Tuesday 19 July 2011

Will there be a benefit?

There comes a time in all of our lives when we realise that we will not be around forever. That the ones who depend on us will be without you, be it a long term partner, your children or your friends. The only way that you can guarantee that your estate is divided up and given to whom you want and how you want is by writing a will.

Currently two thirds of Scot's do not possess a will. This means that in the case of an unexpected tragedy their estate would be divided up according to the rights of succession meaning that your belongings might not go to who and where they are needed. For example, £18 million pounds a year goes to the government in unclaimed estates due to the deceased not having a will. At Nicholas J. Scullion and Co. we provide a comprehensive and professional will writing service and can ensure that your estate does not go to waste. Please arrange an appointment if you would like to talk to a specialist about getting a will.

                          

Friday 8 July 2011

Arriving Soon: Guess who's coming to town?!

Yes, Lanarkshire's leading law firm is coming to town! As you are aware we are branching out...Hamilton-based Nicholas J. Scullion & Co are opening up another office in Motherwell, Brandon Parade. We were over this morning checking up on a few things at the new office to ensure everything is running smoothly but what was captivating was the hussle and bussle of Motherwell town centre. It is really busy and full of life so we are excited to be arriving soon. Have you read STV Motherwell today? If not here is the link for you to check out:


http://local.stv.tv/motherwell/news/20792-top-legal-firm-to-open-new-office-in-motherwell/



Friday 1 July 2011

Check out our fortnightly Q&A in the HUB Newspaper

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co are proud to be working with Scott Mochar, editor of Lanarkshire's Positive Newspaper the HUB. It focuses soley on encouraging stories within the local area and they are fast approaching their second anniversary. I Diana Scullion, first met Scott when I joined Nicholas J. Scullion & Co over two years ago and we have been working well ever since, creating a fortnightly Q&A column to provide the readers of The Hub with complimentary legal advice. If you have any charity events, family nights, or community led special campaigns that you need support with, contact Scott http://www.thehubpaper.com/. Or you can call them on 01698 803 909. Thank you all for contributing to our column. If you would like anything particular answered write in to diana@scullion-law.co.uk or leave a comment on our facebook page which is facebook.com/Scullion.Law. We look forward to hearing from you http://www.scullion-law.co.uk/(PLEASE NOTE WE WILL SOON BE OPENING IN MOTHERWELL TOO).




Monday 20 June 2011

WE ARE EXPANDING / OPENING IN MOTHERWELL. 34 BRANDON PARADE


PLEASE NOTE WE ARE OPENING IN MOTHERWELL.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR REGULAR UPDATES.

THE SHOP IS PRESENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

'FORMERLY KNOWN AS FORGET ME NOTS!'

THANK YOU


Wednesday 1 June 2011



The Scheme - The Debate BBC one
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011mb2l

Here is a clip of last nights live debate on BBC one. Nicholas Scullion was invited by the BBC to to give a comment as we are Scottish Criminal Law Firm of the Year and we work with people from similar areas.

What are your thoughts on The Scheme? There were some interesting points raised last night from the audience and we were inspired by some of the stories of recovering drug addicts and alcoholics who have managed to turn their lives around after reaching out for help. Did the Scheme cause you offence? Did it shock and distress you or do you think it is important that the BBC lifted the lid on the way some individuals within these communities lead their lives? Are there solutions? Has anything positive come from the show?

What are your thoughts... We know there are so many positive stories within these communities, of young men who go to College and on to the Army or into jobs and this is great, as well as the talent for singing, dancing, sport and so on. We know of several good, honest hard working individuals and a wide range of professionals that work hard to provide for their families and lead a morally good life. Not all are on drugs!  

Unless you live there or know someone who does, you will never fully know of all the good as well as the bad that goes on in each community - and it is not just Kilmarnock! Please leave your comments below...

If you ever need legal advice call us 24/7 any time to speak to one of our specialist solicitors and we will defend you. We provide for both private client & legal aid. www.scullion-law.co.uk






'A vivid portrayal of life in a Kilmarnock housing scheme has been criticised by some as "poverty porn" but the programme also attracted large audiences and has been praised for highlighting the harsh reality of life in parts of Scotland today'.  

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Welcome to our first Q&A feel free to submit Questions for our specialists

Q1: I was injured in accident at work. My hand got caught in a wood cutting machine and I lost the top of my finger. There was a guard on it but my but there was a gap.. I have done this hundreds of times without a problem. I feel a bit stupid for having done this. I don’t know whether I should make a claim against my employers. I don’t want to fall out with my boss but I haven’t worked from the date of the accident and feeling a bit depressed.








