News

Advantages and Disadvantages of Moving to the Countryside

16th November 2020

As people take advantage of the Stamp Duty break, which ends on 31st March (read about that here), more appear to be leaving the city life behind and upsizing in the countryside. Covid-19 may have impacted these decisions with people wishing to live in less condensed areas and perhaps have found a new love of the countryside during lockdown.

Though there are many positives to gain from countryside living, it does also have some disadvantage.  Read more…

Child protection at heart of courts review

14th November 2020

Review will examine how courts balance child safety and right to family life.

A review launched on 9 November 2020 will consider how the current approach to decisions on parental access made in the family courts is impacting child safety, in the next step forward for government’s wider plans to reform family courts and bring in greater protections for domestic abuse victims. Read more…

Lest We Forget

11th November 2020

Following the horror of WWII, when nations across the globe again allied to fight for their freedom, Armistice Day became Remembrance Day, and we now mark this date by remembering all of the veterans and those who sacrificed themselves in all conflicts. This formative event in our world history ended with the laying down of arms at eleven o’clock in the morning; the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918. Read more…

Congratulations to Susan Hein-Griggs

9th November 2020

At Gilbert Stephens Solicitors we have a long tradition of encouraging the ambitions of our staff and supporting their professional development. We would like to congratulate Susan Hein-Griggs for her recent qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive. Read more…

Welcome to Emma Webb

6th November 2020

We are delighted to welcome property solicitor Emma Webb to the Gilbert Stephens team. Based at our Sidmouth office, Emma brings with her a wealth of experience in residential and commercial property transactions. Read more…

Okehampton Round Table Sponsorship

4th November 2020

We are very pleased to be able to support the Okehampton Round Table Christmas Sleigh this year.

The Sleigh is well recognised locally and travels raising money for local charities, it has also picked up donations for the local Food Bank, something that is needed more than ever this year. Each of our offices are also having a collection to donate to their local foodbanks with a 12 day of Christmas theme, we have suggested items for donation for each day including tinned meat, tinned potatoes, cereal, UHT milk, Toiletries, Christmas treats and more. Read more…

Farewell to Alastair Bates

2nd November 2020

Today we say a very fond farewell to Alastair Bates, Consultant Solicitor at our Sidmouth Office who has left the firm to enjoy a well-earned and much deserved retirement. We would like to say a huge thank you to Alastair for all the hard work and dedication he has put in over the years, he has been an invaluable member of our team. Read more…

What can you do if you don’t feel Covid-secure in your workplace?

30th October 2020

At all times an employer has a duty of care to ensure you have a safe working environment, during the Covid-19 pandemic this also means ensuring that as many measures as possible are put in place to reduce the risk of infection to staff. How much can be done will depend on your working environment, for example a shop environment when coming into contact with customers daily will be different to an office environment. An employer must also take into consideration how vulnerable you are, if for example you are classified as a vulnerable person who needed to shield, they need to be aware of this and take necessary action. Read more…

What are your rights if you are being made redundant?

27th October 2020

Sadly, in the face of Covid-19 we are seeing more redundancies as businesses struggle to retain staff in the current climate. A redundancy happens when a role for a member of staff no longer meets the requirements of the company for which they work. We are finding many businesses currently needing to reduce their workforce and some devastatingly ceasing their business. Read more…