Garden House Solicitors: News and Events

Showing posts with label News and Events. Show all posts

Monday, 18 July 2016

Garden Party 2016

Garden House Solicitors held its 6^th annual Garden Party on Friday 1 July 2016 to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. We are pleased to announce that the event was a huge success and we raised £2,400 for the charity.

Lunch and refreshments were provided at the Garden House as well as a raffle prize draw. We would like to thank all the local people and businesses who kindly donated raffle prizes and vouchers. Kaya Halil on behalf of Barclays Bank in Hertford boosted the fundraiser by nominating the Alzheimer's Society as their charity of the year. The money raised will help them to continue supporting individuals suffering from dementia and their families.

www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

Email: info@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.

Monday, 25 April 2016

Registering to vote and the Electoral Roll

If you would like to take part in the EU Referendum on Thursday 23 June 2016, you will need to ensure that you are registered to vote. To vote in an election or referendum, you will need to be registered on the Electoral Roll. The Electoral Roll is a list of all the names and addresses of those registered to vote in the UK. Each local authority is in charge of the Electoral Roll in its own area and it is updated every month.

Who can register to vote?

You can register to vote if you are 17 years old. However, you can only vote when you become 18 years old.
You must be a British or a qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Not all households are automatically registered to be able to vote in an election or referendum and therefore it is absolutely vital to ensure that you have signed up to the Electoral Roll. The information on the Electoral Roll must be correct especially if you are applying for credit as the lender will use this information to confirm if your name and address is correct when carrying out a credit check. If you have not registered to vote or the details on the Electoral Roll are incorrect then you may be refused credit.

If you would like to find out if you are registered to vote on the Electoral Roll or would like to check your credit report please contact Garden House Solicitors on 01992 422128.

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

Friday, 8 April 2016

Microchipping made compulsory for all dogs

Nazmin Chowdhury of Graden House Solicitors

Article by Nazmin Chowdhury

From 6 April 2016, all dog owners must ensure their dogs are microchipped under the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations (2015). A microchip is a small electronic chip which is implanted under the dog’s skin and contains a unique number that can be read by a scanner.

The dog owner’s contact details relating to each number are logged on a central database and should the dog ever go missing or be stolen it can be scanned by the police or the local authority to make it easier for the dog to be returned to its owner. Therefore it is absolutely vital that the owner takes responsibility for updating their details with the database should their circumstances change.

If the police or the local authority find a dog without a microchip, assuming that the owner of the dog in question can be located, the owner will be given a time limit of 21 days to get their dog microchipped. If they still fail to comply with the law, they will face a fine of up to £500 per dog.

If you have not already had your pet microchipped and would like to seek advice please contact me on 01992 422128 or email nazmin@ghslaw.co.uk

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

Monday, 4 April 2016

Garden House Solicitors awarded Law Society's Lexcel Accreditation

Garden House Solicitors are proud to announce that we have again been awarded the prestigious Lexcel Accreditation by the Law Society.

Lexcel Accreditation is a mark of quality awarded by the Law Society specifically developed for law firms who demonstrate and maintain the highest levels of service. It is a recognised accreditation scheme for law firms which gives assurance to our clients that our practice meets high client care and business management standards.

To gain and retain Lexcel Accreditation, firms must undergo a rigorous assessment process from an experienced, trained Lexcel assessor and we are absolutely delighted to announce that Garden House Solicitors has met the Lexcel V6 Practice Management Standard.

Client care is paramount at Garden House Solicitors and we do our best to ensure that our clients are provided the highest level of service. As a Lexcel Accredited firm, we are always looking for ways to improve our client care service and one of the ways we do this is by asking our clients for their feedback and making any appropriate changes.

We are assessed annually by Lexcel to ensure that we are maintaining the same high standards and therefore we are proud to have received continued accreditation for the forthcoming year.

If you would like to discuss your legal issues with our Lexcel Accredited Solicitors please do not hesitate to contact us on 01992 422128.

www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Contract for live music event

Calling all musicians, agents, bar, club and music venue owners!

With Christmas and New Year fast approaching, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate! If you work in the music industry or if you are interested in hiring a live music performer to perform at your venue, it can be a very busy time of year and a fantastic opportunity to bring in members of the local community, new customers and new fans! But how do you know that you are getting what you are bargained for?

Lucy Walpole of Garden House Solicitors in Hertford

Article by Lucy Walpole

If you are interested in holding a live music event, or if you are a musician interested in doing some extra performances this festive season, you will want to ensure that the event runs as smoothly as possible and the fans and customers get the event that they are looking for. To make this happen it is important to have in place a legally binding agreement which can protect any and all interests most important for a successful event and to establish a future business relationship between the parties.

