QI bought a gas fire two years ago, but it blows out in the wind.

It has a balanced flue and I have had the manufacturers out to check it several times – unfortunately when it has not been windy, so when they see it, it works fine.

They have told me it was the gas fitter who made a mistake. I asked the fitter to refund my money so I can get another tradesman in and he agreed but has not paid up. What can I do? I sit in a sleeping bag when the weather is windy. I am 79.

AIf you have a professional report from the manufacturers that says the fitting was defective, you probably have enough to take a case against the fitter in the small claims court.

Legal aid is not available for the conduct of that case, but you may be entitled to preliminary advice and assistance to pay your costs for consulting a solicitor and having him/her threaten the fitter with proceedings.

QI was a passenger in a bus that was in an accident. It tried to swerve to avoid another vehicle and this threw me off my seat, and I got a nasty bang on my head and neck pain. Despite the bus driver's manoeuvre there was a bump. The other driver was clearly at fault, but he was a teenager who had bought an old banger but had no insurance. Can I claim against the bus firm?

AYou don't have a claim against the bus driver if it was not his fault.

There is the Uninsured Drivers Scheme run by the Motor Insurers Bureau, which is a collection of insurance companies that pay out for property damage or injury to those injured by the negligence of drivers who are not insured, a kind of compensation safety net.

Your solicitor can advise you in detail or see: www.mib.org.uk/MIB/en/Claims

QI am separated and am about to receive a legacy of £6000 from my uncle's estate. He died six weeks or so before my wife and I split up. She says she is entitled to half of this cash as it is matrimonial property.

AShe isn't. Your now ex is entitled to matrimonial property that has accrued to the date of separation (as do you) whether it is in either name or joint. But gifts from living people and bequests from deceased ones if to you alone are not matrimonial at all.

An inheritance like this is not matrimonial property and she has no claim.

QI want to make a will but do not know who to appoint as my executor. I don't have any close family, only cousins I don't see, but if I appoint a friend, does a blood relative take precedence?

AYou can choose who you like as executor. It does not need to be the same person as gets a share or bequest of your estate. It certainly does not need to be a relative.

You can pick a trusted friend (but check in advance they are prepared to be appointed) or a solicitor , accountant or any adult person.