How To Draft A Will In Compliance With Ukrainian Law?

Problems with claiming inheritance are one of the most common reasons why people are looking for a professional assistance of a legal consultant. The problem becomes even more serious when the heir or testator is a foreigner and the inherited property is located within the territory of Ukraine. The best way to avoid these issues is to make sure that you have drafted a will, which is in compliance with wills and inheritance Ukraine law and practice. In order to do so, you should seek a help of a lawyer capable of providing legal advice in the matter. Let’s take a look at the basic information related to drafting a will and what you should take into consideration before you prepare the will.

The first thing you should know about wills and inheritance Ukraine is that there are few types of wills you can choose from. The options are similar to those accepted in other European country, so Ukrainian citizens can choose between a simple will, a secret will, conditioned will or joint will of spouses. Each case requires individual treatment, due to specific needs and expectations of the testator, therefore before you decide on a one particular type of will, discuss the options with your legal advisor, taking into consideration all of the most important benefits and disadvantages. If you are a foreigner or your heirs are not residents of Ukraine, make sure that your will was drafted in a way, which allows them to claim their inheritance in accordance with wills and inheritance Ukraine law.

When you are preparing the will, remember about the most important requirements: you have to be of legal age, which in Ukraine is 18 years old, for your will to be valid in the light of law. Your will is valid only if it was certified by a notary. It means that all your wishes and changes to the testament will not be considered, unless you make a properly certified supplement. Last, but not least, the will can be made only by one testator. It means that the will of two or more testators cannot be expressed in the same testament, but require separate documents drafted for each of the testators separately. In the same manner one testator can only leave one will. It means that if you make any changes to your will only the last certified version will be considered valid and no other testaments will be in legal force.

For many people thinking about death and what they leave behind is a depressing thought. However, if you care about what happens to your rightful heirs and your property when you are gone, you should take this chance and focus on securing the well-being of your spouse and children when you are no longer around. Do not treat it half-heartedly as something you can always do later, but make the most important decisions with the help of experts, who will ensure that your heirs’ interests are well protected, safe and secured.
Recource: Legal Conculting Center, LLC

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Written by Marta Gromadzka, a blogger, a copywriter, a marketing specialist.

Post-Enrollment Facts For New Health Law

The new health law has been a topic of constant debate for the last 6 months.  The deadline for registering for a health insurance under the Affordable Care Act has long passed but the debate still goes on. After 4 years of research and rhetoric debate, the law has started to show its effect on the U.S. health care industry. The recent decline in the growth rate of the health care related expenditures can very well be attributed to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Even though the deadline for enrollment has expired, here are some things that you must know.

• How many have actually enrolled?

Whether the democrats like it or not, this figure has become an indicator of the scale of acceptance of the new law. Before January this year, the republicans were more than happy to use this figure as a yard stick to measure the success of the law, to be more precise it was being used as a measure of the failure of the law.

The total number of people who have registered at the marketplace website healthcare.gov has surpassed 7 million. This was the figure that the congressional budget analysts had in their mind during the drafting period of the law but later on it was revised to 6 million. Another 5 million people have been deemed eligible for Medicaid, the health insurance program which is run in cooperation by both state and federal government.

The final tally is due in mid April and only then the real scale of acceptance of the new law would become clear. It must be noted that not everyone who registered on the healthcare.gov will actually pay their first premium. Hence the final figure can be a bit lower than the one being anticipated with over enthusiasm.

•  Who has signed up?

Some independent surveys have reported that more number of women have enrolled as compared to men. It might be due to the fact that the new law makes it mandatory for the insurance providers to cover maternity care and screening tests for breast cancer and cervical cancer. It must also be noted that woman are expected to stay healthier than men and have more life expectancy too, hence this can actually go in the favor of insurance companies.

Another report suggests that most of the Americans who have registered at healthcare.gov are older than 35. If this is the case then it can very well mean lesser profits for health insurance companies because older people tend to get sicker. The point to be noted is that health insurance business is state based. Hence states, in which the majority of enrollees are between 18 to 35 years of age, will witness the same premium rates the next year too. As opposed to this, states in which majority of enrollees are old people are going to witness unpleasant rise in premiums and hence it means that if you have not enrolled this year then you will end up paying more when you do so during the next enrollment phase.

