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What is the time frame in which I should receive a speeding ticket from the Police? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-06 10:26

What is the time frame in which I should receive a speeding ticket from the Police? I have been told that they have 14 days from the offence to notify me and if I haven't heard anything in this time then nothing is going to happen. Is this true? If not, could you tell me what will happen please.

I was married in South Africa and my husband is a South African Citizen and is still in South Africa. Can I divorce him through the UK Courts? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-06 10:19

I was married in South Africa in 2004 to a South African Citizen. He is still in South Africa and I have been residing in the UK for 18 months with our child. I would like to divorce him on the grounds of adultery. Can I do this through the UK Courts?

I was stopped for allegedly doing 103mph. I don’t believe I was doing this speed but the policeman said I would have to pay for him to attend Court to challenge this. What should I do? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-06 10:07

I was stopped by a traffic policeman who claimed that I was doing 103mph and said that I would receive a summons. I find it hard to believe that I was travelling at 103mph as this would have been recorded as 110 mph on my speedo, a speed I would never dream of doing. The policeman told me that I could challenge the speed in Court but that it would cost me £400-£500 for him to attend Court. What should I do?

Can my employer legally make me redundant for one day only of my working week? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-06 10:02

My employer has just given me notice of redundancy for one day only of my working week, i.e. reducing my working week from 5 days to 4 days on a permanent basis. I have been given the correct amount of notice appropriate to my length of service and I have received a redundancy payment, but is this legal - can my employer really make me redundant on one day only?

Our car was caught by a mobile speeding camera. We don’t know who was driving. As my husband is the registered owner, should he take the points or should we ask for a photo? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-06 09:57

Our car was caught by a mobile speeding camera, there are only two people who drive the car, myself and my husband. We were both driving the car that day on the same road and we are not sure which one of us it caught. As my husband is the registered owner, should he take the points or should we ask for a photo?

Can I file for divorce if my husband and I are still living in the same house? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-01 19:31

My husband and I have been married for just over a year but I want to get divorced as the relationship has broken down. Can I file for divorce if we are still living in the same house?

I am 61 years old and have been made redundant. Is it true that I am entitled to an additional payment because of my age? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-01 19:13

I am 61 years old and have just been made redundant after 7.5 years service. I have been told that I would be entitled to an additional payment from my employers because at my age it will be harder to find another job. Is this true?

What steps can I take to make my wife give me the contact we agreed? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-01 19:01

What steps can I take to make my wife give me the contact we agreed? She refuses to co-operate with the Court Order.

Can a landlord retain overpaid rent from one tenant in place of rent not paid by another? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-01 18:51

Can a landlord retain overpaid rent from one tenant in place of rent not paid by another? I was living in a shared house on a joint tenancy but forgot to cancel my standing order when I moved out. Subsequently, two payments have been made beyond the 12 monthly payments of the contract. However, the landlord refuses to return this amount because two of my former housemates failed to pay one months rent each. Is the landlord entitled to use overpaid rent in this way?

My nan has died leaving everything to my father but he died ten years ago. Where do my sister and I stand on this? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2009-01-01 18:45

My nan was a widow when she died and has left a Will leaving everything to my father who has been dead for ten years. Where do my sister and I stand on this?

My daughter has some gift vouchers for Zavii but they are refusing to honour them. Surely these vouchers are as good as cash? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-31 20:21

My daughter had some gift vouchers from the Zavii music store for Christmas. Now that Zavii are in administration, they are refusing to honour them, yet they are still trading. Surely these vouchers are as good as cash and they should be valid?

The company I work for has gone into administration. As I am signed off sick will I still be entitled to a redundancy payment if the business closes? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-30 19:52

The company I work for has gone into administration. I am currently signed off work due to depression. If I am signed off will I still be entitled to a redundancy payment if the business closes?

Is it correct that if you have been separated for more than three years after Decree Nisi you are automatically divorced? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-30 19:46

My husband and I separated over three years ago and he started divorce proceedings. The Decree Nisi was issued and a financial agreement was drawn up and stamped by the Court. When the Decree Absolute was due my husband asked if I wanted to finalise it and I said no, he agreed and told his Solicitor that we were trying to reconcile. We haven’t reconciled but I have been told that if you are separated for more than three years you are divorced anyway. Is this correct?

How can I find out if my mother has left a more recent Will? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-30 19:34

How can I find out if my mother has left a more recent Will? She died recently but her Solicitor only has a Will dated 1988.

I have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement for 12 months but need to vacate after 7 months. Do I have to pay rent for the whole 12 months? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-30 19:27

I am a tenant with an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. My initial agreement is for 12 months but due to relocation I might have to vacate the property after 7 months. Do I have to pay the rent for whole 12 months or can I cancel it by giving 2 months notice? Is there any way out?

My daughter works in a retail shop and has been told she has to work an extra day next week as she didn't work Christmas day. The shop was closed on Christmas day so surely they can't do this? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-28 19:39

My daughter works in a retail shop as a sales assistant and she has been told that she has to work an extra day next week as she didn’t work on Christmas day!! I know that in the retail trade you are not given bank holidays but the shop is closed on Christmas day so surely they cannot do this, can they?

Do I have any rights as a private tenant to stop my landlord increasing my rent excessively? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-27 19:47

Do I have any rights as a private tenant to stop my landlord increasing my rent by such large sums of money? I have been in my house for seven years and it has gone from £400 to £650 per month and he now tells me it is going up to £700 for a very small two up, two down semi.

Who is the beneficiary when a single person with no children, but nephews, nieces and a brother dies without leaving a Will? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-27 19:43

Who is the beneficiary when a single person with no children, but nephews, nieces and a brother dies without leaving a Will?

I work full time 42.5 hours a week Monday to Friday and I get 20 days holiday a year which includes the bank holidays. Is this correct? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-27 19:35

I work full time 42.5 hours a week Monday to Friday and I get 20 days holiday a year which includes the bank holidays. Is this correct?

Can I terminate my tenancy two months into the six month term because my landlady and her children are banging and jumping on the ceiling above my flat all the time? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-23 16:45

I want to terminate my Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement two months into the six month term because my landlady and her children are banging and jumping on the ceiling above my flat all the time. She acknowledges this verbally but if I can't get her to put her agreement in writing where do I stand if she then decides to hold me responsible for the whole six month term? I've written to complain twice. Before we moved in she volunteered information that she'd had the floor soundproofed, but suggested we “see how it goes”.