10th March 2018
There are plenty of inspirational women at Gilbert Stephens and in celebration of International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day we will be featuring 3 in the month of March. First up is Jane Gawn, Jane is a Partner and head of our Property Department
Jane attended the Queen Elizabeth School in Crediton before attending the University College of Wales (Swansea) and obtaining a BA (Hons) degree in French and English. Jane then commenced working for Gilbert Stephens and qualified as a Solicitor in 1992 after attending the College of Law at Guildford.
Jane specialises in residential conveyancing and is now Head of the firm’s Residential Conveyancing Department. When not working, Jane enjoys travelling, the theatre and classical music.
Here’s Jane’s answers to our questions:
Who has been the most inspirational woman in your life and why?
This has to be my mother, who went to university and had a career (as well as supporting my father and bringing up four children) at a time when this was unusual and when being a “career woman” was rather frowned upon in some quarters. She managed to achieve what many find difficult even today and always encouraged the girls in the family to do likewise.
Who inspires you the most professionally?
Baroness Brenda Hale of Richmond is something of a trailblazer for women lawyers and shows what can be done if someone is determined enough, even though the legal profession has always been something of a tough nut to crack for women lawyers.
Have you got a favourite inspirational quote?
“If you don’t risk anything you risk everything.”
What drew you to working in law?
I left University with a French and English degree and it never occurred to me to work with lawyers then. . As work was scarce in Devon at that time I decided to take a secretarial course and after doing secretarial work for a few months at a local building society Gordon Rice, then senior partner, interviewed me for a post.at Gilbert Stephens. He explained that the firm would help me if I decided to pursue a career in law and this could mean I would eventually become a solicitor and possibly a partner. I was supported not only by Mr Rice but by the rest of the partnership, in particular by Paul Dunn who trained me. The rest is history.
What do you love most about your job?
As well as the legal work itself, I enjoy meeting people and get great satisfaction from helping them.
What advice would you give to a woman just leaving education?
Decide what you want to do as early as possible and go for it!
If you could have any super power what would it be and why?
Possibly time travel to prevent bad things happening, although if some of the films I have seen are right that in itself could cause worse problems!
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Empathic reliable hardworking
What does being an inspirational woman mean to you?
I wasn’t aware I was. If I am I am very flattered and glad someone has benefitted from looking at the path my life has taken.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the office?
Classical music is my great love both listening to it and playing the violin and woodwind instruments for my own entertainment.
And finally…….. if there was a zombie apocalypse how would you survive?!
Make a mad dash for the nearest shop selling DVDS to get some tips from some of those zombie films!
5th March 2018
Cheryl Bolt our trainee solicitor at Gilbert Stephens is launching a blog about life in the young professional world and is looking to engage others at a similar stage in their working lives as well as helping people to understand what goes on behind a solicitor’s door.
Cheryl’s introductory blog will be about her time so far with Gilbert Stephens and subsequently she’s planning monthly updates on what she’s been up to. She will also focus on different departments within the law firm.
Cheryl said: “I don’t think people generally have much of an idea about the wide range of work that law firms undertake so this blog will be a good way of opening up the legal world to a wider audience. I’m a member of Exeter’s Young Professional Network so I’m also hoping my blog will help to add to the knowledge we’re building up about each other’s challenges and successes.”
The Exeter-based Young Professionals Network (YPN) offers members a chance to get to know like-minded professionals across a range of businesses and services in an informal setting. The network was set up by Gilbert Stephens in 2010 initially to provide the firm’s younger members with their own network of contacts. Since then it has grown and now has more than 300 members from industry, professional services and the charity sector. They meet regularly for various activities, ranging from making sushi to ten pin bowling.
Cheryl said: “The events are popular because they help to build professional and personal networks outside of the traditional routes. It’s great to be able to meet others who are at similar stages in their professional lives. It’s fascinating to see how much we have in common and how often our businesses are linked to each other.”
Cheryl’s blog will be published on the Gilbert Stephens website and shared on their social media – be sure to follow to keep up to date.
2nd March 2018
It is important to understand your rights when adverse weather conditions and travel disruption affects your ability to attend work.
Firstly you should check your employment contract, policies and any handbook as these documents may outline you rights in these circumstances.
However if not, the general rule is you would not automatically be entitled to pay if you are unable to attend work. If however the workplace is closed and you do not usually work from home you employer cannot usually deduct pay. You could be asked to work at another location of from home but this should be stipulated in your employment contract.