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Brianna Wilson works for Healthcare Solutions Team. She is licensed with over 40 major health insurance companies and helps people to discover best health insurance plan.

Solicitor Firms Paying For Road Accident Information

You only have to look at TV during the daytime for a limited period of time to realise that there is a lot of money to be made from accidents. It seems that every advert on TV at this time is either advocating an injury claim firm or an online bingo site. The fact that so many different firms are competing in this market and so many are spending the money on TV adverts indicates that this is a lucrative market to get into. If there was no money in this field, firms wouldn’t get involved and they certainly wouldn’t be paying for adverts on TV.

So, with the market being a lucrative one, there is clearly a need for firms to find people who they can assist. This is where the adverts come in but there has to be easier ways to initiate contact with people who have been affected by an injury. There certainly are easier ways but there is no guarantee that these easier ways are legal and two people have been jailed for acting in a way that was of benefit to solicitor firms but in complete disregard for everyone else.

A former police officer, Sugra Hanif, who was a constable for the Thames Valley Police, and her lover Raza Khan were sent to jail at the crown court in Winchester. Hanif received a sentence of three and a half years while Khan received a three year sentence. The two of them were found guilty of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. Their activity revolved around stealing the details of people who had been involved in an accident and then selling these details to a solicitor form. Their criminal activities began in January 2011 and if continues, could have seen the couple earn considerably large sums of money.

There was a large demand for this sort of data

Hanif was able to gain access to the command and control room in his local police office and here she would be able to obtain the details of people who were involved in road accidents. This information would also contain the unique reference number, the URN, which is essential when making claims.

The information was passed on to Mr Khan who worked with his wife to sell the data. The duo would then take this information and attempt to sell this information to solicitors who would pay a referral fee. The duo set up a management company for their activities; such was the scale of the work that they were undertaken. The referral fee would command a price between £600 and £800 and in total the duo earned £26,400. This was over an 11 month period and there were a total of 2,456 case details stolen throughout their fraudulent activity.

Not everyone on trial was found guilty

Also on trial was the wife of Khan, Paramjeet Kaur, who was facing the same charges but the jury couldn’t come to a verdict in this case. In her defence, Hanif stated that she was being forced to carry out this action under pressure from Khan whereas Kaur and Khan both stated that they were unaware that the information and data was of an illegal nature. Hanif has also been dismissed from her role with the police and this was confirmed after the finding of guilt was announced at the court. The official statement released by the Thames Valley police stated that this was a large case of corruption and that there was no other option but to dismiss the former officer.

Given that so many people have been bothered by firms and companies asking them do they need representation for accidents claims, this is not an activity that is likely to win solicitors many new friends in the public eye. It is important that the people responsible for stealing and selling the data have been rightly punished but many will think that the buying firms should face some form of censure or punishment as well. After all, it is not very likely that a solicitor firm is going to be unaware of the contentious nature of this data and yet there appeared to be a market for this style of information.

It is important that solicitor firms offer a strong service and provide as much assistance to clients as possible but this doesn’t mean that there is a need to break the law while doing so.
Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and consumer interest articles. He has been writing professional for 8 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember. When Andrew isn't sat behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.

10 Sobering DUI Statistics

 

In 2011, 9,878 people were killed in completely avoidable car accidents caused by drunk driving. Let me say that again. 9,878 people, many of whom were completely innocent, were killed as a result of drunk driving in just one year. To add to the tragedy, every 90 seconds, someone is injured because of this entirely preventable crime. Despite the numerous warnings, indisputable statistics, and shear stupidity of driving under the influence, Americans continue to do it. Hopefully, these 10 sobering statistics will make you think twice.

Fact #1

The highest rates of driving while drunk occur among drivers 21-24 years of age. This age group is between “just legal” and “old enough to heed the warnings against drunk driving”, but unfortunately it does not mean that drivers that fall outside the age group do not ignore the cautionary advice.

Fact #2

A driver with blood alcohol content of .08 g/dL is over 10 times more likely to be in a fatal accident than a sober driver. Even small amounts of alcohol can slow down your reaction time and may temporarily weaken your higher-order cognitive abilities.

Fact #3

According to a study noted by Christine Van Tuyl in Drunk Driving, first-time drunk-driving offenders usually drive under the influence of alcohol more than 80 times before being caught by law enforcement. Just because you may be “experienced” at driving while impaired, it does not mean that you are prepared to deal with the pressures of the road. Even if you have driven drunk several times without yourself perceiving any sort of discrepancy in reaction time or level of focus, your senses will likely still be impaired (this independent level of impairment -- not your perception -- is what is measured by police officers).

