Fly tipping is a very serious problem in the UK and costs councils and private property owners hundreds of thousands of pounds every single year.

Fly tippers are criminals, it’s as simple as that, finding remote places to dispose of trash without having to pay disposal fees. This practice has terrible consequences for the environment, human safety, and creates a disgusting eye-sore.

Given the fact that the main reasons a fly tipper chooses a certain location are simply convenience and avoiding detection, tackling this crime is a serious challenge for the police and sadly not one they are winning.

We are not here to tackle the issue overall, however. We are here to help property owners to protect their own sites against fly tipping, something that is much more realistic.

The team at select-solutions.co.uk have put their heads together and come up with 5 of the top ways to keep fly tippers away from your property, saving you a huge amount of hassle and money in the process.

5 Ways to Stop Security Guards

Get a security guard

If you are trying to protect a rural location such as a farm from fly tippers, security guards probably aren’t a viable option. The area of land will be so large that asking one to protect the whole area is simply impractical and hiring enough to protect the whole area is unaffordable.

However, fly tippers don’t only target properties out in the countryside. If there is a fly tipping hotspot somewhere in the area putting a security guard in place can be highly effective. The news of their presence will also spread like wildfire throughout the local area and you will probably find that the perpetrators will quickly move elsewhere.

Fly tippers usually don’t choose their sites for any reason other than avoiding detection and simply won’t risk anything if they think there is any real chance of being intercepted.

Install Lighting

Darkness is a fly tippers best friend. Install security lighting in the areas that are most vulnerable to fly tipper activity and instantly reduce the risk of being targeted many times over. To save money and avoid disturbing your neighbours install motion detection lighting systems that will give anyone approaching a shock that will have them turning heel rather quickly.

Install CCTV

CCTV is another major deterrent to fly tippers. Even if they don’t notice your CCTV or ignore the warning signs, capturing the crime on film will give the local police a much better chance of apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

Install physical barriers

Most fly tipping is carried out in smallish business style vans. Installing concrete blocks or other physical barriers that prevent such vehicles getting close to your property will make it much harder for someone to dump any waste on your land.

Liaise with the police

Report every instance of fly tipping to the local police and work with them whenever possible. It may feel as though they are making little to no progress with your case but collaboration is never a bad thing.

Most homes in the UK are heated by gas. It is efficient, traditionally more affordable that alternatives such as electric, and relatively easy to maintain given just how many people use them.

However, there has ben a significant amount of negative press around gas boilers in recent times, and a lot of media attention around the boiler ‘ban’ that is set to be introduced by the UK government in 2025. Many homeowners are concerned about these plans and worried about installing a new gas boiler in their home or having their existing gas boiler replaced.

The truth is a lot less concerning than you might think and gas boilers are set to heat the homes of the UK for many years past this date.

Replacing your existing gas boiler with a highly efficient modern replacement now, will set you up nicely for years of warmth and comfort. If you do want to make a change, there are several options available to you, and we will take a look at these further on in this article.

Are Gas boilers begin banned in 2025?

No! This is a common misconception we hear a lot from homeowners who have worried about getting a gas boiler replacement just a couple of years before the boiler ‘ban’.

The reality is that in 2025, there will be new restrictions on the installation of gas boilers in NEW properties. There will be no punishments for those with gas boilers already in place, or for those having their existing boiler replaced. Given that the vast majority of homeowners in the UK will live in properties built prior to 2025, they will not be effected by this new legislation

Modern Gas boilers are incredibly efficient and will utilise as little energy as possible to produce the most heat possible.

If you are looking to become more environmentally friendly whilst retaining a gas boiler, there are many ways to do just that, including installing better insulation, or upgrading your doors and windows. This will limit the amount of heat that you need your gas boiler to generate and the amount you will have to spend on your energy bills. Visit chshome.co.uk for more information on some of the most energy efficient gas boilers currently on the market.

What are the alternatives to a gas boiler?

If you have decided that the time has come to move away from gas central heating towards a renewable energy alternative you have a few options available to you.

Heat pumps are currently the most popular of these and the UK Government seems set on this technology as the answer to the nations Net Zero aims.

