Author: Aston Bond Law Firm

Aston Bond Celebrates Halloween

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

At Aston Bond Halloween is one of our favourite events of the year and the entire team love to dress up (some more than others); and this year was no different. The entire team of solicitors at Aston Bond came together this Halloween with a day of fancy dress and a march around Slough’s High Street.

Furthermore, our in-house conveyancing solicitor Vicky Graham won the competition for “best dressed”! Below we have compiled a selection of pictures from this years celebration.

 

Halloween Costumes on Solicitors in Slough Scary

 

Halloween Costumes on Solicitors Scary

 

Commercial Law Solicitor Pirate Halloween Costume

 

Halloween Costumes on Solicitors in Slough Scary

 

If you would like to see more pictures form our Halloween celebrations please visit out Facebook page.

Ashton Hudson, Online Marketing Executive

ahudson@astonbond.co.uk

Our Solicitors in Slough can be contacted by calling 01753 486 777 or emailing info@astonbond.co.uk. Alternatively, you can visit our offices at 135 High Street, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 1DN.

Chelsea Football Club to Hire its First In-House Legal Advisor

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

As a full service law firm with a large array of solicitors handling a large array of legal matters Aston Bond has assisted clients in many different situations. However, we are yet to assist an internationally renowned football club such as Chelsea Football Club; who are looking to employ their first in-house legal advisor in the coming months.

This comes after a handful of international clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool have begun to hire their own in-house legal advisor to review contracts and also handle any legal matters within the club.

However, Chelsea’s in-house legal advisor will handle much more than contracts; their role will also include handling intellectual property, employment law, sports law, as well as commercial matters.

With the role yet to be filled many legal professionals are sure to jump at the opportunity. However, Chelsea FC does have one pre-set requirement: a minimum of three years’ experience within a major City practice.

Moreover, Chelsea Football Club have also noted that being able to speak multiple European languages would also be a plus; primarily Russian.

However, even if you are not Chelsea Football Club and require assistance with commercial law, intellectual property or employment law give us a call on 01753 486 777.

But who will get the ball in the back of the net as Chelsea’s legal advisor?

Ashton Hudson, Online Marketing Executive

ahudson@astonbond.co.uk

SRA to Strip Away Solicitor Qualifications

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

The Solicitors Regulation Authority will unveil a new publication today which is thought to put in place a radical reform for the require qualifications to enter the legal profession in the UK.

The changes, which will be laid out within this publication, are said to offer future solicitors more alternative routes into the legal profession and also allow them to design their own routes into the profession; this will include stripping away many required qualifications.

The change, which is said to be laid out as a blueprint today, will lay out the plan to strip away the generic solicitors’ qualification but instead simply provide the essential ‘day one’ stills required; however, it will be up to the individual to choose how they will acquire these essential skills.

Although, the SRA are yet to formally announce whether this new blueprint will in-fact become reality as they are yet to make well educated decisions on the matter. Furthermore, the SRA have also said that they will review if the generic solicitors’ qualification is still appropriate as the original paper suggest that it may still be an essential element of the qualification process.

The SRA will publish a formal consultation on removing unnecessary regulations at some point over the next three months. However, for now at least, the question will remain whether this reform will be positive or negative for the legal profession.

Ashton Hudson, Online Marketing Executive

ahudson@astonbond.co.uk

Forced Marriages: Honour, Love, and Disobey

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

One must differentiate between that of a forced marriage and an arranged marriage. An arranged marriage includes a relative or maybe a friend setting up the couple, however, a forced marriage takes place when either or both parties are being pressured and effectively forced into getting married, without giving their full and free consent.

We’re all going on a summer holiday                        

As young as from the age of 13, British nationals are being tricked into thinking they are going on a holiday to see relatives abroad; particularly in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, when actually their passports have been taken from them and they are being forced into marriage. The word “forced” is a predominantly strong word, which can involve either party being emotionally blackmailed, physically threatened or abused into getting married. Due to this it can then be hard to say “no” to your parents who may have spent months in preparation and spend a large sum of money on the ceremony.

Oh yes you do!

Some parents forcing their child to say “yes” also have gone to the extent of signing their own daughter’s marriage certificate. Previous figured show that there have been over 100 reports received by the UK’s Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) and a majority involved families originating from South Asia and the Middle East.

Campaigns have been set up to stop forced marriages, one of which is that the Southall Black Sisters, they have successfully fought for justice for women on several occasions. The campaign against forced marriage was organised to ensure that voices of those women who have suffered in the past and heard and preached to others so that other women who may be faced with this problem have an organisation they can talk to and help fight their case.

Breach of human rights

The UK Border Agency has published a consultation paper entitled “Marriage to partners overseas”. This paper involves the use of immigration rules to prevent forced marriages. Their main objective was to rise the marriageable age of overseas spouses to from 18 to 21 years old.

