News

BUSINESS AS USUAL

We hope that everyone is staying well.

We would like to reassure you all that we remain open for business as usual and we are here to service your needs. If we are working for you on a transaction, there will be no disruption. If you would like us to work for you on something new, we welcome all enquiries as before.

On a strictly appointment only basis, we are very pleased to be able to welcome you back through our doors in person, should you feel comfortable doing so. We ask only that you wear a face mask whilst in our offices.

Otherwise, our offices remain open during normal working hours for you to drop any documents off through the door (you can speak with us on the intercom if needed) and you can contact us on the telephone, by email or by post as usual.

All best wishes to everyone. We are all getting through this together.

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January 2022

A very Happy New Year to everyone.

Short of a New Year’s Resolution? It’s that time of year again and we have once more concentrated on Wills for our latest article in the newest edition of the Beaconsfield Together magazine out now.

Don’t forget it is never too early to make those Wills you may have been putting off for a while. So, read our article on page 29 of the magazine.

We remain regular contributors to Beaconsfield Together magazine (formerly Beaconsfield Local). so be sure to check out future issues every two months. It is Beaconsfield’s community magazine, delivering all the local news and views you might need and is part of our commitment to the local community.

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13 December 2021

We are delighted to welcome to the team our new Solicitor Emma Gray.

Emma formalises her time with us today by coming on board to our conveyancing team on a full time basis, having helped us out these last few weeks as a locum.

We are proud and pleased to have secured her as one of the Leigh Duncan team. Emma qualified in 2003 and has a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Whether you are buying or selling a property, undertaking a transfer of equity, looking at a new build property or utilising the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, we are here to offer you the complete package of expertise with personal, high-end service whatever your conveyancing transaction.

Don’t forget, that our conveyancing services are fixed fee and that we publish our prices online.

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30 September 2021

THE GOVERNMENT’S STAMP DUTY HOLIDAY ENDS ON 30 SEPTEMBER 2021

The temporary Stamp Duty holiday which the Government introduced in 2020 as part of measures designed to aid the economy during the COVID-19 Pandemic changed on 30 June 2021 and will end completely on 30 September 2021.

The Stamp Duty holiday has the effect of reducing, or in some cases negating, the Stamp Duty Land Tax payable to HMRC on completion of all property purchases.

For all property purchases that do not complete on or before 30 September 2021, FULL rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax will be payable to HMRC as under the previous rules, regardless of circumstance.

Please be forewarned that all property transactions have to date been taking longer than usual. The whole market has been under considerable strain with the dual pressures of the COVID-19 Pandemic slowing processes with, for example, banks (for mortgages), local authorities (for property searches), surveyors, removal companies, other solicitors etc and the unprecedentedly buoyant property market resulting from the Stamp Duty holiday itself.

We retain our full conveyancing team, solely focused on the job we do and the service levels we provide to you, our clients, so we always strive to progress every transaction as best we can but please be aware that we ultimately have no direct control over how quickly your transaction can complete as so much is dependent upon third parties – every transaction has at least one other party (buyer/seller), if not a whole chain of them, and each party is reliant on the aforementioned banks, local authorities, surveyors etc. It is important to understand from the outset that we can neither guarantee the time your transaction will take, nor can we accept any responsibility for matters outside our control.

Experience generally suggests that there is rarely such thing as a “simple transaction” in property and as we get nearer the 30 September deadline, it is inevitable that stress and frustration will become greater for all involved in the buying and selling of property.

You are best advised to ensure up front that you have sufficient funds available to pay the full rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax on your transaction if needed.

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22 September 2021

We are once more hosting a student from Beaconsfield School for work experience, starting today and continuing every Wednesday for the coming weeks this school term.

Whilst we benefit from giving back to the community and supporting a bright, keen and polite young adult decide what career path might ultimately be best for them, it helps generally in assisting schools and their students achieve vital targets in the transition from school to workplace.

Studies have placed as high as 80% the proportion of employers who think work experience in prospective candidates is essential. A work placement provides the opportunity for students to develop key employability skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication and time-management that graduate recruiters look for.

Good luck to all taking their first steps in a workplace environment!

6 September 2021

We are delighted to welcome to the team, Trainee Solicitor Yash Chawhan.

Yash is on secondment with us from our friends at Rayden Solicitors.

Rayden Solicitors are specialist family lawyers, so Yash is using his time with us to learn about all things property related. He works a four day week with us, his day out being Wednesdays.

This is a link to Yash’s profile at Rayden Solicitors.

Yahs is in our conveyancing department where he assists Janine with all areas of a property transaction.

7 April 2021

We are delighted to welcome our latest member of the team, Legal Assistant Georgia Blesson.

Georgia joins us fresh from graduation, with completion of her law degree, and is looking forward to the world of work to which she brings a motivated, methodical approach with a keenness to develop herself.

Her main role is in our conveyancing department where she assists with all areas of a property transaction and Georgia is ready to help you on your matter if your Solicitor is otherwise engaged when you call.

