Social Networking Guineapig

Home Buying to Get More Costly By The End Of The Year [Digg]

2009-11-05T08:09:37-08:00

Stamp Duty Land Tax reduction is coming to an end. It may be wise to buy now!

I Confess, I have Sinned!!

2009-11-03T08:49:00.001-08:00

Have you confessed?
Originally uploaded by Patty - watersmedia.com

I have committed what I feel to be the No.1 blogging sin.

NOT BLOGGING REGULARLY

My only excuse is that I have been SO busy.

I am organising for Latimer Hinks (as well as all my other duties) a total revamp of the corporate identity, new website, new posters, new copy, new banners etc etc. I'm run off my feet! I should have an image of a guineapig in a wheel!

BUT

Blogs must be regularly updated to hold interest. I even wrote Top Ten Blogging Tips - and consider the list as Top Ten Commandments.

For some reason I have placed "regularly updating" at number 9 - i think i need a rewrite!

What do you consider to be the ultimate blogging sin?

Landowners at risk of losing mast incomes [Digg]

2009-10-27T03:49:02-07:00

LANDOWNERS who rent out sitesfor mobile phone masts are beingwarned to check legal agreementsto ensure they do not lose the income.Law firm Latimer Hinks, of Darlington,warned landowners mightbe at threat because of the currentconsolidation of the mobile telecomsindustry.

Mobile Telephone Mast Lease Agreements - Farmers could Lose [Digg]

2009-10-22T07:41:04-07:00

Farmers/landowners- if you have mobile telephone masts on your land CHECK YOUR AGREEMENTS!!

Sharing Information - a test

2009-10-22T07:25:00.001-07:00

Just been browsing the internet and decided to try out a "share" button on the Law Society Gazette web page.

The article I wanted to share related to one of Latimer Hinks' trainees becoming a solicitor.

What you see below is the result of "sharing" with blogger. It seems a little strange that the links are without titles - has anyone else come across this? I thought this would be a quicker way to write a blog entry, but as you can see, a little more work in required!

[object Object]

Posted using ShareThis

Mobile Phone Companys Mergers May Impact Upon Farmers Income [Digg]

2009-10-21T04:06:11-07:00

Neil Stevenson, agricultural expert at Latimer Hinks is advising farmers to check their lease agreements with mobile phone companies - you could lose thousands of pounds a year

Latimer Hinks Advises How to Prevent Wills Being Contested [Digg]

2009-10-19T01:26:17-07:00

A North Yorkshire woman successfully contested her parents will after they left a 287 acre farming estate to charity

Latimer Hinks Highly Rated in Legal 500 & Chambers

2009-10-08T02:20:00.000-07:00

Latimer Hinks' partners have been recognised as experts in their particular fields by the Legal 500 and Chambers UK

Legal 500 - Published for over twenty years, the Legal 500 Series provides the most comprehensive worldwide coverage currently available on legal services providers, in over 100 countries. Used by commercial and private clients, corporate counsel, CEOs, FDs and professional advisers - as well as by other referrers of work both nationally and internationally - the series is widely regarded as offering the definitive judgement of law firm capabilities.

Chambers UK - The UK Guide lists both solicitors and barristers in over 70 specialist areas of law. Since 1989, Chambers have been researching the UK legal profession, identifying the leading lawyers and law firms through interviews with thousands of lawyers and their clients. Their reputation is based on the independence and objectivity of research.

Full press story and glowing comments can be found by visiting Latimer Hinks

I think we deserved a pat on the back!!!

Promotion Through North East Property Forum Video/Podcast

2009-10-01T03:50:00.000-07:00

I had a trip out of the office yesterday. Tim Haggie, managing partner at Latimer Hinks was once again chairing the North East Property Forum and I was invited along by our PR company, Recognition to see how the meeting is filmed and documented.

I arrived in time for a few nibbles before the meeting - this also gave me the opportunity for a little networking. Everyone was relaxed, competitors were chatting - it all seemed very much unlike "work"!