A1.. The employer will be liable in terms of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The Regulations are designed to protect workers in precisely these circumstances. The law acknowledges that the risk of injury cannot be completely excluded and that humans do make mistakes. You should bear in mind that this will not be a personal matter between you and your employers. The matter will be dealt with by an insurance company and your employer would expect you to make use of the policy in these circumstances. You may have a permanent disability and may suffer a loss of earnings in the long run. Your employer may not be able to find you suitable duties on your return. You may also be in need of rehabilitation to help you regain the function of your hand. You need a lawyer who is able to fund medical evidence to help you maximise the value of your claim. You also need a lawyer who is able to fund private physiotherapy and occupational therapy to get you back into work. You should also check that your lawyer is prepared to fund a report from a psychiatrist in relation to the shock and low mood you have suffered. If your lawyer is unable to get these reports, it is unlikely that you will receive full compensation.

Contact Nicholas J. Scullion & Co, Solicitors. We are working in Partnership with the award winning Compensate Network and are now able to meet all your legal needs under one roof. Call 01698 283 265 to discuss your possible claim. http://www.scullion-law.co.uk/. Email Valerie@scullion-law.co.uk or brian@scullion-law.co.uk

Wednesday 11 May 2011

For all Road Traffic Related Legal Questions: call Robert or Paolo our experienced Road Traffic Solicitors OR email paolo@scullion-law.co.uk and robert@scullion-law.co.uk


Police will be able to hand out on-the-spot fines for careless driving under a new strategy being launched to to make Britain's roads safer.

Motorists who tailgate, undertake or cut up other drivers could be handed an immediate fine - reportedly up to £100 - rather than being taken to court.

There will be a new crackdown on drug-driving and loopholes which allow people to get off drink-driving charges will be closed, said the Department for Transport.
And the courts will be encouraged to make more use of their powers to seize vehicles for the most serious offences.

But in a written statement to MPs on Wednesday, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will also announce a new approach to drivers who make genuine mistakes on the roads and extra help for those who have just passed their tests and need to keep improving their skills.

A wider range of retraining and education courses will be on offer for low-level offences.

And novice drivers will be able to take additional qualifications to reassure insurers that they are safe behind the wheel, in a bid to reverse the steep upward trend in premiums for less experienced motorists.

A source close to Mr Hammond said the new strategy represented a "sea change" from Labour's approach, which relied heavily on speed cameras and failed to differentiate between problem drivers and essentially safe motorists who make an honest mistake.

The new approach will target genuinely reckless drivers, rather than wasting police and court time by putting generally law-abiding motorists in the dock.

Convictions for offences related to bad driving fell from 125,000 in 1985 to 28,900 in 2006, suggesting that many cases are going unpunished, said the DfT.

A DfT spokesman said: "The strategy will focus on cracking down on the really reckless drivers through more efficient enforcement.

"By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.

"While seeking to do everything possible to tackle the most dangerous drivers, the strategy will also help the responsible majority to improve their driving. This is the Government's twin approach to improving road safety."

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "This strategy certainly addresses anti-social behaviour on the roads but it is questionable whether it tackles the key areas which cause injury and death.

"Either way, the three things needed to make these plans work are enforcement, enforcement, enforcement. With police services being cut, it is far from certain the desired results can be achieved. Without adequate enforcement there is no strategy."

Simon Best, chief executive of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "We welcome the proposal to give novice drivers extra training. Many young drivers crash simply because they lack driving experience.

"Extra training with in-depth coaching and more hours behind the wheel will prevent accidents and save lives. We will work with the Government and the insurance industry to make this new approach a reality.
"A strategy that punishes deliberate bad driving while allowing those who make simple human errors to improve has our full support. But we are concerned that issuing spot fines for careless driving could downgrade the offence and will be monitoring the impact carefully."

Mr Hammond said the police would issue fixed-penalty notices - with a right for the driver to contest the offence in court - and not have the power to demand immediate cash payments.

"The police, under pressure of resources, have simply stopped addressing this offence," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"By giving them the fixed-penalty notice procedure, we hope to allow them effectively and efficiently to address poor driving skills and behaviour on our roads, while at the same freeing up court and police resources to tackle the really dangerous drivers that are the real problem on our roads."