1 March 2021

Probate and estate administration.

That is what Janine Heil writes about in the latest edition of the Beaconsfield Together magazine out now.

Read our article on page 22 of the magazine.

January 2021

A very Happy New Year to everyone.

Don’t forget it is never too early to make those Wills you may have been putting off for a while. So, read our article on page 41 of the magazine.

9 November 2020

We are delighted to welcome to the team our new Solicitor Sharon Johal.

Sharon starts with us today in our conveyancing team and we are proud to have secured her services. She qualified in 2020, and will be working closely with Janine.

Don’t forget, that our conveyancing services are fixed fee and that we publish our prices online.

1 November 2020

Taking the stress out of the conveyancing process.

That is what Janine Heil writes about in the latest edition of the Beaconsfield Together magazine out now.

Read our article on page 26 of the magazine.

1 September 2020

A “Q&A” with Janine about the conveyancing process.

Catch up with our Janine Heil and read her answers to some popular questions she is often asked about the conveyancing process and get to understand it a little better.

Questions such as “how long will it take?”, “what is a chain?”, “what is the difference between exchange and completion?” and “why do I need to report certain things to my lender?” are all answered by Janine in our latest article for the newest edition of the Beaconsfield Together magazine out now.

Read our article on page 31 of the magazine.

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4 August 2020

We are delighted to welcome to the team our new Solicitor Sharan Kalsi.

Sharan starts with us today in our conveyancing team and we are proud to have secured her services. She qualified in 2017, although she has worked many more years than that within residential conveyancing.

Don’t forget, that our conveyancing services are fixed fee and that we publish our prices online.

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1 July 2020

Moving House during COVID-19?

The Government has made special provisions to allow and facilitate the buying and selling of property to ensure the housing market remains active and people can still move.

There is industry guidance published for you to navigate your way through the marketing and viewing of property which estate agents and surveyors and the like will follow and explain to you.

Central is to maintain safety through social distancing and vigilant hygiene and there are useful pointers on conducting viewings, hand over of keys and checklists for each step of the process.

This is our focus for our latest article in this in the newest edition of the Beaconsfield Together magazine (formerly Beaconsfield Local) out now.

Our office ramins open during normal business hours for clients to visit us, drop off documents, sign papers or present original identity documents. We utilise contactless meeting through the glass of a closed internal door in the comfort of an enclosed entrance foyer and two-way speaker intercom. This is our new normal (!) but it is otherwise very much ‘business as usual’ for house moves as a whole.

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1 May 2020

Out today is a special issue magazine called Community Together

It is a collaboration between Beaconsfield Together magazine and Amersham & Chalfonts Together magazine, designed to bring inspiration and light relief to the local community during the lockdown, with lots of interesting information and tips and tricks for things to occupy you at home.

We are proud to be a *Champion Community Sponsor* of the magazine and we hope that you thoroughly enjoy it.

Janine has contributed an article offering a little light-hearted entertainment by delving into some of the ancient curiosities that litter the long history of the Law in England and Wales and recounting a few choice examples.

Our small contribution to the well-being of our community during this difficult times.

Stay home, stay safe and we will all get through this together.

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1 March 2020

What is the power of Powers of Attorney?

Whilst most people might know of and understand what a Will is, fewer know of or understand Lasting Powers of Attorney and yet they are just as important, if not potentially more so.

What happens if something incapacitates you during your lifetime, whether temporarily or permanently, such that you cannot deal with your own affairs or assets?

This is our focus for our latest article in this in the newest edition of the Beaconsfield Together magazine (formerly Beaconsfield Local) out now.

Lasting Powers of Attorney are legal documents you can enter into when you have full mental capacity and by which you can appoint one or more people to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney, one for property and financial decisions and the other for health, care and welfare decisions.

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January 2020

A very Happy New Year to everyone.

Don’t forget it is never too early to make those Wills you may have been putting off for a while. So, read our article on page 27 of the magazine.

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16 November 2019

Get in the festive spirit early…

The Beaconsfield School PTFA is hosting its annual Christmas Market in Beaconsfield School a little earlier this year, on Saturday 16 November 2019 from 11am to 3pm.

This event grows year-on-year and is always popular. It features food stalls and gift stalls with local handcrafted artisanal products.

We are proud to be one of the local sponsors who help fund the event, for the third year in a row now.

Pop along on the day and get some Christmas gifts. All money raised goes towards enhancing the outdoor space at Beaconsfield School for all students to enjoy.

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November 2019

For the thirdyear in a row, we are supporting The Beaconsfield Charity Auction organised by The Rotary Club of Beaconsfield to raise funds not only for all the usual charities they so generously support but also two charities nominated to receive one third each of the proceeds raise in the Auction: Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and SCANNAPPEAL.

We have donated three FREE Wills (one single Will, one pair of mirror Wills) as 2 lots in the Auction.

The Auction runs until December, with bidding closing on Sunday 8th December 2019.