I also believe I managed to avoid "being captured" by the Northern Echo photographer (without being too obvious).

Very quickly it was time to sit down and "get down to business". You can see the full video here Property Forum Video September. I've managed to upload it to YouTube, hopefully people will be interested enough to "rate" the video - any comments will be appreciated.

Here is the Northern Echo press story - Region's House Sales Surge by 80%

Latimer Hinks Top Ranked In Chambers UK

2009-09-28T08:27:00.001-07:00

Marketing Partner, Anne Elliott of Latimer Hinks Solicitors has been Top Ranked in the Chambers UK directory.

For the full story head over to Anne's Tax Planning Blog

Legal 500 - the bible of the legal business recommends Latimer Hinks

2009-09-23T01:23:00.000-07:00

The Legal 500 is the most widely used legal directory in the UK and is considered to be "the bible of the legal business". The Legal 500 ranks law firms in terms of their expertise and performance.

Latimer Hinks has once again achieved recommendation - and this time more of our Partners are recognised! Good work!

Agriculture & Estates
Clients praise Latimer Hinks’ ‘vast knowledge of agricultural law and understanding of matters influencing the market‘. Anne Elliott is a ‘noted expert in the field of landlord and tenant‘, and Tim Haggie is recommended for estate management, strategy and planning. Instructions include advising farmers in negotiation with Broadview Energy over a wind farm development (which also involved Neil Stevenson) in North Yorkshire.

Personal Tax, Trusts & Probate
Anne Elliott at Latimer Hinks is noted for her expertise in inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning.

Real Estate
Mark Clayton leads a ‘very proficient‘ team at Latimer Hinks that had a busy year advising on numerous retail properties.

Corporate & Commercial
Nick Poole heads the Latimer Hinks team, which acted on a multimillion-pound refinancing of a group of hotels. Clients acknowledge the practice as ‘one of the best in the local market‘.

Commercial Litigation
Latimer Hinks is noted for its insolvency, debt recovery and bankruptcy practice. Mark Gardner is recommended.

Legal 500 Recommendations 2007

Legal 500 Recommendations 2008

Latimer Hinks Deal with Purchase of Radio Stations

2009-09-17T03:49:00.000-07:00

It's not all doom and gloom for businesses in the UK!

Nick Poole of Latimer Hinks Solicitors recently completed the purchase of 5 radio stations for Your Media Communications.

David Holdridge explained, "With the support and expertise of Nick Poole the legal aspects of this complex deal were delivered in a highly professional and proficient manner"

Here is the full story Latimer HinksTune in for Radio Deal

Do we see sunlight at the end of the recession tunnel??!

Photo: Latimer Hinks Solicitors’ Partner Nick Poole (left) with David Holdridge, Finance Director of Your Media Communications

How to Tackle Debt Head On

2009-09-15T01:05:00.000-07:00

In this current recession debt can be a problem for many businesses as well as individuals. Mark Gardner, Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors provides ten top tips on how to tackle debt head on.

It seems to me, if we talk to people and take advice early on, debt problems won't spiral out of control. Sharing a problem, halves a problem.

Social networks/forums could be used initially to find advice/research the problem - probably free of charge. How you use the advice is then up to the individual.

Solicitor Achieves Top Marks in National Taxation Exam

2009-09-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

We have excellent staff here at Latimer Hinks. Elizabeth Armstrong is no exception.

Elizabeth is married with two very active children, works as a solicitor at Latimer Hinks and finds the time to study on an evening.

All of her hard work and dedication paid off recently when she was awarded an Avery Jones Medal for the highest mark in the Chartered Tax Adviser Application and Interaction paper.

Solicitor Achieves Top Marks in National Taxation Exam

Going Offline - Holidays Beckon

2009-08-06T04:46:00.001-07:00

Beliche Beach, Portugal
Originally uploaded by dramaqueenz

Just thought i'd let you know that i'm travelling to sunnier climes for a well deserved break and won't be blogging for a while.