These tend to be quite expensive, however, and certainly aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. They don’t even work on some properties and wouldn’t come close to meeting the heating requirements of most large homes on their own. A great option is a hybrid heating system where a heat pump is installed to support rather than replace an existing boiler.

As a company that has been working in the external door industry for many years, we have seen all sorts of changes and developments in terms of the products that we are able to offer to our customers and the energy efficiency and security features they come with.

Over the past couple of decades, by far the biggest change that we have seen is the introduction of composite doors to a market that had been dominated by uPVC for some time.

 Composite front doors Glasgow are now out number one recommendation for any of our customer who come to us looking for advice on which type of door they should be installing on their property.

The fact is that whilst uPVC doors have performed valiantly for many years the combination of materials that goes into a composite door creates a product that is superior in all the key performance features of front door, including security, durability, energy efficiency, and sound-proofing.

That isn’t to say that there isn’t still a place for uPVC and solid timber doors but the introduction of composite doors has filled a hole in the market and allows us to meet all of our client’s needs, no matter what their priorities are when it comes to a new front door.

Why are composite doors so great?

There are many reasons that composite doors have picked up the crown as king of the external door market.

One of the most important for our customers is the variety in choice in terms of colours and styles that they provide.

In the past, the only way to get a door in colours other than natural wood was to paint the door, or choose from a few select uPVC colour choices. Nowadays, the choice of colours and designs is almost limitless and gives you complete control over the look and feel of the exterior of your home.

The splash of colour that composite doors introduced to a door market that was pretty dull and drab at the time was incredibly welcome for us as door suppliers, and even more so for our clients who want to customise the appearance of their property to match their own personal taste.

Besides the incredible number of different customisation options that they provide some of the other reasons that composite doors are so revered within the exterior door market include:

Weather proofing

Your front doors needs to put up with a lot throughout the year from the heat and sunlight of summer to the wind, snow, sleet, and rain of the winter. It is important that they are able to withstand all of these conditions and composite doors are able to do just that. Our composite doors are wind, rot, and rust proof and cope well in both high and low temperatures. No matter where you live you should expect to get well upwards of 25 years life out of your composite door before you even been to consider having it replaced.

Maintenance

You want your door to look great but you don’t want to have to work hard to keep it that way. Unlike wooden doors that need to be constantly repainted, varnished, and treated to keep them in good condition, composite doors feature a GRP skin that is resistant to peeling and flaking and ensures that your door requires little more than a quick wash every so often to keep them in perfect working order.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficient doors and windows are essential in the modern home, helping to keep your bills low and your carbon footprint small.

Composite doors are thought to be many times more energy efficient than the average front door (up to 10x in many instances) thanks to a fully insulated foam core surrounded by a variety of energy efficient materials such as PVC and GRP.

Security

Thanks to the same combination of materials that makes composite doors so energy efficient, they are also incredibly secure and will dramatically reduce the risk that you could be the victim of a home invasion or burglary. At the end of the day, design is very important, but nothing is more important than the safety of your home and family.

If you are looking to resolve a dispute without having to resort to litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) might be the best route to go down.

At Oracle Law Giffnock, one of the many dispute cases that our specialist team of lawyers have extensive expertise in is ADR. ADR refers to the methods that can be used to resolve a dispute between two parties without having to go to court such as arbitration or mediation.

If you have a consumer problem (a dispute with a business, trader, or seller), or a more personal dispute with a family member, ex-partner, or neighbour, ADR can be a good way to help solve your problems without resorting to expensive and time consuming formal legal proceedings.

Why use Alternative Dispute Resolution?

There are many reasons why ADR is a much better option than going to court in the vast majority of dispute cases.

The two are also not mutually exclusive and ADR can be useful when used alongside litigation to help narrow down the problem.

The main benefits to using ADR to solve disputes include:

• ADR is much cheaper and faster than going to court
• Avoiding court can save a lot of unnecessary stress and energy for all parties involved
• ADR is fully confidential whereas any court findings will be made public.
• It may be possible to save a relationship or business agreement if a dispute is resolved through discussion and compromise rather than an extended legal battle.

You will also avoid having to attend an official hearing when using ADR methods and any decisions made through arbitration will be made based on the documents and paper evidence provided by both parties.

Some ADR schemes are still legally binding despite the flexibility of the procedure meaning that if you agree to accept the findings of an arbitrator or similar, you won’t be able to change your mind in the future and take the case to court instead.