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Happy Easter

Hello. We hope that you all had a wonderful break.

Thank you for contacting us over the holidays via the urgent online enquiry form http://www.scullion-law.co.uk/ on our corporate website and also calling the 24/7 hotline 01698 283 265. We are now open as usual for the next few days but will be closed again on Friday 29th for the Royal Wedding as well as Bank Holiday Monday. If you would like to see us before then please call in to make an appointment as usual. You can walk in anytime and speak to one of our specialists if they are available or book to ensure a meeting.  

We are open 'late night Thursday' until 7pm.

Thank you.

Admin.

Thursday 7 April 2011

Have you been involved in an accident or know someone who has?

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co have teamed up with the Compensate Personal Injury Network. This is a national network set up by solicitors to offer the best possible service when dealing with Personal Injury Claims.



  • No Win No Fee - without any hidden costs
  • No contribution to insurance premiums and outlays
  • 99.78% success rate.
  • Immediate access to the most experienced & expert personal injury lawyers in Scotland.
Call Valerie or Brian today: 01698 283 265.

Monday 14 March 2011

Determined to Succeed - Nicholas J. Scullion & Co School's Debating Cup, in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council. Supported by Tunnock's


What a great start we have had to our day! Nicholas J. Scullion & Co in partnership with Determined to Succeed, were invited along with the teachers and pupils of the School's Debating Cup Championships to the Tunnock Factory in Uddingston.


As there were over 21 of us, we split into small groups of 4/5, each with an experienced guide and we made our way round the fascinating biscuit factory.




My group (consisting of the debating cup winners Shannon and Lewis from Calderside Academy) started on the top floor where the mix for the wafers is made. We then made our way round the factory sampling the caramel which had fallen down the shoot (YUM!) and watched as people got to work creating the 'Caramel Wafers'. It is a step by step process, from layering the wafer, one sheet at a time, then smoothing caramel over it, then layering another sheet of wafer, then more caramel - there are 5 sheets in total. The Caramel Wafers are then wrapped, packaged and boxed. Over 5 million  Tea Cake's & 6 million Wafers are made a week.

Next it was down to the Tea Cakes - we sampled the biscuit base and I must admit these could sell themselves without any chocolate. It was only a matter of time before we all felt as if we were floating around the factory. The sweet aroma of roasted coconuts, melted chocolate, sugary caramel wafers and fresh baking was enough to send anyone to heaven.



On behalf of all the schools, pupils and teachers we would like to thank Mr & Mrs Loudon and their colleagues for welcoming all of us into the factory. It was a very special day!! Special thanks once again to Helen Salt for helping me organise the tour and for all the schools who made it along.

Thank you

Diana
PR & MARKETING.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co School's Debating Cup - in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council Determined to Succeed Project

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co School's Debating Cup - in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council 'Determined to Succeed' programme - will be presented to Calderside Academy on March 4th. We are honoured to be presenting Shannon and Lewis with the Cup and we welcome more pupils to enter the competition next year (we need teams of two from each school - maximum of 10 schools can enter). If you are interested or would like more information please email Diana Scullion, details below.

We look forward to taking all of the 2010 Cup participants on a tour of Tunnock's, many of them are now firm friends and started up their own 'after-school' debating clubs. Debating is an exciting sport. We will guide you through the whole process and take you to Hamilton Sheriff Court. Here you will witness first hand a live debate. From here - your teacher will help you through the research process in preparation for each debate. You will never stuck!! Topics will be interesting / enjoyable to research / topical example: Are footballers paid too much? Are Zoos, immoral? Let us know if you can offer any ideas for the debates.

Members of Glasgow University Debating Union will provide hints and tips to first time debaters and give constructive feedback to pupils after each round. Even if you do not WIN - you should learn some invaluable life skills. It is great fun and as you will see on our FACEBOOK PAGE NICHOLAS J. SCULLION & CO. Lewis and Shannon from Calderside have commented how enjoyable the whole experience was. Come on Lanarkshire - Get involved!! Thank you.

Diana Scullion

PR & Marketing Consultant.
01698 283 265

Monday 14 February 2011

PHONE LINES OUT OF ORDER

Sorry for any inconvenience but our phone lines are down. Please email all urgent enquiries to enquiries@scullion-law.co.uk or submit an online enquiry via our website.

