Understanding the Law

Understanding the Law
The tort of nuisance
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February 3, 2006
A tort is a civil wrong (as opposed to a criminal wrong) done to someone for which there is a remedy in the civil court. Torts are committed by and ag...
Understanding the Law
A closer look at the common law
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January 27, 2006
Last week we looked briefly at the development of the Common law and Equity in England. This week we will take a closer look at some aspects of the Co...
Understanding the Law
The Common Law and Equity
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January 20, 2006
In an effort to provide an item of interest to everyone we would look at an area of interest to students at the Community College who are pursuing stu...
Understanding the Law
A look at legal words and terms
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January 6, 2006
We will commence the New Year with a look at some frequently used words and terms in our continuing attempt to understand the law. Recognizance: -This...
Understanding the Law
More Orders
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December 23, 2005
For the last two weeks we have been looking at orders that could be granted by the court especially for the protection of the applicant or his propert...
Understanding the Law
Domestic Violence
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December 16, 2005
The Family Court has the responsibility of dealing with matters which touch and concern members of the family whether it is in a common law or matrimo...
Understanding the Law
Injunctions
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December 9, 2005
There is a dispute over the boundary between John and his neighbour but before the matter is settled his neighbour commences to build a dividing wall ...
Understanding the Law
Words used in the Court room
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December 2, 2005
What you see or hear in court goes towards creating an atmosphere for the delivery of justice. The judge or magistrate is in charge of his or her cour...
Understanding the Law
Court etiquette
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November 25, 2005
Last week we looked at etiquette in the court room and we are going to continue with the same this week. You would notice that the lawyers are very po...
Understanding the Law
Practices associated with a courtroom
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November 18, 2005
Many of the practices of our court have been inherited from the English Court during the colonial era. For example, there is a mode of dressing and a ...
Understanding the Law
The contents of a title deed
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November 11, 2005
The title deed that you get from your lawyer with the purchase of your land is a fairly technical document but it marks the title of your possession. ...
Understanding the Law
Buying a parcel of land or property
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November 4, 2005
We will continue to look at how freehold land is transferred from one person to another. As said before the searches of the indices and deed books are...
Understanding the Law
Your dream land
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October 28, 2005
You have decided to buy a parcel of land or land with a house on it. You need to see the land/property. Look for hidden flaws because the seller/vendo...
Understanding the Law
More legal terms to remember
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October 21, 2005
We wILL continue to look at some words that are used in the court and legal documents so that we will be more knowledgeable about our laws. You would ...
Understanding the Law
Words that you need to know
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October 14, 2005
It is not satisfactory for you to use some corruption of a word. You need to have actual knowledge of certain words that are used in the court and in ...
Understanding the Law
The confirmation process in the US
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October 7, 2005
Our main interest is the laws in St. Vincent and the Grenadines but sometimes there are issues discussed on the television that generate interest. For...
Understanding the Law
Criminal offences against property
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September 30, 2005
Offences against property include theft, robbery and burglary. All three offences involve the taking away of property belonging to another but robbery...
Understanding the Law
Be prepared for the burglar
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September 23, 2005
There has been a recent spate of burglaries in the Villa/ Prospect/Harmony Hall area. There are home owners who have suffered repeated break ins. The ...
Understanding the Law
Who is a refugee?
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September 16, 2005
Hurricane Katrina, gave a new meaning to the word 'refugee'. The word was used extensively by the media to refer to the thousands of persons who had t...
Understanding the Law
What happens to the products of your intellect?
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September 2, 2005
You have been hearing the words “Intellectual Property” (abbreviated IP) but what do they mean to you? Intellectual Property refers to products of...
Understanding the Law
What’s in a name
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August 26, 2005
A business name is the name which you would display on the front of your business so that it is always in the face of the public. If the name is not t...
Understanding the Law
Now that your company is registered…
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August 19, 2005
The name that you choose for your company is very important. It could give information as to the type of business you operate or the ownership. It is ...
Understanding the Law
Forming a company
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August 12, 2005
Many businesses today are run by companies rather than by sole traders. The single most important feature which helped the development and added to th...
Understanding the Law
One year since…
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August 5, 2005
This week marks one year since I started this column. It is a public service which I enjoy bringing to you, but had it not been for the generosity and...
Understanding the Law
Rules of the CCJ – Part 2
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July 22, 2005
Last week I dealt with the Rules of the CCJ which came into force on June 14, 2005. This week I will continue to highlight some of the procedural requ...
Understanding the Law
The rules of the Caribbean court of Justice (CCJ)
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July 15, 2005
By now you would know that Rules of court are set out to guide the procedures of every court. They are either set out alongside the substantive law or...
Understanding the Law
Applying for grant of Letters of Administration
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July 8, 2005
The law concerning probate matters is extensive and my brief notes would never be able to bring you everything on the topic. I hope that I have satisf...
Understanding the Law
The role of the executor of a will
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July 1, 2005
After a person dies, the will becomes effective. It must now be produced for the guidance of the executor. It is likely that the testator would have p...
Understanding the Law
Making a will – Part II
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June 24, 2005
Many people are of the belief that only rich people make wills. This is a myth because the amount of property owned is irrelevant. If someone dies in ...
Understanding the Law
Making a will
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June 17, 2005
There are certain things that one has to do in one's life time which may not be pleasurable but which are nonetheless necessary. I consider the making...
Understanding the Law
Annulment of a marriage
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June 10, 2005
After looking at how a divorce ends or dissolves a marriage we can now look at annulment that can also end a ‘marriage’. Under the Matrimonial cau...
Understanding the Law
Orders before or after the decree of divorce
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May 27, 2005
There is no scientific formula to determine financial relief for the parties. The judge has a wide discretion to make a decision based on statute and ...
Understanding the Law
A big money case
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May 20, 2005
In September 2003, the case of Stonish v Stonish was decided, two to one, by the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean States in Tortola, British V...
Understanding the Law
Did I get my fair share?
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May 13, 2005
The seven factors that the court must take into account in actions for financial relief and property adjustments have been taken from the 1973 Act of ...
Understanding the Law
Divorce – Part 4
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May 6, 2005
Last week I started with the factors that the law provides for the guidance of the judge in making financial and property adjustment orders relating t...
Understanding the Law
Divorce – Part 3
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April 29, 2005
• Q: Can I get a divorce before ancillary matters are completed? • A: Unless the judge states that the decree absolute is not to be granted until ...
Understanding the Law
Looking at the CCJ
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April 22, 2005
The Caribbean Court of Justice is here at last! In an impressive ceremony in Trinidad, the court came into existence on Saturday 16th April 2005, in t...
Understanding the Law
Divorce: Questions and Answers – Part II
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April 15, 2005
• What is the role of my lawyer in my divorce? Your lawyer is your advisor. He must first ask you whether there is hope for reconciliation. Where th...
Understanding the Law
Questions frequently asked about divorce
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April 8, 2005
What provision does the law have for dissolving a marriage? The law provides for divorce, judicial separation and nullity of marriage. In St Vincent a...
Understanding the Law
Offences against the person
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April 1, 2005
Murder (homicide) occurs quite frequently in SVG, much to the consternation of our citizens. There have been some four killings since the year 2005 st...
Understanding the Law
A crime free society – Is this possible?
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March 18, 2005
Crimes, especially heinous (wicked) crimes always cause public outcry. They affect our sensibility and remind us of our own frailty and mortality. We ...