FAQs

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The answers are here to make everything a little clearer. 

Questions? We can help

General

How can I contact DLG Legal Services?

Your dedicated file handler can be contacted by means of the telephone number or email provided on your claim correspondence.

We can also be contacted on our switchboard numbers or via our contact form which can be found on our contact us page.  

If you have an ongoing claim with us please call: 0344 892 8000

If you do not have an ongoing claim and wish to discuss a new enquiry please call: 0345 878 7124

Who are the regulators for DLG Legal Services?

DLG Legal Services is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, whose website can be found here (SRA | Solicitors Regulation Authority | Solicitors Regulation Authority).

How do I request any details held about me?

DLG Legal Services will observe the rights granted to individuals under applicable privacy and data protection laws and will ensure that queries relating to privacy issues are promptly and transparently dealt with.

  1. A formal request must be made from the data subject for information that DLG Legal Services holds about them.   Once the formal request is received, the Data Protection Officer (DPO) will be notified.  All requests must be complied with within 30 days of receiving the request.
  2. If the request is declined full reasons for the decision will be provided.
  3. The Data Protection Officer will advise the outcome of the request within 10 working days of receipt.  If it is not possible to reach a determination after 10 days, you will be advised of the timescale for when a decision will be made. 

How does DLG Legal Services protect my Data?

The information, which may be held on paper or on a computer or other media, is subject to certain legal safeguards specified in the Data Protection Act 2018 (“the Act”) and other regulations. The DPA 2018 supplements the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect on 25 May 2018. The GDPR regulates the collection, storage, and use of personal data significantly more strictly than previous regulation.

The GDPR imposes a mandatory requirement to ensure that personal data relating to individuals are obtained and processed in accordance with the Data subjects’ rights and always kept secure.

DLG Legal Services will ensure that it has appropriate physical and technological security measures to protect personal information.

When any process is outsourced, DLG Legal Services shall ensure that the supplier has appropriate security measures in place, and will contractually require them to comply with the data protection requirements.

Personal data will not be kept longer than is necessary for the purpose.  This means that data will be destroyed or erased when it is no longer required.  DLG Legal Services will keep all client data for six years following the conclusion of a case, or in the event of a minor for six years from when they turn 18.

What do I do if I have a complaint?

It is the aim of DLG Legal Services to provide an excellent service to all clients. We recognise, however, that things can go wrong and in those cases are committed to ensuring that we address any dissatisfaction on the part of our clients in a fair and prompt manner.

Our complaints handling procedure can be found on the Complaints page.

Contract Law

Will it cost me anything to make a Contract Dispute claim?

If you have the benefit of Legal Expense cover then the dispute may be covered by this policy. This insurance policy may cover legal costs subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Our expert handlers will be able to provide you with further advice.

If you do not have the benefit of Legal Expense cover, our expert claims handlers will happily discuss your funding options.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

How long will it take to make a Contract Dispute claim?

This will depend on the nature of the dispute, the stance of the other party, the evidence required and the availability of the courts.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What expert evidence is required when making a Contract Dispute Claim?

This will depend on the type of dispute, but most matters of a significant value will require a court compliant report. The report will be compiled by a specialist in the area of the issue arising.  For example, a Chartered Building Surveyor is typically required to support a claim for a building dispute.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What can I recover from a Contract Dispute Claim?

In most instances a Court will seek to put the Claimant in the position they would have been, had it not been for the breach. In a building disputes context this would mean that any amount withheld on the original contract is required to be offset against the cost of any remedial works. If the remedial costs are less than the amount owed under the contract, then there will be no loss.

In other types of claims – notably relating to goods – you may be entitled to a repair or replacement or a full or partial refund depending on the circumstances.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

Property

What is a neighbour dispute?

Neighbour disputes can take various forms but typically arise out of disagreements over the location of a boundary, an interference with a right of way or a right to light, excessive noise or smell coming from a neighbouring property or works being carried out on a party wall.

Neighbour disputes can be some of the most difficult and acrimonious types of disputes to resolve.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

I have a boundary dispute with my neighbour, what can I do?

The location of the boundary line separating one property owner’s land from another. This is one of the most common types of property dispute, and can be one of the most difficult to resolve.

Boundary disputes with neighbours often arise when a boundary feature, such as a fence or a wall, needs replacing.

The starting point when trying to establish the location of the legal boundary will generally be to consider the Title Deeds for the property.  The oldest of these, and ideally the original deed that created the parcel of land, may provide a description of the land and the location of the boundaries.  If these have been lost or the description is not detailed enough to determine the legal boundary, numerous other factors can be taken into account. This can include, but is not limited to:

  • historic boundary features (existing fences, hedges, ditches etc).
  • historic deed plans.
  • historic photographs.
  • location of the boundaries of neighbouring properties.
  • witness statements from previous proprietors of the property.

