Get in touch
Sherborne 01935 817736
Gillingham 01747 822103
If a dispute arises in the course of running your business, it is vital that you obtain sound advice, quickly and cost effectively. If you do not, there is a real risk that the issue will become a major drain on your time and resources and could ultimately have a serious effect on your business and its reputation. There are often crucial time limits involved and if court action becomes necessary it is important that you are offered the best advice as to the likely outcome.
We are able to deal with all aspects of licensing for entertainment.
Recent changes in the law relating to the supply and sale of alcohol and the provision of public entertainment and late night refreshment means that a wider range of activities is now subject to the formal licensing regime.
Our Employment department specialises in all aspects of this complex and ever changing area of the law, from drafting contracts of employment to dispute resolution.
Our clients range from large organisations with upwards of 200 staff to small family businesses with just a small number of employees.
Being based in a predominantly rural area, we have a large number of clients who are or have been involved in agriculture.
Our specialists have experience in all agricultural property matters and often deal with issues such as farming partnership restructuring, mortgages of agricultural land and succession issues for farming families.
Sales and purchases of land and property at auction are becoming more popular. This area of property law is specialised and our experts can give you advice to avoid the many pitfalls.
We act for a wide range of businesses both locally and in the wider area and our business clients range from sole traders to large companies with complex business structures. We aim to work closely with you, whatever your business needs to achieve the required results.
Our business advisory service offers particular expertise and practical advice to many of our clients.
Cash flow is vital to all businesses, especially small businesses and sole traders.
Many debtors evade payment until they receive a solicitors' letter and we operate a fixed fee scheme for such letters. If matters need to be taken further, we can discuss the options available to enforce the collection of the debt.
We have experience in dealing with all types of commercial premises for a wide range of businesses from sole traders to large companies. We also act for property developers and house building companies where a fast and efficient service is paramount.
For more information on the MacLachlan Business Advisory Service please contact Mark Griffin
At MacLachlan we have a wealth of experience in dealing with all types of Dispute Resolution and a proven track record.
Often disputes can be resolved by negotiation and our experience in this field can often mean that a successful outcome can be achieved before court proceedings are necessary. If court action is required, we act for clients in both County Court and High Court Proceedings to pursue or defend claims.
We provide expert advice on all Road Traffic Offences both to private individuals and to business clients, including companies operating a fleet of Goods Vehicles.
With government policy being increasingly anti car ownership this is an area we have found to be growing, with many of our clients living and working in a rural area and placing a great dependence upon their ability to drive.
Our Employment department can advise on all aspects of this ever changing area of law.
If you have an issue with your employer or feel you have been unfairly treated at work, our expert team will be pleased to help you. We are experienced in representing employees at Employment Tribunals and can offer advice and support on a wide range of employment law issues.
Whatever the type of accident MacLachlan can guide you through the compensation process whether it is a Road Traffic Accident, a trip or slip on the pavement or an accident at work. We offer a NO WIN - NO FEE service for accident claims.
Our Family Law department advises on all areas of family law and provides a sympathetic and sensitive approach to the issues faced during one of the most difficult and stressful times in one's life.
As many as six out of ten adults in the UK do not have a will. There are real advantages to having a will drawn up professionally. Without a will, your assets may not benefit the people you wish to provide for in the event of your death. In particular, clients need to consider whether they wish those other than blood relatives to benefit from their estate, such as a partner. It is often necessary to set up a trust or to provide for the appointment of guardians for children. A professionally prepared will gives peace of mind with the knowledge that your wishes will be followed.
The law surrounding Powers of Attorney is complex.
The previous system of Enduring Powers of Attorney has been replaced by Lasting Powers of Attorney and we can assist clients in the preparation and registration of these documents.
We also deal with the preparation of General Powers of Attorney for specific matters and short – term attorney appointments.
For many people, it is essential to have a valid Power of Attorney in place to ensure that there is someone who is able to act on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so perhaps because of old age, illness or simply because you are often out of the country. There are several types of power of attorney but the most common are Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs and Lasting Power of Attorney for Welfare. As the names suggest, one enables your attorneys (who can be relatives, friends or a professional such as a solicitor) to deal with your property and finances and the other gives your attorneys the power to make decisions in respect of your welfare such as medical treatment and nursing care. Your attorneys do not need to act for you until you are unable to do so for yourself or until you wish them to do so.
If ones mental capacity declines to the point that they can no longer make decisions legally for their own affairs and they have not previously made either an Enduring Power of Attorney or a Lasting Power of Attorney, we can advise on the process of obtaining a decision from the appropriate Court, to decide on who should act as Attorney in those often difficult cases.
To discuss any aspect concerning Powers of Attorney, either for yourself or on behalf of another, please contact us.
Particularly with elderly clients we often visit clients at home or in nursing care if the need arises and so there is no need to be concerned about making a trip to the office if this is impractical for any reason.
Buying and selling your home can be one of the most stressful times. At MacLachlan we aim to reduce the stress by providing an efficient, thorough and friendly service and by offering practical advice and solutions.
Your transaction will be handled by one of our specialists, all of whom are legally qualified and will personally deal with your case throughout the course of the transaction. We treat you as a person, not as a number!