Please visit the Auction site and have a look at all the lots to see what takes your fancy, aside of course from the irresistibly tempting FREE Wills!

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November/December 2019

A “Q&A” with Janine about the conveyancing process.

Catch up with our Janine Heil and read her answers to some popular questions she is often asked about the conveyancing process and get to understand it a little better.

Read our article on page 28 of the magazine.

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23 September 2019

Well…they did it!

Or at least our Ingmar Heil did. Sadly, due to last minute complications Janine could not attend but Ingmar braved it on the South Downs and had a great time in good weather completing the 30km section of the walk.

With our friends from Flackwell Financial Limited we were heartened and honoured to have raised a total of £1,290 for the DofE Charity. A figure which will of course be doubled by the St James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

The aching legs and sore toes were worth it. A huge thank you to all of you and your generous donations.

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September 2019

Do you know what a Declaration of Trust is?

You may have heard of having one in place if you own a property with a friend or a partner but many people do not necessarily understand their purpose and use.

We explore Declarations of Trust in our latest article for the newest edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine out today, and we start by suggesting that it can be useful to think of Declarations of Trust as a form of agreement between two or more people about how their hold their property. Much like people would have with a contract if they were in business together.

Read our article on page 21 of the magazine (an electronic version is available here).

We are continuing our regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine, so be sure to check out future issues every two months. It is ‘Beaconsfield’s Community Magazine’, delivering all the local information you might need, at your fingertips, and is part of our commitment to the local community.

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19 August 2019

It is now just over a month until our Janine Heil and Ingmar Heil do their 50km charity walk on the South Downs in an event organised through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme which helps raise funds for the DofE Charity.

Well into their training, our two intrepid walkers will have to complete their 50km distance in two days over the weekend of 21 and 22 September 2019.

Janine and Ingmar will be part of a small team with friends from Flackwell Financial Limited and they have a fundraising target of £1,000 which, if reached, will be doubled by the St James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

You can make a donation here

We thank you in advance for your generosity.

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29 July 2019

We are delighted to welcome our latest member of the team, Legal Assistant Holly Caton.

Holly joins us fresh from graduation, with completion of her law degree, and is looking forward to the world of work to which she brings a motivated, methodical approach with a keenness to develop herself.

Her main role is in our conveyancing department where she assists with all areas of a property transaction and Holly is ready to help you on your matter if your Solicitor is otherwise engaged when you call.

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July 2019

Are you a first-time buyer, or do you know someone who is?

Let us give you our tips for that first-time purchase to be made with confidence.

Buying your first home is an exciting and significant milestone in life’s rich journey. It needn’t be daunting or unnecessarily stressful if you are prepared and have done a little research to understand the process and know what to expect.

We give our handy guide to first-time buying in our latest article for the newest edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine out today.

Read our article on page 23 of the magazine (an electronic version is available here).

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June 2019

The fundraising page is now open for the 50km charity walk our Janine Heil and Ingmar Heil have signed up for on the South Downs this September 2019.

As a reminder, the event is organised through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and our intrepid foot soldiers will have to complete their 50km distance in two days over the weekend of 21 and 22 September 2019.

Janine and Ingmar will be part of a small team with friends from Flackwell Financial Limited and their efforts will help raise funds for the DofE Charity.

You can make a donation here

Janine and Ingmar are currently evasive about the level of training they are putting in (do we hear “none”?) but here’s your chance to put them through their paces by raising the pressure with raised donations! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

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May 2019

Why you should get a survey when you are buying a property.

When you are buying a house, your solicitor is acting for you to scrutinise and advise on the title of the property. They are giving you the legal picture, as it were.

Your solicitor does not inspect the physical property and cannot advise on its structure. We always recommend that you invest in a full structural survey and it might be a costly mistake to think that it is too expensive.

We go into greater detail on this in our latest article for the newest edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine out today, and we explain that unless defects or repair requirements are dealt with prior to exchange of contracts, nothing can be done at a later date about price reductions, the seller effecting repairs or you pulling out of the deal if the property is unsound.

Read our article on page 23 of the magazine (an electronic version is available here).

We make regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine, so be sure to check out future issues every two months. The magazine has gone from strength to strength and helps residents in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas including Forty Green, Knotty Green and Seer Green find local businesses, events, community information and community activities. Its aim is to deliver all the local information you might need, at your fingertips.

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29 April 2019

Our Janine Heil and Ingmar Heil have signed up for a 50km charity walk on the South Downs this September 2019.

The event is organised through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and our intrepid foot soldiers will have to complete their 50km distance in two days over the weekend of 21 and 22 September 2019.

Janine and Ingmar will be part of a small team with friends from Flackwell Financial Limited and their efforts will help raise funds for the DofE Charity. A fundraising page will be opened in due course.

We wish them the best of luck!

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March 2019

Property Fraud is a hot topic.