Fact #4

On average, a person is killed every 40 minutes due to a drunk driver’s lack of proper judgment. Despite the plethora of anti-drunk driving campaigns spread across the country that are meant to discourage drivers from drinking before operating a vehicle, victims fall every day to collisions that involve alcohol-use.

Fact #5

Almost every minute-and-a-half, someone is injured in a drunk-driving accident. Deaths by drunk-driving incidents are oftentimes more discussed than the general catastrophic consequences, including injuries, that may result. Injuries from alcohol-related crashes are usually gruesome, and take long periods of time to recover (if recovery is at all possible).

Fact #6

Almost 50% of motorcyclists killed while riding under the influence of alcohol are age 40 or over, and motorcyclists between 40 and 44 years of age have the highest frequency of fatalities with BACs at and over the legal limit. As much as some bikers want to believe it, motorcycles are as unsafe, if not more so, than cars in an alcohol-related traffic accident. Motorcycles are subject to a number of factors that could leave the rider(s) physically crippled in the event of an accident, especially because most vehicles on the road are the heavier, more massive automobiles.

Fact #7

About 50% of children aged 14 and under who died in alcohol-related collisions in 2006 were riding with alcohol-impaired drivers. Although it is advised not to get into a car with a driver who has been drinking, children are not always able to make such distinction, or even to know the dangers of drunk driving. The correct decision must be made by the drivers who are old enough to know what is right.

Fact #8

Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, and about a quarter of those deaths involve an underage driver who is impaired by alcohol. Although it is illegal, many teenagers still drink. It is equally important that underage drivers are taught the dangers of drunk driving, since they are prone to becoming victims of alcohol-related accidents.

Fact #9

Males are more likely than females to drive drunk. In addition, males tend to incur more traffic violations while driving than do females. In combination, these two statistics can portray a grim picture for male drivers, particularly those who have been drinking. The best solution for men is to avoid the alcohol altogether before getting behind the wheel.

Fact #10

On average, about one-third of all people will be involved in a drunk-driving crash during their lifetime. The prevalence of alcohol as a part of our culture -- together with the sheer number of drivers -- leads to such high frequency of alcohol-related collisions, all of which are dangerous and potentially deadly.
Sources:
MADD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
NHTSA: Traffic Safety Facts 2011

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This article was written by Amit Grangrade. As a recent graduate the University of Florida, Amit has all too often seen the devastating effects of driving while under the influence. He is putting his passion for justice to use as he pursues a law degree and works as a professional writer for Law Office of Adam L. Pollack.

Do You Know What You Should Do If You're Pulled Over High?

Do You Know What You Should Do If You're Pulled Over High?

Many drivers know the implications of a DUI on their record – there’s jail time, fines, and driving suspensions. But driving under the influence goes far beyond just drinking alcohol and driving. If you are smoking you can be just as liable for a DUI.
I used to believe that police officers could not charge and arrest you if you’re driving under the influence of marijuana and did not have the drug on you. The law does not allow police officers to search your car without probable cause or visible evidence of paraphernalia, so therefore you should be able to exercise your right to deny a search of your vehicle.
Unfortunately, this initial assumption was wrong. If you appear to be high, an officer does have the right to cuff you for a DUI and take you to prison. If you’re pulled over while high, you may want to follow these instructions to avoid a possible charge.

The Bottom Line, Are You High?

Many people have claimed that it’s easier to hide “being high” than it is to hide “being intoxicated”. If you have a medical license to smoke marijuana than the officer may be willing to let you go on the basis of medical condition if the substance does not appear to be abused. Due to the fact police officers cannot take your blood on the side of the road; they do not know exactly how much THC is in your blood. But I would recommend avoiding this conversation altogether. After blood tests and the arrest, you will be able to use the medical card to show proof that you are legally allowed to consume the substance.
If you appear incoherent the officer will most likely take you in and have a blood test performed. Even with this blood test, if you have the proper lawyer and a medical usage card, you should be able to expunge all charges against you. If you don’t have a medical license than you may want to follow these steps to avoid heavy charges:

Be Smooth and Roll-Down Windows 

When you see the police officer in your rear view window and you know that you will be pulled over, slightly lower your window on your passenger and back seat side of the car. While your car is coming to a stop, the cracked window will create a vacuum and hopefully eliminate odors within your car when the officer approaches.
One of the biggest contributors to probable cause is “smell”. If a police officer smells marijuana, you can be certain they will ask you for a sobriety test. Avoiding sobriety tests is your number one goal when guilty of driving high and attempting to hide it, because police officers make the test very difficult to pass - even some sober drivers fail. Make sure to have all information ready and roll your driver side window down completely when speaking with the officer. If you cracked the other windows, the smell should have subsided while slowing to a stop.

