Business Law

An employee at a biscuit factory who threatened a colleague while in a diabetic rage has won his claim of unfair dismissal. Jennifer Cafferky Solicitor in our employment team reports on this recent case Mr Dytkowski began working for Brand FB’s biscuit factory in 2009. He was diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes in March 2018, which he described as a “difficult diagnosis to accept and manage”. Occupational Health staff helped Dytkowski adapt…

As we near the end of 2021, a time when many of us will reflect on another challenging year, we would like to share a message of hope and positivity for 2022. The UK economy is in good shape. Despite the doom and gloom in the news, there are many positive signs, including: We have the world’s 5th largest economy. We are the world’s 8th largest manufacturer; and We are…

A phone supplier has been told it cannot enforce a cancellation clause in a contract with a customer because the terms are “too onerous”. Sam Lyon Head of Corporate & Commercial reports on this recent case. The case involved Blu-Sky Solutions Ltd and Be Caring Ltd. Be Caring, a social care provider, had a contract for a mobile network service (MNS) to provide mobile telephone handsets for its staff. It was…

Implementing hybrid working models permanently will help businesses attract the most talented employees, a leading employment solicitor has claimed. Joanne Stronach, Head of Employment Law and HR at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, is recommending businesses retain flexible working patterns where possible in order to keep and recruit the best staff out there, following the success and popularity of working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. As the Government’s…

The High Court has ruled that a telephone conversation between the managing directors of two companies amounted to a binding agreement and had to honoured. Sam Lyon Head of Corporate & Commercial reports on this recent case. The case involved Mansion Place Ltd v Fox Industrial Services Ltd. Mansion had engaged Fox to refurbish and extend student accommodation. There were delays in the performance of the works. Fox said they were…

A mother who was dismissed during her maternity leave while the ownership of her company changed hands has won her discrimination claim. Jennifer Cafferky Solicitor in our employment team reports on this recent case Mrs Rodin worked for HR company DMS1 and went on maternity leave in June 2017. During her absence, the company underwent a change in ownership, with Dhillons Management Services taking over, although this company was also…

The High Court has rejected a claim that a firm of accountants failed in their duty of care and should be held liable for a client’s failed investment. David Tew, Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. The client, Mr Knights, sought damages from Townsend Harrison Ltd for losses he suffered after the firm introduced him to three tax schemes and an investment opportunity. Townsend was not authorised by the Financial…

A leading law firm has appointed a new specialist employment solicitor to further increase the breadth and quality of support for its growing number of business clients. Jennifer Cafferky, who has worked in employment law for 15 years, joins Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors from national law firm Setfords Solicitors and has previously worked for Cumbria Law Centre as a senior solicitor. She will work alongside Joanne Stronach, who leads the Employment…

A veterinary assistant was unfairly dismissed after she challenged her employer’s view that the coronavirus pandemic had been ‘hyped up’. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment and HR reports on this recent case. The case involved Charlotte Rendina who worked at Royston Veterinary Centre from January to March 2020. She was dismissed by her employer, Dr White, due to her ‘poor performance’. However, the Employment Tribunal heard that the timing coincided with…

“We might all be forgiven for feeling a bit under the weather: farmers have a lot of change to cope with, and we all have the ongoing ‘stuff’. So when there’s some good news, we should celebrate it – having our Agriculture team ranked in the top band by both main legal reviews; expanding the team with two bright, young Cumbrian lawyers; Katherine Pretswell-Walker joining the Board of Directors. That’s really good…