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Implementing hybrid working models permanently will help businesses attract the most talented employees, a leading employment solicitor has claimed. Joanne Stronach, Head of Employment Law and HR at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, is recommending businesses retain flexible working patterns where possible in order to keep and recruit the best staff out there, following the success and popularity of working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. As the Government’s…

The High Court has ruled that a telephone conversation between the managing directors of two companies amounted to a binding agreement and had to honoured. Sam Lyon Head of Corporate & Commercial reports on this recent case. The case involved Mansion Place Ltd v Fox Industrial Services Ltd. Mansion had engaged Fox to refurbish and extend student accommodation. There were delays in the performance of the works. Fox said they were…

A mother who was dismissed during her maternity leave while the ownership of her company changed hands has won her discrimination claim. Jennifer Cafferky Solicitor in our employment team reports on this recent case Mrs Rodin worked for HR company DMS1 and went on maternity leave in June 2017. During her absence, the company underwent a change in ownership, with Dhillons Management Services taking over, although this company was also…

The High Court has rejected a claim that a firm of accountants failed in their duty of care and should be held liable for a client’s failed investment. David Tew, Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. The client, Mr Knights, sought damages from Townsend Harrison Ltd for losses he suffered after the firm introduced him to three tax schemes and an investment opportunity. Townsend was not authorised by the Financial…

A leading law firm has appointed a new specialist employment solicitor to further increase the breadth and quality of support for its growing number of business clients. Jennifer Cafferky, who has worked in employment law for 15 years, joins Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors from national law firm Setfords Solicitors and has previously worked for Cumbria Law Centre as a senior solicitor. She will work alongside Joanne Stronach, who leads the Employment…

A construction firm has won its claim for the payment of three outstanding invoices despite the customer arguing that the three payments could not be treated as one single case. Carly Davies Debt Recovery Manager provides an update. The issue arose after Creagh Concrete Products Ltd entered into an oral construction contract with Quadro Services Ltd. During the contract period, Quadro made various applications for payment. Three cumulative applications, issued in…

A veterinary assistant was unfairly dismissed after she challenged her employer’s view that the coronavirus pandemic had been ‘hyped up’. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment and HR reports on this recent case. The case involved Charlotte Rendina who worked at Royston Veterinary Centre from January to March 2020. She was dismissed by her employer, Dr White, due to her ‘poor performance’. However, the Employment Tribunal heard that the timing coincided with…

“We might all be forgiven for feeling a bit under the weather: farmers have a lot of change to cope with, and we all have the ongoing ‘stuff’. So when there’s some good news, we should celebrate it – having our Agriculture team ranked in the top band by both main legal reviews; expanding the team with two bright, young Cumbrian lawyers; Katherine Pretswell-Walker joining the Board of Directors. That’s really good…

AS THE clocks have now gone back and it begins to get pitch black outside before we leave work or to pick our children up from after-school activities, we all really need to start taking extra precaution in order to protect ourselves and others. Thinking it over with Carol Fish Director & Head of Serious and Catastrophic Injury… While we enjoyed that extra hour in bed last Sunday, we must now contend with…

The increasing use of unregulated online will writing services could lead to a surge in family disputes over a loved one’s estate, researchers have warned. Deborah Flynn Director & Head of Wills, Probate & Inheritance provides an update. Online services have become more popular over the last few years, particularly during the Covid lockdown periods. The consultancy firm, Funeral Solution Expert (FSE), analysed 26 online will writers. It found several…