Private parking charges -- Part 1

There's a lot of advice out there on the web about the charges levied by private parking companies ('PPCs') -- some of it good; some of it not so good. In Part 1 of this short series, Jon Heath explores some of the legal issues involved. What right do PPCs have to charge? Usually the owner of the car park enters into an agreement with the PPC whereby the PPC is permitted to administer the car park. The PPC then puts up notices in the car park which create a type of contractual offer. So long as the notices are properly visible and legible, you are deemed to accept the offer when you drive in and park and a contract is formed. Read More

Mediation Service at Levins

Conflict affects people's lives in many ways, whether it is a dispute between neighbours, within the family or at work, conflict damages our health, our relationships and our lifestyles.    More and more people are now being encouraged to settle their dispute before court or other proceedings are contemplated. Mediation is an alternative way of resolving disputes which allows the people involved in the conflict to work together to find a solution that they can all live with and may be cost effective.  Mediation can be less stressful, less time consuming, and quicker. Mediation is a way of turning conflict into something positive. Here at Levins we aim to help people find their own solutions through mediation to the problems they are experiencing and to take control Read More

Levins Solicitors sponsor Woolton DK Ladies FC

As part of our community engagement programme, we are proud to announce that this season we are sponsoring Woolton DK Ladies FC. The team currently lie second in the Liverpool County FA Girls league and have already racked up 7 wins in 9 games. The team are pictured below with Levins partner Dave Woods and their manager George Marsh. We wish them every success in their forthcoming Read More

Should you slow down to allow someone to overtake?

This was the question for the court in Pykett v Clement & Anor [2011] EWHC 2925 (QB). Ms Clement collided head-on with a van travelling in the opposite direction after having made several unsuccessful attempts to overtake Mr Pykett. It was accepted that Ms Clement bore most of the blame for the accident, but Ms Clement alleged that Mr Pykett was partly at fault for not having allowed her to pass. The relevant section of the Highway Code reads as follows:  "If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably whilst someone is Read More

End of the line for Ryanair in disability rights case

On 28 October the Irish airline Ryanair were for the second time refused permission to appeal against a finding of breach of contract and disability discrimination. The case arose from an incident which was widely reported by the national media, including the BBC and the Daily Mail. There is no further route of appeal for Ryanair against the lower court's decision. We represented the Claimant at trial and throughout the subsequent court hearings. The Claimant was awarded £1,750 in damages and Ryanair were ordered to pay her costs because the court ruled that they had behaved unreasonably in pursuing the appeal. Jon Heath comments: we are delighted for the Claimant. Her success against a Defendant of Ryanair's resources, despite not having Read More

Will aid -- appointments still available

Appointments are still available for Will Aid throughout the month of November. Call us now on 0151 480 5777 to make a will during Will Aid month. We will be offering the opportunity to have a will professionally drawn up and we will not be earning a penny! To raise as much money as possible for Will Aid, we will draw up basic wills without charge, in the hope that the will-maker will make a donation to the Will Aid charities. The suggested donation level is £85 for a single will, £125 for a pair of wills or £40 for a codicil to an existing will. Will Aid is a campaign run by nine of the UK’s best known charities: ActionAid, Read More