It is a sad truth in the modern World that fraud in general is on the rise. But not everyone is aware yet of property fraud, and the Land Registry wants that to change. Your property is often your most valuable asset, so it is important to protect it.

We examine this in the new edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine out today.

Our article explains that fraudsters target properties by pretending to be you so that they can try to sell or mortgage your property and the tactics they use are ever more sophisticated. You are most at risk if your property is: (a) rented out; (b) empty; (c) mortgage-free; or (d) unregistered.

Read our article on page 29 of the magazine (an electronic version is available here) and find out how you can sign up to the Land Registry Property Alert Service.

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4th February 2019

We are excited to have finished our office refurbishment.

We expanded our offices last year, staying in the same building and spreading into the floor above. This allowed us to retain our central location in Beaconsfield new town but also meant that we are now the only occupants.

We have made full use of this opportunity to put our stamp on the building with a reconfiguration of the space and a design to reflect us and our values.

We are delighted with the results. Not only are we easier to find, with bold colours around our entrance, you are now greeted on entering with a fresh new warm and welcoming look to complement our established approachability and service levels.

Click here for a short video

Our designer has done us proud and we hope you enjoy the experience when you next come to visit us. As ever, we welcome everyone popping in to say hello and have a chat so that we can get to know each other, even if you don’t have a legal issue for us to deal with right now.

We hope to see you soon!

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January 2019

New Year’s Resolution – making a Will.

It’s that time of year again and we have once more concentrated on Wills for our latest article in the newest edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine.

If you’re short of ideas for new year’s resolutions, don’t forget it is never too early to make those Wills you may have been putting off for a while. Research conducted by a charity in 2017 suggested that more than half of parents in the UK with children under 18 have not made provision in their Will concerning guardianship yet children are, of course, more valuable than any possessions. Your Will can be used to nominate who should look after your children if the worst happens to you, rather than the decision being left to the courts at a time already fraught with emotional distress for the family.

An online copy of our article can be read here.

We continue making our regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine, so be sure to check out all future issues every two months. The magazine has gone from strength to strength and is now firmly established as the local resource helping residents in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas including Forty Green, Knotty Green and Seer Green find local businesses, events, community information and community activities. It delivers all the local information you might need, at your fingertips.

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7th January 2019

New Year, new look!

We have started our office refurbishment programme today.

Over the coming weeks there will be extensive changes to the entrance and meeting room with a complete overhaul designed by our friends at Crucial Projects.

We apologise to all of you visiting us during this time for the temporary disruption, but rest assured, it will be worth it for the finished product. We will have a fresh new warm and welcoming look to complement our company values of approachability and service. We are very excited and hope you will be too when you come to visit after everything is completed.

Come and have a look soon!

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6th December 2018

By new regulation all solicitors are for the first time required to publish limited price information on their websites for certain areas of work undertaken.

We welcome and embrace this change and have never had any desire to be coy about the prices for our services, most of which are fixed fee so that you know up front what you are committing to (and there is no obligation for you to instruct us or for you to proceed with us if you do not accept a quoted fixed fee).

We are proud that our reputation and focus is built on the personal service we provide to our clients, treating you like an individual and not a number.

All of our legal work is undertaken by qualified Solicitors, whose details are on our pages within Our Team and verified with public listing at The Law Society here.

Please take a look at our price information here.

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8th November 2018

For the second year in a row, we are supporting The Beaconsfield Charity Auction organised by The Rotary Club of Beaconsfield to raise funds not only for all the usual charities they so generously support but also two charities nominated to receive one third each of the proceeds raise in the Auction: Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and SCANNAPPEAL.

We have donated three FREE Wills (one single Will, one pair of mirror Wills) as 2 lots in the Auction.

The Auction runs until December, with bidding closing on Sunday 8th December 2018.

Please visit the Auction site and have a look at all the lots to see what takes your fancy, aside of course from the irresistibly tempting FREE Wills!

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1st November 2018

The new edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine is out today and this time our article gives a useful and concise summary of Inheritance Tax and how it works.

You might know that Inheritance Tax is charged at a starting rate of 40% but do you understand that it applies to that part of a net estate above relevant nil rate bands, what happens to assets passing between spouses or civil partners and how the new residence nil rate band that was introduced on 6th April 2017 operates?

Have a read of the article to find out more.

An electronic version of the magazine can be found here and our article is on page 25.

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1st October 2018

We are thrilled to welcome our new Solicitor Jenna Lloyd-Williams to the fold.

Jenna starts with us today in our conveyancing team and we are proud to have secured her services. She qualified in 2012 and has always worked locally, building extensive knowledge of the area to compliment her inherent focus on excellent service.

Whether you are buying or selling a property, undertaking a transfer of equity, looking at a new build property or utilising the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, Janine, Bonita, Jenna and Lisa are here to offer you the complete package of expertise with personal, high-end service whatever your conveyancing transaction.

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1st September 2018

If you are moving home, do you understand the paperwork needed around extensions and building works?

Whether buying or selling, there is common confusion around the difference between planning permission and building regulations.

