Monday, May 31, 2010

Personal Injury Compensation Claims relating to Asbestos

Asbestos is the name given to a naturally occurring mineral that has been widely used in construction and shipbuilding since the 1950s. Asbestos was widely used because it is inflammable, virtually indestructible, flexible and has low thermal conductivity. It is considered ideal for use in insulation, cement, brake linings, and fireproofing.

There are three different types of asbestos. The first is called crocidolite and is more commonly known as blue asbestos – this had been used mainly in the textile industry and it was banned in the UK in 1985. The second is called Amosite and is more commonly known as brown asbestos - this was used primarily for insulation and then forbidden for use in the United Kingdom in 1985. The third is called Chrysotile and is commonly known as white asbestos - it was used in the textile and construction industry and this was only banned from being used in the United Kingdom in 1999.

Although Asbestose is very useful, it is very dangerous also. Asbestos fibers can break off into millions of tiny pieces that are easily inhaled into the lungs where they can be extremely harmful.

Asbestos-related diseases take many years to develop. A 30-40 year gap is common and there is no upper limit, with numerous instances of a latency period of 60 years or more. Hence, even if you worked with asbestos a long time ago, there is still a risk that you may be affected, particularly if you were exposed regularly or in very high doses. Asbestos-related diseases also occur among the wives and children of men who worked regularly with asbestos, getting loose fibres caught in their work overalls which were then brought into the home.

There are many different conditions related to asbestos. Conditions include pleural plaques, mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Asbestosis is often misused as a term for all asbestos-related disease.If you have developed an asbestos-related condition (with the exception of pleural plaques), and can demonstrate that you have been exposed to asbestos because of the fault of another, then you would be allowed to file a claim for injury.

The vast majority of cases of disease develop after years of asbestos cancer and fibre inhalation. X-ray analysis, testing and lung function tests can diagnose an asbestos-related disease and monitor its progress. Generally, the earlier an asbestos related disease is diagnosed, the better the condition can be treated or controlled. However, mesotelioma, asbestosis and asbestos-related lung cancer are extremely aggressive and painful conditions that invariably result in death.

If you or someone you know has developed an asbestos-related disease, telephone us for Asbestos compensation . We are here to help. We are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will gladly address any questions or concerns you may have. If you have a valid personal injury claim, and if you decide to tackle the issue, just instruct us and we will endeavor to recover our legal fees from the Mesothelioma lawyer
responsible for your injuries, meaning the whole procedure is free for you.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Asbestos


Asbestos:



Asbestos is the name given to a naturally occurring mineral that has been widely used in construction and shipbuilding since the 1950s.
Asbestos was widely used because it is inflammable, virtually indestructible, flexible and has low thermal conductivity. It is considered ideal for use in insulation, cement, brake linings, and fireproofing.




There are three different types of asbestos. The first is called crocidolite and is more commonly known as blue asbestos – this had been used mainly in the textile industry and it was banned in the UK in 1985. The second is called Amosite and is more commonly known as brown asbestos - this was used primarily for insulation and then forbidden for use in the United Kingdom in 1985. The third is called Chrysotile and is commonly known as white asbestos - it was used in the textile and construction industry and this was only banned from being used in the United Kingdom in 1999.



Although Asbestose is very useful, it is very dangerous also. Asbestos fibers can break off into millions of tiny pieces that are easily inhaled into the lungs where they can be extremely harmful.



Asbestos Related Diseases



Asbestos-related diseases take many years to develop. A 30-40 year gap is common and there is no upper limit, with numerous instances of a latency period of 60 years or more. Hence, even if you worked with asbestos a long time ago, there is still a risk that you may be affected, particularly if you were exposed regularly or in very high doses. Asbestos-related diseases also occur among the wives and children of men who worked regularly with asbestos, getting loose fibres caught in their work overalls which were then brought into the home.



There are many different conditions related to asbestos. Conditions include pleural plaques, mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Asbestosis is often misused as a term for all asbestos-related disease.