What are the different types of ADR?

 The main forms of ADR that may be able to help you solve your problems are:

• Mediation
• Conciliation
• Arbitration

If you are dealing with a business dispute, there is a possibility that there will be a contractual obligation to partake in one or more of these proceedings should a conflict occur.

What to consider before selecting an ADR method

If you are considering attempting to resolve a dispute through ADR there are a few questions that you should ask yourself when deciding which method to use.

The following questions are crucial to determining the best way forward with a dispute case:

What are you looking to get out of ADR proceedings?

– How much time do you have? – Almost all ADR processes will be completed faster than going through court, but they do vary widely in duration.

– Are you willing to meet with the other side, or do you want all communication to be conducted through solicitors?

– How much do you have to spend on the process?

– Do you want to keep the option of court on the table? – Certain ADR methods such as arbitration cannot be conducted alongside a court case and once a decision is made you cannot change your mind in the future

What does each ADR method involve?

Before you can decide which ADR method to pursue, or indeed if you want to enter into ADR at all, it is important to have an understanding of what each method entails.

Mediation

Mediation involves using an independent third party, known as a mediator, to bring both parties together and discuss the best way to resolve a dispute.

Both sides will have their chance to be heard and will work to find some form of middle ground to agree upon.

Mediators are there to help both sides agree to a solution, NOT to make the decision themselves and it is crucial that they are completely impartial.

Once a mediated agreement is made it is legally binding, but the process can take place alongside litigation in case that discussions break down.

Conciliation

Conciliation is a much more informal version of arbitration and is usually a free to use option offered before other ADR options.

A conciliator will look at the needs and wants of all parties and attempt to come to an agreed solution that will suit both sides.

When you enter into a contract with a trader, they may well have their own conciliation service that you are required to use prior to independent arbitration.

Arbitration

Arbitration involves the appointing of an independent arbitrator to make a legally binding decision about a dispute.

In most arbitrations, there will be no court case involved but the process will be similar with both sides presenting evidence which will then be assessed, and a final decision made.

Once arbitration proceedings have begun you won’t be able to go to court later on if you do not agree with the decision to take care to take legal advice before entering a contract with an arbitration clause in place.

Hundreds of criminal trials take place every day across Scotland and criminal defence lawyers are crucial to their outcome.

Whilst we see and hear about these lawyers every day in news stories and on TV, most people don’t give much thought to what makes a good criminal lawyer.

If you are accused of a criminal offence, however, the importance of hiring a lawyer with certain attributes is crucial to building the best possible defence for your case.

A criminal solicitor specialises in representing those who have been accused of a criminal offence, providing expert advice, questioning witnesses, negotiating with the prosecution, and presenting the best possible case for the defence should the case reach court.

There are certain qualities that are possessed by the best criminal defence lawyers that help them to achieve the best chance of success for their client.

These Include:

Communication

Communication between the accused and their defence lawyer is absolutely vital to building a successful defence.

A lawyer should be able to listen to their client’s needs, wishes, and questions and use this information to act in their best interests at all times.

The legal process can be difficult to understand, especially for someone who has never faced criminal charges before, so helping to guide a client throughout the case is an important skill.

In many situations, a criminal case will be settled out of court, whether through a plea agreement, or in the form of a settlement, so negotiating with the opposite party is an essential part of any lawyer’s role.

Knowledge

The world of law is an ever changing place and lawyers should not only have an excellent knowledge of the specific area of law associated with your case but also keep on top of more general developments within the industry.

Knowing the outcomes of similar cases, and any successful defences that were used in those scenarios are vital, as these may be applicable to their current and future clients.

A good way to check that the lawyer that you are considering has the required expertise is to ask for examples of similar cases that they have been successfully handled in the past and for an idea of how they intend to approach your case.

They may not be able to give you specifics of previous cases but during this conversation you should be able to get an idea of their expertise in the industry.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is one of the most important attributes of a criminal lawyer.

The only way that a lawyer can build their client the best possible defence is if they know every little detail about the case, and this only works if the client can trust that any personal information will go no further.

It is essential that a criminal lawyer is able to investigate and verify all information they are given, without exposing a client to outside bias or creating a possible conflict of interest.