We examine this in the new edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine out today.

Our new article explains why the existence of planning permission or permitted development alone is not always enough for extensions or reconfiguration works to a property. Often there is only a satisfactory picture if there has been building regulations approval, or evidence that such approval was not required.

You can read an electronic version of the magazine here and our article is on page 34.

We continuing to be making regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine, so be sure to check out future issues every two months. The magazine has gone from strength to strength and helps residents in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas including Forty Green, Knotty Green and Seer Green find local businesses, events, community information and community activities. Its aim is to deliver all the local information you might need, at your fingertips.

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1st August 2018

We are expanding our offices by moving into the floor above and our renewed frontage now reflects our presence in the building. Come and have a look, we should be even easier to find now!

By staying in the same building we retain our excellent central location in Beaconsfield new town with our convenient location on the main shopping street, for you to visit us easily and readily.

We are above Ashington Page estate agents, which is the building directly opposite Boots, between Lloyds Bank and the Coral betting shop. Our door (with bell) is to your right within the entrace vestibule to Ashington Page estate agents.

Please remember, our offices are on the first and second floors in a building with no lift. If you have accessibility needs, please discuss these with us in advance of any visit to see whether it might be more appropriate for us to come to you or to meet you elsewhere.

As ever, we look forward to welcoming you through our doors!

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1st July 2018

The latest edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine is now out and this time our article focuses on the cost of administering an estate.

When someone dies, their estate is administered by their appointed Executors (if they had a Will) or personal representatives (if there was no Will) but do they always have to obtain a Grant of Representation?

We look at this, and the different ways in which assets may pass to another person, as well as touching upon the work of the Probate Registry and the recent Government consultation paper proposing increases in fees.

You can read an electronic version of the magazine here and our article is on page 31.

As always, we are making regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine, so be sure to check out future issues every two months. The magazine has gone from strength to strength and helps residents in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas including Forty Green, Knotty Green and Seer Green find local businesses, events, community information and community activities. Its aim is to deliver all the local information you might need, at your fingertips.

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13th June 2018

Our final count is now in and Will Aid have issued our Certificate for 2017.

Actually, our final count was in but a generous late donation by a client has taken our total above that issued on our Certificate.

A big thank you to all our clients. With your help, we raised a total of £1,080 for the Will Aid charities through our participation in last November’s scheme.

We are once more so very pleased. Your take-up of the scheme (whereby we waive our fee for drawing up a basic Will and instead invite our clients to make a donation to Will Aid) was again a credit to everyone’s generosity for the second year running.

All money raised by Will Aid is shared by their nine charities, which include Age UK, the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, the NSPCC and Save the Children. Every penny makes a difference.

Have a look at the website for Will Aid to see how it might benefit you and to plan your participation in their next campaign this coming November.

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1st May 2018

What is the difference between joint tenants and tenants-in-common?

Surely, if two of you own your home together that is the end of the story?

Well, no. When two of you buy a house together, the legal technicality is that you buy it on trust for the benefit of both of you and there is a big difference between holding the property as joint tenants or tenants-in-common, which could be crucial to your specific circumstances.

This is our focus for our latest article in this new edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine.

You can read an electronic version of the magazine here and our article is on page 26.

Don’t forget, we are continuing our regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine going forward so be sure to check out future issues every two months. The magazine continues to go from strength to strength, helping residents in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas including Forty Green, Knotty Green and Seer Green find local businesses, events, community information and community activities. Its aim is to deliver all the local information you might need, at your fingertips.

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12th April 2018

We are once more supporting the John Hampden Grammar School in the annual Auction event they run to raise funds for the continued refurbishment of their Science blocks, seeking to provide the very best learning environment and equipment for their pupils.

We have donated a FREE Will as one of the lots in the Auction.

There is an Online Auction which runs from 13th to 21st April.

Please visit the Online Auction and have a look at all the lots to see what takes your fancy, aside of course from the always irresistibly tempting FREE Will!

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April 2018

Our Ingmar Heil will be a guest speaker at the latest “Love Your Health” event held by the Patient Participation Groups of The Simpson Centre and Penn Surgery and The Millbarn Medical Centre, taking place on Thursday 19th April 2018.

The evening will be the sixth in a series of informative events on a topical subject related to “Your Health” and its focus is on planning for dying and death. It will cover the emotional, physical and legal aspects of dying and death and what to expect from your doctor, the hospital and/or hospice.

Ingmar will be one of three guest speakers and will talk about Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

The event is free to attend. It starts at 7.00pm and will be held in the main hall at The Beaconsfield School on Wattleton Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 1SJ.

These events are always well attended and we very much hope to see you there.

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1st March 2018

What is the power of Powers of Attorney?

Whilst most people might know of and understand what a Will is, fewer know of or understand Lasting Powers of Attorney and yet they are just as important, if not potentially more so.

What happens if something incapacitates you during your lifetime, whether temporarily or permanently, such that you cannot deal with your own affairs or assets?

