Legal firm’s newest recruit joins team after relocating from East Anglia
November 12th 2019ONE of the newest members of a top legal firm’s 100-strong team has spoken of his delight at joining the company. Nick Devlin, who along with wife Georgina has recently moved to Cumbria from East Anglia, says he had always hoped he would one day be a member of the Cartmell Shepherd family. He first got a taste of the business during a work placement week – and almost six…
Agricultural team has been officially ranked
November 8th 2019CARTMELL’S dedicated agriculture team has been officially ranked one of the two best in the North of England in a worldwide legal listing. Unrivalled industry insight and expertise held by the department saw them awarded the ‘top tier’ ranking in the Legal 500 alongside international firm Womble Bond Dickinson. Cartmell Shepherd directors Jonathan Carroll and Mark Jackson were named as leading individuals in their field while associate solicitor Katherine Pretswell-Walker…
Number of first-time home buyers reaches 12-year high
November 7th 2019The number of first-time home buyers has reached its highest level for 12 years. The latest mortgage data reveals that 35,010 people took their first step on the property ladder in August. That’s the highest monthly total since August 2007. The figures, from UK Finance, follow the Ministry of Housing’s own research revealing 87% of the public would prefer to buy rather than rent. It also found 57% of people…
Deputyship Fee Refunds
November 5th 2019The Office of the Public Guardian (“OPG”) have begun to offer deputyship fee refunds to those who were overcharged fees from the 1st of April 2008 to the 31st of March 2015. Why are the OPG offering refunds? A deputy is a person appointed by the Court of Protection to be legally responsible for someone who no longer has the ability to make decisions for themselves. Currently you must pay £365…
Landlords call for new housing court to speed up justice
November 4th 2019The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) is calling for a new housing court to speed up justice for landlords and tenants. The association says that under Civil Procedure Rules, repossession claims should only take about nine weeks, but official figures show they’re taking an average of more than 22 weeks. It believes that the government’s proposal to abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions will add to the number of cases going through…
Vegetarianism ‘not a protected belief’ under the Equality Act
November 1st 2019Vegetarianism is a “lifestyle choice” and not a philosophical belief capable of protection under equality legislation, the Employment Tribunal has ruled. The landmark judgment came in a case involving a waiter at the Fritton Arms hotel on Lord Somerleyton’s estate in Suffolk, George Conisbee worked for the hotel from April 2018 until his resignation in August the same year. He claimed he had been a victim of discrimination, arguing that…
Doctor hired through her company still classed as a ‘worker’
October 28th 2019A doctor who provided services through her own company has been classed as a “worker” for employment law purposes, giving her various rights and protections. Reshma Narayan was registered with Community Based Care Health Ltd as a “duty doctor” and worked regular shifts on a 12-week rota at a single NHS medical practice. She was not obliged to accept work and Community was not obliged to provide any. She took…
Sisters lose shares in farm after father dies without making a Will
October 24th 2019The granddaughters of a farmer have lost their shares in his farm because of complications that arose when their father died without making a Will. The grandfather had died in 1992, leaving behind a wife and four children. His Will stated that the farm was to be left to his wife and two of his sons as tenants in common. The Will added that in order to receive their share…
New rules to ensure large firms pay promptly come into effect
October 21st 2019New rules that mean large companies could lose lucrative government business if they don’t pay their suppliers on time have now come into force. The rules, effective from 1 September, mean companies must pay 95% of their invoices within 60 days or run the risk of losing out on major government contracts. This will be particularly beneficial for small businesses, which are an important part of the supply chain. The…
Fab-Seiling for Others!
October 18th 2019It all started when I heard the dulcet American tones of Cumbria’s High Sheriff drift across a crowded room with the words “Carol will do it with me!” “Do what?” I asked – followed by a frantic shaking of my head. Fast forward some weeks and I found myself at the top of the highest fire training tower at Carlisle East Fire Station with three other trembling ladies Marcia Reid…
