DPD driver awarded £20k after colleagues gossiped about him
February 12th 2025A DPD driver has been awarded £20,000 compensation after his employer breached his confidentiality, leading to colleagues gossiping about his flexible working arrangements. Joanne Stronach Director and Head of Employment reports on this recent case. Mr Courtney Rawlins, who worked as a delivery driver, won his claim for harassment related to sex after the Employment Tribunal ruled that DPD Group UK Limited had violated his dignity and created a hostile environment.…
Preservation of Original Wills in England and Wales
January 27th 2025The UK government has decided to retain original paper Wills indefinitely, following a public consultation. Previously, there was a proposal to scan and destroy older Wills after 10-12 years to cut costs. However, this faced strong opposition due to concerns about scanning errors, durability, security, and authenticity. Leading historians described the plan as ‘sheer vandalism’. Thanisha Sharma, Paralegal, provides an update. The Ministry of Justice has now decided against any…
Wife retains home despite claims brought by husband’s creditors
January 3rd 2025A woman has won the right to keep her family home despite attempts by her husband’s creditors to claim a share of the property following his bankruptcy. Natalie Henderson Solicitor in our dispute team reports on this recent case. The dispute centred on whether the husband, who left the family home after admitting to an affair, had retained any ownership over the property they had bought together during their marriage. The couple purchased…
Cartmells Christmas Legal Facts
December 13th 2024Join us as we count down the 12 days of Christmas with fun, practical, and surprising legal facts to keep you informed this holiday season! Day 1: Christmas Leave Facts “Did you know? Employers in the UK are not legally required to give you Christmas or Boxing Day off unless it’s in your contract. Holiday leave must follow your terms of employment — so plan ahead!” Day 2: Gift Return…
Solicitor promoted after return to firm where she trained
December 2nd 2024A solicitor has been promoted less than 12 months after returning to the law firm where she trained. Hexham-based Nicholson Portnell Solicitors has appointed Laura Murphy to the role of Senior Associate Solicitor. Laura initially joined Nicholson Portnell in 2008 as a trainee and worked there for eight years, qualifying as a solicitor in 2010. She returned last December after time away working for a Newcastle city centre law firm…
Judge halts mother’s court action after children refused contact
November 29th 2024A mother’s application to re-establish contact with her four children has been rejected by the court after the children expressed strong opposition to seeing her. Amy Fallows Senior Associate Solicitor & Head of our Family Law team reports on this case. Her Honour Judge Suh concluded that forcing the children into direct contact would harm their emotional well-being, stating that “their welfare is my number one concern”. The children, aged between 9 and…
Solicitor’s ongoing commitment to providing counselling support to clients
November 25th 2024A recently promoted solicitor is going the extra mile for her clients by further widening the level of care provided by the law firm she works for. Coinciding with her promotion to the position of Associate Solicitor at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, Sarah Griffiths has gained a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills from the Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body. She has already embarked on the Level 3 qualification as…
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.…
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…
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.…
