26th March 2025

When a court determines how finances are to be distributed on divorce, the primary focus is on achieving a fair and equitable distribution of assets between the parties involved, which meets their needs. Whilst non-financial conduct ...

25th March 2025

Join us on Thursday 12th June for our Charity Quiz Night where we will be raising funds for our Charity of the year Petersfield Food Bank! It’s a wonderful opportunity to test your knowledge, enjoy an evening of entertainment, and most ...

24th March 2025

Many managers will know from experience that even if they follow a robust and thorough recruitment process, this does not guarantee that the employee is up to the job. The effective use of a probationary period is one way to reduce the ...

11th March 2025

Employment Tribunal claims – how we can help your business Navigating the complexities of Employment Tribunal claims can be a daunting task for employers. At MacDonald Oates, we offer comprehensive legal support to help you prevent, ...

10th February 2025

Long-term sickness absence can be challenging for employers in a number of ways: not least the costs; the impact on the rest of the team; uncertainty about if and when the employee will return to work; and whether they will be able to ...

9th January 2025

If you are starting a business from scratch or expanding and you need people to work for you, your first crucial decision is whether to employ them or engage a self-employed contractor. Getting this wrong can lead to problems and ...

19th December 2024

If you have gone to the trouble of drafting a will to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you die, then it is important to ensure that the will is legally valid. A simple mistake can undo your wishes, ...

13th September 2024

This year (2024) MacDonald Oates is supporting the charity Stop Domestic Abuse. The aim of this charity is clear – To help all those affected by domestic abuse with a vision of a world without domestic abuse. Robert Sawers and ...

8th July 2024

Delays in the probate system have hit the headlines of late, with bereaved families having to wait many months to obtain a grant of probate – a stark contrast to the 16 weeks the Government says the application should take.  ...

2nd July 2024

An employee builds up valuable knowledge and contacts during the time that they work for you, but your commercial interests may be vulnerable if they leave and go on to work for a competitor. It is therefore prudent to take steps to ...

4th June 2024

Our wills and probate solicitors can provide bespoke advice for your high-net-worth estate and your individual family circumstances.

21st May 2024

The Family Procedure (Amendment No 2) Rules 2023 came into force in April 2024, with the primary aim of encouraging early non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) in the vast majority of private family matters. The changes seek to ensure ...

10th May 2024

What is a Cohabitation Agreement? Cohabitation agreements have gained significant recognition and importance in the United Kingdom as the dynamics of relationships continue to evolve. In recent years, the number of couples choosing to ...

7th May 2024

Calculating holiday allowances can be tricky for any staff which work irregular hours.  In an effort to simplify things, this year the government has introduced changes to the rules on holiday rights as part of reforms to some ...

29th April 2024

‘Your pets are an important part of your family, but providing for them in your will is not as straightforward as providing for other family members,’ says Georgia Chandler, an Associate Solicitor in the wills and probate team with ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
18th April 2024

We are delighted to announce the date of our next Charity Quiz on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the Petersfield Golf Club. We are supporting Stop Domestic Abuse this year and we would love to raise as much funds as possible for this ...

8th April 2024

Clear pathways and opportunities for promotion together with increasing pay grades can help to improve employee performance, keep staff motivated and help with retaining talent. A fair and consistent practice should also reduce the ...

21st March 2024

Employment law evolves with societal changes and 2024 is a busier year for employment legislation, compared to the last few years. The Government has backed a number of private members’ bills which are now coming into force. In ...

13th March 2024

If you are helping a loved one who is ill or vulnerable in their later life, whether formally or informally, there are various bodies that you might encounter with whom you will need to liaise to assist you with your loved one’s ...

7th March 2024

Child maintenance is regular financial support paid by one parent to another to assist with a child’s everyday living expenses. It is ordinarily paid to the primary carer of the child (otherwise known as the resident parent) and is ...

Emily Bull
21st February 2024

With a rise in people investing in cryptocurrency, the existence and potential distribution of these digital assets is becoming an increasingly normal issue for those going through a divorce or dissolution. The first step towards ...

7th February 2024

‘Many people who opt to make a home-made will do so because they think they will save money on legal fees. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems and unexpected costs later down the line for the family who may be left to unravel ...