Forced marriages mostly involving women is a breach of human rights, the Human Rights Act, Article 16 (2) states: “Forced marriage is a violation of internationally recognised human rights standards. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses”.

Vinesh Patel, Paralegal

mailto:vpatel@astonbond.co.uk

The Truth Behind Political Asylum

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

When talking about political asylum many headline stories come in to the picture such as Edward Snowdan, Julian Assange (founder of Wikileaks, a website exploiting classified information online), and Chen Guangcheng, a legal activist in China whose primary purpose was that of human rights in rural areas of China. To the average person reading these headlines fail to see the hidden truth behind asylum.

Those who seek political asylum are those who fear the threat of prosecution in their own countries and in some circumstances their lives. Political asylum nowadays is seen as a right rather than a privilege to live in a foreign country as they seek protection.

Fear for your life

In order to be given the right to claim asylum there has to be a genuine fear. This fear must involve a fear of persecution. Persecution includes a wide variety from violation of the individual’s human rights, to unjustly imprisoning them for their political beliefs and also being subjected to inhumane treatment.  Applicants who apply for political asylum must be the victim, not the causes of the political upraise in their country.

In search for a better life”

Many can no longer bare the  pain and suffering that they have faced in their own countries and due to the strength some opposition leaders have, one word against their regimes can be seen as blasphemy in certain parts of the world we live in. Those certain individuals strive in search for a more peaceful life in other country’s, a country that can protect them from political violence and further persecution.

Deep inside the grey area of political asylum lays a foundation of persecution a thick layer of fear and topping of a more peaceful life, however will the taste of political asylum be sweet in other country’s or is this still a recipe for disaster as another country such as the U.K bear the responsibility of protection and other aspects to keep the peace.

Vinesh Patel, Paralegal

vpatel@astonbond.co.uk

Is Squatting Illegal in a Commercial Property?

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

In 2012 the British government introduced a controversial law to protect residential property owners. The new law, Section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, criminalises the act of squatting in a residential building and holds a financial penalty of up to £5,000 and up to a year in prison. Beforehand, it was only considered a criminal offence if criminal damage was caused within the residential property by the squatter.

However, this newly introduced law does not protect commercial property’s. While it is still considered illegal to cause criminal damage within a commercial property; it is not an illegal offence to squat in a property being used for commercial reasons.

However, the British government are now under growing pressure to expand the new law to protect commercial property’s as well as residential property’s. The reason? Many local authorities have seen a decrease in the number of squatters within residential buildings; however, the new law has also caused a increase in the number squatters within commercial property’s. Calling into question the overall success of this new law.

For clarification: it is illegal to squat in a residential property (with or without causing criminal damage). However, it is legal to squat within a commercial property (unless criminal damage is caused). Although, the current squatters rights and property owners rights are still taken into consideration.

Ashton Hudson, Online Marketing Executive

ahudson@astonbond.co.uk 

SRA Introduces it’s New Chief Executive

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

Today, the Solicitors Regulation Authority named Paul Philip as its new Chef Executive, who will take the position early next year.

Paul Philip, who is currently the deputy chief executive of the General Medical Council will take his new position on the 1st January of next year. And while his current position has no connection to the legal sector Philip has held roles within the legal sector beforehand.

In the past Philip’s has held a senior position within the Legal Services Commission and the National Health Service; furthermore, he also holds a degree and masters in law and has also been called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn.

But what does this mean for the legal sector and its solicitors?

At the moment it is not known what changes will be made by Philip’s. However, with the SRA and the legal sector being placed under further pressure than ever before it will certainly be a position of intense pressure. More information is certain to be announced in the coming months including the pay package of Philip’s and his personal ambitions at the SRA over the coming years.

Ashton Hudson, Online Marketing Executive

ahudson@astonbond.co.uk

 

Aston Bond Hosts TWIS: The Greatest Networking Event of The Year

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

This past week Aston Bond solicitors were honoured to host TWIS, a monthly business networking event bringing together businesses from close and far to share their business know-how and take advantage of each others skills. However, this month’s TWIS was very different to any other and has been described “the best networking event” and simple “hilarious”.

Not only were we surrounded by a great crowd of local business owners and employees but also had great entertainment in the form of Ali-G lookalike Danni B! Watch his interview with our TWIS panel and Aston Bond’s senior conveyancing solicitor Nick Powe.

 

 

For more pictures from the event please take a look at our Facebook page, and more videos can be found on our YouTube channel.

Your Rights, Responsibilities & The Law When Using Social Media

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

Social media is a great tool for both businesses and individuals, Aston Bond use Twitter and Facebook ourselves. However, since social media’s founding we have seen an increase in the number of cases where people have been prosecuted for their actions on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. And more than often its because the individuals involved were not aware that any law protected users of social media and that they were in-fact legally binding statements.

Within this post I will explain your rights and responsibilities when using social media sites and how you can protect yourself from any legal difficulties.

Which Laws Protect Social Media Users? 

