Howard Nulty,
Chairman of St Helens Law
My interest  in this subject was alerted at an early age when my wife sued me for damages about twenty years ago. There we were on the A59, caravan in tow, three dogs, three kids and a Range Rover with a flat tyre. Having pulled into a lay-by I started to pull down the tailgate trying to stop the dogs from jumping out and running away but hoping desperately that the kids and wife would. Lorries were roaring past shaking the car and caravan. Having extracted the spare from the boot, I leaned it against the side of the boot sitting on the tailgate. My dear wife stood by hanging onto the kids and dogs that were all on leads - yes even the kids. Just to further engage her affections to caravanning a huge lorry roared past and the slip stream blew the car and caravan shaking it so much that the wheel rolled of the tailgate landing on her knee.

Having spent several hours at the hospital at Skipton she was discharged on crutches which made it a little more difficult for her to cook the full english on the caravan site. Still, I enjoyed the golf whilst she hung onto the entourage. Having returned home my solicitor was instructed to write to me claiming damages on behalf of my wife for failing to secure the wheel and allowing it to roll off causing injury. With the £2500 damages we were later in the year able to afford a proper holiday. The damages were paid by my insurers as were the legal fees. My policy was a protected bonus policy so I didn't suffer any prejudice. Wonderful, we all won.
 
This can also work in a straight forward car accident. If you have an accident and you make a claim on your policy for say, your damage to your car or for the other parties, then you have already made a claim. As you have already made a claim, you will not be further prejudiced by your insurers for someone else asking for damages. They already have your claim and it usually means that is it so far as they are concerned. If you have a protected No Claims Bonus then you have not even lost that in any event.
 
This can also work in other accidents. If you are watching the World Cup and the old trouble and strife tips a hot cup of tea over your genitals then you have a claim against her. You can take action against her and she will almost certainly be covered by your contents insurance for damages and legal fees. You claim off her and she claims off the insurers. Simple.
 
If ever anyone in your family is injured just give me a call. There is always a way to make the money spin. "Making gain from your pain."
 

Howard Nulty,
Chairman of St Helens Law
My interest  in this subject was alerted at an early age when my wife sued me for damages about twenty years ago. There we were on the A59, caravan in tow, three dogs, three kids and a Range Rover with a flat tyre. Having pulled into a lay-by I started to pull down the tailgate trying to stop the dogs from jumping out and running away but hoping desperately that the kids and wife would. Lorries were roaring past shaking the car and caravan. Having extracted the spare from the boot, I leaned it against the side of the boot sitting on the tailgate. My dear wife stood by hanging onto the kids and dogs that were all on leads - yes even the kids. Just to further engage her affections to caravanning a huge lorry roared past and the slip stream blew the car and caravan shaking it so much that the wheel rolled of the tailgate landing on her knee.

Having spent several hours at the hospital at Skipton she was discharged on crutches which made it a little more difficult for her to cook the full english on the caravan site. Still, I enjoyed the golf whilst she hung onto the entourage. Having returned home my solicitor was instructed to write to me claiming damages on behalf of my wife for failing to secure the wheel and allowing it to roll off causing injury. With the £2500 damages we were later in the year able to afford a proper holiday. The damages were paid by my insurers as were the legal fees. My policy was a protected bonus policy so I didn't suffer any prejudice. Wonderful, we all won.
 
This can also work in a straight forward car accident. If you have an accident and you make a claim on your policy for say, your damage to your car or for the other parties, then you have already made a claim. As you have already made a claim, you will not be further prejudiced by your insurers for someone else asking for damages. They already have your claim and it usually means that is it so far as they are concerned. If you have a protected No Claims Bonus then you have not even lost that in any event.
 
This can also work in other accidents. If you are watching the World Cup and the old trouble and strife tips a hot cup of tea over your genitals then you have a claim against her. You can take action against her and she will almost certainly be covered by your contents insurance for damages and legal fees. You claim off her and she claims off the insurers. Simple.
 
If ever anyone in your family is injured just give me a call. There is always a way to make the money spin. "Making gain from your pain."
 

Being injured abroad is no fun. If you are injured abroad sometimes you have to take action in the country where the accident happened (and that can include Scotland and Ireland both North and Eire). The Package Tour Regulations make it possible for Court action to be taken against a holiday company who organised the holiday irrespective as to whether it was their fault or not. That claim can take place in this country in the local County Court.

This means that we can advise as to liability and levels of damages without you having to worry about going abroad to claim. Also this means that we can act on a "no win no fee" basis to claim back damages for you. The damages are based on the levels that would be awarded here, and you can recover loss of earnings and other expenses as well.

