We welcome our new office dog Bella. Bella has had 6 months to settle in and we are pleased to say she has passed her probation period and been offered a permanent position. Bella is a 5 year old Pugzu (a Shitzu and Pug cross, we didn't know that either!) Bella is head of shredding, teabreaks and when not snoozing you may occasionally hear her giving an opinion in the background. ​ As our smallest employee she sure knows how to make her presence known in the office.

Are you in need of property law services but find it challenging to schedule appointments during regular business hours? Look no further than a local property law business that offers out-of-hours appointments to cater to your needs. With over 20 years of experience in the field, JB Property Law provides expert legal services to assist you with your property matters. Their team of skilled professionals is dedicated to offering top-notch services that are personalized to meet

Married Women Can Only Have One Glass of Wine in Bolivia If you're a single woman in La Paz, Bolivia, drink up! But if you are married, it's just one glass of wine for you. This sexist law is due to the belief that alcohol may make a woman more immoral. A husband could actually divorce her if she is drinking in public! It's Illegal to Disrupt a Wedding in Australia Even if the preacher asks if anyone has any objection to the wedding, if you are in South Australia, keep it to

At JB Property Law, our commitment to the armed forces community goes beyond words. It is reflected in the practical decisions we make as a business. One of those decisions is our approach to Forces Help to Buy (FHTB). While many firms charge additional legal fees for handling Forces Help to Buy transactions, we have chosen to waive these extra costs for our armed forces clients. This is a conscious decision and one that sits at the heart of who we are.

It's Illegal to Reincarnate Without Permission in China ITibetan Buddist monks are not allowed to reincarnate after they die unless they have been granted permission from the government. We're not sure how they enforce this, but China is known for having some strict laws. Capri May Bust Your Dog With DNA It's illegal to leave dog waste on the isle of Capri in Italy, as in many places. But for the many dog owners who ignore this law, science is now against you. If you don't pi

Anti Money Laundering (AML) checks refer to the due diligence procedures required by law. The Fourth EU Money Laundering Directive, incorporated into UK law in June 2017 through the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations, mandates conveyancers to perform 'Client Due Diligence' (CDD) on every client. This process includes verifying clients' identities, assessing the transaction's circumstances, the client’s financial standing, and the origin of

I was absolutely thrilled today to learn that I have been shortlisted for 2 awards in the UK Business Awards. Well done to everyone shortlisted and if you nominated me, THANK YOU. Winners are announced in February 2024.

We are now closed until 10am 4th January 2024. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Time for some more random laws. A festive take this time. Salmon Act of 1986 – it is illegal to handle a salmon “under suspicious circumstances”. Be careful with those fish platters on the #Christmasbuffet. The Licensing Act of 1872 states that operating a cow, horse or steam engine whilst intoxicated carries either a prison sentence or fine. Best leave your festive rides to #uber (other taxi firms also available) Section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872 states “every person foun

At JB Property Law, specialising in armed forces conveyancing was never a short-term decision. It was a commitment. Today, that commitment continues to shape how we grow, evolve, and serve our clients. What began as a personal connection has developed into a clear and focused niche within our business. One that is not only growing, but becoming a defining part of who we are. Building on Strong Foundations Our original decision to support the armed forces community came from l

Building Regulations establish minimum standards for design, construction, and alterations to virtually every building to ensure the health and safety of people in or around those buildings. They also include requirements for conserving fuel and power and providing access and movement facilities for people, including those with disabilities, within buildings. Interaction with planning control is also significant. While planning permission may be required for many types of bui

The Exchange of Contracts and Completion process marks the point at which the seller and buyer are irrevocably and legally committed to the sale and purchase of the property. Unlike an estate agent's 'Notes of the sale,' which hold no legal weight and are not binding, the formal legal exchange of contracts ensures that neither party can withdraw or alter the price without consequence. The term 'exchange of contracts' refers to the practice where the buyer and seller each sign

No Selfies With Buddha in Sri Lanka When you take a selfie with Buddha, you are turning your back on him. Tsk, tsk. This sign of disrespect is punishable by imprisonment in Sri Lanka. It is also considered disrespectful to point your finger at Buddha, and sometimes there are bans on taking photos with the statues. Although not illegal to have tattoos of Buddha, a British woman was jailed for three days in 2014 for inappropriate tattoos of the man 70 percent of Sri Lankans fee

Let the buyer beware - ‘Caveat Emptor’ It is crucial for a buyer to have a house or flat professionally surveyed before the exchange of contracts occurs. Conveyancers are not qualified to advise buyers on the value, structural integrity, or the physical condition of the property. Such advice should be obtained from a surveyor. Under English law, sellers are generally not obligated to ensure that the property is physically suitable for the buyer or that it meets planning, bui

What is a ‘Gifted Deposit’? The first kind of 'gifted deposit,' known as a 'Seller's gifted deposit,' occurs when the seller offers a portion of the purchase price back to the buyers, either as a discount or a deposit. This can happen when a seller, like a housebuilder, reduces or eliminates the deposit required from the buyers at the contract exchange, or when the seller contributes to or refunds part of the purchase price upon completion. The second kind, termed a 'Family g

At JB Property Law, our decision to specialise in armed forces conveyancing wasn’t driven by market trends or commercial convenience. It came from something far more personal, lived experience, understanding, and a deep respect for the unique challenges faced by those who serve.

What are ‘Searches’? Before you are committed to purchasing the property upon the exchange of contracts, your conveyancer will conduct several property searches with various entities such as Local Authorities, Coal and Water Authorities, and other agencies. These searches are crucial as they may uncover significant issues with the property. The sellers might not have disclosed these problems, or they may be unaware of them. This information is not recorded by the Land Registr

It's Illegal to Wear High Heels to the Acropolis When packing for a trip to Greece, make sure you have the right shoes. The country banned high heels at the Acropolis in 2009, so no stilettos at the Parthenon. Not sure why anyone would want to make a trek around the ruins and dirt in heels — surely it's tough to walk and will damage the shoes — but the Greeks put this ban in place to protect its ruins from damage caused by the sharp shoes. The ruins are nearly 2,500 years old

While we cannot provide specific advice on whether to install panels on an existing property, the following insights may be helpful. If you are considering panel installation, it's crucial to conduct thorough research. Typically, it takes 10-20 years to reach a break-even point on the investment cost of the panels. Informative articles on this topic can be found at www.which.co.uk and www.moneysavingexpert.com. These sources suggest that if you plan to move within the next 10

Until 2018, it was illegal to sell alcohol on Good Friday in Ireland. The only way you could get around the ban was to have a drink on the train, on the water or in the air. In Germany, it is technically illegal to dance on Good Friday. Out of respect for the religious holiday, most German states ban dancing in public on Good Friday. Even in Berlin dancing is technically illegal between 4am and 9pm, but the law is very rarely enforced. And whilst it's not a law In Norway, it'