There is no specific law in the United Kingdom which refers to social media alone, however; social media is protected by a number of laws such as the Malicious Communications Act of 1988, the Communications Act of 2003 (section 127), and the Criminal Justice and Police Act of 2001 (section 43). These laws all cover social media and other forms of electrical methods of communication including email.

Under these laws it is illegal to send “indecent” or “grossly offensive” messages, and/or send “threats”, or “false information” with the intention of “causing distress or anxiety” to its receiver or receivers.

Furthermore, the Harassment Act of 1997 also plays a part in the protection of social media users and  if found guilty of sending such content by way of electrical communication (i.e. social media, email) you can face both a fine and up to a six month prison sentence.

What are Your Rights & How to Protect Yourself 

Social media is considered very similar to any other method of communication including telephone or text message and regulated under the same laws as email messaging. Its for this reason that your rights are fairly obvious. You have the right to feel safe and not threatened and you have the right of freedom of speech unless it may cause distress and/or anxiety to somebody who may view that message.

However, its much more complicated when trying to protect yourself. With so many social media websites around each has different methods of protecting its users. The most popular way to protect yourself is by paying attention to the privacy settings and also blocking users who you do not wish to be able to communicate with you. Furthermore, the majority of social media sites give its users the ability to report an individual of cyber bullying or threatening behaviour.

Furthermore, with the laws above protecting social media users, you also have the protection of both the police and UK legal system. Notifying, and providing the police with evidence to show that somebody has made you feel distressed and/or anxious on social media may be evidence enough to make a prosecution.

You should also take into consideration the law surround libel which also includes electrical communication such as social media.

What Should You Avoid Doing

Many social media users believe that the images, videos and text they publish on social media sites can be deleted and never viewed again. However, the majority of social networks including Facebook, Twitter and some email platforms store messages, images and videos after they have been deleted in order to protect other users when and if they report abuse. This content may and can be viewed during an investigation.

The best way to avoid getting in trouble with the law when using social media is to censor your status updates, tweets or images and videos shared. This will ensure that you are posting content which will not cause offence or harm.

Furthermore, you must also remember that it is not just the original content you publish but also your comments on others contents. Pages on Facebook have also been known to be the source of an arrest. For example, if you were to start a Facebook page which targets a specific group of people and its considered to be illegal then this may and likely will back fire on you at some point.

However, the best way to avoid any lawsuit from your use of social media is to limit the opinions you share on social media and never get involved bullying, celebrity or not. You should also think before you share, as once its shared its never completely deleted. Furthermore, with so many people using public social media sites such as Twitter and YouTube your content can now be viewed by millions in just a few hours.

A Conclusion 

A recent survey showed that over 30% of teenagers have been affected by cyber bullying in their life. And with the dramatic growth of new social media sites it’s a certainty that this number will increase. However, its becoming easier to protect yourself from cyber bullying as well as avoid being considered a cyber bully or offending individuals over social media.  Share safely . .

Ashton Hudson, Online Marketing Executive 

ahudson@astonbond.co.uk 

Zero-hour employment contracts: here to stay?

Posted on by Aston Bond Law Firm

Your contract of employment is one of the most important contracts you will sign in your life, which should provide you with financial security. However, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of employees working on zero-hour employment contracts.

Much controversy surrounds zero-hour contracts, with both political figures and human rights campaigners questioning the legality of these type of employment contracts.

To understand the legality of zero-hour employment contracts, you should first understand what they are, how they work and how they affect both the employer and employee. A zero-hour employment contract is an employment contract in which no specified time is given as to the number of hours an employee is scheduled to work per week or per month. This allows the employer to employ an individual without any limitation on the minimum number of hours an employee will work per week or per month. This means that the employee has no secure income due to the day-to-day uncertainty of available paid work.

This has advantages and disadvantages for both the employer and employee. For an employee, a zero-hour contract offers flexibility and is often popular with students who require flexible working hours alongside their uncertain studying hours. For the employer, these type of employment contracts are seen as beneficial, as it allows the employer to adapt to the needs of their business and the market, day-by-day.

Many employers see the zero-hour employment contract as cost efficient, although there is still of course the mandatory requirement for the employer to pay the employee the national minimum wage.

But are zero-hour employment contracts legal? Yes. These type of employment contracts are legal with no limitations other than the limitations that are placed on conventional employment agreements. With large corporations in the UK heavily relying on zero-hour employment contracts, the government would arguably be taking a large risk in placing limitations and/or banning these type of employment contracts, as it could have a negative effect on the current employment rate.

It is likely that zero-hour employment contracts will come under further scrutiny in the future, however, unless and until any legal restraints are implemented, it is just as likely that the use of zero-hour employment contracts will continue to increase.

Vinesh Patel, Paralegal

vpatel@astonbond.co.uk

 

Aston Bond Solicitors in Slough and providing legal services to clients across Oxford, London, High Wycombe and Reading are specialist employment law solicitors. To find out more about our employment solicitors and our employment law services please click here.