If you have had a bad time on holiday and you want to be advised as to your rights to damages, then just give our office a call. It could not be simpler.

The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992

Being injured abroad is no fun. If you are injured abroad sometimes you have to take action in the country where the accident happened (and that can include Scotland and Ireland both North and Eire). The Package Tour Regulations make it possible for Court action to be taken against a holiday company who organised the holiday irrespective as to whether it was their fault or not. That claim can take place in this country in the local County Court.

This means that we can advise as to liability and levels of damages without you having to worry about going abroad to claim. Also this means that we can act on a "no win no fee" basis to claim back damages for you. The damages are based on the levels that would be awarded here, and you can recover loss of earnings and other expenses as well.

If you have had a bad time on holiday and you want to be advised as to your rights to damages, then just give our office a call. It could not be simpler.

The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992

In the 1960s and 1970s before the darkness of Margaret Thatcher (some would say daylight!) fell over the Trade Unions the working man turned to his union in times of trouble and the union either helped them directly with their problem or referred them to a solicitor. As it became less popular to be in a union this process has become less well known but still some people turn to their union when they have had a problem. This was and is still particularly prevalent when an accident has occurred.

The difficulty about going to your union is that some of them still think that they should have an opinion of their own about injury claims. Sometimes what could be a good claim never goes as far as the solicitor because the union representative has said "sorry lad - there is nothing down for you".

If the rep. is well versed in matters legal then not a lot may be lost but there have been lots of occasions when I have seen Trade Unions badly let down their members. In the 1980s I acted for a caretaker who had fallen from a ladder and badly hurt himself. The caretaker went to his union rep. who wanted to pass his opinion over the claim. He then chatted to another colleague and another and before you knew it the claim was lost in a sea of opinions and the caretaker went uncompensated. It was only as a result of a chance conversation about something else that he told me about it. The claim by that stage was three years and seven months old and beyond the primary limitation period.

The claim was met by the union who accepted that they had done nothing with what was otherwise a good claim.

Another problem with union solicitors is that some never meet their clients. Recently we took over a claim that a union firm had been dealing with for two years. They had seen the papers and had three opinions from Counsel. Counsel advised that there was no prospect of success. All of the instructions had passed through the dreaded union representative. The client spent ten minutes with me in my office and I asked him to obtain some photographs of the offending equipment. The photographs were sent to the insurers and they immediately admitted liability. The photographs showed a clear breach of the PUWER regulations. All this was because the client never met the lawyer.

The final problem with union solicitors is the fact that the employers are usually insured with one insurer for a type of risk. They use the same solicitors and the union and the insurer solicitors become stalemated. They both know how far the other will go and the surprise is lost. That complacency does not exist when the union is not involved.

Please do not think that this article is anti-trade union. It is not. The simple fact is though that with access to justice being far easier these days the union and the union solicitors may be something that is now not needed.

© 2010 Howard Nulty, Chairman St Helens Law Ltd

In the 1960s and 1970s before the darkness of Margaret Thatcher (some would say daylight!) fell over the Trade Unions the working man turned to his union in times of trouble and the union either helped them directly with their problem or referred them to a solicitor. As it became less popular to be in a union this process has become less well known but still some people turn to their union when they have had a problem. This was and is still particularly prevalent when an accident has occurred.

The difficulty about going to your union is that some of them still think that they should have an opinion of their own about injury claims. Sometimes what could be a good claim never goes as far as the solicitor because the union representative has said "sorry lad - there is nothing down for you".

If the rep. is well versed in matters legal then not a lot may be lost but there have been lots of occasions when I have seen Trade Unions badly let down their members. In the 1980s I acted for a caretaker who had fallen from a ladder and badly hurt himself. The caretaker went to his union rep. who wanted to pass his opinion over the claim. He then chatted to another colleague and another and before you knew it the claim was lost in a sea of opinions and the caretaker went uncompensated. It was only as a result of a chance conversation about something else that he told me about it. The claim by that stage was three years and seven months old and beyond the primary limitation period.

The claim was met by the union who accepted that they had done nothing with what was otherwise a good claim.

Another problem with union solicitors is that some never meet their clients. Recently we took over a claim that a union firm had been dealing with for two years. They had seen the papers and had three opinions from Counsel. Counsel advised that there was no prospect of success. All of the instructions had passed through the dreaded union representative. The client spent ten minutes with me in my office and I asked him to obtain some photographs of the offending equipment. The photographs were sent to the insurers and they immediately admitted liability. The photographs showed a clear breach of the PUWER regulations. All this was because the client never met the lawyer.

