal services to sufferers of neurological conditions and their families.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/14/2013 -- Liverpool Solicitors Canter Levin & Berg have been unveiled this week as one of five law firms featured on the Neurosupport Legal Advice Panel. The panel has been created by the charity Neurosupport to put people who have been affected by a neurological condition and their families, friends and carers, in touch with the kinds of specialist legal advice they need.

Membership of Neurosupport's Legal Advice Panel recognises the firm as a leader in the provision of legal services to people affected by neurological conditions, whether they suffer from a neurological condition themselves or they provide care to someone who does. As one of the firms on the panel, the solicitors and legal executives at Canter Levin & Berg will be offering expert advice to people with a neurological condition in a variety of areas of law:

- Employment Solicitors will provide advice on employment matters, including entering work after being diagnosed with a neurological condition, telling an employer about the condition and what to do if problems are encountered in the workplace.

- A neurological condition can put a strain on family life. Membership of the Legal Panel means that Canter Levin & Berg's Family Law Solicitors will be available to provide advice and advocacy on the impact a neurological condition might have on their partner, their children and their other relatives.

- If someone has been diagnosed with a neurological condition that has been triggered, or made worse by, an injury sustained in an accident where they were not at fault, then the Personal Injury department can offer advice and assistance when it comes to make a personal injury compensation claim. Membership of the Neurosupport panel is a recognition of the expertise the Personal Injury Solicitors at Canter Levin & Berg have when it comes to dealing with complex, high value claims, such as those made by people who have been diagnosed with a neurological condition after an accident.

- The Private Client Department will be offering advice on preparing for later life to people suffering from a neurological condition, including making a lasting power of attorney and dealing with the court of protection. They will also be able to help when it comes to drafting a will and dealing with probate.

The Legal Advice Panel launch was held at Neurosupport's head office, on Norton Street in Liverpool City Centre on Wednesday 9th October 2013. The event was open to anyone suffering from a neurological condition as well as case managers, other neurological charities, legal and medical experts.

About Neurosupport
There are over 10 million people in the UK who are living with a neurological condition, most of whom were not born with their condition. Each year around 600,000 people are diagnosed as suffering from a neurological condition, usually after being involved in an accident, or suffering from another illness. Neurosupport was established as a charity to give non-medical advice to people with neurological conditions, as well as to their families, friends and their carers.

Neurosupport provides support that complements medical provision, to people with a neurological condition, their families and professionals who care for them throughout their journey.

About Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors
With 12 partners and over 100 staff based in offices in Liverpool and Kirkby, Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors offer a comprehensive range of legal services to clients in the Northwest of England and further afield.

From road traffic accident compensation claims to accident at work claims to criminal, family law services and employment law, the friendly, efficient and professional staff are available to deal with clients' legal requirements whatever they may be.

The firm combines high standards with competitive pricing to make us your first choice if you need a solicitor.

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The recent sad news that former footballer, and TV presenter, Jimmy Hill is suffering with dementia has brought the law relating to Powers of Attorney to the forefront of the news.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/04/2013 -- Sadly, it is not uncommon for family members to fall out over the appointment of Attorneys and Court appointed Deputies, as seems to have happened to Jimmy Hill's family.

Most people are aware of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), but there is often confusion about how they work, and the difference between an Attorney and a Deputy. A Power of Attorney is a legal document whereby one person, the Donor, appoints another person(s) as their Attorney, enabling their Attorney to make certain decisions on his or her behalf.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA):

The first type enables your Attorney to manage your property and affairs, and they can do this as soon as the LPA is registered, while you still retain capacity, on the basis of the instructions you provide to them. The ability to continue to manage your property and affairs continues even when you lose capacity.

The second type enables your Attorney to make health and welfare decisions on your behalf, but this is only valid when you have lost capacity and are unable to make decisions relating to your health and wellbeing, for example the type of medical treatment you will receive and where you will live.

In order to make an LPA you must be aged 18 years or over. Have mental capacity i.e. be able to understand the full extent of the power you are donating to your attorney, and be free from any undue influence or duress. It is important to bear this in mind when there is a dispute. A Donor chooses, while in full possession of their mental faculties, their Attorney, who will make decisions on their behalf in the future, in the event they lose capacity and are unable to make decisions and act in their own best interests.

Why should Lasting Powers of Attorney matter to me?

Making an LPA ensures you appoint the person(s) you believe are best able to act on your behalf and to make the decisions you would make for yourself, if you were still able to. This can be difficult when there are children from several marriages, and step parents are involved.

It is important to remember however, your Attorney is legally obliged to act in your best interests, and in accordance with any guidance or restrictions you have included in your LPA. Making an LPA ensures any family differences of opinion as to the type of treatment you will receive, does not create problems, or delays, as your Attorney(s) has authority, in accordance with your instructions to make the appropriate decisions on your behalf.

If you lose capacity and have not made an LPA, then it becomes necessary for someone to apply to the Court of Protection for an appointment as your Deputy. Such applications may be contested, and sadly often are, which can lead to delays, and financial loss, while the appointment is argued out in the Court of Protection. An application to the Court of Protection is also far more costly than making a Lasting Power of Attorney.

About the Private Client department at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors
When dealing with the legal implications of Dementia, make sure you take advice sooner rather than later from an appropriately qualified legal professional with experience in this area of law. The Private Client Law department here at Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors can provide professional legal assistance when it comes to drafting a Lasting Power of Attorney, or with any other legal queries you might have regarding preparations for later life and dealing with your estate.

To find out how we can help you call Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors today on 0151 239 1181 to arrange a consultation with one of our Private Client Lawyers.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Liverpool Solicitors Canter Levin & Berg, have launched a new £1750 cash upfront offer open to new personal injury and road traffic accident clients.

Liverpool, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/04/2013 -- Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors have launched a new £1750 cash advance offer, open to the victims of road traffic accidents and personal injuries.

As part of this offer, new clients will be eligible to receive some of their final damages in advance of the settlement of their case, up to £1750. Provided the accident happened on or after 1st September 2013 and they comply with the terms and conditions of our offer, Canter Levin & Berg will be happy to advance part of the full compensation settlement to the client before their claim has been settled.

For more information on this new offer for people who have been involved in a road accident that wasn't their fault, or who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own, Canter Levin & Berg have prepared a cash advance offer guide on their website.

About Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors
Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors have been providing legal services to the community in Liverpool and across the North West since 1947. In this time, they have built our reputation upon our ability to offer efficient and effective legal representation for our clients, whether they are individuals or businesses.

As a firm, Canter Levin & Berg are staffed by solicitors and legally qualified staff who are experts in their particular areas of law. The breadth and quality of the service provided to clients is recognised by the firm's LExcel accreditation, in addition to which, several of the solicitors at the firm have been accredited by the Law Society for their expertise and the high standards of client service they provide.

From road traffic accident claims, personal injury law, serious injuries, criminal law, family law, employment law through to private client services, Canter Levin & Berg are here to meet your legal requirements, whatever they may be. If you have a specific legal enquiry, our solicitors offer a free no-obligation 10 minute consultation, call today on 0151 239 1000 to find out how we can help you.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm