WGS - Central London lawyers offer solid and stable personal solution
to your legal needs.
With
a broad range of competence and expertise; from selling your
house or business to litigation or writing your will; at WGS you will know everyone you deal with. The same partner will oversee all your casework, unlike a large City firm who may assign several fee-earners to your case and charge the fees for each of them that one WGS lawyer charges.
Using
a law firm need not be stressful or expensive.
We
act for private and corporate clients of all financial means
- both in the UK and internationally. What they share in common
is our adaptable fee structure so that clients know where they
stand from the start - plus our dedication to resolving all
legal issues quickly and economically.
WGS is different
Whether
you want to buy a studio flat in Paddington or make a £100
million commercial land deal, our partners believe in making
the law as straightforward as possible. Our clients receive
highly attentive service from the same expert partner from start
to finish of each instruction. And, unlike other firms, our
team has expertise in a wide range of specialist areas - rather
than the all too narrow, limited experience often found elsewhere.
Making
law accessible and affordable
The
reputation of WGS' partners has attracted a diverse clientele - from high profile
clients such as members of both Houses of Parliament, actors
and Public Limited companies quoted on the stock exchange -
to private clients and small to medium-sized businesses.
Our
Client Policies
Our office
hours are normally 9.30 to 5.30. Arrangements for appointments
should always be made in advance by contacting our reception
or the individual fee earner who is handling your case.
Most of our fee earners have a direct dial number and
voicemail, which can be provided by reception and all
fee earners have an email address, which can also be provided
and
appears on their notepaper.
Whilst our office
hours are normally 9.30 to 5.30, appointments can be made
outside of office hours by prior arrangement.
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No 344440. A copy of their Code of Conduct can be downloaded here.
is the trading
name of:
WPF
glasner gerber shapiro
WGS News
Deborah Levy, of WGS solicitors confirmed that the figure agreed was "the largest ever" in the UK ...
Britain's biggest ever divorce settlement was today agreed between Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky and his ex-wife, her solicitor said.
Galina Besharova, 52, earned the biggest settlement in British legal history after Mr Berezovsky admitted unreasonable behaviour, said lawyer Deborah Levy.
Mrs Levy, of WGS solicitors, could not confirm the amount of money involved in the settlement but reports suggest the deal could be worth more than £100m.
"Parties have amicably resolved matters and are very keen to preserve their privacy," said Mrs Levy.
a new approach to disputes ...
In our professional experience a significant number of cases settle just before trial by which time the parties have already incurred substantial legal costs so that the savings of settling 'at the doors of the Court' are not significant. The reason why many cases settle at this late stage is because it is usually the first time that the parties and their legal representatives actually meet to consider each side's position.
At WGS we have experienced lawyers one of whom is a Deputy District Judge. With this experience we can often foresee the outcome of a case well before it ever goes to trial.
They say it takes two to tango. We have devised a scheme which has the potential to save both parties to a dispute considerable sums in both legal costs time and money.
The scheme works for claims over £10,000 in the following way;
1. Joint instruction to WGS
2. WGS give unbiased written advice on the likely outcome
3. Binding agreement for full and final settlement to be drafted by WGS
4. Each party to pay WGS 15% of the claim plus VAT
1. The parties who are involved in the dispute jointly approach this firm prior to the commencement of proceedings. They do so with a view to seeking an unbiased and independent view of the merits of their claims and a considered opinion on the likely outcome. Each party would supply to the other all documents and other evidence intended to be relied upon. In the event of any ambiguities we would contact both parties for clarification.
2. We would then provide a written analysis of the merits of the case and the probable outcome.
Our opinion would not be binding upon the parties. It would be open to either party to proceed through the Courts if they wish. The purpose of our involvement would be to provide a realistic and independent analysis of the merits of the case and its probable outcome at a significantly reduced cost and within a defined period of time. In the event that the parties fail to reach agreement we would have no further involvement in the matter. 3. If the parties wish to accept our analysis and to reach agreement then we would record that agreement in writing. Once concluded the agreement would be binding upon all.
4. Any claim involving sums in excess of £10,000.00 would be considered appropriate for the scheme. Our charges for providing this service would be 15% of the total value of the parties' claim plus VAT. If required by the parties and with their agreement we would also agree to provide mediation services in the event that certain issues remain unresolved.
Whilst this scheme is most ideally suited if both parties use it there is of course nothing to stop one party alone seeking the same service but in those circumstances we would be basing our analysis of the merits of the claim solely on information provided by one side. The advantage of considering the case with the benefit of both side's evidence in place is that it would provide a significantly more balanced and realistic assessment of the merits of the case and probable outcome.
For further information regarding the scheme please contact either Danny Glasner or Moira O'Hara on 020 7723 1656 or alternatively by email on dg@wgs.co.uk or moh@wgs.co.uk.
by Moira O'Hara and Danny Glasner 10 Nov 2010
Paternity is sweet ...
So often when I attend Court on Residence or Contact (formerly known as custody and access) disputes the Court Welfare Officer who sits with the District Judge to give impartial guidance emphasises the importance of fathers in children's lives.
When most men were heads of households and sole or main breadwinner, fathers' roles were relatively small. But there has been a marked increase over the last three decades in the number of women who go out to work. In the second quarter of 2008 more than two thirds of working-age women with dependant children were in employment. Fathers now take an increasingly active and more hands-on role in the upbringing of their children.