Exercise Your Rights 

You have the right to be silent, you have the right to a lawyer, and you have the right to refuse a search of your vehicle without probable cause. Police officers will only tell you these rights after you have been cuffed and at that point it is too late. Make sure that you educate yourself prior to an encounter. Politely ask the officer if you are free to go after he has checked your registration and driver’s license. If he insists for a voluntary roadside test, you have the option to refuse – but in the process he may take you in for blood tests anyways, which will result in license suspension.

Make Your Choice 

If the officer suspects you are high, he will ask you to conduct a sobriety test. It is then a gamble for you to decide what you may lose in the process. If you believe that you are not that high and want to risk being charged, conduct the test and hopefully pass. If you know you will fail, refuse the voluntary roadside test and take the license suspension, which is a possible consequence of refusal.
If you are pulled over for a DUI, make sure you contact your lawyer immediately. The sooner your lawyer enters the picture, the better off you'll be because they can counsel you on the proper course of action to limit any sort of charges placed against you.

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This article was written by David Holly. David is a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida and majored in Economics and Political Science. He plans to pursue a law degree in the next few years and is using his passion for criminal justice as a professional writer for Orl-Law.com. You can read more of his work on his Google+.

Dropped Passport Earns Robber Trip To Jail

While there is nothing funny about crime, especially if you are the victim, there will be times when a story arises that catches your eye and at least makes you give a brief chuckle. There are many crimes where a criminal takes great steps to cover their tracks and to ensure that they have carried out a safe and effective crime. This doesn’t just mean getting in and out quickly with the goods, it means ensuring that there are no clues left behind that can see you being arrested at a later date. One example of the steps that certain criminals will take will be wearing gloves to cover your fingerprints. This is a great way to minimise the likelihood of being caught but all criminals must know that they are just one slip or mistake away from being found out.
A thief who has recently been sentenced in Aberdeen Sheriff Court has found that one big mistake has cost him his freedom. Robert Brechin was described in court as a drug addict who would go on a housebreaking spree to ensure that he had the money to fund his activities. Brechin would regularly steal items such as jewellery, cameras, smartphones and even games consoles with the court hearing that in the space of just two weeks he had managed to steal more than £600 worth of cash and a huge array of items from just three homes. This meant that Brechin was finding a lot of money to fund his habit but that all stopped when one of the homeowners that Brechin stole from made a startling discovery. Upon clearing their home and no doubt trying to get life back to normal, the homeowner came across Robert Brechin’s passport.

Passport gives away a lot of information

The family were first alerted to something being up when they noticed that their wheelie bin had been placed at their window and when they entered the house, they found that jewellery and over £500 was missing. However, it seems that in his attempt to make a quick getaway, Brechin dropped his passport, which no one in the family knew anything about. The only explanation was that the passport was dropped by the person that broke in and it just so happened to belong to the actual robber himself.
While Brechin may have been hoping to enjoy a great escape after his crimes, there will be no need for him to dust off his passport for a while. This is down to the fact that he was sentenced to 28 months in jail for these three offences. Brechin was also told that he must serve a further 4 months in prison which relates to a previous crime. Brechin is currently staying at HMP Perth, and he committed the first robbery in this spree back in early January, to which he admitted and he also owned up to two further crimes on the 10th and 12th of January.

