Articles by Nick Jervis on ArticleSnatch.com

Is The Whiplash Epidemic Getting Worse?

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:04:05 -0500

Despite a 16% decrease in the number of accidents reported to the police since 2009, the number of claims for whiplash injuries has increased disproportionately by a third to 570,000. This discrepancy has been described by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) as a "silent epidemic" of a surge in the number of fraudulent whiplash claims. Supporting the ABI's claims, research by the King's Fund think tank has shown that around 47% of doctors believe that the current system for claiming whiplash compensation is flawed. The belief seems to be that the existent system actively encourages victims to seek a diagnosis that will bring them 'maximum gain'. A spokesman for the think tank said that: "With over 1,600 diagnoses a day, the UK appears to have the weakest necks in the world." How Whiplash is Diagnosed. The main difficulty in diagnosing whiplash is that it relies very heavily on the testimonial of the victims. The majority of the damage is internal and there is very little external evidence from which to draw any conclusion. Whiplash is sustained most commonly as the result of a rear-impact collision. **End Summary** Topics: whiplash]]> epidemic]]> road accident]]> compensation]]> claim]]> injury]]> scotland]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read more about Accident Claims Scotland ? Nick Jervis is a Solicitor (non-practising) and consultant to Edinburgh Solicitor and Personal Injury Specialist Stan Moffat of Moffat and Co.

Could Cutting The Red Tape Stimulate Employment?

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 19:40:08 -0500

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has recently unveiled new plans to cut the red tape that keeps regulators "breathing down the necks of small businesses". In addition, these plans are a deflection to the attacks from some members of the Conservative Party, who describe the Liberal Democrats as "red tape wielding zealots". But what is Mr Clegg proposing and what effects will his plans have on employment growth? Culture Change. At the heart of Mr Clegg's proposals is a culture change within Government. He proposes that company inspections should be limited to a bi-annual timetable and that on-the-spot inspections should be scrapped altogether. In addition, he is asking HMRC, the Environment Agency and the HSE to also loosen their regulations to "liberate small businesses from the grip of red tape." His aim, he says, is for regulators to: "...intervene where necessary, offer advice and support, but otherwise let you get on with it." Also included on his red tape 'hit list' is the obligation for shops to hold a Poisons Licence if they sell kitchen de-scaler and the necessity for pubs to fill in large numbers of forms if they want to hold small music events. **End Summary** Topics: red tape]]> small businesses]]> small business]]> growth]]> employment]]> employment law]]> solicitors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The Work Ethic are Employment Lawyers Edinburgh. Looking for an Employment Law Solicitor? Nick Jervis is a consultant to the Work Ethic.

Would A Clock Change Reduce The Chances Of Child Injuries On The Road?

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:52:07 -0500

The arrival of winter brings with it shorter days, less daylight and, according to the road safety charity Brake, an estimated 450 extra deaths and injuries per year that could, they argue, be avoided. The Government is backing a plan to give another hour of daylight throughout the year, by scrapping the winter time-change. It is believed that such measures would result in less energy consumption, improved health and fewer accidents. A significant number of those involved in road traffic accidents during the colder months are children. The 'gaining of an hour' during winter means that many pupils are travelling to and from school in the dark, thereby increasing their risk of being involved in an accident of some form. The Times they are A-Changing? Brake has been working in partnership with Autoglass to highlight the dangers of travelling in these conditions, urging drivers to take extra care and pedestrians and cyclists to wear reflective high-visibility clothing. Alarmingly, their research has found that while 79% of pedestrians are aware of the benefits of wearing clothing to increase visibility, less than half of this number actually follows their own advice. **End Summary** Topics: clock change]]> accidents]]> road]]> children]]> child]]> solicitors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read more about Accident Claims Scotland ? Nick Jervis is a Solicitor (non-practising) and consultant to Edinburgh Solicitor and Personal Injury Specialist Stan Moffat of Moffat and Co.

How Will Employment Tribunal Changes Affect You?

