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New Laws on Uninsured Vehicles – Update

The Blake Lapthorn Motoring Offences team reminds motorists that a new system cracking down on uninsured drivers has moved a step closer to implementation. At present, uninsured and untraced drivers are estimated to kill 160 people and injure 23,000 each... Read >

Police plan to fund speed cameras

The threshold for speed awareness courses has been lowered and drivers in most areas may now avoid points on their licence if they are caught speeding at 10% over the limit plus 9mph. This has risen from the previous limit of 10% over the speed limit plu... Read >

Common Mistakes When Learning English

English is quite a difficult language to get to grips with. Many non-native people who attempt to learn English find themselves making a few common mistakes. However, coming up against such obstacles should not deter any language students. What follows ar... Read >

Careers Open To Those With A Second Language

There are many interesting careers open to those who study languages, drawing on the specific skills learned throughout their language course and often combining them with other skills taught in the early stages of the available jobs. As the following lis... Read >

Courts Drop Two Motoring Allegations Brought by Thames Valley Police

K recently instructed Blake Lapthorn's Motoring Offences team in connection with two motoring allegations brought by Thames Valley Police, which are due to be heard at Banbury Magistrates Court in April 2011. K had been driving his vehicle on the M40 m... Read >

Group Studying Or Individual Learning When Learning A Language?

There are many ways to learn a language, through group classes, one-to-one learning and self-study. But which to choose? Group classes are made up of a number of students that bring to the course their own knowledge, motivation and interest for languages.... Read >

Useful Business English Expressions

Useful Business English Expressions When it comes to English for business you’ll find there are a number of expressions that you probably won’t encounter in casual speech. Here are five expressions that you might hear if you are going to a business mee... Read >

Complain Plain for Thames Valley Police

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) last week announced that complaints against officers from Thames Valley Police rose by 23% last year. In total the IPCC recorded 1,167 complaints against the force in 2009/10, compared with 947 the p... Read >

Five Spanish Phrases That Should Be Useful When Travelling

Navigating the language barrier when you travel to Spain can leave you feeling frustrated when you are not able to communicate in the local language. If you stay at one of the more popular tourist resorts there is a very good chance that you will not even... Read >

A Few Useful French Language Phrases

Aidez-moi, s'il vous plait (English: please help me) This phrase could be useful in a number of situations from finding help with road directions to obtaining help with a genuine emergency of some sort. It uses the polite form of ‘vous’ rather than the... Read >

Additional Protection For Holidaymakers

The coalition government has unveiled plans to increase protection for holidaymakers. The proposals follow a lengthy consultation which was started by the previous government in 2009. Currently, the ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licence) scheme, which i... Read >

5 Useful English Idioms

Idioms refer to phrases where their common meaning cannot be understood simply from the meanings of the individual words. They are cultural elements of speech and can prove a barrier to those who are speaking a non-native language. Five common English idi... Read >

Staying Motivated When Learning A Language

When learning a language it can be difficult to motivate yourself to study regularly and cover your planned material. While gains in fluency and vocabulary may come slowly, regular study will improve your language acquisition. Several methods exist for im... Read >

Differences In Japanese And British Business Culture

When doing business in a foreign country it is always vital to understand differences in culture. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and allows development of positive and long-lasting business relationships. Knowing the differences in business etiquet... Read >

Drugs Don't Work

The Home Office has announced another measure designed to speed up the criminal justice process. This year police forces are going to be given equipment in the police station, which they can use to test motorists for the presence of drugs. Whilst the m... Read >