Welcome to the Peter Lynn & Partners Blog

Peter Lynn and Partners take pride in the fact that they contribute and sponsor a wide range of sporting clubs throughout South West Wales. One of those includes Neath Pony Club. Catrin Stephens a Family Law Solicitor based at the SA1 Head Office is actively involved in the club.

Catrin is a keen horse rider and her two children compete regularly for Neath Pony Club in the Mounted Games category. The Pony Club is an International Voluntary Youth Organisation for young people interested in ponies and riding.  It currently has 50,000 young members in the UK.

At Neath Pony Club, members can receive instruction in show jumping, dressage, cross country showing and mounted games events.  The club has enjoyed a great deal of success in recent years competing at both local and national level.

In March 2012 two young riders Anna Lynch and Rebecca Jones will take part in The Welsh Mounted Games Trials at Builth Wells, where they hope to gain selection and go onto represent Wales at a major tournament.

Profile:

Catrin is a highly experienced solicitor specialising in family & matrimonial law. Having graduated from Keale University in Staffordshire with a BA Hons in Law & English, Catrin went on to study at the College of Law, Chester before  pursuing her chosen career path of becoming a solicitor. She joined Peter Lynn & Partners in 2006. Catrin is an Accredited Member of The Law Society’s Family Law Panel and is an integral part of the Peter Lynn’s legal team at Swansea’s Head Office in Langdon House, SA1.

Family Law can be very emotive and Catrin understands the sensitivities associated with divorce, family disputes and residence and contact disputes over children. Catrin is also qualified as a family mediator.

Catrin’s subjects of expertise include:

• Divorce
• Financial release
• Property issues
• Cohabitation disputes
• New civil partnership
• Residence and contact with children
• Domestic Violence

Contact: catrin.stephens@plandp.co.uk

The new Energy Act 2011 received assent on 17^th October 2011.  The Act contains many useful opportunities under the “green deal” strategy and in particular, refurbishment works for energy efficiency, which can be dealt with by way of a loan from energy companies, which also has major effects if you come to sell the property.  For full advice on this and property matters please contact Chris Tymanowski on 01792 450010.

Mediation can help.  If anyone is in the unfortunate position of being in dispute with their former partner or co-habitee or spouse, they must seek early advice and information regarding possible mediation and follow the relevant protocol.  For full advice on matrimonial and partnership breakdown, please contact Sara Plant on 01792 450010

Sara Plant is a Partner at Peter Lynn and Partners and is a Law Society Accredited Family Panel Member. We met with Sara and asked her what advice can be given to protect people’s assets in both marital & cohabitee disputes?

Sara said, “At Peter Lynn & Partners we can help you take control of your assets and assist you to prepare them in the event of a future separation so that if the worst happens matters can be dealt with swiftly and amicably – married or unmarried.

“We have one of the largest Matrimonial Team of Solicitors in Swansea. We specialise in all aspects of Family Law including:

• Divorce
• Financial agreements
• Property issues
• Cohabitation disputes
• New civil partnership
• Child residency and contact arrangements
• Domestic Violence

“We can help you consider your options and find the best way forward so that problems can be resolved as quickly as possible and you can get on with your life. We offer practical and compassionate advice and can refer people to mediation to help solve difficult situations.

We asked Sara to explain how different the law is between Marital & Cohabitee Disputes? Sara said: “It is estimated that there are more than two million cohabiting couples in England and Wales.  Cohabitee disputes are becoming increasingly common as couples choose to live together rather than entering marriage.

“Some people are under the misapprehension that once living together they are common law “husband and wife” and on separation are entitled to the same protection that they would have had, had they been married.  This is not correct.”

A recent decision in the Supreme Court however,  has significant implications for the unmarried couple as it will allow the Court to consider the issue of ‘fairness’ if they are unable to firmly establish the parties intentions in respect of jointly owned property.

Sara explained the Case. “A couple Mr K and Ms J purchased a property jointly but separated some thirteen years later.  The couple had children and Ms J remained at the property with the children and maintained the mortgage solely for thirteen years.  Mr K then sought to realise his interest and the Court of Appeal ruled that Mr K was entitled to 50% of the value as the parties owned the property in equal shares.

“The Supreme Court took the view that in these circumstances an equal division was unfair and awarded Mr K 10% of the value of the home.

“This Judgement does promise more just outcomes for parties who have relatively few legal rights because they are unmarried.  It is essential that parties give consideration to what their intentions are during the period of their cohabitation to avoid incurring significant legal costs whilst any uncertainties are “battled” through the courts.  Parties should consider entering into Cohabitee Agreements setting out their agreed intentions.  Declarations of Trust can be drawn up at the time properties are purchased which can expressly stipulate who gets what in the event of a separation.

“All of our clients are at the very least entitled to a free half hour consultation to discuss their circumstances and we can undertake cases under the Legal Aid Scheme or on a privately paying basis. We try to prevent legal problems occurring; prevention is better than a cure.”

For more information on Peter Lynn & Partners or any of the points covered in this article contact Peter Lynn & Partners Head office.

Jen Finch pulled out all the stops so that a Mother and Daughter could move in to their new home before Christmas. In fact, the conveyancing took less than 24 hours. Read all the details by following this link: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/bought-house-just-24-hours/story-14218739-detail/story.html

Many Partners and Shareholders post retirement are shocked to learn that their retirement restrictive covenants are enforceable and are far more enforceable than if they were employees.  If you have any issues with regard to restrictive convenants either in Partnership or Shareholder Agreements or, in your employment contracts please do not hesitate to contact Peter Lynn or Stuart Atherton.