The final problem with union solicitors is the fact that the employers are usually insured with one insurer for a type of risk. They use the same solicitors and the union and the insurer solicitors become stalemated. They both know how far the other will go and the surprise is lost. That complacency does not exist when the union is not involved.

Please do not think that this article is anti-trade union. It is not. The simple fact is though that with access to justice being far easier these days the union and the union solicitors may be something that is now not needed.

© 2010 Howard Nulty, Chairman St Helens Law Ltd

St Helens Law has launched its "Sharing Success with the Community" scheme.

Howard Nulty, Chairman of St Helens Law, says "Having established ourselves in the local community we thought that it was timely to share our success with that community by introducing a unique profit share for groups such as Charities, Schools, Clubs and Sports clubs to help raise funds."

"We have agreements already in place with other groups that will entitle them to a 10% rebate on all legal fees (excluding disbursements) up to a maximum of £1000. These rebates are paid to the club or organisation nominated by the client, who is a member of the club, upon instruction. These are genuine rebates, there are no increased fees to cover the cost."

"For instance if a member has an accident at work then all of the fees are paid by the employer ’s insurer not the client. On an average employer’s liability claim the rebate to the club could be as much as £350 without the club member paying anything!".

For more information you can contact me on 01744 457 121 or email me at howard.nulty@sthelenslaw.co.uk.

read more...

St Helens Law has launched its "Sharing Success with the Community" scheme.

Howard Nulty, Chairman of St Helens Law, says "Having established ourselves in the local community we thought that it was timely to share our success with that community by introducing a unique profit share for groups such as Charities, Schools, Clubs and Sports clubs to help raise funds."

"We have agreements already in place with other groups that will entitle them to a 10% rebate on all legal fees (excluding disbursements) up to a maximum of £1000. These rebates are paid to the club or organisation nominated by the client, who is a member of the club, upon instruction. These are genuine rebates, there are no increased fees to cover the cost."

"For instance if a member has an accident at work then all of the fees are paid by the employer ’s insurer not the client. On an average employer’s liability claim the rebate to the club could be as much as £350 without the club member paying anything!".

For more information you can contact me on 01744 457 121 or email me at howard.nulty@sthelenslaw.co.uk.

read more...

Agents get HIPs "hidden" payments

  "Channel 4 News has seen evidence that up to £100 could be being added to the price of a Home Information Pack because of secret payments to estate agents."

"Critics say the HIP industry isn't properly regulated and there are calls for the government to step in and clamp down on the practice."

"The average pack costs £300 to £400 and includes various documents, including a description of the property, an energy performance certificate, searches and a property information questionnaire completed by the seller."

read more

The Cost of Bad Advice

We would like to share with you the story of one client who went to a local estate agent for a Home Improvement Pack (HIP) and to be advised about conveyancing.

She was charged £460 for the HIP and advised to go to a firm of solicitors who were going to charge her £425 to carry out the sale. Also the firm paid a "referral fee" to that estate agent of £75 for the privilege. Total price to the client £885.

She asked us for our advice. The HIP at St Helens Law would have cost £225. The conveyancing £287.50. Total price £512.50.

Whilst it was too late to save the client the inflated cost of the HIP the saving would have been ----£372.50! Great advice from the estate agents! If you want advice ask the experts. We can carry out conveyancing anywhere in England and Wales. We can prepare HIPs anywhere in England and Wales.

Go to someone that you can trust - St Helens Law.

Agents get HIPs "hidden" payments

  "Channel 4 News has seen evidence that up to £100 could be being added to the price of a Home Information Pack because of secret payments to estate agents."

"Critics say the HIP industry isn't properly regulated and there are calls for the government to step in and clamp down on the practice."

"The average pack costs £300 to £400 and includes various documents, including a description of the property, an energy performance certificate, searches and a property information questionnaire completed by the seller."

read more

The Cost of Bad Advice

We would like to share with you the story of one client who went to a local estate agent for a Home Improvement Pack (HIP) and to be advised about conveyancing.

She was charged £460 for the HIP and advised to go to a firm of solicitors who were going to charge her £425 to carry out the sale. Also the firm paid a "referral fee" to that estate agent of £75 for the privilege. Total price to the client £885.

She asked us for our advice. The HIP at St Helens Law would have cost £225. The conveyancing £287.50. Total price £512.50.

Whilst it was too late to save the client the inflated cost of the HIP the saving would have been ----£372.50! Great advice from the estate agents! If you want advice ask the experts. We can carry out conveyancing anywhere in England and Wales. We can prepare HIPs anywhere in England and Wales.