However, my daughter recently bought an ipod itouch, and if i have wifi access i'm hoping to do a little "twittering" so please feel free to "follow me" on Twitter. My twitter address is @LatimerHinks.

Without a Will There Can be Disappointed Relatives

2009-08-03T08:32:00.000-07:00

According to new research from Which? Legal Service:

56% of people surveyed do not have a will

33% of those over 45 have yet to make a will

35% aged over 65 feel that they don't need a will

Latimer Hinks is concerned that many people do not have a will, wrongly assuming that everything they own will automatically go to their spouse/partner or children. The distribution of estates where someone dies intestate (without a will) has recently changed the level of the statutory legacy – the amount a spouse or civil partner will receive.

For a widow(er)/civil partner where the deceased has children the statutory legacy has risen from £125,000 to £250,000. So, for most estates with a value of less than £250,000 the whole of the estate will pass to the surviving spouse or civil partner.

BUT if a couple are living together but have not made the union legal (by way of marriage or a civil partnership) and have not made wills then their estate will not pass onto the survivor.

The Which survey found that:

66% of couples did not know that their children would inherit if the coulple was not not married/had not entered into a civil partnership.

Today it is far more common for people to have been married more than once. A will can be vital in ensuring that any assets someone leaves go to the people they want to benefit, particularly if there are children from previous relationships.

77% did not realise that if both parents were to die, failure to appoint guardians for their children could result in the courts having a say in their future - and they could be raised by someone the parents wouldn't have chosen.

Michael Jackson's recent premature death highlighted the issues of what can happen to dependent children. Jackson Child Custody Case Highlights Problems with Parental Rights

The Which study also revealed:

43% were unaware that if a couple were separated but not divorced, that the estranged partner could inherit the bulk of the estate rather than the current partner or children.

For the full press release visit Without a Will there Can be Disappointed Relatives

For more information on who can inherit visit AdviceGuide

Please, take the advice of a professional legal adviser and ensure that if you have a will that it is up to date!

Search Engine Optimisation - How Do you Do It?

2009-07-29T01:49:00.001-07:00

Search-Engine-Marketing
Originally uploaded by Danard Vincente

Latimer Hinks is undergoing a website revamp. It’s a lot more time consuming that I initially thought it would be. At the moment we’re looking at layouts and applying the right tone to text.

We want to look professional, on the ball etc but don’t want to be condescending. Keywords need to be considered as well as search engine optimization (which sounds like a disease akin to swineflu)! It’s all a bit gobbledegook to me!

However, I’ve recently been contacted by Adam Smith, an SEO specialist.

Did you know that contrary to belief social networking doesn’t guarantee google rankings?

Adam is hopefully, going to advise me on the best way to optimise a couple of Latimer Hinks specialist services for search engines – Inheritance Tax Planning for High Net Worth Clients, Alternative Energy Negotiations (windfarms, telecommunications etc) and Succession Planning for Agricultural Clients.

I’ve tried bookmarking press releases and sharing this information on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc. Any new advice will be greatly appreciated. I shall keep you informed.

Alan Milburn's Mobility Study - Findings Don't Apply to Latimer Hinks

2009-07-23T03:39:00.000-07:00

Former minister Alan Milburn has chaired a social mobility study for the prime minister on widening access to high-status jobs. Among its conclusions, it says those entering careers such as the law and medicine are increasingly likely to be from affluent families, despite efforts made to open up the professions.

Not according to Latimer Hinks Solicitors who have for quite some years been breaking down recruitment barriers highlighted in the report.

Partner Anne Elliott said: “At Latimer Hinks, where we have a rolling programme, which involves taking on several trainees a year, we have always believed that opportunity should be open to all.

“Here, we appoint on merit and are interested in the personalities and strengths of the candidates and what they know and not where they come from. Since the turn of the century we have employed a mix of people all from different backgrounds most of whom have been state educated.”