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:45:07 -0500

Chancellor George Osborne has confirmed that the Government intends to implement some major changes to the process in which an employee launches claims against his employer through an employment tribunal. By doing so, Mr Osborne argues that British businesses will be saved an annual bill of around £6 million by lessening the number of cases that can add up to around 2000 per year. However, employee groups are seeing this as yet another nail in the coffin for employees' rights. How will these changes affect the ordinary, working man or woman? Tribunal Claims. In the first of the changes, the government is doubling the qualifying period in which an employee can be employed before they can launch a tribunal claim. Currently, an employee need only have been employed for one year before they are able to do so. But from April 1st 2012, this will become two years. Business owners welcome this as it makes it 'less risky' to hire new people, given that they will find it easier to make them redundant if they are found to be under-performing. **End Summary** Topics: employment tribunal]]> employment]]> employment law]]> changes]]> tribunal]]> solicitors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The Work Ethic are Employment Lawyers Edinburgh . Looking for an Employment Law Solicitor ? Nick Jervis is a consultant to the Work Ethic.

Is The 98/2 Rule Ruining All Of Your Legal Website Marketing Efforts?

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:38:28 -0400

Most solicitors' websites fail because all of the effort is spent on working out how to get more people to visit their legal website, yet little or no time is then thought about how to get more people to interact with their website once they arrive there. Yet this is a massive mistake. My 98/2 rule explains exactly whey this is the case. The 98/2 rules is based on the average figures frequently banded about the internet that for every 100 visitors to your legal website, ONLY 2 of them will actually take the time or go to the trouble of interacting with you. This might mean that they fill in a contact form on your website, phone your freephone number (you do have one of those don't you?), or email you. Now I say this is an average figure but I can tell you from working on hundreds of solicitors websites, that it is if anything generous. Some websites convert at less than 1%, meaning that less than 1 person for every 100 visitors interacts with the website owner, but let's work on the 2% for the purpose of this article. **End Summary** Topics: solicitors website marketing]]> legal marketing]]> legal website marketing]]> legal website design]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For instant access to 8 Ways To Win New Clients, a Free 17 Page Report Visit Legal Marketing . Or click here for more tips on Legal Website Design .

Will The Deregulation Of Employment Law Jeopardise Your Rights As An Employee?

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 01:37:09 -0400

As part of a drive to make running a business or organisation simpler, the coalition government has called upon the public to suggest which employment laws should be scrapped. While the Government insists that these changes are 'vital for businesses', there are those who believe that its effects will be detrimental to the rights of employees across the UK. Change is a good thing? The Programme for Government has stated that it intends to remove the 'gold plating' from directives implemented by the European Union (EU). The coalition believes that the previous government introduced these directives beyond the minimum required to comply with EU standards and it is these directives that are partly responsible for the UK's slow economic recovery. Although these reviews are intended to make running a business easier and less bureaucratic, there are concerns that the rights of workers are being held up as sacrificial lambs in the government's quest to speed the country's climb from the recent recession. Which laws will change? As of yet, the coalition has made no formal announcements as to which employment laws will be subject to deregulation. **End Summary** Topics: deregulation]]> employment law]]> employee]]> rights]]> changes]]> affect]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The Work Ethic are Employment Lawyers Edinburgh . Looking for an Employment Law Solicitor ? Nick Jervis is a consultant to the Work Ethic.

The Top 10 Employment Law Changes In 2011

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:18:04 -0400

This year sees the first wave of the Coalition Government's changes to Employment Law. These reforms are likely to cause consternation and relief in equal measures. Here's an at-a-glance look at the top 10. 1. From October, Temporary Agency Workers (TAW) will be entitled to the same rates of pay and conditions as a permanent employee. These regulations will cover, amongst other things, working time and holiday entitlements, the responsibility of pregnant workers and a firm definition of what pay means to TAW employees. 2. The Guidance to Bribery Act came into effect at the end of March this year. It details the steps necessary for a commercial organisation to prevent them being accused of failing to prevent bribery. The Act covers many issues such as procedures involving gifts, hospitality, expenses and whistleblowing. 3. According to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), around 96% of businesses employ less than 10 workers, yet are responsible for nearly a third of the nation's economy. As part of the Government's 'Plan for Growth' these 'micro-businesses' and other 'start-up businesses' will be exempt from having to comply with certain domestic legislations for up to three years. 4. **End Summary** Topics: employment]]> law]]> changes]]> new]]> 2011]]> business]]> solicitors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The Work Ethic are Employment Lawyers Edinburgh . Looking for an Employment Law Solicitor ? Nick Jervis is a consultant to the Work Ethic.