In most cases it will usually be necessary to seek the assistance of a boundary surveyor to provide a detailed report and plan on the most likely position of the legal boundary.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What is the general boundary rule?

The general boundary rule is contained in the Land Registration Act 2002 and states that a boundary line, as shown on a title plan, is a general boundary and does not determine the exact line of the boundary unless shown as determined.

It is not, therefore, usually possible to resolve a boundary dispute based on title plans alone.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What is an easement?

An easement is a right benefiting a property owner’s land that is enjoyed over another piece of land owned by someone else. Typical examples of an easement would be a right of way over a neighbour’s land or a right to light.

An interference with a right may constitute a nuisance.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

Do I have a right to light?

A right of light is a right to enjoy the natural light that passes over someone else's land, and then enters into your home through windows (with or without glass), skylights or glass roofs. Once established, a right of light entitles you to receive sufficient natural light through the through windows, skylights or glass roofs of your home to allow the room or space behind the aperture to be used for its ordinary purpose. 

An interference with such a right, usually caused by the building of a structure in front of an aperture, may constitute a nuisance.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What is a nuisance?

A private nuisance is usually caused by a person doing something, or neglecting to do something, on their own land, which they are lawfully entitled to do, but which becomes a nuisance when the consequences of their act extend to the land of a neighbour.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What is a Party Wall?

A party wall is a wall which is part of a building that is situated either across a boundary, such as a wall between terraced houses, or entirely on one owner’s land but separates buildings belonging to different owners. Only the part of the wall that is used by both buildings is a party wall.

When carrying out work on a party wall, the person carrying out the building work must comply with the Party Wall etc Act 1996 which provides a framework for how the building work must be carried out.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

My neighbour’s trees have caused damage to my property what can I do?

The encroachment of the roots and/or branches of a tree situated on neighbouring land may give rise to an actionable claim against the owner of the tree where it can be shown that the roots and/or branches are causing physical damage to neighbouring property or where they unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of land.

Where it can be shown that any damage caused to neighbouring property was reasonably foreseeable then it may be possible to hold the tree owner liable for that damage.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What is a Trespass Claim?

A trespass to land occurs when a person unlawfully enters the land of another without the permission of the owner. If someone is trespassing on your land we have a team of experienced property lawyers that can advise and assist you on the most effective way to remove the trespasser.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What are Restrictive Covenants?

A restrictive covenant is an interest in the land of another that requires the covenantor not to do the thing specified by the covenant. Restrictive covenants can be a very complex and do not always bind successive owners of property.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What is the Access to Neighbouring Land Act?

Remedial works are an inevitable part of home ownership. In certain circumstances though it is not always be possible to carry out repairs without accessing the land of your neighbour and unless you have a right or permission to access their land access may not be possible. Where there is no right and/or your neighbour will not give you permission to access their land you might be able to obtain an Order from the Court, by way of the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992, allowing you access.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

Employment

What is Equal Pay and is my employer paying me fairly?

The laws governing equal pay are quite complicated and if you think you are paid unfairly because another colleague is being paid more than you, it is not as simple as asking for a pay rise. The law of Equal Pay was formally introduced in the UK in 1970, under what is now the repealed Equal Pay Act 1970. The Act gave an individual a right to the same contractual pay and benefits as a person of the opposite sex in the same employment, where in effect the man and the woman were doing:

  • like work; or
  • work rated as equivalent (under an analytical job evaluation study); or
  • work that is proved to be of equal value.

The Equal Pay Act has now become part of the 2010 Equality Act.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What protections are there for Whistleblowers?

The Whistleblowing provisions in the Employment Rights Act 1996 were instituted by the Public Intertest disclosure Act 1998 and protects workers from being dismissed or treated poorly if they make a “Protected Disclosure”. There are 6 prescribed disclosures that are protected, with the most common disclosures being “that a criminal offence has been committed, that there has been a failure to comply with a legal obligation or that the health and safety of an individual has been or likely to have been endangered. Whistleblowing is more formally known as “making a disclosure in the public interest”.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

What types of discrimination can be found in the workplace?

Discrimination can take many forms and can be aimed at individuals with protected characteristics such as disability, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race and nationality sex and sexual orientation. It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against anyone because of those protected characteristic.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction. 

I think I have been unfairly dismissed, what can I do?

Not every dismissal is unfair and there are various situations where an employee will not have  the right to claim unfair dismissal. In most situations an employee will need to be employed for at least 2 years, although there are exceptions such as whistleblowing and health dismissals, to be able to pursue an unfair or constructive dismissal claim. If an employee does not have 2 years continuous service, then there maybe scope to pursue a wrongful dismissal claim if the employee was dismissed without notice.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

My employer hasn’t given me a contract of employment, what can I do?

