The municipalities of Orihuela and Los Montesinos are amongst fifty towns across Valencia set to benefit from a European Union grant to allow the installation of free public WiFi. The European Commission announced the results of the second wave of proposals under the WiFi4EU project, from which a total of 51 municipalities in the Valencia region will receive 15,000 euro …

Bottom line YES. However, in order to increase your chances of successfully sue for defamatory content from a social network, each case must be individually analyzed. Bear in mind that not all offensive posts are actionable. First, defamation is usually divided into two categories; libel and slander: a. Libel is actually the correct term for…

La entrada Can you sue for a defamatory Facebook or Tweeter post? se publicó primero en BZN INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS.

The DGT launched a special awareness campaign on Monday, aimed at alerting drivers to the dangers of having consumed alcohol or drugs before driving. As part of the campaign, every day this week, including the weekend, the Guardia Civil Trafico will be conducting 20,000 tests on drivers, to ensure that they are safe behind the …

We are excited to announce the launch of BZN Lex’s newly designed multilingual website www.bestsolicitorsinspain.com ! Our goal with this new designed website is create a user-friendly browsing experience for our trusted and valued customers and...

On Sunday, the sports city n Torrevieja will host an energetic event with a serious result, as participants are invited to “Beat Cancer Dancing”, at a charity Zumbathon. The event will be held on Sunday, November 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Sports City, with all proceeds going to benefit the association of relatives of those who …

Dear Readers, clients and friends, We wonder if you remember that a few months ago, we posted a few articles and testimonials, with regards to the landmark Supreme Court’s decision rendered in December 2015, that...

Dear readers, After years of protracted legal ordeal, stress and suffering, homebuyers who were affected by the Spanish property market crisis, are finally recovering the money they paid for holiday homes that were never built. A landmark ruling in Spain’s supreme court in December 21st 2015 (STS 5263/2015) – taking as a reference point the important…

Professor at the University of Alicante, Marco A. Celdrán, chaired the conference “New Scenarios for the Planning of Tourism”, which was held in the casino of Torrevieja, an initiative of the Department of Tourism in Torrevieja, in recognition of World Tourism Day. The coordinator of the University Headquarters of the UA in Torrevieja, José Norberto Mazón, intervened at the beginning …

Dear Readers, I am glad to share with you 3 pitfalls to avoid when buying a property in Spain. Some people may be under the assumption that using a real estate Solicitor will lead to unnecessary additional expenses when it comes to buying or selling their home. However, purchasing or even selling a property in…

The Mayor of Torrevieja, José Manuel Dolón of the Los Verdes green party , whose position also sees him sit as Chairman of the Board of the joint-owned water supply company Agamed, accompanied by the company’s manager, José Manuel Nadal, visited the new fleet of electric vehicles that the company has acquired, with the aim of reducing pollution. The company …

SATURDAY 5th APRIL, 2014 Markets Alcoi, Alicante, Almoradi, Elche, Santa Pola. ALICANTE Historical exhibition, “Orihuela, arqueología y museo”, MARQ provincial archaeological museum (Until 11 May). Salón del Manga de Alicante, Edición nº: 5ª, IFA exhibition centre, (Until 6 April). BARCELONA TURISME – International Tourism Show in Catalonia (04 Apr 2014 – 06 Apr 2014). Franz Ferdinand, Sant Jordi Club Barcelona. …

Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has visited the Benefit Fraud investigation team in Spain to thank them for their hard work and to show his continued support in bringing overseas benefit fraudsters to justice.

In a meeting at the British Embassy in Madrid, investigators explained what they are doing to tackle benefit fraud such as data sharing with the Spanish authorities, which allows them to trace suspects living in Spain. The team has investigated over 1,200 cases to date and has recovered almost £5million of UK taxpayers' money.

Iain Duncan Smith said:

“It is important that fraudulent claimants realise that even if they are living in Spain, it doesn't mean they won't be caught. Benefit fraud is a crime and we are committed to putting a stop to it whether you live in Spain, the UK or anywhere else in the world. Our investigators are here in Spain to make sure that no fraudster goes undetected.

“I would urge British residents who suspect someone of committing benefit fraud to call the hotline in Spain on 900 554 440. You can help us to ensure that UK taxpayers' money is going to those that need it most.”

More allegations of benefit fraud are received in Spain than in any other foreign country. Fraudulent claims for Pension Credit and Income Support are the most frequently investigated.

A man who left Britain to set up a catering firm in Spain is one of the latest cases to come to court. Nigel Hadley, 61, of Pembroke Dock, west Wales, has been ordered to sell his Spanish property to pay back more than £25,000 in falsely claimed benefits.

Hadley moved to Marbella after his marriage broke down in 2000 and bought a fisherman's cottage two years later. He returned to Britain in 2011 and then claimed employment support allowance from the benefit agency, as well as housing benefit and council tax benefit. In all three cases he failed to inform the authorities that he had a property in Spain, despite being asked verbally and on claim forms.

He was caught after the Department for Work and Pensions sent him a "habitual residency" claim form which specifically asked whether he had any other property. After he once more failed to reveal his foreign property, investigators discovered his Spanish home.

Hadley has been sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay back £25,960 of claimed benefits through the sale of his £90,000 property, his only asset. He was told to repay all the money within six months or face a jail term.

If you suspect someone of committing benefit fraud you can call Benefit Fraud Hotline in Spain on 900 554 440. Lines are open 8am-4pm, Monday to Friday, and all calls are free and confidential.