Tuesday 19 July 2011

Will there be a benefit?

There comes a time in all of our lives when we realise that we will not be around forever. That the ones who depend on us will be without you, be it a long term partner, your children or your friends. The only way that you can guarantee that your estate is divided up and given to whom you want and how you want is by writing a will.

Currently two thirds of Scot's do not possess a will. This means that in the case of an unexpected tragedy their estate would be divided up according to the rights of succession meaning that your belongings might not go to who and where they are needed. For example, £18 million pounds a year goes to the government in unclaimed estates due to the deceased not having a will. At Nicholas J. Scullion and Co. we provide a comprehensive and professional will writing service and can ensure that your estate does not go to waste. Please arrange an appointment if you would like to talk to a specialist about getting a will.

                          

Friday 8 July 2011

Arriving Soon: Guess who's coming to town?!

Yes, Lanarkshire's leading law firm is coming to town! As you are aware we are branching out...Hamilton-based Nicholas J. Scullion & Co are opening up another office in Motherwell, Brandon Parade. We were over this morning checking up on a few things at the new office to ensure everything is running smoothly but what was captivating was the hussle and bussle of Motherwell town centre. It is really busy and full of life so we are excited to be arriving soon. Have you read STV Motherwell today? If not here is the link for you to check out:


http://local.stv.tv/motherwell/news/20792-top-legal-firm-to-open-new-office-in-motherwell/



Friday 1 July 2011

Check out our fortnightly Q&A in the HUB Newspaper

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co are proud to be working with Scott Mochar, editor of Lanarkshire's Positive Newspaper the HUB. It focuses soley on encouraging stories within the local area and they are fast approaching their second anniversary. I Diana Scullion, first met Scott when I joined Nicholas J. Scullion & Co over two years ago and we have been working well ever since, creating a fortnightly Q&A column to provide the readers of The Hub with complimentary legal advice. If you have any charity events, family nights, or community led special campaigns that you need support with, contact Scott http://www.thehubpaper.com/. Or you can call them on 01698 803 909. Thank you all for contributing to our column. If you would like anything particular answered write in to diana@scullion-law.co.uk or leave a comment on our facebook page which is facebook.com/Scullion.Law. We look forward to hearing from you http://www.scullion-law.co.uk/(PLEASE NOTE WE WILL SOON BE OPENING IN MOTHERWELL TOO).




Monday 20 June 2011

WE ARE EXPANDING / OPENING IN MOTHERWELL. 34 BRANDON PARADE


PLEASE NOTE WE ARE OPENING IN MOTHERWELL.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR REGULAR UPDATES.

THE SHOP IS PRESENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

'FORMERLY KNOWN AS FORGET ME NOTS!'

THANK YOU


Wednesday 1 June 2011



The Scheme - The Debate BBC one
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011mb2l

Here is a clip of last nights live debate on BBC one. Nicholas Scullion was invited by the BBC to to give a comment as we are Scottish Criminal Law Firm of the Year and we work with people from similar areas.

What are your thoughts on The Scheme? There were some interesting points raised last night from the audience and we were inspired by some of the stories of recovering drug addicts and alcoholics who have managed to turn their lives around after reaching out for help. Did the Scheme cause you offence? Did it shock and distress you or do you think it is important that the BBC lifted the lid on the way some individuals within these communities lead their lives? Are there solutions? Has anything positive come from the show?

What are your thoughts... We know there are so many positive stories within these communities, of young men who go to College and on to the Army or into jobs and this is great, as well as the talent for singing, dancing, sport and so on. We know of several good, honest hard working individuals and a wide range of professionals that work hard to provide for their families and lead a morally good life. Not all are on drugs!  

Unless you live there or know someone who does, you will never fully know of all the good as well as the bad that goes on in each community - and it is not just Kilmarnock! Please leave your comments below...

If you ever need legal advice call us 24/7 any time to speak to one of our specialist solicitors and we will defend you. We provide for both private client & legal aid. www.scullion-law.co.uk






'A vivid portrayal of life in a Kilmarnock housing scheme has been criticised by some as "poverty porn" but the programme also attracted large audiences and has been praised for highlighting the harsh reality of life in parts of Scotland today'.  

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Welcome to our first Q&A feel free to submit Questions for our specialists

Q1: I was injured in accident at work. My hand got caught in a wood cutting machine and I lost the top of my finger. There was a guard on it but my but there was a gap.. I have done this hundreds of times without a problem. I feel a bit stupid for having done this. I don’t know whether I should make a claim against my employers. I don’t want to fall out with my boss but I haven’t worked from the date of the accident and feeling a bit depressed.








