Our Court of Protection team manage the finances of over 100 people who do not have the capacity to look after their own affairs, and who have not appointed an attorney to act on their behalf in these circumstances. Some of the individuals we support have very little by way of financial resources and rarely receive a visitor – even at Christmas.
As a team, we have always visited our more isolated clients near to Christmas, to give them a Christmas card and small gift, and to stay for a chat. For the last two years, however, we have encouraged the rest of the staff at Anthony Collins Solicitors to also consider contributing. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our colleagues and delighted to replace our small Christmas gifts with a basket of goodies.
In addition to general donations to our appeal, this year we introduced a Secret Santa scheme. Colleagues had the option to take a slip of paper with the name of a deputyship client, and some information on their likes and dislikes, to buy them a bespoke gift to go in the hamper.
Gifts donated include chocolate, Christmas decorations, sweets, biscuits, toiletries, nightwear, teddies, and blankets so that each client will have a bundle of parcels to open on Christmas day.
One of our clients, Ruby*, currently in hospital, was keen to open one gift early – it was her Secret Santa gift – a pink teddy bear with a soft blanket. She was overjoyed with her present and delighted in showing it off to all of the nurses on duty.
*not the client’s real name.
As we continue to emerge from lockdown measures and deal with local measures and the short and long term economic impact of Covid-19, local authorities will need to re-assess how services will be delivered for years to come.
The Government first announced plans for a shared ownership right to buy in October 2019. At the time the sector raised concerns about the impact the plans would have on housing associations ability to borrow. An election and a pandemic later the Government announced, during the CIH Housing Festival last week, the return of the right to shared ownership as part of its Affordable Homes Programme (AHP).
Two final pieces of the possession jigsaw have been published on 15 September 2020. Mr Justice Knowles’ working group on possession proceedings has issued its guidance on the “overall arrangements” for possession proceedings.
One change proposed by the Building Safety Bill is the introduction of a duty holder regime, which will see statutory responsibility for the safety of higher risk buildings placed on key individuals
Throughout this pandemic, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been publishing various “Statements on Coronavirus” (Statements) which provide guidance on consumer rights during this time.
A recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the UK means new measures are being put in place in an effort to reduce the risk of a second wave. Whilst the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt, it is important to remain focused on the sector’s road to recovery.
Sometimes half an hour at a conference gives you the reality that has been staring you in the face all along. That was my experience watching “Change is on the Horizon”
Following our recent e-briefing on Possession Notices, Helen Tucker and Emilie Pownall from our housing litigation team discuss the impact of the changes on social landlords.
Not only has the possession stay been extended until 20 September, the notice periods to be given to tenants has been extended in certain circumstances with some important exceptions.
The Court has confirmed that a party cannot withhold its consent in order to re-write the original bargain.
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