Could Better Training Reduce Car Accident Claims On The Road?

Wed, 25 May 2011 23:10:05 -0400

According to AA statistics, 'driver error' is a more significant factor in 90% of road traffic accidents than the condition of either the car or the road. While it is obviously better to be driving a safe car on safe roads, driver error can effectively discount both of these factors. It is perfectly possible to drive along a badly surfaced road in an old car safely and considerately. Equally, it is also possible to drive a top of the range car on a perfect road surface carelessly and without consideration. While roads are routinely improved and technology continues to make cars safer and more efficient, the one part of the equation that remains an unpredictable variable is the skill of the driver. Unfortunately, the continued improvements in driving conditions and car safety have combined to create an unexpected effect. A report by the Association of Applied Psychology (AAP) suggests that 'passive safety features' such as seatbelts, airbags and crumple zones serve only to compound the problem. The report concludes that, "the safer a driver feels, the more blasé he becomes about having an accident." 'Active safety features' such as hi-performance tyres and automatic braking systems come out no better. **End Summary** Topics: bteer]]> training]]> reduce]]> car]]> vehicle]]> road]]> accident]]> claims]]> solicitors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read more about Accident Claims Scotland ? Nick Jervis is a Solicitor (non-practising) and consultant to Edinburgh Solicitor and Personal Injury Specialist Stan Moffat of Moffat and Co.

How Can Solicitors Build Client Loyalty?

Wed, 25 May 2011 22:51:43 -0400

Building "client loyalty" is an essential task for all solicitors to strive for. When a client who has asked you to help them with their legal issues next needs help you want to be sure that the only firm they even consider asking to help them is yours. The question is, can you still build client loyalty for your law firm? I believe you can and this is how you can do it. How To Build A Generate A Law Firm Client For Life. 1. Average service is no longer good enough, exceptional service is paramount. Now if you are thinking that you cannot provide an exceptional service when your fees are already so low, then that is part of the problem. You are not doing all of the things that you need to do to generate clients who are prepared to pay a reasonable fee for your legal services so you must first change that! 2. You have to be more creative in how you deliver your service and more inventive in solving problems for your clients. **End Summary** Topics: a client for life]]> solicitors marketing]]> law firm marketing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For instant access to 8 Ways To Win New Clients, a Free 17 Page Report Visit Legal Marketing . Or click here for more tips on Law Firm Marketing . Nick Jervis is a Law Firm Marketing expert, providing advice on how you can win more clients for your legal practrice.

Could UK Business Be Facing A Massive Employment Bill?

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 06:36:03 -0400

In 2011 and beyond there a large number of radical changes being made to employment laws in the UK. Many of these will dramatically change the relationship between employees and their employers, and David Cameron has said that the changes are aimed at ensuring, "that employment law is no longer seen as a barrier to growth, while making sure that employees and employers are treated fairly." The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) however has warned that many of these changes will do the opposite, negatively affecting growth and hampering the creation of new jobs. It claims that UK businesses will lose �23bn as a result of upcoming employment law changes being implemented over the next four years. What changes are being made? One of the most significant changes, due to come into effect at the beginning of October 2011, is that temporary agency workers will have to be paid the same as full-time workers once they have spent 12 weeks in a job. This is undoubtedly a positive move for workers who are effectively doing the same job as their full-time colleagues. **End Summary** Topics: employment law]]> uk]]> law]]> bill]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The Work Ethic are Employment Lawyers Edinburgh . Looking for an Employment Law Solicitor ? Nick Jervis is a consultant to the Work Ethic.

Marketing A Solicitors' Practice: Make Sure Your Reception Only Has Your Brochures In It!