None of the youngest partners, Andrew Way, Mark Clayton, Nicola Neilson and Claire Farrell, were privately educated. None of the recent intake of three trainees and none of the five former trainees (all of whom have all been retained as solicitors on qualification) were privately educated.

All of these individuals have worked extremely hard and been self supporting. Because of the expense of training and qualification four of them studied for their final exams on two year part time courses at the College of Law involving weekend study during which period they held down full time positions with us. We have huge admiration for their resolve and sense of purpose and tenacity – their success is purely down to character, personality and hard work and it is just not true to say that law is still for ‘rich kids’.

“Our experience at Latimer Hinks over the past 10/15 years is quite the opposite to that as projected by Alan Milburn’s report – our solicitors are much less likely to be recruited from so called ‘affluent families’.”

Photo: left to right - Natalie Palmer - Solicitor, Nicola Neilson - Partner, Gillian Perkins - Solicitor, Nadine Sweeney - Trainee, Kelly McLoughlin - Trainee, Vicky Moremon - Trainee, Rosanne Green - Solicitor

Long Term Care - Government's Proposal For Change

2009-07-22T02:07:00.001-07:00

road sign elderly people
Originally uploaded by Theo Pronk

The Green Paper on long term care was published last week with details of the Government's proposals for changes to the current funding of long term care costs.

As reported in the Telegraph on the 18th July 2009, these proposals remain just that - proposals. There will be four months consultation and still no parliamentary timetable to turn any recommendations into law.

With a general election looming next year, the Telegraph reported that campaigners for the elderly believe the issue will once more get kicked into the long grass.

The earliest any changes could become law is likely to be 2014 and it is estimated that in the meantime 400,000 will need care within the next 5 years.

It is understood that the Government's proposal concern only health care related support and fail to consider the residential living element.

The proposals still do not solve the fundamental problem and issue namely, if you have assets, particularly a house, you may end up having to use or pay out of your own resources your care costs whereas if you do not have assets, financial assistance will be available from the state.

Andrew Way, Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors has produced a fact sheet summarising the proposals and how they impact on people, particularly the elderly.

Proposed Changes to Funding for Long Term Care

New Marketing Trends - an easy way to keep up to date!

2009-07-16T01:46:00.001-07:00

A "social networking" friend passed on a link to a very interesting and informative website... and in the spirit of social networking I thought I'd share this knowledge with you.

Trend Watching - visit the site and subscribe to their RSS feed, follow them on Twitter or have their briefings sent directly to your email address - and all for free of course!

Other services offered are shown below:

» All previous Trend Briefings (2002-2009)
» Trend Tips
» Presentations
» Spotters network
» In the Media
» 'Premium' (annual Trend Report & Database)

There are loads of links in their briefings so you're able to view indepth info very quickly.

This month's briefing is an opverview and covers:
Foreverism, Innovation Jubilation, SellSumers, Eco-bounty, Generation G....

Enjoy

Jackson Child Custody Case Highlights Problems with Parental Rights

2009-07-09T06:10:00.000-07:00

No-one likes to consider their own death. Will you have led a full life? Will you die prematurely?

It is extremely important, no matter what age you are that you make a will. By doing this you plan for your future and your family's future. It is essential that you seek the correct legal advice.

Michael Jackson's recent premature death has highlighted the issues of what can happen to dependent children.

Judith Middleton of Latimer Hinks Solicitors advises on english law surrounding these issues - Jackson Custody Case Promts Questions

Using Social Media to Increase Awareness

2009-07-07T01:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I attended a presentation on Social Marketing by James McRoy of The Images Group.

Many of us are aware of/members of social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, You Tube etc - BUT do we know how they can be used to improve the profile of your business, generate sales, create awareness and direct traffic to your website.

James took us through a speedy overview on the power of social marketing on the internet.
Social marketing:

Drives traffic
Increases depth of a website visit
Boosts conversion and ROI
Turns the customer/Client into a sales person (they share your promotions with their networks)
Enables you to stand out from the competition
Provides interactivity for Clients
Can be tracked and monitored for effectiveness (check googleanalytics for your website)

Here at Latimer Hinks we engage in a variety of social marketing activities. Our website includes social bookmarking buttons and an RSS feed.