This is our focus for our latest article in this new edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine.

You can read an electronic version of the magazine here and our article is on page 23.

Don’t forget, we are continuing our regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine going forward so be sure to check out future issues every two months.

Beaconsfield Local magazine continues to go from strength to strength, helping residents in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas including Forty Green, Knotty Green and Seer Green find local businesses, events, community information and community activities. Its aim is to deliver all the local information you might need, at your fingertips.

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1st February 2018

Are you due a refund from the Office of the Public Guardian?

Did you register a power of attorney (which could be either a Lasting Power of Attorney or an Enduring Power of Attorney) between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017?

If you did, you may be entitled to claim part of the fee back from the Office of the Public Guardian up to a maximum of £54 plus interest, whether or not the registration was successful.

The Ministry of Justice have now launched their power of attorney refund scheme 2018, full details of which can be found on the .gov.uk guidance page: https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund

Do have a look at the scheme to see if you, or someone you know, might be eligible. You can then claim your refund directly online or by telephone.

There is even a procedure to claim on behalf of a donor (the person who made the power of attorney) who has since passed away.

The scheme is designed to allow you to claim without the assistance of a solicitor but if you do have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and speak with our Ingmar Heil.

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3rd January 2018

Ushering in the New Year, we have concentrated on Wills for our new article in the latest edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine.

If you’re short of ideas for new year’s resolutions, don’t forget it is never too early to make those Wills you may have been putting off for a while.

Research conducted by a charity in 2017 suggested that more than half of parents in the UK with children under 18 have not made provision in their Will concerning guardianship yet children are, of course, more valuable than any possessions. Your Will can be used to nominate who should look after your children if the worst happens to you, rather than the decision being left to the courts at a time already fraught with emotional distress for the family.

You can read an electronic version of the magazine here and our article is on page 22.

Don’t forget, we are continuing our regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine going forward so be sure to check out future issues every two months.

Now on its fifth issue, Beaconsfield Local magazine continues to go from strength to strength, helping residents in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas including Forty Green, Knotty Green and Seer Green find local businesses, events, community information and community activities. Its aim is to deliver all the local information you might need, at your fingertips.

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December 2017

We are supporting Holtspur School in the silent Auction event the Holtspur School PTA are running to raise funds for their pupils and services.

We have donated a FREE Will as one of the lots in the Auction.

The Holtspur School PTA is a small group of friendly mums and dads who devote their own time and resources to provide the school and their children the extras that the county cannot provide. Funding for all their projects is only possible with community support.

We are proud to be an official Community Sponsor for the second year running.

Please support the Auction and have a look at the lots to see what takes your fancy, aside of course from the irresistibly tempting FREE Will!

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November/December 2017

Stop press! Again!!

Our Janine Heil has written another article for the new edition of the Beaconsfield Local magazine.

Already on its fourth issue, Beaconsfield Local magazine goes from strength to strength and is designed to help residents in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas including Forty Green, Knotty Green and Seer Green find local businesses, events, community information and community activities etc. In short, it aims to deliver all the local information you might need, at your fingertips.

Janine takes a seasonal look at moving home around Christmas, the things you can do to assist your solicitor in making the transaction as slick as possible and how the estate agent can help, finishing with a story of festive goodwill when unexpected snow got in the way of one couple’s move.

You can read Janine’s article here or see an electronic version of the whole magazine here.

Don’t forget, you can also read our testimonials to see how we have helped others in their home moves and more.

We are continuing our regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine going forward, so be sure to check out future issues every two months.

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19th October 2017

We are proud to once more be taking part in Will Aid this year.

Make an appointment with us during November and we will waive our fee for drawing up a basic Will, instead inviting our clients to donate to the Will Aid group of charities.

The money raised is shared by nine Will Aid charities (including Age UK, NSPCC, the British Red Cross and Save the Children) and is used to transform the lives of people in the UK and around the world.

Will Aid has raised over £19 million since its inception in 1988. The campaign is proud to have helped more than 300,000 to write a proper Will with a professional solicitor.

Having an up to date and properly written Will is the only way to be sure that your money and possessions will be distributed according to your wishes. It is also the only certain way to avoid difficulties for your relatives and friends after your death. By making a Will with Will Aid you will be protecting your loved ones’ future and helping to raise money to support the vital work of the Will Aid charities.

Have a look at our dedicated WILL AID page and make sure you book your appointment soon!

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9th October 2017

We are supporting The Beaconsfield Charity Auction organised by The Rotary Club of Beaconsfield to raise funds not only for all the usual charities they so generously support but also two charities nominated to receive one third each of the proceeds raise in the Auction: Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

We have donated three FREE Wills (one single Will, one pair of mirror Wills) as 2 lots in the Auction.

The Auction runs for six weeks, with bidding opening on 10th October 2017 and closing on Sunday 3rd December 2017.