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:58:05 -0500

In my travels across the country I visit an awful lot of solicitors' reception areas. I am often amazed that the one area that is completely in the control of the practice, and that is free to use to promote the services on offer, is often completely void of any marketing messages. Being a solicitor myself, and having worked in private practice for 14 years, I understand that fee earners often do not think of themselves as salesmen. They do not like to "force" other legal services onto their clients. I can understand this fully, but it makes it even more important that when you do have a sales tool to help your fee earners (ie your reception area) that you make the most of it. Your reception area should be one of your biggest sales tools, but is it? With fresh eyes walk down or along to your reception area and see what your clients see whilst, a completely captive audience, they sit and wait for their meeting. In my experience, all they will often be presented with is the following: * One or two daily newspapers; * Some old magazines; * Local charity leaflets; **End Summary** Topics: solicitors marketing]]> legal marketing]]> law firm marketing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For instant access to 8 Ways To Win New Clients, a Free 17 Page Report Visit Legal Marketing . Or click here for more tips on Legal Website Design .

How To Keep Your Child Safe On Dark Evenings

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 08:37:42 -0500

The beginning of winter heralds the beginning of darker evenings. Many motorists will find themselves driving home from work in the dark for the first time in months and many children will experience walking home from school in the dark for the very first time. Unfortunately, this combination results in a higher number of road accidents. Government figures show that children are more at risk from road accidents from 3pm onwards in autumn and winter. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), in the winter of 2009 there were at least 55 fatal accidents, 237 serious accidents and 562 slight accidents on Britain's roads. RoSPA has campaigned for the UK to switch from its current time system to a system of Single/Double Summer Time. As it stands, the UK operates on a schedule of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the winter and GMT +1 hour in the summer. The idea was proposed by William Willett in 1915, who was incensed by what he saw as a 'waste' of useful daylight first thing in the morning. **End Summary** Topics: children accidents]]> keeping children safe]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read more about Accident Claims Scotland ? Nick Jervis is a Solicitor (non-practising) and consultant to Edinburgh Solicitor and Personal Injury Specialist Stan Moffat of Moffat and Co.

Accidents At School - Is It Time For Common Sense To Replace Red Tape?

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 06:58:45 -0500

The new coalition government is determined to slash the amount of red tape it considers to be an unnecessary part of health and safety legislation and inject a more 'common sense' approach to safety, particularly in environments where children are involved. The new proposal, named 'Common Sense, Common Safety', aims to reduce the amount of paperwork teachers have to complete as part of risk assessments, including the 12-page document needed before a school trip can be organised. They claim that health and safety laws originally designed for dangerous industries are now being applied to everyday jobs and activities that were previously regarded as 'non-hazardous'. Has H&S gone too far? The general consensus of the report is that, particularly where children are concerned, the health and safety legislation has gone too far. Headline-grabbing reports on how games of Conkers have been banned as a potential health and safety risk or that children are missing out because school trips are just too much hassle to organise due to the amount of 'red tape' involved have all led to the current health and safety legislation being called into question. The changes are part of a flood of reforms proposed by Lord Young's report. **End Summary** Topics: accidents at school]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read more about Accident Claims Scotland ? Nick Jervis is a Solicitor (non-practising) and consultant to Edinburgh Solicitor and Personal Injury Specialist Stan Moffat of Moffat and Co.

Activity Holiday Accident Claims

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:29:16 -0400

There are many situations in which a child is placed in the care of people other than his or her parents. Should an accident befall a child in this situation, who has to take responsibility for the child�s injuries? During term-time, many parents allow their children to go on school trips whilst under the car of teachers and staff. During the summer months, many parents elect to enrol their children in summer camps or activity weeks, so that they can continue to work as usual. Unfortunately, accidents can happen and parents are often left wondering who is at fault. The simple answer is that the responsibility for your child�s welfare rests on the shoulders of those who are supervising. Whether they are teachers or camp staff, by agreeing to look after your child they are also agreeing to all the legal responsibilities that come with it. Children of all ages can be inquisitive, careless and even reckless. However, it is up to the carers involved to ensure that there is adequate supervision and that the risks have been properly taken into account. **End Summary** Topics: activity holiday accident claim]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read more about Accident Claims Scotland ? Nick Jervis is a Solicitor (non-practising) and consultant to Edinburgh Solicitor and Personal Injury Specialist Stan Moffat of Moffat and Co.

