Hi, in May 2001, we had a small single story extension built on our house. We did not need planning permission as the size was under the minimum size requiring that. We did however submit the plans for building regulations as required and these were passed. The builder dug the foundation and then requested an visit from the building inspector to approve them before pouring the concrete. The...

Hi everyone, I`m thinking about learning how to pick locks - not for any criminal activity, but because I`ve got a few friends who are always losing keys, and it`d come in very useful at work when they do lose their keys :-) I`m not really interested in any ethical discussion - I won`t be doing anything I`d consider unethical, only the legal side of things. Yes a set of lock picks can be used...

I am an ex-financial consultant, still having to pay back training fees to the first company that I trained with despite being out of the industry for over 4 years now. When I raise this issue directly with them about whether or not this is actually legal, I can never get a straight answer. As far as I'm aware, this is the only industry that charges its consultants for industry training in this...

Though I am deeply sorry that Mark Thatcher appears to have missed an opportunity to become intimately acquainted with the inside of a South African jail, I do hope that his conviction will follow him around and be an inconvenience and shameful reminder for the rest of his life. Will it make any difference? Will he find it hard to get visas, for example? If he weren't the son of America's...

Marriage broke down, decided not to divorce, my wife has decided to tranfer marital home into my sole name, do we need solicitors to do this, and what or how do we draw an agreement to do this. What do we need to do as far as land registry is concerned. Proporty is valued at approx £95K

My company have provided me with a car parking facility. The car park is owned by another local company - nothing to do with my employers, except that they pay this other firm for the use of their 20 or so spaces. The car park is uncovered - essentially a bit of ground adjacent to their premises. On my pass it states, "Neither my company nor the car park management company accepts any...

A friend of mine died in September 2003 in the UK. I know he left a will. How could I find out whether probate has been reached/granted ? dfrog

I need a lighting board because the bike obscures the number plate and to a lesser extend the lights. I see on one site that it says I can't use a trailer board. Why? Are there any limits on sizes of a board? Should the lights be within a certain distance from the edge of the car? Must a fog light be fitted to the board? Few have them as standard! Much obliged.

Is the UK (or rather England) a community property country, as far as marriage is concerned? Or do prospective spouses have a choice as to whether to keep their property separate or not? In the US only some states (like California) have community property. Thanks, Marco

If a someone else puts scaffolding on my property to fix an overhang on thier property, and they have my permission to put it there. If someone was to be injured on the scaffolding, who would be liable? Me becaue its on my property? or the person who put up the scaffolding? And what if the person injured did not have my permission to be on my property? (ie: tresspasser) Thanks

Due to an ongoing medical condition, my driving licence is issued for a period of a couple of years at a time, and then I have a medical assessment by the DVLA before it is re-issued. The last couple of times this assessment had not been completed by the time my then current licence expired. In each case, on ringing DVLA they have said that I am entitled to continue driving for the time being...

I was wondering about the following: After the new rules come into effect removing the secrecy of Family Court proceedings, what does this mean for cases that took place *in the past*? Will it mean that I could no longer be prosecuted were I to publish trial transcripts and judgements made in a Family Court case several years ago? The names of the children involved would not need to...

Hi I have been notified by my council that my neighbour intends to knock down part of a boundary yard wall, and build a higher wall which will become part of a kitchen extension attached to his house. We are neighbours in a row of terraced houses My house is already slightly set back from his and my one kitchen window looks out onto a narrow yard, with this shared wall to the right. The...

Was down the pub last night, and overheard a convo, was wondering if anyone knew the correct version. Family came in for meal, the 17 y/o son had a drink containing vodka, after his mum checked with the landlady that it was ok (with a meal). AFAIK, you can have a drink with a meal provided you're over 14? There was some 'discussion' at the table later, with the son asking for another, and the...

If anyone knows any good resources with information on living wills, could they point me in that direction, please? A google search throws up some links but they are predominantly American, and I am based in the UK. Many thanks. -- ..sigmonster on vacation

Hi all, Apologies for the long post, but I have tried to include as much detail as I can. My son is into these nitro fuelled remote controlled cars. He had asked for a new one for Christmas, but the model wasn't available till 30th Dec, when I went out and bought it for him. The cost was £275. The engines on these cars have to be gently broken in during the first few tanks of fuel, before they...

Under what circumstances can I claim a refund for the extended warranty on an electrical item that I bought about a month ago, whilst keeping the item in question?

Just moved into a new house. On Saturday, I took delivery of a new bed from one of the big UK suppliers. On unpacking the bed,I found a spring sticking out of a corner of the mattress fabric. I had to tape this over for safety reasons. As the spring did not stick out of the sleeping area, I was able to sleep on the bed at the weekend. This morning, Monday, I contacted the suppliers and asked...

Can someone please recommend a barrister who specialises in employment law and undertakes public access work, preferably in East Anglia / London area?

For those interested, a couple of stories on "spiked": http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1054-1428775,00.html This discusses the alleged problem of child abduction following the recent disaster, and points out what a lot of cobblers it is and how the disaster is being exploited by child protection agencies. http://www.spiked-online.co.uk/Articles/0000000CA825.htm