So what happens if something does go wrong? In the absence of a legally binding agreement it can often be very difficult to prove the existence of a legal relationship and duty based on an informal agreement or email correspondence. By entering into a formal agreement, it protects your position and means that you may be able to bring a claim against the other party for any losses suffered as a result of any ancillary or fundamental breach.

Garden House Solicitors specialising in music contracts Hertfordshire

From 12 November 2015 – 11 December 2015, Garden House Solicitors are offering to draft a live music performance contract for the reduced fixed fee of £300.00 plus VAT. This agreement can cover basic information such as the time, date and venue of the performance, payment terms, fee, even any special requests made by either party. This will make it undeniable by either party as to what their duties and responsibilities are and it ensures that all interests most important to the parties are protected.

So don’t miss any opportunity this festive season and make sure that you are prepared for some amazing music events to top off 2015! To arrange an appointment telephone me on 01992 422128 or email Lucy@GHSlaw.co.uk

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Fundraising Event for Syrian refugees 11 October 2015

Garden House Solicitors, in conjunction with Jungle Bar Hertford, are hosting a fundraising event on Sunday 11^th October 2015 from 3pm to raise vital funds for AcornCamps. The Acorn volunteers are helping the refugees fleeing the civil war.

Article by Julie Retallick

We are charging £10 per person for entry to the Jungle Bar which includes a welcome drink. Tickets for children are £5 each which includes a photo with an exotic animal. Children are welcome until 7pm. We are also providing an afternoon of reggae music and entertainment. For an extra £5 per head, we will be serving a Caribbean curried goat and rice dish with a Jamaican Patty and an equally delicious vegetarian option.

There is a live auction of Promises starting at 5pm and the lots you can bid on are as follows:

Refugee Crisis

It has been impossible to miss seeing the harrowing photographs in the News of Syrian refugees, many of whom have died fleeing into neighbouring countries. The most harrowing image for me was that of the three year old Aylan Kurdi’s body, which was washed up on a beach in Turkey. That image urged me to do something to help these people.

Garden House Solicitors of Hertfordshire

Article by Patricia Ling

I have found that people do not know how to help and I was not sure what to do for the best myself, so I contacted a local friend, Charles Ledsam, who was able to put me in touch with Acorn Camps in Hungary. Acorn Hungary Trust (known as AcornCamps) was founded in 2001 and is based at Bicske, not far from Budapest. It is now led by Anglican priest Andy Oatridge and his wife Zsofi. They moved to Hungary in Summer 2013 with their three young children.

The Trust’s original aim was to provide summer camps with Hungarian churches for teenagers in Hungary. However, in the last few weeks things have taken a rather different turn.

Remember a charity in your will week, 7 – 13 September 2015

Chris and I were very pleased to support this year’s ‘Remember a charity in your will week’. The week aimed to increase awareness of the importance of charitable legacies, and encouraged more people to think about including a good cause in their Will.

Many of our clients like to include a gift to charity once they have looked after their loved ones. For some it is a chance to give back, perhaps to a medical charity who have supported them through their final years. For others, it is remembering a charity who helped look after a close relative during a difficult time, or simply a charity they believe to be a particularly good cause.

Thank you!

Our annual Garden Party to raise funds for, and awareness of, the Alzheimer’s Society was held Friday, 3^rd July, and was a huge success. A total of £1,500 was raised for the Charity. This would not have been possible without the generosity of local people and businesses who were kind enough to donate raffle prizes. We would like to say a big thank you on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society to the following for their kind support:

Annual Garden Party 2015

An exciting date in the Garden House calendar is nearly here! Our annual Garden Party to raise funds for and awareness of the Alzheimer's Society will be held at Garden House on 3rd July 2015 between 1pm and 5pm.

Article by Julie Retallick

Drinks and luncheon will be served from 1pm. Fingers crossed, the sun will shine for us as it has done every year so far!

If you fancy a glass of Pimms or a chilled Prosecco and the chance to buy raffle tickets to help raise funds for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and their families, please join us.

We are delighted to announce that the Deputy Mayor, Peter Ruffles and Patricia Moore, the Head of East Herts will be joining us as will the local press. The Garden Party will be a fabulous chance to meet old and new friends and catch up as well as being a great networking opportunity.

Garden Party 2013

The team at Garden House are personally calling into local businesses asking them to donate raffle prizes and, as usual, they are being very generous.

Last year we raised over £1,144.00 for the charity and we aim to better that this year with your help.

Garden Party 2013

We look forward to seeing you but if you are unable to attend and would like to donate a raffle prize please call into the office or phone 01992 422128 and ask to speak to Julie who will arrange collection of the prize from you.