Thank you

Diana

Monday 7 February 2011

Lanarkshire's International Children's Games

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co are official supporters of the 2011 International Children's Games. Otherwise referred to as the Mini Olympics. As a community, Lanarkshire is so excited to be hosting this event. The International Children's Games celebrate their 45th anniversary this year and over 50 countries are coming to SCOTLAND so let's UNITE and make this an event to remember. Everyone that is able to should get involved. You can make a donation from as little as £1 by organising a coffee morning, doing a sponsored silence or dress down to work day. Why not encourage your boss to volunteer to have the staff throw a wet sponge at his face, or for teachers in local schools to do the same? As you will read below - inspired by the Micro Tyco Event, £1 can quickly fundraise up to £13,000 in 4 weeks.

 If you are a big company you could donate a CAR and we will sell some raffle tickets, raising some money and announce the winner at the OPENING ceremony at Firpark. You can display the car in Glasgow Central Station and get much required positive publicity for your company during this recession. COME ON!! Let's take OWNERSHIP of this event & encourage healthy eating & sport to fight obesity in Scotland.

Please send me any ideas you may have and we can work together to raise the much needed funds to make these Games a success. Nicholas J. Scullion & Co aim to raise £1,000's over the next two months and we want you to be part of it. Please lend us your support, encouragement, ideas and time.

Tuesday 1 February 2011

Micro Tyco Challenge - South Lanarkshire Council working in partnership with WildHearts

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co were honoured to be invited by South Lanarkshire Council to the WildHearts 'Micro Tyco' celebration. We would like to congratulate all who took part. It was fascinating to witness first hand the many ways which parents, teachers and friends in our community helped groups of 2- 18yr olds turn a single pound into over £13,000 profit within a four week period.

WildHearts will now lend 3rd World Communities this money and encourage them to in turn make a profit by investing in more crops, tools, education, housing, clothes and clean drinking water in order for them to help themselves out of poverty. Once they have paid the money back WildHearts will then invest another £1 to each school and encourage them to make as much money as possible to lend back to the 3rd World. 

If you go on to the website you will see some case studies in countries like Ghana where Micro Tyco money has been re-invested into a market stall selling spices & peanut butter http://www.wildheartsinaction.org/

WildHearts Director Mick Jackson said '...his dreams had come true. He believes with enthusiasm, creativity, determination, team spirit and a willingness to try something NEW that anything is possible. The event was truly uplifting and we would like to congratulate all who made it happen'. 

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co are proud of their close association with WildHearts, we use their stationary supplies and earlier last year Nicholas and Nigel trekked through the Highlands raising over £1,000. Diana Scullion also volunteered at the WeeWalks event, encouraging young people to eat healthily and exercise throughout Lanarkshire.



We strongly encourage you to have a look on the website and give what you can whether it be time or money. Together we can make a difference to others who want to help lift themselves out of poverty. They have dignity, self pride and a feeling of self worth!! Let's give them a hand up - not a hand out!

Best wishes,

Diana Scullion
PR & MARKETING


Thursday 27 January 2011

Margaret Mitchell MSP passed a motion through Parliament to recognise the Nicholas J. Scullion & Co School's Debating Cup as an excellent example of local businesses reaching out and engaging with schools in the community.

Follow this link and search for Margaret Mitchell's motion.  



Date of Lodging: 25 January 2011

Short Title: Nicholas J Scullion & Co School’s Debating Cup


congratulates Lewis Archibald and Shannon Satorious, pupils from Calderside Academy, Blantyre, on winning the Nicholas J Scullion & Co School’s Debating Cup; notes that six schools, with two pupils from each on a team, took part in the competition, which was part of South Lanarkshire Council’s Determined to Succeed project; acknowledges that the competition also included the opportunity to take the pupils to Hamilton Sheriff Court to observe, listen and learn from live debates; further notes that this was the first time debating for many of the pupils, who were judged by members of the Glasgow University Debating Union and members of the local community; considers that this debating cup competition is an excellent example of a local business engaging with young people in the community, and hopes that the skills that the pupils have learnt from the competition will help them in the their studies and encourage them to continue debating.


Thursday 20 January 2011

Photos of the Nicholas J. Scullion & Co - Schools Debating Cup Final January 19th 2011.

















Thank you to everyone who took part.

Photos from the Nicholas J. Scullion & Co. Debating Final, in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council 'Determined to Succeed' programme.



Congratulations CALDERSIDE ACADEMY

We are delighted to announce Calderside Academy, Blantyre winners of the 2010 - 11 Nicholas J. Scullion & Co Schools Debating Cup in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council 'Determined to Succeed' programme.

