Yes. For unmarried couples, wills are doubly-important. It is estimated that two-thirds of people never get round to making a will. Put starkly: if you aren’t married to your partner more…

Pre-nuptial agreements have an uncertain status in English law. On occasion, the courts have disregarded them although lawyers report that they are increasingly being used. The legal position seems more more…

It is a deceptively simple phrase. On one level it means (as the name suggests) solicitors are paid nothing for their work if they lose (but can charge more if more…

There is, for the time being, a civil legal aid scheme covering many areas of law – not all, for example, most accident claims are excluded. Legal aid in civil more…

First of all you need to establish whether you have the case in law. See How do you research the law. Just because a case is sound in law, doesn’t more…

There is a wealth of online information about legal rights, notably Citizens Advice’s Advice Guide (www.adviceguide.org.uk), Advice Now (http://advicenow.org.uk), and Direct.gov.uk. One of the purposes of this site is an more…

Depending on how serious the issue is and how complex the law might be, you might feel you need some legal input (even if you can’t afford it). A first more…

Before starting any legal action you should understand how costs work and how you might expose yourself to costs. Prospective litigants in person need to be aware of many things more…

Many lawyers represent clients on a ‘no-win, no fee’ basis – lawyers call these arrangements ‘conditional fee agreements’. Alternatively, you might also want to check out the small print on more…

There is, for the time being, a civil legal aid scheme covering many areas of law – not all, for example, most accident claims are excluded. Legal aid in civil more…

If you are eligible, criminal legal aid pays for advice and assistance from a solicitor for anyone being questioned by the police in connection with a criminal offence, advice and more…

Many lawyers represent clients on a ‘no-win, no fee’ basis – lawyers call these arrangements ‘conditional fee agreements’. Alternatively, you might also want to check out the small print on more…

It is a deceptively simple phrase. On one level it means (as the name suggests) solicitors are paid nothing for their work if they lose (but can charge more if more…

If relevant, then legal insurance policies can be effective and represent excellent value for money. For a modest sum of, say, £30 consumers can buy a before the event (BTE) more…

It is very difficult to offer meaningful generic advice for litigants-in-person. A new website has been launched to help DIY Lawyers. Your experience will of course depend on court, the more…

Yes – it is called being a litigant-in-person -  but it might not be advisable. First of all, the court should always be the option of last resort. The approaches more…

Living together For more information on where you can marry and what you have to do to get married, see the General Register Office (www.gro.gov.uk) and the Church of England more…

Obviously that’s a tricky question and it depends on a whole series of largely subjective issues. People get married for many different reasons. Many couples want to celebrate the ‘big more…

Pre-nuptial agreements have an uncertain status in English law. On occasion, the courts have disregarded them although lawyers report that they are increasingly being used. The legal position seems more more…

If you are single (whether previously married, divorced, widowed or in a civil partnership that has been dissolved), you can marry anyone except: -someone already married or in a civil more…

You have to be over 16 years old and if you are under the age of 18 years you need the consent of a parent or person with parental responsibility more…

A marriage can take place in England and Wales at a register office, or a building approved for civil marriage, in an Anglican church or in any other religious building more…

There are a number of requirements you have to satisfy before you can get married the General Register Office has more details), such as: Residency: You can get married in more…

There are a number of common sense steps you can take if you don’t want to get married but want an approximation of its protections. The importance of at least more…

  … you move in to your boyfriend’s house, have a baby together, and then split up…? Your ex doesn’t have to pay you maintenance for your own benefit except more…