We blog, have a Facebook and LinkedIn presence (but not a Facebook Business Page), we bookmark. We have also recently joined Twitter.

I'm not quite sure how successful Twitter is going to be for Latimer Hinks but we have had a few hits from Twitter directed to our website.

James McCoy gave a few tips on using Twitter. Here are a few of them as well as links to Tweet related sites.

Twitter Search an easy to understand video about Twitter Search from Common Craft (excellent videos)
Search Twitter - type in the box what you wish to search for and hey presto loads of Tweets appear!You can also search by using # then whatever you wish to search for
Here you can search for people
Tweetlater - productivity tools for Tweeple, many of which are free to use.
Tweetburner - you're only allowed 140 characters per tweet. Tweetburner will shorten these urls for you, quite handy!
AdCause - you can also advertise on Twitter from only $1

James also suggested that Tweets be limited, 30 per hour is far too many and you could have your account suspended.

Don't keep trying to sell, sell, sell - give something back to the Tweet community.

Join as a personal Tweeter as well as a Business Tweeter (you are allowed more than one account). Try to keep your business Tweet name as close to your business name as possible. Perhaps you have diffreent products to promote - open a tweet account for all of them!

Obviously social marketing is time consuming, BUT the majority of sites/applications are free to use. Develop a strategy (trial and error) and if it works, stick with it!

Happy Tweeting - why not come along and follow my tweets.

Advice for Divorcing Couples Hit with Recession

2009-07-02T04:27:00.001-07:00

The depressed housing market and current economic climate is taking it's toll on divorced couples.

divorce sale sign signs canada britain uk
Originally uploaded by thefirstnoname

Unable to sell their property and "move on" many couples have made the decision to "live apart, together".

Judith Middleton, partner at law firm Latimer Hinks comments on new on-line advice and provides tips on how to "live apart, together" (there's even a wikipedia entry for it!)

Below you'll find further articles on this modern phenomenon:

Recession and Divorce, living together to make ends meet - thanks to Blogher
Two Exes, One Roof

North East Property Forum meet in June

2009-06-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Property Forum Meeting, June 2009 - The Property Forum (made up of solicitors, surveyors bankers and estate agents) met again and discussed first-time buyers’ needs as well as other property issues. The Northern Echo also reported on the meeting.

A couple of points were picked up:

Houses are selling as long as they are competitively priced. I have a particular interest in this point as my property is up for sale with what I hope is a "competitive price!"

There is an increase of interest from first time buyers especially with shared equity schemes

Lenders have noticed an increase in demand for mortgages

Cick on the link to view the podcast - Property Forum Meeting

ASSIST - Ladies Networking Group second meeting

2009-06-15T08:41:00.001-07:00

July 1st is the date for the next ASSIST ladies networking event.

ASSIST is a networking group for ladies in the Tees Valley area. The aim of the group is to "help each other". ASSIST offers a "buddy system". Members will be allocated a PROFICIAM, someone to help/share knowledge with. For more information visit the ASSIST website.

There is obviously a need for this type of networking group - the launch event was a great success and a "sell out". The second event which will be held at the Thistle Hotel in Middlesbrough will hopefully attract the same numbers.

ASSIST members are given the opportunity to present/talk to attendees. Fiona Carter of CMF Solutions has very kindly offered to provide an interactive presentation on “Time Management for Those who Don't Have Time to Attend a Time Mangement Course” – we figure we all need advice in this area, how DO we make more time?!

The rest of the morning will provide an opportunity for further networking.

If you are interested in attending and are based in the Tees Valley area simply contact us at
assistladiesnetworking@hotmail.co.uk. Full details canbe found here
Cost £5 members, £7.50 non members

When is a Wedding not a Wedding?