Go to someone that you can trust - St Helens Law.

For Selling, Buying, Remortgaging, and Home Information Packs (HIPs)

St Helens Law are introducing what MD, Barbara Moffitt, calls an 'All in One Property Shop' - based at 5 Hardshaw Street, St. Helens - which is designed to provide excellent advice on all conveyancing needs under one roof. 

Buying and selling a house is becoming more and more complicated and St. Helens Law's Property Shop has been set up to make that process as understandable and simple as possible. We see our role as the first port of call in the conveyancing process, where initial free guidance is given, before talking to the other professions involved.

Understanding New Government Rules

Since the introduction of Home Information Packs - HIPS - the market has been flooded with providers of HIPS, often these are expensive, inaccurate and can slow down the selling/buying process.  These new HIP providers are not subject to any external regulation and there are no guarantees that the HIP will be accurate.

On 6th April 2009 the government introduced important changes, which require that sellers must have a HIP available to a buyer before the property is marketed. This means the property must not be marketed until the HIP documents are in place. Additionally the seller must complete a new Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ).  The PIQ provides information to a buyer with information about the property, such as flood risk and gas and electrical safety.

Barbara Moffitt says, "As Solicitors we have years of experience of dealing with all aspects of the conveyancing process, we understand what the contents of a HIP should be, and are best placed to offer a quality accurate HIP. We have introduced a special introductory offer of a quality HIP for the all inclusive fee of £149 when we do your conveyancing." This offer runs until August 31st, 2009.

Working with other Local Professionals

St. Helens Law work closely with excellent local Estate Agents in order to get your property onto the market as quickly as possible once the HIP is completed. Working closely with your nominated Estate Agent St. Helens Law can get your move completed as speedily and as stress free as possible. 

If you are considering remortgaging your property we can recommend excellent Financial Advisers who can ‘trawl the market’ on your behalf to find the best mortgages available.  Working closely with such Financial Advisers St. Helens Law can work towards completing your mortgage to suit your needs. 

St. Helens Law offer extremely competitive ‘all inclusive’ quotations for all conveyancing transactions. Barbara adds, "Our aim is to provide a quality service. We offer a dedicated person to deal with your transaction and our investment in technology provides clients with their own secure password in order for them to track the progress of their own transaction". 

Call 0800 975 4321
Now for a FREE consultation

For Selling, Buying, Remortgaging, and Home Information Packs (HIPs)

St Helens Law are introducing what MD, Barbara Moffitt, calls an 'All in One Property Shop' - based at 5 Hardshaw Street, St. Helens - which is designed to provide excellent advice on all conveyancing needs under one roof. 

Buying and selling a house is becoming more and more complicated and St. Helens Law's Property Shop has been set up to make that process as understandable and simple as possible. We see our role as the first port of call in the conveyancing process, where initial free guidance is given, before talking to the other professions involved.

Understanding New Government Rules

Since the introduction of Home Information Packs - HIPS - the market has been flooded with providers of HIPS, often these are expensive, inaccurate and can slow down the selling/buying process.  These new HIP providers are not subject to any external regulation and there are no guarantees that the HIP will be accurate.

On 6th April 2009 the government introduced important changes, which require that sellers must have a HIP available to a buyer before the property is marketed. This means the property must not be marketed until the HIP documents are in place. Additionally the seller must complete a new Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ).  The PIQ provides information to a buyer with information about the property, such as flood risk and gas and electrical safety.

Barbara Moffitt says, "As Solicitors we have years of experience of dealing with all aspects of the conveyancing process, we understand what the contents of a HIP should be, and are best placed to offer a quality accurate HIP. We have introduced a special introductory offer of a quality HIP for the all inclusive fee of £149 when we do your conveyancing." This offer runs until August 31st, 2009.

Working with other Local Professionals

St. Helens Law work closely with excellent local Estate Agents in order to get your property onto the market as quickly as possible once the HIP is completed. Working closely with your nominated Estate Agent St. Helens Law can get your move completed as speedily and as stress free as possible. 

If you are considering remortgaging your property we can recommend excellent Financial Advisers who can ‘trawl the market’ on your behalf to find the best mortgages available.  Working closely with such Financial Advisers St. Helens Law can work towards completing your mortgage to suit your needs. 

St. Helens Law offer extremely competitive ‘all inclusive’ quotations for all conveyancing transactions. Barbara adds, "Our aim is to provide a quality service. We offer a dedicated person to deal with your transaction and our investment in technology provides clients with their own secure password in order for them to track the progress of their own transaction". 

Call 0800 975 4321
Now for a FREE consultation