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By Laura Bright Solicitor Finding the right horse can be difficult, and when you finally do, it can be ever so tempting to rush into purchasing him/her without carrying out the necessary checks.  It is unlikely you would buy a car without an MOT so why treat purchasing a horse any differently? In order to protect yourself you should have the horse vetted by your own vet or an independent…

Our team of dedicated solicitors who ‘go beyond the extra mile’ for their clients is flying the flag for Cumbria as finalists in the prestigious Northern Law Awards. Our private client department is now in the running to be named 2019 private client team of the year at a ceremony in Newcastle in June. Deborah Flynn, Director and Head of Department, said being shortlisted was fitting recognition of the extraordinary…

By Laura Ousby Solicitor Family law may not immediately spring to mind when considering the impact of Brexit. Most of the news coverage focuses on the value of the pound, businesses, the NHS, interest rates and house prices. A no-deal Brexit will, however, affect the current family legal system as we know it. The government have made a number of provisions affecting family law that are expected to come into force…

Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR explains. The Court of Appeal has upheld a tribunal ruling that female workers in Asda stores were employed under terms and conditions that were comparable to men working in the company’s distribution depots. It’s an important decision as it could allow thousands of women working for major retailers and numerous other businesses to bring equal pay claims. Asda has 630 retail stores and…

A City banker has successfully sued his architect after a home cinema designed to float above an indoor swimming pool failed to deliver a “wow factor”. Philip Freeborn was a successful banker and owned a luxurious home. He hired architect Daniel Marca to redesign his pool-house. They agreed on a cinema screen that would appear in a glass box on legs above the pool. However, the end result was not…

When negotiating a divorce financial settlement, both the sides should be realistic of their monetary demands. One of the major tasks a couple face when they divorce is to decide on a fair financial settlement: how much should each partner get once their joint matrimonial assets are divided up? Negotiating a divorce financial settlement The courts will always try to ensure that both partners are treated fairly and will insist…

Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR considers the case of E Jolly, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.  An 88-year-old woman who was dismissed from her job with the NHS has become the oldest person in the UK to win an age discrimination claim. Eileen Jolly told the Employment Tribunal that she felt “humiliated and degraded” by the way she was treated by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. Mrs…

By Laura Bright Solicitor  The Tenant Fees Act that caps tenancy deposits and protects against unfair practices has now received the Royal Assent and passes into law. The government introduced the new regulations because it believes that unexpected letting fees and high deposits can make properties harder for people to afford and are often not clearly explained upfront – leaving many prospective tenants unaware of the true costs of renting…

By Claire Wilson Associate Solicitor The High Court has allowed a family to correct an error in a trust fund that would have had costly tax implications. The case arose out of financial arrangements outlined in the will of a man who died in 2015. He bequeathed £4.2m to be held on trust for the benefit of his widow and his children, with a class of discretionary beneficiaries comprising of…

By Laura Wilson Following the death of an individual, in some circumstances it is necessary for the Personal Representatives (the people responsible for dealing with the Estate) to apply to the Court for a document known as a Grant of Probate (GoP) to allow them to obtain the deceased’s assets. Currently, the Court fee for obtaining the GoP is set at £155 if applying through a Solicitor or £215 for…