In recent years thousands of people have suffered the agony of discovering a shortfall in their endowment policy which was intended to pay off their mortgage. One such person came to the final Harding Evans Solicitors/South Wales Argus legal roadshow with this very problem.

The Argus reader was shocked when he was informed by his bank of the shortfall. He subsequently complained – but with no success. One of the solicitors on hand at the roadshow last week advised him to contact the Financial Services Ombudsman and make a complaint. The Ombudsman would have full authority to make an independent investigation into the complaint.

In another case the legal team of Ken Thomas, Sian Reynolds and Andrew Jones advised a person who was having problems with his neighbour regarding a boundary dispute. The problem arose when a boundary wall was moved when the neighbour knocked it down and rebuilt it and now it encroaches on the Argus readers’ land.

The man has been put in touch with a specialist property lawyer who will check if planning permission was granted as the wall is now higher than before, and will also investigate if any building regulations have been breached.

The team saw a number of people during the evening and dealt with a range of enquiries including employment contracts, making a will and inheritance tax planning. Zep Bellavia, managing partner at Harding Evans said “Once again the legal roadshows have been popular and we have helped a large number of people. There is certainly demand to run the roadshows next year in Newport and the surrounding area.”

Gerry Keighley, editor of the South Wales Argus comments “We are delighted with the success of the roadshows this year and we look forward to working with Harding Evans next year”.

Photo: some of the solicitors who offered legal advice at the Harding Evans Solicitors/ South Wales Argus roadshows in June