Court of appeal rules against Rolls-Royce in liability cap dispute
March 27th 2025The Court of Appeal has ruled against Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in a dispute over the interpretation of a liability cap in a software contract with German technology firm Topalsson GmbH. Rob Winder Senior Associate Chartered Legal Executive in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. The case arose after Rolls-Royce commissioned Topalsson in October 2019 to develop digital visualisation software for its car customisation service. The contract was terminated in April 2020 following…
Richard Nelson retires after four decades serving Tyne Valley
March 25th 2025One of the Tyne Valley’s most highly regarded solicitors has retired after 42 years of service with the same firm. Richard Nelson is a well-known figure throughout the North East for his legal work since 1982, with Hexham-based solicitors Nicholson Portnell and its predecessors, as well as his voluntary work across the Tyne Valley most notably through his role at Hexham Rotary Club. Richard moved to Hexham to train with…
Supreme Court rules on debtor who dispersed assets at undervalue
March 10th 2025The Supreme Court has ruled against a debtor who dispersed his assets at an undervalue while owing millions of pounds to his bank. The case involved El-Husseiny and another v Invest Bank PSC. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution reports on this recent case. The judgment confirms that section 423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 applies even when assets are transferred through a company owned by the debtor, rather than directly…
Celebrating Women in Law: Honouring Our Female Leaders on International Women’s Day
March 4th 2025At Cartmell Shepherd, we are proud to celebrate International Women’s Day by recognising the outstanding achievements of our female leaders. Law has long been a male-dominated profession, but times are changing and more women than ever are entering the legal sector. However, while progress has been made, women remain underrepresented at senior levels across the profession. At our firm, we are committed to breaking down barriers and championing gender equality…
Will written on food box found valid
February 27th 2025A High Court judge has recently ruled that an unorthodox Will written on food packaging – specifically a frozen fish packet and mince pie box – valid and can be submitted for probate. Elisabeth Chattin, Paralegal working with our Wills, Probate & Inheritance team, reports on this recent case. Shortly before his death in 2021, Malcolm Chenery wrote his final wishes on the back of a Young’s frozen fish packet…
Family Court’s divorce settlement emphasises wife’s role in childcare
February 18th 2025A Family Court judge has finalised a divorce settlement that highlights the importance of the wife’s role as the primary carer for the couple’s nine-year-old twin sons. Nina Bernard, Graduate Solicitor Apprentice in our Family Law team reports on this recent case. District Judge Hatvany ruled that the 58-year-old wife would receive a larger share of the couple’s assets to meet the needs of the children who live with her.…
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.…
Should your right to renew business tenancies be changed?
February 3rd 2025Businesses are being asked if they think the law relating to the right to renew business tenancies should be changed. Stephanie Johnson, Senior Associate Solicitor, provides an update. The Law Commission has published a consultation paper considering how the right to renew business tenancies, set out in Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (and which is called “security of tenure”), is working and whether it meets the…
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…
