29th April 2020

As we begin the month of May, it is perhaps a quieter, calmer month from an employment law perspective compared to that of March and April. In early March, most businesses were continuing to function without much thought of the virus ...

16th April 2020

The ”lockdown” and social distancing guidance published by the Government on 23 March 2020 was designed with one key aim in mind: to save lives. Staying home helps the NHS, stops the spread of COVID-19 and keeps people safe. But what ...

2nd April 2020

As you may expect, the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated employment law this month with new updates on an almost daily basis. Below is just a summary of the changes, but if you have any queries, please do contact us for further advice on ...

Hills
1st April 2020

Business owners should take advice from an expert commercial or employment solicitor on specific contracts and how the issues set out could apply to their own business.  There are a number of sources of information on the internet that ...

Trees
25th March 2020

The President of the Family Division has issued further guidance for the parents of children who are subject to child arrangements orders during the current Coronavirus pandemic. The key message is that ‘where Coronavirus restrictions ...

24th March 2020

We remain fully open for business to assist our clients during the current global outbreak of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. In line with current government advice, our offices in Petersfield and Midhurst remain open and operational ...

23rd March 2020

A civil partnership is a relationship between two people of the same sex or opposite sex – known as civil partners. Once registered, your civil partnership will mean that your relationship is legally recognised and will provide you ...

20th March 2020

MacDonald Oates remains fully open for business and is committed to providing you with the best possible service, tailored to your individual needs. As a responsible business we will continue to monitor and adhere to Government advice ...

Employment Law
18th March 2020

With more cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), being reported in the UK each day, employers will be wondering how to handle the issue especially as they may need to react fast if a situation develops in the workplace or if there are ...

18th March 2020

We are delighted to welcome Emily Bower to our family department. Emily joins us as a Solicitor with more than 10 years’ experience. Tim Melville-Walker, Partner and Head of Family, stated “I am delighted that Emily has joined our ...

16th March 2020

From 6 April 2020 legislation will increase compensation limits and other statutory payments. Compensation limit Maximum limit on a weeks pay will increase from £525 to £538. Maximum compensatory award at an Employment Tribunal will ...

Hills
10th March 2020

When a loved one dies it can seem very daunting having to deal with their affairs. “For many people it is a case of knowing who to turn to and what to do next. It can be very easy to feel overwhelmed,” says Ben Holden, Wills and ...

green field
5th February 2020

As society changes, the law naturally evolves and this is particularly highlighted in the case law surrounding the Equality Act and its prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religious or philosophical belief. However, as ...

Stags
29th January 2020

Patrick Jenkins, Partner and Head of Litigation, considers some of the issues which can arise where no Will, or a Will that proves to be deficient, has been prepared and why it is important to have an up-to-date and properly executed ...

27th January 2020

The steady rise in life expectancy means it is more important than ever that people appoint someone to take control of their financial and healthcare decisions if they are no longer able to do so themselves through ill health. This is ...

13th January 2020

Never made a Will?  Made a Will but it is out of date?  Either way you could risk your nest egg passing to the wrong person and leaving your loved ones in the lurch.  Make 2020 the year you make a new Will. “The ...

6th January 2020

We were pleased to support Denmead’s Glow Ride for 2019 on 27th December. We were lucky to have a crisp winter’s afternoon so that the children, and accompanying adults, could show off their brightly lit bikes before we set ...

House numbers
16th December 2019

Sarah Rowden, a residential conveyancing expert with MacDonald Oates LLP in Midhurst, offers some advice on selling your home in a flat market. Be informedSpeak to your estate agent about what sort of price you could realistically ...

28th November 2019

Whilst every transaction is different, there are a number of crucial steps in the legal process that are common to each sale and purchase transaction and we have outlined these below by way of a general guide. SELLING A PROPERTY Once ...

23rd September 2019

A recent case in the Employment Tribunal looked at whether vegetarianism was a belief for purposes of Equality Act 2010. Under the Equality Act (the Act) religion or belief is a protected characteristic and this means that employers ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
18th September 2019

We are delighted to welcome Graham Jewell to our Company and Commercial Department. Graham joins us as an Associate with a wealth of experience and is based at our Petersfield office. Kevin Smith, Partner and Head of Company and ...

House numbers
7th August 2019

Television programmes like Homes Under the Hammer have raised the profile of property auctions. Although auctions still only account for two per cent of all property sales, some experts believe this proportion will rise. In an ...