Judaism has always given prominence to the part that men play in religious practice yet, although the family is central to Judaism, it has changed dramatically. Not only is the working mother a fact of modern life, but working hours are longer, the extended family no longer lives close by and, of course divorce and separation have increased spectacularly. Fathers may be more involved in day-to-day child-care, but many have to strive very hard to maintain a meaningful relationship with their children.
Additionally, the increasing number of international marriages and relationships means that children are not always a permanent fixture in a father's life. Until recently primary carers (usually the mother) have often been permitted by the Court to remove their children permanently from the jurisdiction. In these circumstances, the father may lose contact altogether or have it limited to once or twice a year.
The legal climate is changing, however. In one recent relocation case, the mother's application for leave to permanently remove a five-year-old child to France was refused. The judge made reference to the recent Washington Declaration on International Family Relocation (a gathering of 50 judges from all over the world to discuss cross-border family relocation), which, he said approvingly,
"supplies a more balanced and neutral approach to a relocation application, as is the norm in many other jurisdictions".
While the Courts take a very hard line on mothers who seek to alienate children from their fathers, in reality, the remedies of imprisonment, change of residence, cost orders and parenting classes are not ideal and judges can be reluctant to impose them either because they do not offer ideal solutions or there are funding issues.
In 2006 the Chief Rabbi made a public statement, the contents of which I endorse:
"Fatherhood is usually the neglected part of the equation in situations of breakdown... it is actually fatherhood that makes humanity different from most primate species. Usually it is the females who look after the young, while a few weeks after birth many males do not even recognise their own children. "Motherhood is biological and almost always strong. Fatherhood is cultural and almost always in need of support... children need some time with both and it is their needs that really count".
Research shows that children whose fathers are more engaged with them enjoy a distinct social and economic advantage. The value of both parents in children's lives should not be underestimated. It is
crucial not to give greater weight and value to one over the other.
by Deborah Levy, first printed in the Jewish Chronicle 10th September 2010
The drama surrounding John Terry's affair...
... his behaviour on and off the pitch, whether he is the right man for the job from a moralistic point of view and whether he should retain England's captaincy made me think about immorality, adultery and what Judaism has to say about these issues.
Jewish law has always sought to preserve the sanctity of marriage. The Seventh Commandment states "neither shalt thou commit adultery". The Torah cites extreme examples of the consequences of committing adultery. In Genesis, Judah ordered his daughter-in-law Tamar to be burnt because of her supposed adultery. Deuteronomy, chapter 22, verse 22 says "if a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die...". Toni Terry and others who have not long discovered their spouse's adultery might feel exactly the same. Adultery provokes raw and desperate feelings.
In a society which, for better or worse has become more accepting of a wide range of moral standards, is "infidelity" yet another moral line which has been crossed with little impunity. Although public or private condemnation is expressed, it is short lived and we all then have to "move on" - or do we?
When someone discovers that his or her spouse or partner has been unfaithful the emotional impact is usually devastating, the effect of such a revelation cannot be underestimated. It literally goes to the heart of a relationship and is likely to shatter all trust. Life is fast moving today and we seem to be indoctrinated to absorb feelings and package them away, however in my view, the consequences of adultery/marriage breakdown are long-term and far reaching.
Until 1969, divorce was not, in principle, possible in the absence of fault based, (usually adulterous) behaviour. Following the Divorce Reform Act 1969 it became possible for the first time to be divorced without necessarily having to prove "a marital offence".
As far as adultery or any "fault based" grounds for divorce are concerned, conduct is very rarely taken into account although the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 requires the Court to consider "...the conduct of each of the parties..." if it would be inequitable to disregard it. Adultery on its own would very rarely be the basis on which to alter a financial settlement more or less favourably for either party. One of the most difficult aspects in practice is having to tell a client that even though their spouse's behaviour seems grossly unfair, the Court is not going to "punish" their spouse because of it.
In one of her most recent lectures on family law last year Baroness Ruth Deech said, "men are permitted, by law, to buy their way out of relationships and fatherhood, regardless of the damage and lasting hurt that they leave behind...".
Whilst the Conservatives would like to encourage marriage and couples to stay together by tax breaks, it is unlikely that in itself will be sufficient to restore the previously perceived strength of marriage in a society which has changed enormously over the past 50 years. Adultery, broken marriages and serial relationships sadly seem to be the norm.
I am however a realist. I know Judaism acknowledges divorce as an option. Deuteronomy chapter 24, verse 1 says "If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him... he writes her a certificate of divorce...". Whilst Judaism does not encourage divorce, it recognises where a marriage is unworkable, divorce is a practical solution.
In a society with varying shades of grey who are we to judge John Terry's or anyone else's private life, or have we now reached the point where someone has to make a stand?
by Deborah Levy, first printed in the Jewish Chronicle 6th February 2010
Deptford Creekside Development WGS Partner Jerome Shapiro acts on all legalities concerning 801 residential units in Creekside complex
In our professional experience a significant number of cases settle just before trial by which time the parties have already incurred substantial legal costs so that the savings of settling 'at the doors of the Court' are not significant. The reason why many cases settle at this late stage is because it is usually the first time that the parties and their legal representatives actually meet to consider each side's position.
At WGS we have experienced lawyers one of whom is a Deputy District Judge. With this experience we can often foresee the outcome of a case well before it ever goes to trial.
