Most landlords ‘unaware they’re legally required to have an EPC’
September 8th 2025A new report by The Mortgage Works reveals a striking lack of awareness among UK landlords about energy efficiency rules – with 62% unaware that having an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement for rental properties. Laura Murphy, Paralegal in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. This widespread knowledge gap could undermine the government’s ambition to make the rental sector greener, with new minimum energy standards due…
WhatsApp exchange created binding contract, High Court rules
August 27th 2025A High Court judge has ruled that a brief exchange of WhatsApp messages was enough to create a legally binding construction contract worth nearly £250,000 – even though one party never signed any formal agreement. Rob Winder Senior Associate Chartered Legal Executive and Head of Property Litigation in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. In Jaevee Homes Ltd v Fincham, Deputy High Court Judge Roger ter Haar KC found that all the…
Prison officer who resigned over racism wins tribunal claim
July 29th 2025A prison officer who was racially abused and ostracised by colleagues at a high-security Kent prison has won his case for race discrimination, harassment and constructive unfair dismissal. Jennifer Cafferky, Associate Solicitor in our employment team, reports on this recent case. Uzo Mbonu, who was born in Nigeria and worked at HMP Swaleside from 2018 until his resignation in 2023, brought claims before the Employment Tribunal, alleging he was targeted, isolated,…
Cartmell Shepherd restructures Dispute Resolution team to highlight specialisms
July 29th 2025Leading law firm Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has announced three senior promotions this week, as part of a move to highlight specialisms within its Dispute Resolution team. Director and Head of Dispute Resolution Mark Aspin said: “Dispute Resolution encompasses a broad spectrum of legal work. While our team deals with the majority of ‘Civil Disputes’, we also employ recognised specialists in the areas of Will & Inheritance Disputes, Property Disputes, and Court of Protection,…
Landlords urged to turn to High Court to combat eviction delays
July 28th 2025Landlords facing long delays in evicting tenants are being urged to consider High Court enforcement as a quicker alternative to the overstretched County Court system. Laura Murphy, Paralegal in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. The High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA) says landlords in parts of England and Wales are waiting more than a year in some cases to recover possession of their properties, even after being granted…
Lidl worker wins age discrimination case over redundancy scoring
July 18th 2025An employment tribunal has ruled that Lidl unfairly dismissed a senior construction consultant and discriminated against him because of his age after marking him down in a redundancy process for not having a degree. Joanne Stronach Director and Head of Employment reports on this recent case. Mr Wayne Norman, who was over 60 at the time of his dismissal in 2023, was one of three senior construction consultants competing for a…
Directors ordered to pay £1m for defending hopeless insolvency petition
July 16th 2025Two company directors have been ordered to personally pay the costs of a creditors’ petition to wind up their firm, after the High Court found they pursued a speculative and self-interested defence they did not believe in. Carly Davies, our Debt Control Manager, reports on this recent case. Mrs Justice Joanna Smith ruled that Paul Hilton and Matthew Welsh, directors of MPB Developments Ltd, were the “real parties” behind the company’s failed…
Free online event for landlords on major legal changes ahead
June 10th 2025Landlords can get advice on new legislation coming into force later this year at a free online event. The Renters’ Rights Bill is set to usher in a raft of changes which will directly impact landlords renting out residential properties, from agreeing the amount of rent paid to the process of evicting tenants. Now landlords and letting agents can get advice at a free lunchtime webinar on Thursday, June 26…
Cartmell Shepherd Helps Bring Brewing Back to Historic Jennings Site
May 27th 2025Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has played a key role in bringing brewing back to the iconic Jennings Brewery site in Cockermouth. Local couple Kurt and Rebecca Canfield purchased the Castle Brewery site with the aim of reviving the historic Jennings brand and transforming the space into a thriving community hub. Led by Mike Little, Head of Commercial Property at Cartmell Shepherd, the complex transaction involved multiple properties and unique historical title issues. The 15-month process culminated…
Cumbrian legal firm named as finalist in four categories at Northern Law Awards
May 16th 2025A Cumbrian legal firm is in the running for four awards in the North of England’s most prestigious law awards. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, which has seven offices across Cumbria and Northumberland, has four finalists in the upcoming 2025 Northern Law Awards. The firm’s Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Private Client departments have been shortlisted for Team of the Year in their respective categories, while apprentice trainee solicitor Joseph Halvorsen has…
