Veitch Penny LLP - Exeter | Crediton, Devon

Press Release

Local firm, Veitch Penny Solicitors are celebrating after helping the victim of a road traffic accident secure a £3.6 million settlement, plus £205,000 per year for life for future care in a complex personal injury case.
The personal injury case, which took 10 years to settle, demonstrates Veitch Penny’s determination to ensure clients get the correct care and expert assessments for fair compensation awards after a traumatic experience.

The matter involved a healthy 29 year old woman who was involved in a road traffic collision when stationary. She suffered moderate injuries, including multiple fractures and soft tissue injuries, which were serious enough to require several operations.

These injuries developed into a series of complex issues which were difficult to asses due to their complicated and changing nature, and saw the continued deterioration of our clients’ health. Her injuries included; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and “Centralisation syndrome” which caused incontinence and bowel problems. In addition she also continued to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of the accident, and chronic depression as a result of her complex medical conditions and loss of career. She is now confined to a wheelchair and requires considerable assistance with personal care, bathing, dressing and housework.
It is unusual for a road traffic accident to take 10 years to settle, however Veitch Penny recognised our clients unique circumstances and endeavoured to make sure she received the maximum award for her injuries and future care needs.
Veitch Penny Solicitors also specialise in wills, probate, conveyancing, general litigation and tax and employment advice for members of the general public, as well as actively working with local businesses and employers.

Please note: Our Christmas operating hours are as follows:

• Friday 23rd December to Tuesday 27th December (inclusive) - Closed
• Wednesday 28th December to Friday 30th December (inclusive) - Open
• Monday 2nd January - Closed
• Normal opening hours resume from Tuesday 3rd January

Wishing you happiness at Christmas and best wishes for the coming year from all the Partners and Staff at Veitch Penny.

In November 2011 the Supreme Court delivered what most lawyers have described as a “long awaited judgment” that is of significant importance of couples that live together.

Until this decision the leading authority on the respective shares that people own in their houses was the 2007 case of Stack v Dowden. This said the Courts were able to look at the intentions of the parties at the time they bought the property and imply that they own the property other than on a 50/50 basis. At Court of Appeal stage of Jones v Kernott the Court (whose decision was later overturned) stated that Stack v Dowden had not allow the Courts to find an intention of the parties when “none was expressly uttered nor inferentially formed”

I should state at this point that these cases are based on the issues that arise when two people are said to own a property. Whether someone who is not named as a legal owner can claim an interest in a property as a result of their actions is a slightly different question altogether and, although relevant, is not what was asked in Jones v Kernott.