NEXT door but one who we have never got on with, has now got a little terrier type dog which is in the back garden from roughly 7.30am to midnight barking off and on all of the time it is out, mostly unsupervised.

 

The back door is left open so that it just wanders out and in. I work a six night week and this doesn't help me get much sleep.

I phoned the police who told me to phone the council, they said they would inform the dog warden and if that didn't work to get on to the council anti-noise dept, which informed me they would need to install meters in my home.

All I want is someone in authority to chap their door and tell them to stop their dog barking all day.

l I am sure the local and public authorities were giving good information, and you have to understand they need evidence before they can proceed.

There is an alternative in law - you can seek an interdict.

This is an order from the sheriff court forcing the neighbour to stop causing or allowing this legal nuisance, and if the defender (neighbour) doesn't desist, they can be hauled up in person before the court to be punished for contempt.

It is a big thing to take a neighbour to court, perhaps you should actually start with knocking their door to tell them of the problem, and if that fails, ramp it up to a lawyer's letter threatening the interdict.

 

MY car was hit by another car. I had a very minor injury but my car needed a lot of repair - more than £1000.

The police were called and discovered the driver had no license, Mot, tax or insurance.

I did not wish to claim my insurance as I would lose my no claim bonus and also my premiums would increase.

Is there anything I can do?

l You can always sue the driver but if he is not insured he will have no money.

You may be able to make some recovery from the Motor Insurers' Bureau, which is an organisation set up by Britain's insurance companies as a compensator of last resort where a driver causes injury or damage and is not insured.

There are strict rules and procedures that govern claims, but there is an excellent website, www.mib.org.uk or call 01908 830001.

 

I MADE a will years ago but now have a new one. What happens if I die and someone brings out the old will?

l The new one will over-rule it, and lawyers making wills should always put a clause in the new one stating clearly that all old wills are superseded.

But you should ask for the old one back and physically tear it up.

 

I HAVE owned my own house now for three years, and my partner was living in rented accommodation until six months ago, he now lives with me. If we got married, would he be entitled to half my house if we ever got divorced?

l No. The property was not bought as a matrimonial or a family home, so your partner has no right to it, even when you get married.