Insurance Claim Accident Scams

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 10:40:08 -0400

The Insurance Fraud Bureau estimates that �cash for crash� insurance scams cost insurance companies around �350 million each year. The cost is passed onto careful motorists in the form of rising insurance costs, and it is estimated that cash for crash scams account for an additional �49 of a driver�s premiums. Cash for crash scams are orchestrated by criminal groups looking to make money through fraudulent insurance claims. In most cases, they will approach a car owner � usually with an old and low value car. The owner will be offered money to use the car in a staged accident. After the accident, the owner is told what to say to the insurance company and given details of the incident so that they can claim for a replacement car and claim compensation. Many owners go a step further by visiting their doctor with fake whiplash claims to add further value to their compensation. The gangs involved tend to target older drivers who are on their own. Driving in front of them, they will brake suddenly, perhaps at a roundabout or t-junction, giving the driver behind no warning and causing a crash. **End Summary** Topics: insurance accident claims]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read more about Accident Claims Scotland ? Nick Jervis is a Solicitor (non-practising) and consultant to Edinburgh Solicitor and Personal Injury Specialist Stan Moffat of Moffat and Co.

Economic Uncertainty Is Not A Valid Reason For An Employment Dismissal

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:48:04 -0400

Although the recession is �officially� over, its ripples are still being felt. Coupled with that, the appointment of a new coalition government is sparking a renewed feeling of economic uncertainty as new policies are debated and new laws implemented. In times such as these, private and public sector organisations are increasingly keen to find ways to cut costs. But is economic uncertainty a good basis on which to force redundancy? In order to make a single worker or a group of employees redundant, an employer must have good grounds to do so. It may be that the job is becoming obsolete or that there is simply not enough work to justify the employee�s position. But whatever the reasons, it must be provable. To cut back on jobs in anticipation of an event that may or may not take place is simply not acceptable. In order to successfully implement redundancies, an employer must follow a procedural code. Failure to do so could result in the courts looking on him or her unfavourably if there is a challenge by an employee for unfair dismissal. **End Summary** Topics: employment dismissal]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The Work Ethic are Employment Lawyers Edinburgh . Looking for an Employment Law Solicitor ? Nick Jervis is a consultant to the Work Ethic.

What Can You Expect On A Personal Injury Training Course?

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:38:04 -0400

Personal injury training courses are a valuable way of expanding your own or your team�s knowledge base, as well as honing your existing skills. Learn From The Experts. It is possible to learn what you need to know from books, but this kind of knowledge is very fixed and may not always �sink in�. Personal injury training courses provide a stimulating environment in which to learn and gather expert guidance from professionals with many years of experience in the field and in-depth practical knowledge of relevant issues. Some courses focus on one particular element of Personal Injury law, such as accidents at work or road traffic accidents, while others take a broader view of issues central to personal injury claims. As well as practical training from experienced personal injury solicitors, courses provide a wealth of detailed information on the processes involved and checklists with which to facilitate the learning process. Face To Face Personal Injury Training. Rather than being simply a dull exposition of dry facts, statistics and laws, legal training courses are carried out interactively, with each delegate being asked to contribute. **End Summary** Topics: personal injury training course]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information and a training newsletter with course details, visit MASS Training for all of your Legal Training needs. MASS Training provide cost effective, practical and interactive Personal Injury Courses . Nick Jervis is a a Legal Marketing Consultant for Solicitors and Legal Businesses in The UK and a Director of Samson Consulting.

Part Time Employment Rights

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:58:14 -0400

Many people take part-time work to supplement their existing income or to allow them greater flexibility and balance other commitments. However, working part-time does not mean that you have any fewer rights than your full-time counterparts. Although there is no strict definition for the number of hours a person must work in order to be considered a part-time worker, there is no strict definition for full-time workers either. However, as a rule of thumb, full-time workers tend to work an average of 35 hours per week. While many people consider that part-time work simply means not working the same number of hours as a full-time worker, there are various other types of part-time work available, such as job shares and term time workers. Job shares are an arrangement where a full-time job is divided between two part-time workers. This arrangement allows employees to work around heir other commitments, whilst looking forward to a regular income. Term time work allows employees to reduce their hours or to take time off during school holidays. This is perfect for parents with children, allowing them to sort out childcare when necessary. **End Summary** Topics: part time employment rights]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The Work Ethic are Employment Lawyers Edinburgh . Looking for an Employment Law Solicitor ? Nick Jervis is a consultant to the Work Ethic.

