QWE have lived one up in a tenement block for more than 30 years.

Six months ago new neighbours bought the flat above ours. The flat has been gutted with new wooden floors fitted, now we get bumping sounds all day up to about half past midnight, and the conversations echo as if they live in a cave.

On good days we all have windows open, but these people (four adults, him, her and two older teenagers) stand at the close mouth regularly, smoking, so we get a smell of smoke coming into the room.

I asked him and her if they could keep the noise down and smoke in their own premises, for my trouble I was subject to a tirade of four-letter words.

AALTHOUGH ASBOs have not had an easy ride, you ought to speak to your local authority about this as it may be that there is an anti-social neighbour issue they can assist with.

Most local authorities have neighbourhood teams that try to sort out neighbour disputes amicably to avoid more formal action.

However, in the ordinary civil law, any course of conduct which is under the legal definition of nuisance – this includes regular noise, certainly foul language and intimidating behaviours – may be the subject of an interdict action at the sheriff court.

QMy dad died, aged 91 in January. My sister had been his executor under a power of attorney.

I have not been shown the will nor received any information or money and this is now July.

My dad promised to leave me £1000. do I have a right to see the will?

A YOU have a right to know what was in your father's estate and what you are entitled to. Even if the will did not leave you money, you have a son's legal rights to a share of the estate.

If your sister (who presumably is the executor of the estate appointed in the will) refuses to give you information, you are entitled to take her to court to do that.

It may be that a well-phrased solicitor's letter on your behalf would suffice to force her to let you have a copy of the will and financial information.

QThe people who were buying our house failed to complete the purchase as their own sale fell through.

We had to scramble about to get a bridging loan for our own purchase and then also re-sold the house at a loss. Can I sue the first buyers?

A Yes, assuming you had a binding contract with them (a concluded missive) they have defaulted on their legal obligations and can be pursued in the civil court.

You should be able to recover all losses and expenses, and also the costs of taking them to court.