A broken holdall gave the game away

Brechin was trying to leave with a range of computer games but his holdall broke and this meant that the contents spilled over the floor, leading to the situation where his information was left behind him. This provided the police with all the information that they needed and Brechin was quick to admit his crimes. There is no doubt that people with an addiction need serious help because it can be a difficult thing to live with and to get through. However, there is never any excuse for committing crimes of this nature and this should always be cracked down upon. There is no doubt that a robber like Robert Brechin will find themselves in and out of prison unless they are able to change their ways but this a topic that is strongly debated and discussed.
While the thought of laughing at crimes and robberies is a topic that not everyone agrees with, there is no doubt that there can be a sense of humour attached to stories like this. At times it reads like a scene from a movie and perhaps one that some people would dismiss as not being realistic. Sadly for Robert Brechin, it was a story that was all too real and it has led to him paying a high price for his actions.
Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and consumer interest articles. He has been writing professional for 8 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember. When Andrew isn't sat behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.

Police Crime Has To Be Punished

The phrase of “who will police the police” is one that comes up from time to time and it is easy to see why so many people have concerns or misgivings about the current state of policing in the United Kingdom. It appears as though the police forces around the country are being greater degrees of power, which means that there is going to be a high level of temptation for many police officers. It is best not to have a belief that every police officer is corrupt or out to do damage to the people, that isn’t the case and that sort of attitude never leads to a good thing for anyone. However, it should always be noted that there are some police officers that will take steps that they shouldn’t and that there should be proper mechanisms for catching those and then punishing them.
With the current focus on computers and the level of data being held on people standing at a high level, there is no doubt that the level of information that some police officers have access to is quite scary. Again, the vast majority of officers will be able to avoid this temptation but everyday people need to know that there are punishments in place for those who step out of line.

Data protection laws need to be observed

This is why the story of Kelly Hinds, a response officer, will be of interest to many people. Ms Hinds has pleaded guilty to a string of offences which are related to the Data Protection and Computer Misuse Acts. She has admitted six separate charges of misuse on a computer and a further four charges for breaching data protection. The sentencing will take place on the 10th of April and the situation arose when Hinds gained access to the computer systems to retrieve access which was passed on to third parties. These crimes took place between 2011 and 2013, which meant that there was a lot of information that may have been passed on. The fact that people may have been placed at risk or certain investigations may have been jeopardised by these actions is something that is likely to be punished quite strongly.

It is quite likely that at some point in their career a police officer will find themselves in a situation where they have information, or have access to information, that may be relevant to other people. Whether it is old school friends wanting to get in touch with people or just relevant information that may impact on a local community, a police officer is likely to have access to this sort of information.

There is also the fact that some officers may find themselves being offered a large sum of money to pass on certain information. While a police officer earns a considerable age, the chance of earning additional funds is one that many people will seriously consider. Thankfully, the vast majority of officers do not succumb to these temptations but as in the case of Kelly Hinds, it is clear that some people, for whatever reason, do succumb to the temptation that is placed in front of them.

The fact that Kelly Hinds resigned back in February won’t be any great comfort to the people involved or indeed the court but it does indicate that she understands the gravity of her actions. There is a need for police officers and staff members to be above reproach and it is actions like this that will impact on many people and how they feel about the police. It is clear that some people will wonder why the rules apply to them but not the police, which is why it is important that all noted cases of this style of crime are put through the court and processed in the same manner as other crimes. There is definitely a need to ensure that people view police officers as being treated in the same manner when it comes to crime and punishment.

It is always a difficult time for those involved but when a crime like this is committed, it is important that justice is carried out. There will be plenty of eyes on the sentencing for Kelly Hinds to ensure that she is treated in the manner that other people would be treated.

Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and consumer interest articles. He has been writing professional for 8 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember. When Andrew isn't sat behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.

How To Make The Most Of Your Big Wage

There is absolutely no point in making a wedge of cash each month if you don’t know how to spend it. We all work to make enough money so as that we can treat ourselves at the end of each month, it isn’t difficult to spend money but it is tough to spend it right. There are a lot of high profile workers in the city and we see their lavish spending all over the news but there are only certain people out there that truly make the most of their wage.
This article will explain three ways in which big earners can make the most of their wage and truly take advantage of the opportunities they have. We live in a seriously developed world and it is frightening to think what some people would do with the money a select few earn in the city.

Copiousness

It is just important that you have a lot of everything, if you are going to be one of “those” lavish spenders then having multiple of whatever you have is something I would recommend.
It is really down to you as a person but spending money, if you have a lot of it can be actually quite tough and reducing the amount of work you have to do, by buying more than one of everything.
It is something I would recommend only for those who are this way inclined, a lot of people, despite their wage packet will be rather circumspect when it comes to splashing out and that is fine.
I am sure ACPI Investments co-founder Brett Lankester wouldn’t advise buying more than one thing, it really doesn’t make much economic sense, it really is down to the level of indulgence you have.