Over the past few months, our Firm has been working in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council to help the pupils in our community Succeed! 6 Schools including Lesmahagow High, Hamilton Grammar, Holy Cross, Calderside Academy, John Ogilvie High School and Larkhall Academy entered the competition. Many of them had never debated before and we were all very impressed with their enthusiasm. Over the past few months, with guidance from members of Glasgow University Debating Union and members of the Scottish Parliament each pupil can now confidently debate on any given topic.

The final took place January 19th 2011 in the South Lanarkshire Council HQ & we were delighted to have the support of the following: Larry Forde the Director of Education and his colleague Jim Gilhools, Mary Smith Chair of the South Lanarkshire Education Committee, Fiona Downey Enterprise Development Officer, Anne Jackson Enterprise Development Officer and Helen Salt Business Engagement Co- coordinator.

STAR Pupils, Lewis Archibald and Shannon Sartorius from Calderside proposed the motion 'This House is For the Death Penalty' against Hamilton Grammar in the FINAL. Both teams should be proud of their achievements having got this far! It was GRIPPING!!

Working in partnership with Helen since September 2010 has been a pleasure. We hope to grow this competition year on year to help the pupils of Lanarkshire SUCCEED. The teachers and pupils have made it happen and we are so proud of each of the participants for getting involved. We encourage you to stick at it,  as we witnessed huge progress from the first round to the final - with each pupil growing in confidence at every stage. WELL DONE! Everyone commented that they found it really good fun & very interesting!!

SPECIAL GUESTS: every one that attended the final was a special guest and we were delighted you could make it. Margaret Mitchell MSP and Ian Leitch CBE of the Scottish Parliament were our honoured judges.

We would also like to thank Glasgow University Debating Union and mention Ross Mitchell the Convenor of the Debating Society and his colleague David Edwards for being on the panel. With out your support and guidance the Nicholas J. Scullion & Co Schools Debating Cup would not have worked. We hope to have your continued support next year.

A huge thanks to all the business people - contacts - family & friends that came including: Nigel Scullion, Katharine Brown, Fergus Loudon of Tunnock's, Dr Damian Scullion, Kevin McAlister of Portfolio Letting, Steven Raeburn of The Firm Magazine, Anne MacDonald from Harper Macleod, Scottie McClue from L107fm, JGE Electronics, John & Karen of Lanarkshire Super County, Scott from the Hub newspaper, Norman the photographer from The Hamilton Advertiser, Gillian Provan from STV, Kay & Graham Goodridge Cox and all the teachers, heads and guests of the pupils. Most importantly thanks to ALL THE PUPILS that took part.

Thanks also to the team at Nicholas J. Scullion & Co. for your enthusiasm, commitment and support. With special thanks to Diana Scullion for your passion and ZEST in organising it all so professionally!

We hope to see you all next year and would like to announce our involvement with the International Children's Games which are taking place in South Lanarkshire in August. This is the first time they have been hosted in Scotland please click http://www.icg-lanarkshire2011.com/ for more information and email diana@scullion-law.co.uk if you would like to get involved.
We look forward to hearing back from you,

Thank you.

Diana

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co
LANARKSHIRE'S LEADING LAW FIRM
105 CADZOW STREET - HAMILTON - ML3 6HG
01698 283 265

Friday 7 January 2011

2011 - HAPPY NEW YEAR

We at Nicholas J. Scullion & Co hope that you have had a wonderful festive break. We are open for business as usual and are looking forward to a prosperous year filled with success. Success for us is getting the result needed for YOU. We are a customer focused firm and are on hand 24/7 to help 01698 283 265

Due to client demand - we updated our ROAD TRAFFIC section of the http://www.scullion-law.co.uk/ website - so it is easier to access and you can make an urgent online enquiry or call our hotline 24/7.
In 2011 we hope to strengthen our committment to the local community and have some exciting events lined up- starting with the Schools Debating Cup Final on January 19th. Calderisde Academy V Hamilton Grammar will debate THIS HOUSE IS FOR THE DEATH PENALTY (contact Diana@scullion-law.co.uk if you would like tickets). We have been working closely with South Lanarkshire Council and local schools - we hope to continue this in 2011 and would like to support to the International Childrens Games in August.

Best wishes for 2011.

Diana

Nicholas J. Scullion & Co.
105 Cadzow Street Hamilton
01698 283 265