If you have developed an asbestos-related condition (with the exception of pleural plaques), and can demonstrate that you have been exposed to asbestos because of the fault of another, then you would be allowed to file a claim for injury.


The vast majority of cases of disease develop after years of asbestos cancer and fibre inhalation. X-ray analysis, testing and lung function tests can diagnose an asbestos-related disease and monitor its progress. Generally, the earlier an asbestos related disease is diagnosed, the better the condition can be treated or controlled. However, mesotelioma, asbestosis and asbestos-related lung cancer are extremely aggressive and painful conditions that invariably result in death.


Asbestos Claims Advice:



If you or someone you know has developed an asbestos-related disease, telephone us for Asbestos compensation . We are here to help.
We are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will gladly address any questions or concerns you may have.
If you have a valid personal injury claim, and if you decide to tackle the issue, just instruct us and we will endeavor to recover our legal fees from the Mesothelioma lawyer responsible for your injuries, meaning the whole procedure is free for you.



Wednesday, May 26, 2010



Solicitors and Barristers in the UK



This article is intended to educate those who do not have much information about London lawyers and their role in society. Many people avoid approaching lawyers and believe that it’s easier to resolve legal issues out of the court. However, the advice of a lawyer is the prudent course for those wishing to ensure the optimum outcome from a legal matter.






Traditionally lawyers are trained in all the key areas of law before opting to specialize in a particular field, allowing them to become legal experts in that discipline. In Britain, the legal profession is made up of many individuals who can be described by the single name of lawyer, such as paralegals, legal executives, licensed conveyancers, patent and trademark registration and notaries. The most notable distinction is between the two oldest strands of the legal profession, that of solicitors and barristers.

Information about UK Solicitors and Barristers



Barristers were historically those privy to the inner workings of the law courts. They would be able to provide expert legal advice on the likely outcome of a trial or provide advocacy before a judge that lay people or even solicitors could not. The traditional role of the solicitor was one of an attorney, that is to say they would deal directly with a lay person to identify the nature of their problem and carry out preparatory work such as legal research and evidence gathering. They would then refer the case to a barrister on behalf of their client if they deemed it necessary. Even today it is necessary in most circumstances for a barrister to be instructed through a solicitor, though this is no longer true in all legal disputes.

Bristol Solicitors in England and Wales are generally represented by either the Law Society of England and Wales (for solicitors) or the Bar Council (for barristers), though other regulatory bodies exist for other lawyers such as the Institute of Legal Executives. Education and qualifications are regulated by the Solicitor in London Regulation Authority and prospective lawyers must first have a qualifying law degree, or take a refresher course. Many lawyers in Bournemouth I spoke to were graduates of famous universities such as Durham, London and Oxford or Cambridge.


The Legal Complaints Service is an independent body to whom anyone dissatisfied with the manner in which their solicitor has handled their case may complain. The Bar Standards Board is the equivalent for barristers. Together with the representative bodies, these regulatory bodies form the complete set of professional standards for mortgage solicitors . It’s the same for all attorneys across the country, including Dorset lawyers.



After the initial euphoria of graduating, future lawyers wishing to enter practice as a solicitor UK must register as a student member of the Law Society and complete a year of study called the legal practice course. This is usually followed by two years of apprenticeship (called a training contract) before the solicitor is fully qualified to deal with clients unsupervised. It is necessary for all law firms to assure that their solicitors have successfully completed the academic and vocational stages of legal training.



Recent developments in legal practice in England and Wales (following the example of other jurisdictions) have shown that the strict separation between the duties of solicitors and barristers of old is of much less significance. Solicitors (so-called solicitor advocates) routinely appear in the lower courts and increasingly higher courts now that the law regulating higher rights of audience has changed. This trend is expected to continue in the years to come, with some predicting the end of the Bar.