If you would like to attend the Garden Party please call Julie on 01992 422128 or email her at julie@ghslaw.co.uk and ask her to add your name to the guest list; when emailing please remember to advise if you have any special dietary requirements.

www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

LPA and EPA Registration Fees to be Reduced

Article by Sharon Brown

Every Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before it can be used. Enduring Powers of Attorney must be registered at such time as the donor (the person who made the EPA) has lost or is beginning to lose mental capacity. The current fee for registering an LPA or EPA with the OPG is £130.00 per document.

On 16^th Jul 2013 it was announced by Helen Grant (the Under-Secretary of State for Justice) that the fees will be reduced. From 1^st October 2013 the registration fee will be £110.00 per document, a very welcome saving for people trying to put their affairs in order. Also, where an application to register has to be resubmitted to the OPG the fee is being reduced from £65.00 to £55.00.

The Government has previously stated that it would like every adult to have an LPA in place and I feel this is a step in the right direction to making that wish a reality.

If you have any questions regarding EPAs or LPAs please feel free to contact me on 01992 422128 or by email to Sharon@gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

Friday, 26 July 2013

Thank you!

Thank you so much to the local businesses and individual people who donated prizes for our Garden Party raffle. The value of the raffle prizes donated exceeded £1,000.00 and helped us to raise over that amount for The Alzheimer's Society.

Please show your support to these businesses, and if you pop in please say hello from us!

Cut & blow dry – donated by Mannie Di Gesaro Saks, Hertford

Two bottles of wine – donated by Bradshaw Johnson Accountants

Bottle of red wine – donated by Ask Italian Restaurant

Patricia Ling of Garden House Solicitors in Hertfordshire

Article by Patricia Ling

Garden House Solicitors hold a Garden Party on the first Friday of July annually to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. This year the Garden Party was held on 5th July and was attended by about 100 people including the Town’s Mayor, Patricia Moore.

Patricial Ling and Hertford Town Mayor Patricia Moore

Myself and Patricia Moore

The Garden Party was a huge success and we are enormously grateful to Waitrose Hertford and its customers for sponsoring the event through its Community Matters Scheme. Thank you to everyone who attended and the local people and businesses who donated raffle prizes, we are delighted to report that we raised the sum of £1,020 for the Alzheimer’s Society. The Garden Party was a chance for local people and business to meet the Garden House team in a relaxed and informal environment. Afternoon tea was served and we received compliments from everyone on the delicious food. Sharon and Erica served Pimms and bubbly and everyone enjoyed relaxing in the sunshine having a drink and a chat.

Annual Garden Party 2013

An exciting date in the Garden House calendar is nearly here - our annual Garden Party on the 5 July 2013 between 1pm and 5pm! Once again we are hosting a Garden Party to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society.


Article by Julie Retallick

There will be a raffle and an afternoon tea available. Fingers crossed the sun will shine for us! We were very lucky last year and currently we are forecast sun and 22 degrees. Fancy a glass of Pimms in the sun? If so, please join us? We are delighted that the Mayor of Hertford, Patricia Moore, is joining us at 3 pm. It will be a fabulous opportunity to meet old and new friends. Just give us a quick call on 01992 422128 to confirm your attendance, so that we are able to cater appropriately.

For the past week I have been busy telephoning, emailing and personally calling into local business begging raffle prizes. I am delighted to say that local businesses have been very generous and we have some fabulous prizes waiting for you!

Garden Party 2012

Last year we raised £538.00 and we aim to beat that this year, please help us by buying raffle tickets on the day.

Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease for all the family and I decided sometime ago that should I fall victim to this dreaded disease I would make sure that my grandchildren, two boys aged 8 and 6 would be well cared for. Consequently I have made Lasting Powers of Attorney and a Will. What about my own children I hear you say, well they have made their own way in life and are well able to look after themselves but I might leave them a little something! Obviously I intend to enjoy life and if that means spending money I will, but I will definitely make sure that my grandchildren have that little pot to help them along the way and will think of me with love when spending my hard earned cash (hopefully)!

Care funding – the proposed reforms and how they will affect you

Care fees, care funding, residential care, government reforms

Article by
Chris Lucas

Care funding might seem like a confusing topic, but it is an issue which is likely to affect many of us at some point in our lives. If you or a loved one is going into residential care, it is advised that you seek advice early on. Lack of planning can result in the depletion of assets which can have a big impact on the inheritance for those loved ones left behind.

The present position

If you are in need of residential care, the current position is that you will be required to pay the full cost of your care for as long as you need it if you have assets worth over £23,250. This is known as the means test threshold. If your assets are worth less than £23,250 but more than £14,250, you will be required to pay a contribution.

What are the proposed reforms?