2009-06-11T02:54:00.001-07:00

Gone are the days of a quick trip to the church followed by a sit down buffet at the local pub to celebrate a wedding. Marriages can cost tens, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds. When spending this amount of money it is worth checking that your dream wedding is ACTUALLY legal.

When is a marriage not a marriage?

1) when you play around with your vows!

Judith Middleton, partner at Latimer Hinks warns that personalising wedding ceremonies could mean that some couples may not be legally wed. Leaving out key words from wedding vows may mean they do not comply with marital laws. See the full story: When is a Wedding Not a Wedding

2) when you have been married to a friend ordained online!

A couple from Conneticut had their ceremony performed by a friend who had been ordained online by the Universal Life Church. Having heard of other couples who were married that way, they assumed it was legal. But Connecticut is one of a half-dozen places that do not recognize marriages performed by someone who became a minister for the sole purpose of marrying people. See the full story: Great Wedding But Was It Legal?

I'm sure there will be many other examples of Non legal marriages however, i'll keep this blog short. If anyone would like to provide other examples, please feel free.

Wind Farms & Heads of Terms

2009-06-09T08:11:00.001-07:00

Neil Stevenson, partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors is becoming quite an expert on windfarms, heads of terms, negotiations etc.

RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) recently asked Neil to speak at three of their conferences

The conferences cover a wide range of fee earning and current topical issues based on Energy, Environmental and Valuation.

The Chester (held during our mini heatwave) attracted an audience of around 50. Neil, understandably nervous received excellent feedback and many questions were asked after the event.

Neil recently took part in a video on wind farm negotiations - The Answer is Blowing in the Wind.

So, if you have a few acres of land available for an alternative energy project, please contact Latimer Hinks 01325 341500!

National Family Week - consider the children after divorce

2009-05-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

As we celebrate national family week in the North East (25-31 May) let’s not forget that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that the end of a relationship doesn’t have to result in the breakdown of a family.

At Latimer Hinks, Judith Middleton our family law partner sees separating parents daily who desperately want to help their children to deal with the effects of divorce and separation, but they often don’t know where to turn for information, advice or support.

Judith is an accredited member of Resolution, the national family lawyers association. Resolution has developed a “Parenting after Parting” initiative, which aims to help separating parents through this difficult time with advice and information on how to talk to children about divorce or separation.

Help is available online at www.resolution.org.uk/parentingafterparting, which offers practical help with ways to help children going through these situations as well as details of parents workshops, designed to support parents in managing the impact of divorce of separation for their children.

For those of you wishing to entertain your children during National Family Week take a look at all of the activites on offer throughout the UK

New Rules Leads to New Partner at Latimer Hinks

2009-05-26T03:26:00.001-07:00

New rules under the Legal Services Act allow UK law firms to take on non-lawyers as partners.

Latimer Hinks Solicitors took advantage of the new rules to bring on board Andrew Way as partner - a move which recognises the enormous contibution Andrew has made over the past 30 years.

Congratulations Andrew!

Katie Price and Peter Andre's Separation - what about Harvey?

2009-05-18T04:16:00.000-07:00

Since last Monday when Katie Price and Peter Andre announced their separation they have been front page news - again. Married for three years Peter and Katie had very sensibly arranged for a pre-nuptial agreement to be set up.

BUT, what happens to the children when a marriage breaks up? What are a step-parent’s rights and responsibilities?

Apparently Peter treats 7 year old disabled Harvey (whose father is Dwight Yorke) as one of his own. They also have two other children, Junior and Princess Tiaami.

According to the Mail Online, Katie Price and Peter Andre are planning to meet to discuss who will care for Harvey, seven, Junior, three, and Princess Tiaami, one.

As a result of Katie and Peter's separation, Judith Middleton, a family law specialist at Latimer Hinks solicitors has turned the spotlight on people’s rights in connection with step-children.

Katie & Peter’s Split: Advice to Divorcing Step-Parents

Judith Middleton is a Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors an Accredited member of Resolution
and regional spokesperson for Resolution, an association of 5,000 family lawyers.