Monday, May 24, 2010

Need to Know - Task of a Construction Solicitor

A construction Solicitor can assist with any legal matters arising during the course of a construction project. They are on hand throughout the life cycle of a construction project’s planning phase until the building dispute that may arise during construction and when construction is complete. Construction Solicitors in UK work for clients in both the private and public sector, and have a good understanding of the time and financial constraints under which the construction industry must work.

Construction Solicitors or conveyancing solicitors work on various construction projects, like all commercial and residential developments. Construction Solicitors work to protect the interests of their clients, through tasks such as conducting negotiations on their behalf, and performing due diligence. Their expertise will be relevant to all aspects of the construction and mechanical industry, in relation to contracts, logistics, and procurement and auditing.

The following are some of the specific areas that Building Counsel can assist with:


Finances

Construction solicitors advise construction firms in connection with the structuring of their projects and how they are funded at different stages. They will be aware of the relationship between construction companies and their lenders and professional indemnity insurer. The main aim of the construction solicitor in this area is to minimize the fees paid to consultants and ensure that all project-related construction claims operations are carried out as quickly as possible.

Legislation

Construction solicitors uk can advise on the impact of construction legislation on planning and implementing the project, which helps you avoid potential pitfalls later down the line. For construction solicitors involved in public sector work, a working knowledge of European legislation is necessary. This will allow the lawyer to advice clients on all relevant laws of construction governed by Brussels. These include the European law on competitive tender according to public procurement rules, competition law and all relevant employment laws and statutes.

Risk Management

Risk management allows construction companies to ensure they are properly protected from exposure to any risk that their project is facing. Construction solicitors work on a proactive basis to ensure their customers are fully informed with the latest health and safety regulations and possible financial and regulatory risks that could affect the project.

Now you know more about the role of a Construction solicitor, do you think you and your project can afford to be without one?

Friday, May 14, 2010

Why We Need a Registered Trademark?

Trademark protection is something that every entrepreneur should be aware of, because trademark registration can play a vital role in the process of establishing a brand name. If you’re finding Solicitors in London for trademarks registration is which one is important form of intellectual property.

A trademark refers to a logo, symbol, name or other device that identifies a particular company. In some jurisdictions, such as the United States, a distinction is made between two types of mark; trademarks and service marks. Trademarks identify physical goods that are manufactured, produced, sold and distributed, whilst service marks identify services that are provided by a company or an individual in exchange for payment.

Trademarks are registered by filing an application with the local trademark office. Registering trademark, once registered, is entitled to use the ® symbol, while unregistered trademarks are sometimes labelled as TM for a trademark or SM for a service mark. A trademark, unlike a patent, can be renewed indefinitely for as long as the company wishes to use it. It is effectively a permanent monopoly right.

A trademark registration means that the company holds the exclusive right to use the image, logo, symbol or name in relation to the type of goods or services for which it was registered. This is an important form of intellectual property. In time, a carefully managed trademark can acquire goodwill, meaning that it is recognised in the marketplace as being indicative of quality goods or services.

As such, it is important for new companies to register trademarks. To register a trademark or service mark, a company must file a correctly completed application form, pay the appropriate fee and submit a copy of the mark to be registered.

Even if a UK company decides not to register their UK trademarks, they may still be entitled to various rights under the common law (so called unregistered trademark rights). Under this regime, an unregistered trademark that has acquired goodwill will be protected from infringing activities. However, it can be difficult to prove goodwill and the ownership of that goodwill. Every business looking to protect its brand name should consider registering a trademark as a way of avoiding the uncertainty associated with common law trademark litigation.