Can You Improve Your Prospects With Continuous Professional Development Legal Training?

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:25:03 -0400

In an ever more competitive world of work, employers look for two things � experience and qualifications. In terms of experience, this can result in something of a catch 22 situation, as it can be hard to get a job with which to accrue experience without first having experience to show your credentials. That�s where training becomes absolutely vital. If you�re looking to improve your chances of getting a job in the legal sector or are starting from square one and looking to begin a career in personal injury claims, training is an ideal way of boosting your CV and your knowledge base. Continued Professional Development As well as a means of learning new skills and vital information, many legal training courses contribute towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. The use of CPD points as a means to assess an individual�s capabilities and skills is widespread throughout many professional sectors, but for solicitors it is compulsory to complete at least 16 hours of CPD each year. CPD points are also mandatory for other roles in the legal sector, and this underlines the importance of undergoing training to improve your job prospects. **End Summary** Topics: continous professional development legal training]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information and a training newsletter with course details, visit MASS Training for all of your Legal Training needs. MASS Training provide cost effective, practical and interactive Personal Injury Courses . Nick Jervis is a a Legal Marketing Consultant for Solicitors and Legal Businesses in The UK and a Director of Samson Consulting.

Could Personal Injury Training Offer New Opportunities For You?

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:47:02 -0400

If you�re a newly qualified solicitor, you�re probably considering what route to take in your career path and what you can do to get to where you want to be. Alternatively you may be an experienced solicitor looking to expand your practice or gain employment in a new area. Personal injury claims are a growing field within the legal sector, and mastery of its intricacies can open up a whole new world of opportunities. Expand Your Legal Horizons And Open Doors Personal injury training offers practising fee earners the chance to expand their horizons and tap into this lucrative and rewarding field. Those solicitors keen to provide a fair deal for the working man will find that legal training of this nature opens up doors for them and paves the way for a satisfying career. Personal injury claims are still a relatively new aspect of the British legal system. Though they have received a lot of negative attention in the press recently, they enable those who have been injured in accidents that weren�t their fault to seek justice and compensation for their injuries. **End Summary** Topics: personal injury training]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information and a training newsletter with course details, visit MASS Training for all of your Legal Training needs. MASS Training provide cost effective, practical and interactive Personal Injury Courses . Nick Jervis is a a Legal Marketing Consultant for Solicitors and Legal Businesses in The UK and a Director of Samson Consulting.

Redundancy Law for Employers Explained

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:22:08 -0400

Almost all employers face the prospect of making redundancies at some point in their professional career. However, not all employers go about it correctly. Failing to follow the proper guidelines when making redundancies can leave an employer wide open to litigation. Redundancy law is there to protect employers as much as it is to protect employees. Having a good understanding of the procedures involved can make a potentially stressful situation run as smooth as possible. Planning, consultation and selection. The redundancy process can be broken down into three main components; planning, consultation and selection. The key to implementing successful redundancies that offer no opportunity for legal redress is communication. Employees should be made aware of an employer�s intentions and given a chance to air their views at every stage of the procedure. In planning redundancies, an employer must draw up a plan that shows who is to be made redundant and give legitimate reasons as to why that person or persons have been selected. These plans must be discussed with the workforce in good time so that employees have a reasonable period of time in which to apply for a new job or to contest the proposal. **End Summary** Topics: redundancy law]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The Work Ethic are Employment Lawyers Edinburgh . Looking for an Employment Law Solicitor ? Nick Jervis is a consultant to the Work Ethic.

Car Compensation Claims How Do They Work?