Materialism

You can buy basically anything you want if you earn enough money and it is down to you to decide what you spend your money on. These points may all seem very obvious but people shouldn’t be taken in by the latest trends and fads, decisions about spending money should be made by you.
If you are one who likes the finer things in life then by all means go for it, you work hard for your money and should have the right to spend it on whatever you want, providing you can afford it of course.
The world is brilliant in that it caters for literally everyone, you will be able to find something to suit your needs and desires within seconds and that is down to the internet.

Strength in Numbers

Having more money can open up so many more options for you, it is important that you don’t go over the top because that may have a detrimental effect on your economic situation in general.
Spend some time researching, this is the best advice I can give anyone, there are just so many options nowadays you would be foolish to jump in and buy the first thing you see. Spending money is a brilliantly enjoyable thing but make sure you are wise with it.

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Josh Clair has a love for travel. He has written blog posts about all of the places he has travelled and enjoys sharing his thoughts and opinions with others.

Unlicensed Taxi Drivers Plead Guilty

If you have enjoyed a great night out or a long trip and you just need to find a taxi to complete the day and get home safely, you will be delighted to see any form of taxi pass your way. Given the amount of times that you cannot find a taxi for love nor money, it stands to reason that people will be looking to see more taxis on the streets, not fewer. However, there is a need for intelligence and level-headedness when it comes to taxis, because there is clearly a need for taxi drivers, cabs and operators to be properly licenced and regulated. A failure to do so may see a lot of people put at risk in the long run. There may be short term pain for some people due to not having enough taxis at the time they need them but in the long run, the regulation of the taxi industry is a good thing.
However, when demand outstrips supply, there will always be some people looking to make up the difference and when it comes to taxis; this is where taxi drivers operate illegally. A strong example of this has come from three men from Truro who were providing unlicensed taxis that were collecting passengers coming off of Falmouth Docks. Given that there was a steady stream of passengers alighting from cruise shops at these docks, it is easy to see why so many people were looking for taxis and it was easy to see why there was a demand for the service that was being provided.
The three men involved appeared at the Magistrates Court in Trout and all paled guilty to a variety of offences. As you would expect, their behavior and actions were in contravention of a number of acts including the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1978, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 Act and the Fraud Act of 2006.

Fines and costs were imposed on all three men

All three of the men were fined for their actions with the ringleader receiving a fine of £1,500 plus costs of £1,223. The other two men involved in the case were fined a total of £750 with costs of £1,148. The fraudulent activity came to light back in May of 2013 when the local licencing compliance officers were passed information that a private hire firm, which wasn't licensed, was picking up passengers at the docks. With these passengers, who had come from the cruise ships that had docked, paying a fee for the taxi service they received, this was in contravention of many rules and regulations, which gave the compliance officers scope to pursue the firm.

Trading standards were involved

The licencing officers from Cornwall Council worked alongside Trading Standards and they managed to uncover evidence that the leader Michael Ian Inglefield was running the business of his home address and the other two men were operating as his drivers. The firm provided a number of services to passengers including tours of Cornwall and transfers to the airport. The vehicles used in the taxi service were also unlicensed and it transpires that a number of the vehicles had been hired through fraudulent means from local taxi firms.

While there will be some people stating that there is no real harm from the service, especially if it helps people to receive a taxi in a shorter period of time, it is clearly a situation that cannot be allowed to continue. The licencing and regulation of taxi firms, cabs and drivers is crucial for many aspects, with passenger safety being a key aspect. There is also the fact that if the taxi industry was unlicensed, there are fears that there would be links to more serious crimes. Any industry that is predominantly cash based will inevitably find that there is an opportunity to launder money through it. The vast majority of taxi firms operate cleanly and fully above the law but there is no doubt that there will be one or two firms around the country that has links to certain criminal fraternities. This is why there is a need for taxi firms to be regulated and licenced as much as the drivers and cars themselves. When it comes to fraudulent activities, it may sometimes seem as there is no real harm but this cannot justify illegal or unlawful actions.

Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and consumer interest articles. He has been writing professional for 8 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember. When Andrew isn't sat behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.