Dynamic Swansea Law firm Peter Lynn and Partners continue their impressive growth with the announcement of the opening of their new office at 87 Newton Road Mumbles.

This latest office will complement their offices at Morriston, Pontardawe, Penarth and their award winning flagship office at Langdon House on the SA1 Waterfront.

The Mumbles office will be headed by senior partner Peter Lynn (Commercial Law Specialist) who will be assisted by partner Sara Plant (Matrimonial), consultant Chris Tymanowski (Commercial Property / Conveyancing) and recent acquisitions Mandy Thomas (Property Law Specialist) and Samantha Bennett (Mumbles Office Manager)

Senior Partner Peter Lynn commented,” We are delighted to offer our clients and referrers of business in Swansea West the opportunity for easy access to top quality legal services at our new Mumbles office. The recent acquisition of high quality lawyers all of whom are top specialists in their field of expertise ensures a high quality of service for all of our clients, at prices people can afford in these difficult economic times

“From a personal point of view I am especially looking forward to keeping in touch with professional colleagues and clients closer to home. I believe they can now call into any of our offices convenient to them and get the accurate legal advice they need to prevent legal problems.

“The new Mumbles office offers legal advice to individuals and businesses in all areas of law but we are aware of particular local needs in property work, wills and tax planning, matrimonial settlements on divorce and commercial and property disputes”.

Peter Lynn & Partners, 87 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4BN

1. Telephone: 01792 369303 / FAX: 01792 447887

Peter Lynn, the lawyer in the musical turns fantasy into reality by opening an office in “Oyster Bay” (Mumbles) a few doors away from the Café bar which inspired Mal Pope to write his latest musical!

The Mumbles office will be headed by senior partner Peter Lynn (Commercial Law Specialist) who will be assisted by partner Sara Plant (Matrimonial), consultant Chris Tymanowski (Commercial Property / Conveyancing) and recent acquisitions Mandy Thomas (Property Law Specialist) and Samantha Bennett (Mumbles Office Manager)

Senior Partner Peter Lynn commented,” We are delighted to open this office which ironically brings to life the Oyster Bay (Mumbles) lawyer character (Peter Lynn) who’s based in the Village, hence Mal being here to celebrate the occasion.

“Just like the storyline we are here to offer our clients and referrers of business in Swansea West the opportunity for easy access to top quality legal services at our new Mumbles office. The recent acquisition of high quality lawyers all of whom are top specialists in their field of expertise ensures a high quality of service for all of our clients, at prices people can afford in these difficult economic times.

“From a personal point of view I am especially looking forward to keeping in touch with professional colleagues and clients closer to home. I believe they can now call into any of our offices convenient to them and get the accurate legal advice they need to prevent legal problems.

“The new Mumbles office offers legal advice to individuals and businesses in all areas of law but we are aware of particular local needs in property work, wills and tax planning, matrimonial settlements on divorce and commercial and property disputes”.

Peter Lynn & Partners, 87 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4BN

Telephone: 01792 369303 / FAX: 01792 447887

Senior Partner Peter Lynn commented,” We are delighted to be supporting community rugby here in Mumbles. The club has a long and proud history and hopefully our support will help sustain and develop the current squad. I’m a rugby man through and through and I know how important it is for clubs like Mumbles to secure the support of local business. I will be watching and supporting closely throughout the remainder of the season and I wish the boys and the coaches every success.

“As a business we are here to offer our clients and referrers of business in Swansea West the opportunity for easy access to top quality legal services at our new Mumbles office. “From a personal point of view I am especially looking forward to keeping in touch with professional colleagues and clients closer to home. I believe they can now call into any of our offices convenient to them and get the accurate legal advice they need to prevent legal problems.

“The new Mumbles office offers legal advice to individuals and businesses in all areas of law but we are aware of particular local needs in property work, wills and tax planning, matrimonial settlements on divorce and commercial and property disputes”.

Peter Lynn & Partners, 87 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4BN

Telephone: 01792 369303 / FAX: 01792 447887

As a leading Swansea Law Firm we feel it important to support  The Evening Post’s Give a Gown Appeal so have donated a cheque for £500.00

Senior Partner, Peter Lynn of Peter Lynn and Partners met with Captain Kelvin Thomas and Corporal Chris Evans of The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (The Welsh Cavalry) at the SA1 Remembrance Garden in Swansea, to hand over the cheque.

Captain Thomas initiated the campaign, to provide returning injured soldiers with a Welsh Hospital Bag to make life a little easier during the recovery period at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

Captain Thomas is the regimental welfare officer and was inspired to come up with the idea when it became clear that the Cavalry were going to be deployed into The Afghan Theatre. Captain Thomas said, “I was blown up myself in Bosnia many years ago and I fully understand the difficulties that soldiers face during their return to the UK and the recovery process they’ll undertake. The idea of having practical items from home such as Welsh dressing gowns, slippers and books make a big difference and demonstrates the support from the people back in Wales”

Peter Lynn commented, “The work done by the troops in Afghanistan is exceptional. We all have a massive debt to these soldiers who put their lives at risk in the name of freedom and democracy. When I was contacted by Captain Thomas’s brother Steve who runs a business in the city, we knew immediately that we wanted to support this campaign as best we could. Hopefully this donation will make a small but significant difference to those who need it the most”

Partners from Peter Lynn with members of the Dragoon Guards