CORONAVIRUS; COVID-19

Update No. 3: 20 April 2020

Email Addresses:
KATHLEEN MCNULTY: kathleen@hilland-mcnulty.co.uk
MARGARET MCNULTY: margaret@hilland-mcnulty.co.uk
VINCENT HILLAND: vincent@hilland-mcnulty.co.uk

Emergency Contact Numbers:
07795 904775
07379 504815

As the government lockdown continues, we remain committed to doing what we can to meet the legal needs of our existing and new clients, at this difficult time. We can arrange telephone appointments or video appointments (Facetime/Skype/WhatsApp); contacting us by email to request an appointment remains preferable, or if urgent please call using the numbers above.

HOUSE SALES & PURCHASES
The Land Register stopped accepting applications when the lockdown was announced but there is a “stop gap” which is allowing some transactions to settle and where safe distancing guidance allows. However the government guidance is that unless missives are already concluded most transactions should not settle and be put on hold.
Please email Vincent at vincent@hilland-mcnulty.co.uk
or Margaret at margaret@hilland-mcnulty.co.uk
if you have any queries about your transaction.

EXECUTRIES & ESTATES
There is a delay with the courts progressing grants of Confirmation at this time, and many financial institutions are affected by the lockdown slowing down progress with regards ingathering of estates, however, please be assured we are doing what we can. If you have suffered a bereavement and need guidance please contact Vincent at: vincent@hilland-mcnulty.co.uk

WILLS & POWERS OF ATTORNEY
We are experiencing an increase in enquiries about Wills and Powers of Attorney. Whilst we can’t meet you face to face we can prepare the documents, send these to you and arrange for remote video witnessing to be done, within safe distancing guidelines.

CONTACT WITH CHILDREN
For most families, contact arrangements should continue within government guidelines. For cases where there is court order, please have regard to the Court’s guidance on the Scottish Courts website: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/

NOTARISING
The notarising of documents still needs to be done face-to-face and if you require a legal document being notarised this will need to wait until the lockdown measures are relaxed.

COURT CASES
Most of our current civil court cases have been continued into July and criminal court cases into August and September. You will receive written confirmation of dates for your case from us in due course.

SEPARATION/DOMESTIC ABUSE
If you are experiencing domestic abuse at this time or have any problems relating to separation, please contact either Kathleen at: kathleen@hilland-mcnulty.co.uk or Margaret at: margaret@hilland-mcnulty.co.uk