Please visit the Auction site and have a look at all the lots to see what takes your fancy, aside of course from the irresistibly tempting FREE Wills!

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2nd October 2017

We are thrilled to have raised £307.90 for Macmillan Cancer Support with the Macmillan Coffee Morning we hosted last Friday, just pipping last year’s total.

We had quite a table of yummy treats and delights, not least a feast of scrumptious scones and two delicious cakes generously donated by our neighbours, The Cape Grand Café.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the day and joined us to take part in the ‘world’s biggest coffee morning’. We could not have done it without you.

Every £27.00 raised funds a Macmillan nurse for one hour so with your help we have secured over 11 hours of care and assistance for those facing cancer.

Good work everyone and we’ll see you all again next year!

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21st September 2017

We are hosting our 2nd Macmillan Coffee Morning in our offices on Friday 29th September 2017 from 10.00am to 1.00pm.

Join us once more for tea, coffee and home-made cakes and treats to help us raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and the work they do.

There is no better excuse for you to come and meet us to find out who we are and what we do or, if you know us already, to catch up over a cuppa and a slice of something naughty-but-nice with a good natter.

See you there!

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1st September 2017

Stop press!

Our Janine Heil has written an article for this month’s Beaconsfield Local magazine.

Now in its third issue, Beaconsfield Local magazine is designed to help residents in Beaconsfield and surrounding areas including Forty Green, Knotty Green and Seer Green find local businesses, events, community information and community activities etc. In short, it aims to deliver all the local information you might need, at your fingertips.

Janine writes about the vital role of a solicitor in buying or selling a property and the preparation anyone can make to assist their chosen solicitor in making the property transaction as slick and stress-free as possible. Read our testimonials to see how we have helped others in exactly this way.

You can read Janine’s article here or see an electronic version of the whole magazine here.

We’ll be making regular contributions to Beaconsfield Local magazine going forward, so be sure to check out future issues every two months.

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8th August 2017

We will be hosting another Macmillan Coffee Morning in our offices this year during the month of September. Watch this space for details of the date once set.

We would be delighted if you could join us once again for tea, coffee and home-made cakes and treats to help us raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and the work they do.

We were delighted to have raised £295.10 last year and would love for you to help us beat that target this year.

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17th July 2017

We are hosting a student from Beaconsfield School this week for work experience.

Recent studies place as high as 80% the proportion of employers who think work experience in prospective candidates is essential. A work placement provides the opportunity for students to develop key employability skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication and time-management that graduate recruiters look for.

Good luck to all taking their first steps in a workplace environment!

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9th June 2017

We were visited today by Helen from the NSPCC to present us with our official Certificate from Will Aid, thanking us and all our clients for helping raise £2,080 during our participation in last November’s scheme.

The NSPCC are one of the nine charities within the Will Aid umbrella, all of whom benefit directly from the money raised through the scheme. Helen was able to tell us all about the important work they do in keeping children safe and preventing abuse.

Do have a look at the website for Will Aid to see how their work over the years has benefitted others and to plan your participation in their next campaign.

We were so very pleased that your take-up of our participation in the scheme (whereby we waive our fee for drawing up a basic Will and instead invite our clients to make a donation to Will Aid) was so great. The amount you helped us raise was 4th highest in our local region, so thank you once more to all our clients for your generosity.

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4th May 2017

Our final count is now in and Will Aid have issued our Certificate.

With your help, we raised a total of £2,080 for the Will Aid charities through our participation in last November’s scheme, making us one of the top donating new firms.

We are so very pleased. Your take-up of the scheme (whereby we waive our fee for drawing up a basic Will and instead invite our clients to make a donation to Will Aid) exceeded our expectations.

A big thank you to all our clients for your generosity.

All money raised by Will Aid is shared by their nine charities, which include Age UK, the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, the NSPCC and Save the Children.

Have a look at the website for Will Aid to see how it might benefit you and to plan your participation in their next campaign.

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23rd March 2017

We always assumed he had legs, we just hoped we’d never have to see them!

Mind you, it was all in a good cause.

Our Ingmar took to the saddle for a stint in the static bike ride ‘Cycle across Kenya’ hosted by Ashington Page estate agents as part of Oxfam’s East Africa Crisis Appeal. When he’d had enough, our Bonita (much younger and fitter) took over to show him how it is done.

Sore legs notwithstanding, we were proud to have made a small contribution to the sterling job all at Ashington Page had been doing throughout the day, by taking their total beyond 200km and though the town of Nyahuru.

Thank you to all of you who donated so generously.

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24th February 2017

We are supporting the John Hampden Grammar School in the Auction event they are running to raise funds for refurbishment of their Science blocks.

We have donated a FREE Will as one of the lots in the Auction.

The final Auction will be held at the school’s Annual Ball on 11th March 2017 but in the meantime, there is an Online Auction already in progress for proxy bids.

Please visit the Online Auction and have a look at the lots to see what takes your fancy, aside of course from the irresistibly tempting FREE Will!