Earlier this year, the government set out reforms to adult social care funding which are due to be implemented in April 2016. These reforms can be broadly summarised as follows:

A cap of £72,000 on the total amount any individual will have to pay for their care, meaning that after this amount has been paid the local authority will step in and meet the costs;
Deferred payment arrangements to ensure that no one will have to sell their home in their lifetime to pay for their care;
Increasing the means test threshold from £23,250 to £118,500, meaning that those with assets worth less than £118,500 (as opposed to £23,250) will be entitled to some financial assistance from the local authority.

These plans appear to be a considerable step forward and the idea of capping care costs is likely to be welcomed by many. However, the reality is not so simple…

Free Employment Seminar

contracts of employment,
handbooks,
handling difficult employees,
other general areas of the law to help employers protect themselves from potential claims.

www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Parsloe Athletic U15's Season Update

Dave Koon Koon of Garden House Solicitors

Article by
Dave Koon Koon

I was lucky enough to be at a Parsloe Athletic U15’s game for a goal fest on 28 October 2012. The game ended in a 6-6 draw but the teams were evenly matched and Parsloe Athletic U15's never gave up looking for that deciding goal, even up to the final whistle. The boys should be proud of the way they played and it was the best game of football I’d seen that weekend, especially after watching the Stoke v Sunderland highlights earlier that morning.

Parsloe Athletic U15s are currently 7^th in the Mid Herts Rural Minors League, U15s Division 1 and with two away games coming up they’re hoping to get those 6 points that will push them higher up the table.

All the team at Garden House Solicitors continue to be very proud of the boys and in particular the way they have gone from strength to strength over the years, moving into higher divisions throughout.

The boys even had time to take a team photograph for us before their game and before they got muddy. I for one am looking forward to the next home game, but this time I will definitely take a scarf and some gloves.

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www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

Thursday, 1 November 2012

From Little Acorns Big Trees Grow

Ruth Allen of Garden House Solicitors in Hertford

Article by
Ruth Allen

Garden House was established in April 2006 and I am very proud to say I was there at the beginning together with 2 other members of staff. I set up the accounts system using a tried and tested Legal Accounts Package which I had used before called Lawbyte. I worked an evening a week as I had a full time job in Stevenage at that time. It was obvious then that the firm would grow but who could imagine how big it would grow to and how quickly?

Six and a half years later we now have 11 employees and we are still growing. I am now Practice Manager and Amanda Carron assists with the accounts and I work 3 days a week. It is a superb firm to work for with a great atmosphere and a good mix of people. We are like one big happy family.

In 2006 we were an acorn and in 2012 we are a Big Tree but with plenty more growing to do.

Connect with me on LinkedIn

www.gardenhousesolicitors.co.uk

Tel: 01992 422 128

Monday, 24 September 2012

Parsloe Athletic Under 14’s Trophy Presentation 2012

Article by
Dave Koon Koon

As we draw nearer to the start of the new football season we look back at the excellent season which was had by the boys of Parsloe Athletic Under 14’s.

Garden House Solicitors have been proud sponsors of this youth football team for the past 3 years and we have seen them improve dramatically throughout that time with the team reaching the Cup Final of their division last season.

At their end of season prize giving, which was attended by myself and Patricia Ling, the following players were recognised for their contribution to the team:

Networking in Bedfordshire


Sharon Brown

Here at Garden House we have clients spread across many counties. In order that we can recommend other businesses local to you we actively network in different regions.

I am a member of Business Connections in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, an independently run networking and referral group. This not only enables me to have a network of other local businesses to work with but also keeps me up to date with local news and events that may be of relevance to my clients. You can find out more about the group on our website: http://www.business-connections.biz/index.htm

Pages

Monday, 18 July 2016

Garden Party 2016

Monday, 25 April 2016

Registering to vote and the Electoral Roll

Friday, 8 April 2016

Microchipping made compulsory for all dogs

Monday, 4 April 2016

Garden House Solicitors awarded Law Society's Lexcel Accreditation

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Contract for live music event

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Fundraising Event for Syrian refugees 11 October 2015

Thursday, 17 September 2015

Refugee Crisis

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

Remember a charity in your will week, 7 – 13 September 2015

Monday, 13 July 2015

Thank you!

Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Annual Garden Party 2015

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

LPA and EPA Registration Fees to be Reduced

Friday, 26 July 2013

Thank you!

Garden Party 2013

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Annual Garden Party 2013

Friday, 28 June 2013

Care funding – the proposed reforms and how they will affect you

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

Free Employment Seminar

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Parsloe Athletic U15's Season Update

Thursday, 1 November 2012

From Little Acorns Big Trees Grow

Monday, 24 September 2012

Parsloe Athletic Under 14’s Trophy Presentation 2012

Friday, 1 June 2012

Networking in Bedfordshire