An employer should provide a worker with a contract or written statement of employment particulars on the first day of work. This document will set out the expectations of what the worker is entitled to and what their responsibilities are. If the employer does not provide a contract of employment, then it could be penalised financially should the worker bring a claim in the Employment Tribunal.

It is not as straightforward to bring such a claim.  At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction. 

My employer is bullying and harassing me in the workplace, what should I do?

Unfortunately, bullying does not have a specific protection afforded to workers, although it can in some circumstances lead to a constructive dismissal claim. However, protection for Harassment can be unlawful if it is because of Protected Characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. Under the same Act, harassment can occur  if it is of a sexual nature or that the worker was treated less favourably because he or she refused their employer’s unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. Harassment in any from is unlawful and we are here to support you in what can be a very sensitive and emotional situation. 

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

I think I have been TUPE'd but I’m not sure what the means or how it affects me?

TUPE is derived from the Transfer of Undertakings Protection from Employee Regulations. TUPE provides protection for employees who are in the process/or have been transferred from one employer to another employer. This area of employment law can get very complicated.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

My employer has mentioned that I might be made redundant. What does that mean for me?

Redundancy is a process in which the employer does not require a level/or the entirety of its workforce. If the redundancy process has been correctly followed by your employer you may be entitled to redundancy, holiday and notice pay. There are other options other than redundancy that the employer must follow.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

Personal Injury

What is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury is a legal term to describe physical or psychological harm to your person, as opposed to your property.

People may claim compensation if they are injured as a result of an accident which was not their fault – this is referred to as a personal injury claim. 

The most common types of personal injury claims are for:

  • Road traffic accidents
  • Accidents at work 
  • Accidents on public property or on business premises

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

Do I need to use a local solicitor to pursue a personal injury claim?

DLG Legal Services are a UK leading personal injury claims firm, with extensive experience and record of success in pursuing personal injury claims. DLG Legal Services will guide Claimant’s through the personal injury claim’s process. Any medical or treatment referral will be within the Claimant’s local area to make the claim journey as smooth as possible.

Is it worth pursuing a personal injury claim?

Whether it’s a car accident, slip-and-fall incident, or freak injury that happens as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may find yourself in a situation where you have the option of pursuing a personal injury claim. As well as being compensated for injuries which were caused due to the negligence of the other party, private treatment and medical referrals can be potentially arranged quicker than pursuing treatment through the NHS. This may assist you to make a full recovery from your accident-related symptoms.  

How much compensation will I get for my personal injury claim?

The amount you could receive for your injury varies from case to case. We have extensive experience in valuing claims  and also use guidelines that are set by the courts as well as considering case law i.e. similar cases that have previously been decided by the court and then published. In addition to any compensation for injury, there could also be a claim for lost earnings, treatment, or any other expense you have incurred because of your injury.

Whiplash Reform Programme: Information and FAQ - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What else can I claim for in a personal injury claim?

There are many things you can claim for in addition to injury. This could include but is not limited to.

  • Loss of earnings if you are unable to work.
  • Prescription/medication costs.
  • Care costs if you require care and assistance due to your injury.
  • Treatment costs.
  • Travel and parking expenses for attending treatment due to your injury.
  • Damaged clothing or items.

How do I claim for compensation following a road traffic accident?

There is no legal requirement to instruct a solicitor to handle your personal injury claim. Legally you are  entitled to act on your own behalf and pursue your claim without the assistance of a solicitor. You have 3 years from the date of the accident to pursue a claim for your injuries.

The benefits of instructing a firm of solicitors are that they will provide you with professional legal advice and guide you through the claim’s procedure. A firm of solicitors can also provide you with clear guidance on a settlement offer being reasonable.  

How do I pursue an injury through the Official Injury Claim Portal?

Pursuing a claim via the Official Injury Claim portal makes the claim process simple, unbiased and secure so you can claim for minor injuries yourself for free without legal help. Official Injury Claim will take you through a simple step-by-step process. You can make a claim through Official Injury Claim if:

you are aged 18 or over

the accident happened in England or Wales

the accident happened on or after 31st May 2021

you were inside a vehicle

you believe the accident was not your fault

you have a minor injury with a value under £5,000.

You may prefer instead to ask a claims professional to make the claim on your behalf such as solicitors.

At DLG Legal Services our expert claim handlers will support you with your dispute to ensure that a resolution is reached to your satisfaction.

You can learn more about the Official Injury Claims Portal process by clicking here.