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:33:03 -0400

According to figures released by the Department of Transport, around 300,000 people are either injured or killed in road traffic accidents in the UK each year. Making a personal injury claim can be a complicated process, and many are unaware of the procedures involved and the rights they have as victims. The most complicated part of filing a compensation claim for a car accident is to determine the type of accident that has taken place. UK traffic laws have created a number of categories into which accidents can fall such as car accident, bike accident and pedestrian accident. However, despite the finer points, the essence of each type of compensation claim is the same and there are certain standard steps that anyone involved in a road traffic accident can follow to ensure their claim runs as smoothly as possible. A step by step guide The most immediate steps may seem like common sense, but they can also have far-reaching consequences. The first thing to do is to seek medical attention. While this may appear obvious, it also helps to provide a record and verification of the injuries sustained by the victim. **End Summary** Topics: car compensation claims]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read more about Accident Claims Scotland ? Nick Jervis is a Solicitor (non-practising) and consultant to Edinburgh Solicitor and Personal Injury Specialist Stan Moffat of Moffat and Co.

In House Legal Training Or External Courses?

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:16:03 -0400

One of the most common interview questions is �what skills do you bring to the organisation?� Transferable skills are a vital component of modern working practice, and anyone who does not actively embrace every opportunity to expand their skills set is setting themselves up for a real cul-de-sac of a career. So although you have the degree, the diploma or the list of qualifications that are applicable for your position, how do you increase your chances of getting out of the cul-de-sac and onto the motorway of career advancement? In house legal training. Most companies recognise that career development is both a business necessity and the key to a productive and dynamic workforce. The simple fact is that people are naturally inquisitive and enjoy learning new things. Any job will involve a certain amount of in-house training to begin with, but once that initial training period is over and you�ve �learned the ropes�, it shouldn�t stop there. Ask your employer about training opportunities. One of the most progressive methods is through mentoring, where a more experienced colleague coaches a junior member of staff. **End Summary** Topics: in house legal training]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more information and a training newsletter with course details, visit MASS Training for all of your Legal Training needs. MASS Training provide cost effective, practical and interactive Personal Injury Courses . Nick Jervis is a a Legal Marketing Consultant for Solicitors and Legal Businesses in The UK and a Director of Samson Consulting.

How Long After a Childs Accident Can You Claim for Compensation?

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:14:15 -0400

According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, approximately one million children are injured each year in accidents. These figures include road traffic accidents, incidents in the school playground and in public parks. Many parents and carers might be unaware that they are able to make a compensation claim on behalf of their child, but there are certain regulations to be observed. Accidents involving children can not only have a significant impact on the life of the child, but they can also have a profound effect on the rest of the family. Rather than being a frivolous way of making easy money, compensation is used to help child victims and their carers to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of an accident. While many accidents are trips and falls with comparatively minor consequences, most of the major payouts come from medical negligence claims in maternity wards. These incidences can have lifelong, devastating effects. Becoming a �Litigation Friend� Parents or guardians of children have the right to make compensation claims on a child�s behalf. In order to do so, they must be an impartial party, meaning that they must have had no part in the accident. **End Summary** Topics: child accident claim]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read more about Accident Claims Scotland ? Nick Jervis is a Solicitor (non-practising) and consultant to Edinburgh Solicitor and Personal Injury Specialist Stan Moffat of Moffat and Co.

Workplace Employment Claims: How Legal Training Can Help Your Business

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:57:13 -0400

Employer�s general duties towards their employees are set out within the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974. These requirements are put in place to ensure the welfare and safety of employees in the workplace and cover a variety of regulations. An important part of an employer�s duty of care is to provide an employee with the necessary training to be able to carry out their job safely. However, many employers are selecting members of their workforce for further training, specifically training in legal matters. In addition, to ensure that the scales are balanced many employers are choosing to undertake legal training themselves in the pursuit of achieving a more effective and productive team. Prevention is better than cure! While many employers and employees have a passing knowledge of their rights, it is only when a situation arises � such as an accident in the workplace or the possibility of redundancy � that the holes in their knowledge are highlighted. Offering your staff legal training and choosing to undertake it yourself embraces the notion that �prevention is better than cure�. **End Summary** Topics: workplace claims]]> workplace employment claims]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> The Work Ethic are Employment Lawyers Edinburgh . Looking for an Employment Law Solicitor ? Nick Jervis is a consultant to the Work Ethic.