Tenancy deposit schemes: Legal update
This legal update explains what a tenancy deposit scheme (TDS) is, what a landlord’s obligations are under a TDS and therefore avoid a potential property dispute. What is a tenancy deposit scheme?...
Rise in later life divorces: Why older couples are bucking the divorce trend
Whilst the divorce rate in the UK is the lowest it has been for nearly 40 years, there is one section of the community which is bucking this trend. The...
Recovery of possession accelerated procedure
A recent successful challenge to a district judge’s decision not to grant a possession order after notice was served under the Housing Act 1988 has reinforced the distinction between a situation...
Pre-nuptial agreements: Asset protection for all ages
The date is set, the venue booked and the catering arrangements have been finalised. Is there anything else that you should add to your list of preparations for a wedding...
Distress for landlords? Not any more…
Landlord’s beware! Recent changes in the law mean that the previous right of distress (a landlord’s right to enter a commercial premises and remove a tenant’s goods and sell them...
Debenhams Ottaway and No5 Chambers host mock employment tribunal trial
On Monday 2 June 2014, the employment team at Debenhams Ottaway teamed up with No5 Chambers to host a mock employment tribunal trial at the Fielder Centre, Hatfield. The event was attended...
Changes to children and families act
According to the president of the Family Division, the biggest reform in the history of family law came into effect with the Children and Families Act on 22 April 2014,...
What’s it really like in an employment tribunal?
The employment team at Debenhams Ottaway has joined forces with No5 Chambers to stage a mock employment tribunal on Monday 2 June 2014 at the Fielder Centre, Hatfield Business Park. The event...
Selling and buying made easy
The conveyancing process when selling or buying a property can often seem over complicated and drawn out. It needn’t be. If you are looking to sell your property, being prepared can...
Proposed changes to matrimonial legislation
On 27 February 2014 the Law Commission produced its long awaited report recommending changes to the law, including legislation to make qualifying nuptial agreements legally binding. The changes are not...
On the lookout for successful local new business
Debenhams Ottaway sponsors ‘New Business Award’ As part of its focus on encouraging new and thriving businesses in St Albans, Debenhams Ottaway is sponsoring the ‘New Business Award’ at the...
Debenhams Ottaway wins ‘Medium to Large Business of the Year’ award
At a glittering awards ceremony held at the prestigious Porsche Centre Hatfield Debenhams Ottaway picked up the ‘Medium to Large Business of the Year’ award at the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Inspiring...
Debenhams Ottaway supports St Albans Flower Festival
Debenhams Ottaway is delighted to be one of the main sponsors of the St Albans Cathedral Flower Festival 2014 which takes place in September. Chief Executive Ian Hopkins got into...
Debenhams Ottaway encourages young entrepreneurs
For the second year running Debenhams Ottaway has sponsored the Young Enterprise Final Awards Ceremony which took place at the Vineyard Church earlier this month. The winning team, Vintage Hero from Loreto...
The High Court upholds the importance of client and agency relationships
In a recent case in the education sector, the High Court found that the fragile relationship between an employment consultancy and its school clients made it more rather than less...
Perm fees – does an employment agency need to be the effective cause of the introduction?
The question of whether an employment agency was the effective cause of an introduction of an applicant often finds its way into a defence to a claim for unpaid permanent...
Debenhams Ottaway only law firm in top 100 businesses
Grant Thornton’s review of leading St Albans businesses Debenhams Ottaway was this week listed, along with many of its clients, in Grant Thornton’s inaugural Business Barometer, a review of the...
Blacklisted agency worker – was there an implied employment with the end user?
In a recent case involving the discovery of a secret blacklist used by construction companies, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) upheld previous rulings that an employment relationship will only be...
Debenhams Ottaway helps lawyers of tomorrow
Laura Colville, Charlotte Capes and Amreena Zaidi, solicitors at Debenhams Ottaway, are currently taking part in the mentoring programme run by The University of Law, Bloomsbury which runs until May...
Debenhams Ottaway gets a brand new look
Debenhams Ottaway is known for its experience and knowledge, its strong roots in the Community and loyal client base and its leading private client, family and residential property teams. It...