News

At Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors we have always encouraged our teams to give back to the communities they serve. It’s at the very heart of what we do. The pandemic has underlined the importance of helping each other and being part of a community. Our support and involvement with charities, online events and organisations has been even more vital during these difficult times. We are fortunate across Cumbria and Northumberland to…

A businessman has won his appeal against his disqualification from being a company director. Sam Lyon Associate Solicitor and Head of Corporate & Commercial reports. Gabriel Gatheru Rwamba had been disqualified in 2009 for four years for failing to appropriately monitor the company’s finances. In 2010, interim orders permitting him to act as a director subject to various conditions were made. He breached that permission by failing to ensure the…

Businesses struggling with debt due to the Covid-19 crisis have been given extra breathing space to help them avoid insolvency. Mark Aspin Director & Head of Dispute Resolution provides an update. A temporary measure introduced by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act restricting the use of statutory demands and winding-up petitions, which was due to expire on 31 December 2020, has been extended to the 31 March 2021. This will…

The number of insolvencies has fallen slightly but there are fears that the figures could soon rise and that ‘a wave of business closures could be on the horizon’. Sam Lyon Associate Solicitor and Head of Corporate & Commercial reports. Corporate insolvencies decreased to 856 in October 2020 compared to September’s figure of 925 and remained well below October 2019’s figure of 1,485. Colin Haig, president of insolvency at trade…

A cryptocurrency firm has successfully taken legal action to prevent its former managing director competing against it and from revealing confidential information. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution reports. The case involved Gemini Europe Ltd and Sawyer (2020). Gemini was part of a group of companies dealing in cryptocurrencies. In November 2019, it had engaged Mr Sawyer as its managing director. The contract included a non-compete clause preventing…

With the pandemic still causing huge problems for many businesses, it’s perhaps not surprising that many remain focussed on survival without too much thought for the future. If possible, however, it’s still important to consider what will happen once the pandemic is over, especially if you are planning to retire from your business and hand it over to the next generation. It could even be that a reduction in business…

A LEADING legal firm has proved its commitment to the high street by opening a new town centre office. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors will move into a new office in Cockermouth later this month as part of the firm’s continued expansion. Staff based at its current West Cumbrian office in Dovenby will transfer to the new base, which is in an historic building on Main Street, close to Cocker Bridge and…

Thinking it over with Carol Fish Director & Head of Serious and Catastrophic Injury… THE prospect of Covid vaccines starting to be rolled out in December and being widely available by Spring has given everyone reason for hope this Christmas that there may be light at the end of the tunnel. There is no doubt 2020 has been a tough year for everyone. And as we prepare for a festive…

Protection for people who rent their homes is being extended while the Covid-19 restrictions continue to affect people’s livelihoods. Natalie Tatton, Solicitor in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. The measures include a ban on evictions until 11 January 2021 at the earliest. The only exceptions to this will be the most egregious cases, including where tenants have demonstrated anti-social behaviour or are the perpetrator of domestic abuse in…

The government has provided brief but useful advice on Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) and how they can be used to help people who are no longer able to make decisions for themselves. Michelle Hayes, Solicitor, provides an update. An LPA is a legal document that you can draw up when you’re fit and healthy authorising someone you choose to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer…