Chamber hosts first International Men’s Day event
November 20th 2024Businesses from across the Chamber network gathered today at Carlisle Rugby Club for an event celebrating International Men’s Day. The event, themed ‘Supporting Men at Work’, focused on key issues such as mental health, wellbeing, addiction, and overcoming adversity. The day began with an inspiring presentation from Gary Martin and JP Ward, facilitators at Andy’s Man Club’s Carlisle group. They shared the origins of Andy’s Man Club, which organises weekly…
The seventh edition of our Agricultural Newsletter is now live
November 18th 2024It’s been an eventful few weeks for those in farming, either as owners or as landlords. You won’t have missed the storm of protest over the Budget. Who knows if the farmer protests will have any effect, but if not then those with farms and businesses will need to plan ahead. There are some obvious things that people should do, especially those who are married or young enough to expect at least…
Divorcing couple in £200,000 dispute over date of their separation
November 14th 2024A divorcing couple have been in a £200,000 dispute over the date of their separation following a long marriage. Shannon Bateson, Associate Solicitor in our family law team reports on this recent case. The husband (H) claimed that the couple separated in 2014, while the wife (W) insisted that they remained together until 2021. The difference in their positions had significant financial implications, with over £200,000 at stake in the final settlement.…
Restrictive covenant against director ‘too restrictive to enforce’
November 7th 2024The High Court has dismissed a company’s bid to enforce restrictive covenants against a former director. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution reports on this recent case. The ruling determined that the covenants, which sought to prevent the director from competing for up to 10 years, were unenforceable due to their excessive scope and duration. The case involved Literacy Capital plc, an investment firm, which sought an interim injunction to prevent…
No-fault eviction ban and more renter rights revived by government
October 31st 2024The government has revived plans to ban no-fault evictions and provide renters with greater protection and security. Laura Murphy, Paralegal in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. The Renters’ Rights Bill will ban Section 21 evictions for new and existing tenancies, extend Awaab’s Law into the private rented sector and end blanket bans for those on benefits or with children. Ministers say banning Section 21 will reassure tenants they…
Agriculture team at Cumbrian legal firm ranked one of the best in the country
October 31st 2024THE agriculture team at a Cumbrian law firm has been ranked as one of the best in the country for the fifth consecutive year. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ agriculture team received top ranking in the prestigious Chambers UK Legal Guide 2025 which lists the UK’s best law firms and solicitors. The industry recognition comes less than a month after the department retained its Band 1 rating in The Legal 500 professional…
Judge settles complex case involving two siblings and their stepfather
October 28th 2024A High Court judge has settled a complex case relating to a stepfather’s parental responsibility for two siblings. Sarah Tweedie, Associate Solicitor in our Family Law team, reports on this recent case. The children were referred to in court as D, aged 14, and K, aged 10. They had the same mother but different fathers. The two fathers played little part in their children’s lives. The mother started a relationship…
Costcutter wins contract dispute over convenience stores’ debts
October 24th 2024The Costcutter Supermarkets Group has won a contract dispute with two convenience store operators over whether a limitation clause meant they did not have to pay for goods received. Stephanie Johnson, Senior Associate Solicitor, reports on this recent case. The issue arose when Costcutter sought to enforce debts owed by the store operators. The stores argued that the limitation clause in their trading agreements capped their liability, effectively nullifying their…
Husband in divorce case jailed for failing to reveal pension details
October 21st 2024The husband in divorce proceedings has been jailed for 19 days for failing to provide details of his pension. Shannon Bateson, Associate Solicitor in our family law team reports on this recent case. The husband, referred to as “H”, was found in contempt of court after repeatedly ignoring orders to submit Form E and the Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) of his pension. These documents are critical in determining the financial settlement.…
New pledge to crack down on late payments to small businesses
October 16th 2024The government has pledged to support small businesses and the self-employed by tackling what it calls “the scourge of late payments”. Rob Winder Senior Associate Chartered Legal Executive in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. Delays to payment of invoices cost small businesses £22,000 a year on average and lead to 50,000 closures a year. The government is now consulting on tough new laws designed to hold larger firms to account. In…