Friday, May 7, 2010

A Construction Consultant For Minimize Risks

On the construction site, the waste of time and materials, and even damage to property is a common, sometimes daily occurrence. Nobody can prevent natural forces that destroy the site, but construction delays caused by the contractors’ negligence, or even personal injury and loss of materials can be avoided or resolved. Rarely is a site maintained perfectly without any problems, so you need someone on your side fighting for your rights, ensuring that all the other parties are working as agreed. When you are working with numerous contractors and sub-contractors such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters and other individuals to complete a project, it is not uncommon to encounter problems that could form the basis of construction claims. This means that a prudent company should seek construction claims consulting to protect their interests. A construction claims consultant can represent your interests in case you need to file a claim against another person or another party files a lawsuit against your company. Consultants in this field work to determine the strength of claims, consider the options, defend your company or assert your claims. Here are just some of the things a UK Solicitor or construction consultant can do for you:

Analyze delays

A building dispute consultant evaluates the cause of delays in projects to determine legal responsibility and carries out financial analysis to estimate the amount the delay will cost. Clearly, the consultant should be familiar with project management within the construction industry, with planning technique, and the nuances of different professionals who participate in the project.

Assess damages

Consultants also evaluate and estimate damages involved due to project delays, injuries, mistakes on the job and more. A delay, injury or even lost or delayed delivery of materials creates a ripple effect in any project. These can mean more delays and additional costs. The consultant can help determine the extent of any such losses which will form the basis of a claim for damages.

Determine Breakdown and Suggest Corrective Action

A consultant with construction claims experience must be able to identify why a delay or breakdown happened and then create a workable solution to remedy the situation. The consultant must be familiar with the current construction laws including building codes and standards, and capable of recognizing deficiencies in design and materials. They may also provide project management experience to oversee the completion of a project.

Arbitration and Litigation

A consultant with construction claims experience may also provide a professional, unbiased viewpoint should their expertise be needed for arbitration and litigation. Engineering and architectural firms may benefit from this type of consultant as can governmental agencies, contractors and construction firms. Having someone like a construction claims consultant represents your interests is a smart move, especially if you are not well-versed in the many issues that can arise during construction projects.

About Author:

We are property solicitors and construction consultants adept in arbitration and handling construction claims, having inside-out knowledge of construction legislation in the UK. We offer end-to-end legal services to our clients like trademark registration.


Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Role of a conveyancing solicitor in selling home

A conveyancing solicitor plays a vital role in selling your home. Once you request him to work on your behalf, he asks you to provide important information and according to the information provided he drafts a contract to be exchanged with the buyer. He solves all the queries raised by the buyer and re-drafts the contract if needed. He makes sure all the legal formalities are dealt with properly and the sale monies are collected.

The moment you think of selling your house you also need to think about your conveyancing solicitor. Conveyancing is a fundamental process in the selling of your house and it is necessary that it should be conducted by a qualified and experienced lawyer. Many people hire a conveyancing solicitor and sit back at home biting their nails. Moving a home can definitely be a stressful process. You are always eager to know about latest developments and often wonder why it takes too long.


I will briefly describe how a property solicitors undertakes conveyancing process. First of all you need to contact your solicitor instructing them to represent you during the entire conveyancing process of selling your home. The London lawyer then responds with a letter setting out their duties to you.


Once the letter is returned, the procedure will begin in earnest. You will be asked to fill in fixtures and fittings, property information and/or leasehold information sheets. This will form the basis of the contract to be exchanged between you and the buyer. Once this first step has been completed your lawyer will obtain your title deeds from your mortgage provider and the Land Registry. Often, this can be a slow process and having copies of your documents to hand greatly accelerates the process. It can be useful to ask your mortgage solicitors for these documents when you decide to put your house on the market.


With the title deeds and land registration details in his possession, the
buy house solicitor
can draw up the contract and send it to the buyer’s lawyer. This then will be passed on to the buyer for approval. The buyer’s legal team will then return the contract and ask for answers to any questions that have arisen. At this stage, the contract can be revised. The seller’s solicitors will at this stage request confirmation that the buyer’s mortgage has been approved.


Once the contract issues have been ironed out, the final contracts are sent and a provisional date for exchange is agreed. Once everything is in place and the final versions of the contracts are exchanged between the buyer’s lawyer and the seller’s lawyer, the deposit is paid by the buyer and a moving date is fixed. This is known as the ‘completion date’, and on that date the buyer pays over the balance due and can solicitors moving house .