Your employer could ask you to take paid annual leave if you have been given notice of this. The notice must be at least double the length of time the employer wants you to take in annual leave.
Your employer may ask you to work flexible hours to make the time up. Unless your employment contract provides for this your employer cannot insist on it.
If you have children and their school is closed or your usual childcare arrangements are disrupted you have the right to take a reasonable amount of time off work as it is an emergency situation however it would be unpaid unless you have agreed differently with your employer.
If you require further advice contact our employment specialist Kim McDonald on 01392 424242
2nd March 2018
Due to unsafe travel conditions for our staff all our offices will be closed today.
1st March 2018
Please note our offices are shut today due to the snow! Keep safe ❄
28th February 2018
Tree Preservation Orders are made to protect particular trees and an Order will be made to prevent lopping, topping, felling or uprooting without the consent of the Council making the Order. The Council will usually give its consent provided there is a good reason given for the work and this would include safety reasons or if the tree is diseased. Householders should always approach the Council before carrying out work on the tree affected.
27th February 2018
The Lease will set out how the rent increases if at all. Some older Leases provide for a fixed rent throughout the term of the Lease. Newer leases sometimes provide that the rent increases at intervals of, say, 25 years, to a fixed higher amount until the term comes to an end. Other leases stipulate that the rent payable for an intial period of, say, 25 years is a fixed amount following which the rent changes to an amount assessed by a fixed formula, often by reference to the Retail Price Index.
The ground rent payable under a Lease continues throughout its term unless the leaseholder extends his Lease under rights given to the tenant by statute, the Leasehold Reform Aft 1993, in which case the ground rent changes to a peppercorn rent. A peppercorn rent effectively means no rent at all.
26th February 2018
We celebrated one year at our Market Street, Okehampton office with an informal gathering for drinks and invited clients and fellow professionals to join us.
We decided to expand in to Okehampton having noticed a need. “Even before we opened we already had instructions from local residents” said Philip Horlock a property solicitor based in the office “We’ve built a lot of excellent relationships already and we look forward to strengthening these and building on them further in the years to come.”
Managing Partner Terry Bastyan said “the community of Okehampton is unique and very important to us. We offer a free of charge initial assessment meeting (lasting approximately 20 minutes) for anyone with legal questions. We are very much enjoying being part of Okehampton, it’s a busy and vibrant town with a great deal to offer”.
Our firm offers advice covering all major areas of law and we are closely associated with Gilbert Stephens Financial Services Limited which is a well-established business offering Independent financial advice.
Find out more about our services on our website and find out how to contact us here
26th February 2018
Thinking caps are being knitted and encyclopaedias digested . . . the Gilbert Stephens quiz team is gearing up for the ‘best charity pub quiz in Exeter’.
The team has until 1 March to brush up on their general and musical knowledge before taking on all the other teams in this year’s WESC Pub Quiz challenge. The last quiz was a closely-fought evening which raised £2000 towards WESC Foundation projects and Gilbert Stephens, the law firm with offices in Exeter and throughout Devon, is hoping they can help the charity to beat that total.
Quiz team captain Nigel McKay said “We’re very much looking forward to battling the other teams on quiz night as we have done for a number of years. Whatever the result though, we’re delighted that we are helping to raise funds for such a worthy cause at what I’m sure will be an enjoyable – and very competitive – event.”
Teams of six are being invited to join in the quiz which will include a selection of general knowledge questions, solving picture rounds and interpreting popular music intros. Money raised at the quiz will go towards providing important mobility equipment to help students at WESC.
“NB: Unfortunately due to the severe weather forecast for this Thursday, we are going to postpone the pub quiz for a week! The quiz will now be held on Thursday 8th March here in the School Hall at . Apart from the date all other arrangements remain exactly the same!”
25th February 2018
If you have not put in an offer for a property or instructed a solicitor a buyer can still obtain a copy of the title to the property from the Land Registry and this will disclose any covenants and restrictions for a small fee. In a small number of cases this may not be possible due to the title not being registered with the Land Registry and you will need to approach the seller for this. You will need the full address and postcode if approaching the Land Registry… If your offer has been accepted and you have instructed your Solicitor a copy of any covenants and restrictions will be provided with the contract by the seller’s Solicitor.
