Civil and Criminal Court

Principal contact. Graham Reid - graham@charleswoodlaw.co.uk

Civil Court

Disputes will inevitably arise and managing these is vital. Whether you require assistance with debt recovery or complex contractual issues, we can help. We are determined to get results for our clients and our solicitors/lawyers will advise and guide our clients through the court process.

We work hard to maintain close working relationships with other solicitors and the courts with a view to facilitating positive negotiation and achieving good results for our clients.

We can advise on:

• defamation actions (defamation is the Scottish equivalent of libel/slander and applies to the act of making untrue statements about another which damages his/her reputation)
• contract disputes and breach of contract actions
• commercial disputes (say between a landlord and a tenant)
• debt recovery matters
• benefits advice
• damages claims
• personal injury actions (including accidents at work)
• medical negligence
• professional negligence (eg claims against other professionals including accountants and solicitors)
• product liability
• road traffic claims
• pursuing/defending court proceedings
• mediation/negotiation re settlement of disputes
• enforcement of court decrees (we have established close working relationships with local sheriff officers)

You may also be entitled to Legal Aid depending on your facts and circumstances. For more information about Legal Aid, the Scottish Legal Aid Board's website can be found via the following link: http://www.slab.org.uk/

Agency Appearances

We accept instructions to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court and, provided we get sufficient notice, the other courts in Fife. Child Welfare Hearings take place on Friday mornings. Ordinary civil court cases are heard on Wednesday mornings at 9.30am. Small Claims/Summary Cause cases are heard on Thursday mornings. We will accept instructions sent by Royal Mail, DX and LP, fax and e-mail (see elsewhere on this page for contact details). We will appear on your behalf and forward a written report to you (same day where possible) for a modest and competitive fee. We reserve the right to make an additional charge in complex cases such as opposed motions.

Caveats

We also offer a cost effective caveat lodging and renewing service to commercial clients as a sort of legal early warning system.

In these difficult economic times, it has never been more important to be alert to payment and other disputes.

By lodging a caveat, you are entitled to receive advance notice should anyone apply for an interim interdict or interim winding up order against your business, or an order for sequestration against you in the Scottish Courts. If a caveat is “triggered” by any such court application, your solicitor will be advised and have the opportunity to attend court to defend the application.

If a caveat has not been lodged, such an interdict/winding-up order can be granted without you knowing anything about it in advance. The consequences of this for your business could be very serious.

As a defensive mechanism, we therefore recommend all of our commercial clients lodge caveats at each Sheriff Court where such an order is likely to be made (usually the place of their registered office) and in the Court of Session.

Caveats are inexpensive and simple to lodge and last for 1 year. Charles Wood & Son charge a fixed fee per caveat plus the court fees.

Criminal Defence Services

Innocent until proven guilty.

If you or a member of your family is in trouble with the police or is due to appear in Court or at a Children’s Hearing in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline or elsewhere, Charles Wood & Son, Solicitors, can help.

With many years of experience in criminal Courts we can offer a comprehensive, professional and confidential service in any criminal case. No case is too large or too small and we cover the complete range of Criminal Defence work from motoring offences to murder.

Charles Wood & Son is able to provide representation throughout Scotland in all courts from the Justice of the Peace Court, through the Sheriff Court to the High Court of Justiciary.

We are available from the beginning to the end of any case. We can provide advice about your rights prior to police interviews. We can provide telephone advice and attend at Police stations for interviews. We will prepare all aspects of your defence, appear on your behalf at a variety of different court hearings and conduct your trial.

Charles Wood & Son are registered to provide Criminal Legal Assistance by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. We will assist you with your application for Legal Aid. Even if you do not qualify for Legal Aid we can provide a free initial interview and we will always provide you with a professional and confidential service at a competitive price with payment terms which can be tailored to suit you.

In any case Charles Wood & Son will fight for you and your family.

The list below is simply an example of some of the areas of law in which we can defend you:

• All Road Traffic offences
• Assault
• Breach of the Peace
• Domestic offences
• Breach of Bail
• Theft/Fraud
• Housebreaking/Robbery
• Drug offences
• Vandalism
• Offensive Weapons