News

Delivering Christmas Gifts to the Local Agents

21st December 2020

Our annual Christmas gift delivery would normally involve the Gilbert Stephens’ Christmas Elves visiting local agents and asking them to pull a Christmas cracker; they would win either our novelty Christmas carrot, lumps of coal, or brussel sprouts – which would you choose?! Of course, there is nothing normal about 2020 and so, with the current Government restrictions in mind, our Christmas Elves hatched their Covid compliant plan. Read more…

Gilbert Stephens donates to the local Food Banks

18th December 2020

This Christmas, Gilbert Stephens Solicitors were proud to support the local food banks in all six office locations: Exeter, Budleigh Salterton, Crediton, Ottery St Mary, Okehampton and Sidmouth. For 12 days in December staff donated a specific food item which varied from biscuits, jams and spreads to Christmas treats and food for pets. Read more…

Tips for strained relationships over Christmas

16th December 2020

Unfortunately for many, Christmas is not always the joyful happy time it’s envisaged to be. It can be a very emotional time of year, more so this year than ever as families make tough decision about who they can see over the Christmas period, and whether they in fact want to in the current climate. With some family members living under tight restrictions in care homes with limited visiting, and others perhaps being less careful, it’s all extra pressure at what can be a stressful time for many in normal circumstances. This can all cause friction at home and cracks in relationships may arise, at a time when we are supposed to be celebrating.

Read more…

Bramble Unit Toy Donation

15th December 2020

Last week Gilbert Stephens Solicitors dropped off some donations for The Mortgage Quarter’s annual toy collection campaign for the Bramble Unit at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

This year has been particularly difficult for those on the Unit and very different to previous years with fewer family visits allowed. It was more important than ever to help support the campaign and bring some Christmas cheer and we were delighted to donate over £100 and toys. Read more…

Children Arrangements for Christmas

27th November 2020

If you are separated from someone and have children together, contact arrangements can be a very emotive and difficult subject. Christmas is a time when normal arrangements may show extra strain, particularly during a worldwide pandemic.

Children are often greatly affected by marriage and relationship breakdown, even when life has settled, with particular times of the year causing emotional upset. It is therefore important to be prepared and have agreements in place well in advance so each party knows where they stand, and the best arrangements can then be made. Read more…

Dawlish College Stationery Donation

24th November 2020

Gilbert Stephens has joined forces with Devon Commercial Stationers this year, who kindly donated some stationery to us in support of Dawlish College’s shoebox donation. Yesterday, Dana Mulligan, Marketing Manager at Gilbert Stephens was greeted by Beck Tallamy who received the stationery on behalf of Dawlish College this year. Helen Clegg, Solicitor at our Exeter office, has been instrumental in co-ordinating this collaboration and we are delighted to support their charity endeavours, which will be included in their Christmas shoeboxes, destined for Moldova. Read more…

Bid to reduce backlogs in the civil and family courts a step in the right direction

17th November 2020

Measures to tackle backlogs in the civil and family courts and tribunals services by recruiting hundreds of additional staff and boosting court capacity have been welcomed by the Law Society of England and Wales.

While there has been progress in the family and civil courts, in late September there were more than 45,000 outstanding cases in the employment tribunals.* Read more…