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7th February 2017

Our final count is still a little way off but so far, we have raised £1,530 for the Will Aid charities through our participation in last November’s scheme.

We are really pleased, with take-up of the scheme (whereby we waive our fee for drawing up a basic Will and instead invite our clients to make a donation to Will Aid) exceeding expectations. We thank all our clients for their generosity.

All money raised by Will Aid is shared by their nine charities, which include Age UK, the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, the NSPCC and Save the Children.

We will let you know when the completed tally is in.

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6th January 2017

We have been awarded membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) – the mark of excellence in the home-buying sector.

We had to undergo rigorous assessment to ensure our systems and procedures meet the demanding standards set by the CQS scheme and we are all the more proud to have achieved accreditation within our first six months of trading.

CQS is the quality mark that allows you to feel secure that you are using a firm which provides high standards in the conveyancing process.

It is a further commitment on our part to quality in the service we provide.

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13th December 2016

We are delighted with our new office frontage. Come and have a look, we are now easier to find!

Don’t forget, our central location in Beaconsfield new town means our offices are conveniently located on the main shopping street for you to visit us easily and readily.

Please remember, our offices are on the First Floor in a building with no lift. If you have accessibility needs, please discuss these with us in advance of any visit to see whether it might be more appropriate for us to come to you or to meet you elsewhere.

As ever, we look forward to welcoming you through our doors!

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3rd November 2016

We always said he had a great face for radio!

Our Ingmar Heil was live on the afternoon show with Chris Phillips today at local community radio station Wycombe Sound 106.6fm, chatting about our participation in Will Aid this month.

The focus of the campaign this year is encouraging parents to think of guardians. Will Aid surveys show that over half of parents with dependent children have no Will and of those, a fifth cite as a reason that they have no possessions of value. They have clearly not made the link that children ARE the most valuable things in their lives.

Listen here to what Ingmar had to say and don’t forget to have a look at our dedicated WILL AID page and make sure you book your appointment soon!

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14th October 2016

We are proud to be taking part in Will Aid this November.

We will waive our fee for drawing up a basic Will and instead invite our clients to donate to the Will Aid group of charities.

The money raised is shared by nine Will Aid charities and is used to transform the lives of people in the UK and around the world.

Will Aid has raised over £15 million since its launch over 25 years ago and an estimated £95 million has been pledged as legacies by people making their Will through the scheme. The campaign is proud to have helped more than 275,000 to write a proper Will with a professional solicitor.

Have a look at our dedicated WILL AID page and make sure you book your appointment soon!

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3rd October 2016

We are thrilled to have raised £295.10 for Macmillan Cancer Support with the Macmillan Coffee Morning we hosted last Friday.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the day and joined us to take part in the large selection of yummy cakes and treats laid on through your generous donations. We could not have done it without you.

Every £27.00 raised funds a Macmillan nurse for one hour so with your help we have secured over 10 hours of care and assistance for those facing cancer.

Good work everyone and we’ll see you all again next year!

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8th September 2016

We are hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning in our offices on Friday 30th September 2016 from 10.00am onwards.

Join us for tea, coffee and home-made cakes and treats to help us raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and the work they do.

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1st September 2016

We are delighted to welcome our new Solicitor Bonita Kumar Nijran.

Bonita starts with us today in our conveyancing team and we are proud to have secured her services. She qualified in 2014 and undertook her principal training with our Janine Heil. She has also previously worked with our Lisa Cochrane.

The team of Janine, Bonita and Lisa therefore know each other well, work together perfectly and are here to offer you the complete package of expertise with personal, high-end service whatever your conveyancing transaction.

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18th August 2016

We have a new leaflet on Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Anyone, at any time, can become incapable to legally manage their own affairs, sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently, often unexpectedly. There are two common misconceptions:

that Lasting Powers of Attorney are only something to consider at the post-retirement or later-life stage
to associate loss of mental capacity solely with an illness such as Alzheimer’s when in reality it could arise at any time either through other illnesses or as the result of an accident, such as a car or sporting accident.

A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to ensure that if you become mentally incapable your affairs can be managed on your behalf by people you have chosen and appointed yourself. Without a Lasting Power of Attorney, the law does not grant any automatic legal entitlement for anyone to deal with your affairs, irrespective of whether they are family or not.

If you want to discuss Lasting Powers of Attorney further or wish to consider preparing one or both, do not hesitate to contact us.

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4th August 2016

We were honoured to have Councillor Patrick Hogan, the Mayor of Beaconsfield, and Mr Dick Smith, the Beaconsfield Town Crier, attend our offices for our official opening ceremony.

Click here for the video.

Dick, who has been Town Crier since 1969, certainly does Beaconsfield proud. Traffic stopped and people came out of surrounding shops when he began his address!

Patrick is raising funds for Heart of Bucks (Buckinghamshire Community Foundation) as the official Mayor of Beaconsfield’s Appeal 2016/2017 and all donations are gratefully received by them.

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Leigh Duncan Solicitors

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