The trust built between a defence lawyer and client is the foundation of any successful case, and any sign that that trust may not hold is a weakness that could be exploited by the prosecution, so the value of complete confidentiality cannot be overexaggerated.

Assertiveness

It is vital that a lawyer is able to be calm with their client, listening to their concerns, and patiently dealing with their concerns.

However, the time may come during the case where an assertive and even aggressive manner may need to be adopted in order to get the best possible results.

Representing clients during police interviews is one of the key roles of a defence lawyer, and speaking assertively on behalf of the accused is essential in avoiding intimidation and their client becoming flustered.

This approach may also be effective when negotiating with the prosecution or questioning witnesses, both situations where it is important that the opposing party knows that a lawyer is in command of the situation.

Decision Making

Criminal defence lawyers are often put in situations where the decisions that they make could have a major impact on the future of their client’s life.

It is, therefore, important that a good defence lawyer has excellent decision making skills, judging the current situation, coming to the correct conclusion, and taking the best possible course of action, often in extremely highly pressurised situations.

When looking for a criminal defence lawyer Glasgow, make sure that you are confident that when. The time comes, your lawyer will act with your best interests in mind, without hesitation.

Get In Touch

Aamer Anwar is Scotland’s leading criminal defence law firm, with a team of expert lawyers who have a proven track record of successfully taking on the legal system.

For more information on our services or to arrange a legal consultation, contact us today by phone on 0141 429 7090, or by email at office@aameranwar.com.

If you and your partner are separating you may be able to sort everything out without needing professional advice. However, if you and your ex-partner can’t come to an arrangement or they won’t stick to the agreement, you’ll want to know exactly what your legal rights are. In this case, getting professional advice is invaluable.

Separation can be a very stressful and emotionally taxing experience, especially if you share property and or children. Living together during the separation is often a reasonable approach to minimise disruption.

In this article, we’ll examine what options exist for you when it comes to legal and financial advice when you’re looking to separate with a partner while you’re living together.

General reasons to look for advice,

Legal advice can be helpful to ensure a matter does not end up going to court. It can help you to better understand much of the complexities involved with divorce law.

Getting financial advice is generally helpful if you think you’ve got a claim against your ex-partner or that they are going to make a claim against you.

Legal Advice

There are several avenues you can take when it comes to legal advice.

Using a mediator

Mediators can help you and your ex-partner to sort out children, housing, and any financial matters.

A mediator does not take sides or provide advice. Their job is to help both parties work towards an agreement, and many solicitors who specialise in family law are also now trained as mediators.

Mediation is a good approach when both parties are open, honest, and trusting. If you and your ex-partner cannot properly communicate on issues like who will look after the children, or how you can divide money, meditation may not be suitable.

It is no longer possible for most people to get legal aid for a divorce. The same goes for separation or legal issues involving children. However, it can be possible to get legal aid for mediation. This means that if you are your ex-partner are willing and if you have straight forward affairs, it can be an excellent way to sort things out.

Meditation is not considered appropriate in cases involving domestic abuse. A controlling and or intimidating partner should not be involved in mediation.

Mediators can provide additional details on when mediation is appropriate.

Using a solicitor for separation

A solicitor can provide invaluable legal advice regarding your rights if you’re looking to make claims against your ex-partner for things such as the share of the family home, as well as other assets.

Solicitors can provide independent legal advice. This is both in the case of negotiating settlements or via court action. They can also draw up legal agreements that you’ve made with your ex-partner.

Solicitors are an incredible source of information regarding important things such as financial entitlement. In cases where your ex-partner simply won’t engage and negotiate with you, a solicitor can also be helpful.

Using a collaborative family lawyer

A collaborative family lawyer will work to try and help you and your ex-partner reach an agreement through a series of meetings. Both you and your ex-partner will need to hire your own collaborative family lawyer.

As part of this arrangement, you’ll sign agreement not to go to court, and you’ll agree to work to resolve the issues. These meetings tend to be done face to face.

Financial Advice

There are several specialised financial advisors and assistants you can call on for help.

Making a financial agreement

Before discussing the help, you can get, it’s important to look at how you untangle your finances.

