Our Family Law Associate Karen Connolly regularly provides legal articles on topical issues relating to family law matters to the online media publication, Belfast Live.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the new benefit which replaces Disability Living Allowance, is designed to support those living with illness or disability.  However, recently the Belfast Telegraph reported that the benefit is failing to support the most deserving of claimants - those with a terminal illness.

  Personal Independence Payment is the new benefit which replaces Disability Living Allowance.  The benefit is designed to support those living with illness or disability.  We have provided a short summary of the benefit, its problems and how anyone affected by it might get advice.

The United Nations designated 15th June 2018 as ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’.  This is an occasion to recognise and highlight the issue of elder abuse in the world and for each country to vocalise its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted upon some members of our older generations.

When a marriage breaks down and spouses begin the task of trying to negotiate a financial settlement, many are often surprised to discover that one of the most valuable assets in their marriage, particularly if it is a long marriage, is their pension.

  Laura Banks of Francis Hanna Solicitors, acts in a landmark case challenging ineligibility for bereavement benefits for cohabiting partners and their children. It is being heard on 30th April 2018 and will be the first case that the Supreme Court has ever heard in Belfast.

Linda Johnston was a key note speaker at the Elder Law Conference organised by the Law Society of NI in association with Age NI and Step NI.

Our Elder Client Partner, Linda Johnston, has recently played a key role in the establishment of an Elder Client Working Group of Solicitors within the Law Society of NI.

Death is something that most of us naturally prefer to avoid thinking about. However, as Benjamin Franklin famously said, nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. “Keeping quiet” or “putting off” talking about our wishes for end of life and death can be problematic both for us and those who care for us.  

Our Family Law Partner Claire Edgar has published a legal article in the latest edition of VIEWDigital, a community media organisation engaged in social affairs journalism. 

  Saving to buy your first home can be a challenge for anyone. Luckily there are some schemes to help you get together the monies you need to purchase your property.

In June 2015, our Family Law Partner Claire Edgar and Associate Solicitor Karen Connolly developed and launched a legal blog called ‘Life Law NI’.  

Throughout her career, our Family Law Partner Claire Edgar has taken a special interest in legal issues around domestic violence.

Since 2010, our Family Law Partner Claire Edgar has been a featured legal columnist for the NI4Kids Magazine.

  Our Family & Matrimonial Law Partner Claire Edgar undertook the role of Course Facilitator at the Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence, a training course to tackle gender-based violence in February 2018

  At Francis Hanna & Co, we have specialist solicitors dedicated to helping victims of child abuse pursue claims for compensation where the abuse has taken place in schools, care homes, the church or similar institutions.

Our Family & Matrimonial Partner, Claire Edgar was a guest speaker at the Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid Annual Conference in January 2018.  The Conference celebrated the organisation’s work over the last year and outlines their plans and ambitions for the year ahead.

This week, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West welcomed the arrival of a baby girl via surrogate.  It is understood that the celebrity couple opted for the surrogacy route for their third child after Kim’s two high risk pregnancies with daughter North aged 4 years old and 1 year old son Saint. 

Last week’s Golden Globe Awards were dominated by the sexual harassment scandal that has engulfed Hollywood, with many actresses and actors choosing to wear black as a sign of solidarity with victims of sexual abuse and harassment. “Time’s Up” has become the slogan, and hashtag on social media, encapsulating the reaction to recent revelations about extensive sexual abuse and harassment in the entertainment industry.

Where an employer directly or indirectly discriminates against an employee on the grounds of age, this will be unlawful unless the employer can objectively justify the discrimination.