Peter Lynn and Partners are experts in dealing with the complexities involved in buying, selling or remortgaging your house or business premises. Unlike some law firms Peter Lynn has qualified solicitors specialising in conveyancing in all its Swansea offices, able to provide professional advice, for what is regarded by many as your most valuable asset.

Chris regards being qualified as an essential part of any conveyancing service. He said: “We work hard at what we do, we understand the local market and we have well established relationships with all local estate agents. The service we provide is top quality, but our fee structure is also extremely competitive. Our fees on freehold properties start from just £300 and our commercial fees on leasehold property start from as little as £500. We can also tailor the fee structure to the client’s need in any commercial transaction.”

A summary of the property linked services we provide include:

•    Sales & Purchases
•    Commercial Leases
•    Secured Lending
•    Property Investment & Pension Advice
•    Advice on Residential Tenancy Agreements
•    Rent Reviews & Lease Renewal
•    Development Land & Property
•    Town Planning Regulations
•    Boundary Disputes
•    Dilapidation & Commercial Repair
•    Property Portfolios and HMO
•    Leasehold Management Company Advice
•    Landlord and Tenant Litigation

Chris said: “Our service provision is extensive and the list above makes you appreciate why we feel it is important to have qualified solicitors looking after our client’s needs. In addition to estate agents we also have solid relationships with banks, insurance companies and chartered surveyors, so we are constantly keeping pace with market changes which could impact upon property at any time.”

Most recently Peter Lynn and Partners opened a new office on Newton Road in Mumbles. Chris said: “The Mumbles office has gone from strength to strength with an upward trend of instructions from SA3 residents and local businesses. We have an open door policy where clients can walk in to our office and ask for a FREE no obligation initial consultation with one of our team. Such is the demand in Mumbles we’ve just appointed another conveyancing solicitor, Stephanie Kift-Harries, which strengthens our service provision to clients in Swansea West.”

Peter Lynn and Partners really do believe in providing peace of mind during a property sale, purchase or remortgage. The company are committed to providing a good service, keeping clients informed throughout the duration of the transaction. Chris said: “In all aspects of property our understanding of the law and managing our client’s needs to a successful conclusion is something we take very seriously and it is a core value within our business.”

If you are considering buying, selling, moving home or leasing a business premises contact one of our expert property team today for your free initial consultation.

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

Peter Lynn & Partners
2nd Floor, Langdon House
Langdon Road
Swansea
SA1 8QY
Tel: 01792 450010
Fax: 01792 462881
info@peterlynnandpartners.co.uk

Stuart Atherton of Peter Lynn and Partners answers some key questions and explains how this new legislation affects employers and employees:

What is the difference between a worker and an employee and how does it affect their employment rights?

“The first thing to remember is there is a clear difference between a “worker” and an “employee”. In employment a volunteer worker without a contract would be entitled to certain claimant rights such as holidays and national minimum wage, but they could never claim for unfair dismissal or redundancy, because their circumstances would not be recognised by any employment tribunal. However, an employee with a contract of employment would be able to claim more extensive employment protection rights under the current law including unfair dismissal, as long as they could prove that they had been in continuous employment for 12 months in the case of unfair dismissal.”

Is the law regarding continuous employment for Unfair Dismissal going to change?

“Yes, from the 6th April 2012 the law will change from 12 months to 24 months. It now means that the employee will have to prove that they have been in continuous employment for 24 months before any claim for unfair dismissal can be made to any tribunal.

In theory this now makes it more appealing for employers to recruit staff, as there is an extra 12 months cushion in place to allow employees to gel into the work place and do the job effectively. From an employer’s perspective they do not face the risk of being challenged for unfair dismissal if the employee’s contract is terminated before a 24 month period of continuous employment.”

Is there a fee or a court cost to an employee who presents a complaint to the employment tribunal?

“Under the current law there is no fee for the claimant, but this will be changing. Whilst a date has yet to be fixed, it is widely expected that fees of between £200-£1750 for issuing claims will be introduced possibly from April 2013. I see this as good for business simply because it filters out those non-genuine claims where maybe malice as opposed to justice is the motive. In any instance the employer has to defend a claim or risk a default of judgment, hence incurring costs. The new law at least puts some responsibility on the claimant to think before they act as the initial claimant’s fee could exceed £1,000.00”.

Why are there so many changes to Employment Law and are there any recent examples of good legislation?

“The Law is always changing, but there is always a reason for any change. This current legislation is designed to simply cut through the red tape and make it more attractive for employers to take on staff, hence creating employment opportunities whilst providing fair employment rights to employees in return.

A recent example of good legislation is the Equality Act introduced in October 2010 and now working extremely well, making the law clearer to both employers and employees. This effectively is a Consolidating Act which combines issues on Race, Disability and Sex (as well as other areas) into a piece of legislation which is simpler to understand and easier to manage.

Despite the explanations how is a typical SME without a dedicated HR function supposed to keep on top of the changes in the law and manage their business?

It’s a good question and without the right support it’s very difficult for an employer to keep on top of all of the legal requirements. Running a business on a day to day basis is hard enough for any business owner, without the added worry of complex legal issues and potential legal challenges thrown up by employees.

As a firm of legal specialists we recognise this problem, hence the introduction of the bespoke “Guardian Scheme” specifically tailored for SME’s employing below 250 people. The Guardian scheme is quite unique and is designed to make the business stronger and save the business owner money.

It provides an array of business solutions to complex subjects such as recruitment, employment contracts, HR training and claims. Peter Lynn & Partners is one of the few accredited ‘Lawyers for Your Business’ solicitors operating in South West Wales and The Guardian Scheme in particular is underwritten by Insurance to offset the risk of potential claims. At its highest level it offers full protection from any Employment Claim.

HR training is a key component part of the scheme and is delivered by our staff. Employee risk assessments are put in place and this re-assures potential lenders that the risks associated with any potential claims are kept to a minimum. The other consideration is the pace with which employment law changes; hence the scheme is designed to cover up to date case law and legal developments. Sensible business planning embracing this scheme is in our opinion a must for all SME’s.

Our expertise goes beyond the traditional legal boundaries and so we offer a complete troubleshooting service to turn around ailing businesses. We recover assets and reschedule debts as well as offering mediation and dispute resolution.

All this is delivered in a personal approach backed by a vast experience of helping firms along the M4 corridor.”

For more information on Peter Lynn & Partners or any of the points covered in this article contact Stuart Atherton (stuart@plandp.co.uk)

Anna Lynch competing in a showjumping event

Rebecca Jones in a Mounted games show

Both have been selected for trials with the Welsh Mounted Games team.

Peter Lynn & Partners are proud to support local sporting activities.

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.

Members of The Mounted Games Team at Neath Pony Club

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 Keele 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

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.