A1.. The employer will be liable in terms of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The Regulations are designed to protect workers in precisely these circumstances. The law acknowledges that the risk of injury cannot be completely excluded and that humans do make mistakes. You should bear in mind that this will not be a personal matter between you and your employers. The matter will be dealt with by an insurance company and your employer would expect you to make use of the policy in these circumstances. You may have a permanent disability and may suffer a loss of earnings in the long run. Your employer may not be able to find you suitable duties on your return. You may also be in need of rehabilitation to help you regain the function of your hand. You need a lawyer who is able to fund medical evidence to help you maximise the value of your claim. You also need a lawyer who is able to fund private physiotherapy and occupational therapy to get you back into work. You should also check that your lawyer is prepared to fund a report from a psychiatrist in relation to the shock and low mood you have suffered. If your lawyer is unable to get these reports, it is unlikely that you will receive full compensation.

Contact Nicholas J. Scullion & Co, Solicitors. We are working in Partnership with the award winning Compensate Network and are now able to meet all your legal needs under one roof. Call 01698 283 265 to discuss your possible claim. http://www.scullion-law.co.uk/. Email Valerie@scullion-law.co.uk or brian@scullion-law.co.uk

Wednesday 11 May 2011

For all Road Traffic Related Legal Questions: call Robert or Paolo our experienced Road Traffic Solicitors OR email paolo@scullion-law.co.uk and robert@scullion-law.co.uk


Police will be able to hand out on-the-spot fines for careless driving under a new strategy being launched to to make Britain's roads safer.

Motorists who tailgate, undertake or cut up other drivers could be handed an immediate fine - reportedly up to £100 - rather than being taken to court.

There will be a new crackdown on drug-driving and loopholes which allow people to get off drink-driving charges will be closed, said the Department for Transport.
And the courts will be encouraged to make more use of their powers to seize vehicles for the most serious offences.

But in a written statement to MPs on Wednesday, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will also announce a new approach to drivers who make genuine mistakes on the roads and extra help for those who have just passed their tests and need to keep improving their skills.

A wider range of retraining and education courses will be on offer for low-level offences.

And novice drivers will be able to take additional qualifications to reassure insurers that they are safe behind the wheel, in a bid to reverse the steep upward trend in premiums for less experienced motorists.

A source close to Mr Hammond said the new strategy represented a "sea change" from Labour's approach, which relied heavily on speed cameras and failed to differentiate between problem drivers and essentially safe motorists who make an honest mistake.

The new approach will target genuinely reckless drivers, rather than wasting police and court time by putting generally law-abiding motorists in the dock.

Convictions for offences related to bad driving fell from 125,000 in 1985 to 28,900 in 2006, suggesting that many cases are going unpunished, said the DfT.

A DfT spokesman said: "The strategy will focus on cracking down on the really reckless drivers through more efficient enforcement.

"By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.

"While seeking to do everything possible to tackle the most dangerous drivers, the strategy will also help the responsible majority to improve their driving. This is the Government's twin approach to improving road safety."

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "This strategy certainly addresses anti-social behaviour on the roads but it is questionable whether it tackles the key areas which cause injury and death.

"Either way, the three things needed to make these plans work are enforcement, enforcement, enforcement. With police services being cut, it is far from certain the desired results can be achieved. Without adequate enforcement there is no strategy."

Simon Best, chief executive of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "We welcome the proposal to give novice drivers extra training. Many young drivers crash simply because they lack driving experience.

"Extra training with in-depth coaching and more hours behind the wheel will prevent accidents and save lives. We will work with the Government and the insurance industry to make this new approach a reality.
"A strategy that punishes deliberate bad driving while allowing those who make simple human errors to improve has our full support. But we are concerned that issuing spot fines for careless driving could downgrade the offence and will be monitoring the impact carefully."

Mr Hammond said the police would issue fixed-penalty notices - with a right for the driver to contest the offence in court - and not have the power to demand immediate cash payments.

"The police, under pressure of resources, have simply stopped addressing this offence," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"By giving them the fixed-penalty notice procedure, we hope to allow them effectively and efficiently to address poor driving skills and behaviour on our roads, while at the same freeing up court and police resources to tackle the really dangerous drivers that are the real problem on our roads."