It is very rarely straightforward to divide up household finances. There are many assets included. These can include,

• The family home
• Any other property you own
• Your pension pot (both state and private pensions included)
• Savings
• Any business interests
• Any investments

It is important to make a full disclosure of assets. Attempts to hide or disguise assets can lead to serious problems. Thought will need to be given to both party’s post-divorce income needs.

Using a Financial Adviser

A financial adviser at www.oraclelaw.com can help you divide up your assets in the most tax-efficient way. This can obviously be helpful if you are eager to save money during the divorce process.

Using an accountant

An accountant can be used to value assets. Some accountants specialise in assessing whether someone is trying to downplay the value of their assets to avoid providing greater payments to their ex-partner.  

How can I pay for legal fees?

If you are separating (even if you aren’t married or in a civil partnership) you may still need to pay legal fees. One option to help you pay is legal aid. 

Applying for a mortgage is a stressful and time-consuming process no matter how many times you move house.

Hiring the services of a professional mortgage broker could make the whole process a lot less confusing but what exactly can they do for you?

What do mortgage brokers do?

A mortgage broker will help simplify the mortgage process by finding you the best possible mortgage deal and guiding you through the application process.

In the past few years, the process of acquiring a mortgage has become increasingly difficult and without the sufficient preparation and documentation you may not receive an offer on your own.

Some mortgage brokers work on behalf of a mortgage lender but in order to get the most unbiased service it is recommended that you always choose an independent adviser.

Key responsibilities of mortgage brokers include:

• Explaining the many different types of mortgages.

• Advising on what mortgage type would be best for you based on your financial situation.

• Finding you mortgage broker who can offer you the best deal.

• Gathering information that will be required by the lender during your application, such as credit information and bank statements.

• Using this information to secure you the best rate.

• Submitting this information to the lender and acting as a middleman between them and you until a mortgage offer is secured.

• Advising you on whether you should agree to the terms set out in the offer.

Why use a mortgage broker?

There are many reasons why you should always consult with a mortgage lender before applying for a mortgage.

Some of the most important reasons include:

Industry Expertise

As if the mortgage industry wasn’t already complicated enough, the market is constantly changing. Interest rates and deposit requirements are constantly fluctuating and the best type of mortgage to apply for can change on a regular basis.

It is a mortgage brokers job to monitor these changes, so you don’t have to. They will be able to explain any changes to you in an understandable way and advise you on the best way forward based on the current situation.

Interest rates are far from the only cost associated with getting a mortgage and administration fees, credit reports, and service charges all cost money. A mortgage broker will not only ensure you aren’t paying too much interest on your mortgage but also that lenders are not trying to overcharge you in the application process.

Access and Connections

Some mortgage deals are only available through mortgage brokers who can use their access to a range of lenders to secure you the best possible deal.

They will also be aware of reputations within the industry so will be able to advise you on which lenders are the most reliable and will not try to overcharge you.

When looking for the best broker option you should ensure that brokers offer whole-of-market access, meaning they can negotiate with any lender on the market in order to secure the best deal possible for your needs.

Convenience

Could you secure an appropriate and affordable mortgage on your own without t the help of a mortgage broker? Possibly, but it would take a huge amount of research, time, and money to make sure you got it right.

Most people simply don’t have the time to become an expert in the mortgage industry just to move house, and they shouldn’t have to.

Mortgage brokers are trained professionals with an expert knowledge of the mortgage industry. By letting them search for deals, complete paperwork, and negotiate with lenders you will save a huge amount of time and for many people in full-time employment, using a broker is simply the only way they can possibly get through the process.

Fee-Free Mortgage Brokers

That all sounds great, but how much is it going to cost you? Well luckily for you there are actually some brokers that don’t charge a fee from you at all.

Naturally, the still receive a fee for negotiating the deal but this comes from the lenders side and not out of your pocket. If you can find a fee-free broker, it will save you a significant amount of money and stress at a time where your finances may already be tight.

It is Worth Using a Mortgage Broker?

Unless you are extremely confident with the mortgage application process or a financial expert you should always use the services of a professional mortgage broker.

They will take a lot of weight off your shoulders and reassure you that when you find your dream property you will have everything ready to make an offer with a mortgage in place.

Missing out on a purchase due solely to not having administration in order would be devastating and by consulting with a mortgage broker you can make sure this never happens.