News

3rd November 2021

We are delighted to welcome Georgia Chandler to the Wills, Probate and Trusts department. James Sawers, Partner and Head of the Wills, Probate and Trust department, stated “I am delighted that Georgia has joined our team. She joins us ...

Trees
9th September 2021

Making a will is an important part of lifetime legal planning, but do you need to put all your wishes in your will? Where should you set out your wishes for gifts or your funeral arrangements? Is it appropriate to explain your ...

8th September 2021

Through this series of articles, ‘Protecting your business’, our Employment partner, Linda Wilson, takes a look at different topics providing tips and advice to help businesses. This article focuses on what managers in your business ...

Hills
3rd June 2021

We are currently recruiting secretarial staff, and also looking for solicitors or legal executives for our Commercial Property team and Wills, Probate and Trusts department. We are a friendly firm with a focus on client service based ...

29th March 2021

Preparing and collecting all the information for your first meeting with your conveyancing solicitor, whether that meeting is face-to-face or virtual, will get your transaction off to a good start. Here Sarah Rowden, a residential ...

18th March 2021

MacDonald Oates is delighted to announce the recent completion of a seven figure company sale acting for the management team on its buyout of The Green Oak Carpentry Co. Ltd. which is a local, highly-regarded designer and provider of ...

15th March 2021

There have been a number of changes in regard to marriage law since 2004, with the most recent being the introduction of opposite-sex civil partnerships in 2019.  These changes have provided clarity over legal rights and financial ...

24th February 2021

The Supreme Court has handed down its decision in Uber v Aslam, upholding the decisions from the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal.  This case was summarised helpfully by Lord Legatt of the ...

12th January 2021

Can I challenge a will that fails to make reasonable provision for me? It is becoming increasingly common for a dispute over a will or a deceased’s estate to arise, particularly where someone who expected to inherit has been excluded ...

6th January 2021

“Silver lining: a sign of hope in an unfortunate or gloomy situation; a bright prospect” As we enter the third lockdown in the UK, it is not surprising that many businesses and employers are struggling to cope and some sectors, such as ...

Employment Law
11th November 2020

HMRC has published updated guidance on the extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The CJRS was originally due to close on 31 October but has been extended to 31 March 2021. For the period 1 November 2020 to 31 January 2021, ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
6th October 2020

We are delighted to congratulate Matthew Archer and Ben Holden on their promotion to Partners. Matt joined the firm in 2013 and specialises in commercial property and Ben who joined in 2018, specialises in wills, trusts and probate. ...

Stags
3rd September 2020

With life expectancy in the UK predicted to rise into the late 80s for men and women by 2030, an increasing number of people are choosing to safeguard their interests by making lasting powers of attorney. These enable a relative or ...

12th August 2020

Due to the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on our economy, many predicted that businesses would be facing difficult decisions with regards to how they would be able to manage to retain staff whilst revenue dropped. The ...

Stags
18th May 2020

The Government published ‘COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities’ on 28 March 2020. This guidance gives details of measures to help renters during the current coronavirus crisis. It clarifies the ...

24th March 2020

We remain fully open for business to assist our clients during the current global outbreak of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. In line with current government advice, our offices in Petersfield and Midhurst remain open and operational ...

20th March 2020

MacDonald Oates remains fully open for business and is committed to providing you with the best possible service, tailored to your individual needs. As a responsible business we will continue to monitor and adhere to Government advice ...

Employment Law
18th March 2020

With more cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), being reported in the UK each day, employers will be wondering how to handle the issue especially as they may need to react fast if a situation develops in the workplace or if there are ...

18th March 2020

We are delighted to welcome Emily Bower to our family department. Emily joins us as a Solicitor with more than 10 years’ experience. Tim Melville-Walker, Partner and Head of Family, stated “I am delighted that Emily has joined our ...

16th March 2020

From 6 April 2020 legislation will increase compensation limits and other statutory payments. Compensation limit Maximum limit on a weeks pay will increase from £525 to £538. Maximum compensatory award at an Employment Tribunal will ...

Hills
10th March 2020

When a loved one dies it can seem very daunting having to deal with their affairs. “For many people it is a case of knowing who to turn to and what to do next. It can be very easy to feel overwhelmed,” says Ben Holden, Wills and ...

Stags
29th January 2020

Patrick Jenkins, Partner and Head of Litigation, considers some of the issues which can arise where no Will, or a Will that proves to be deficient, has been prepared and why it is important to have an up-to-date and properly executed ...