- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
The Civil Partnership Act
The Civil Partnership Act 2004, came into force on 5 December 2005.
The legislation created a new legal status of 'civil partner', for same-sex couples who choose to register their partnership. Doing so will allow them to be treated on a consistent basis with married couples in a wide range of legal and financial areas.
Civil partners now assume both rights and responsibilities, in such areas as:
- social security
- employment and pension benefits
- tax and tax credits
- life assurance
- recognition under the intestacy rules
- access to compensation following a fatal accident
- a duty to provide reasonable maintenance for their partner and any children of the family.
Changes to the tax system
Chancellor Gordon Brown announced in the 2005 Budget that the Government would legislate to ensure that civil partners are treated the same as married couples for tax purposes. Tax charges and reliefs and anti-avoidance rules now apply equally to married couples and civil partners.