Stephanie Johnson

A Cumbrian legal firm has achieved national recognition after being named as a finalist in the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors is shortlisted for the best Contentious Wills & Probate team (Boutique) at the awards which celebrate legal excellence across the country. Rebecca Armstrong, who is Head of Will and Inheritance Disputes at Cartmell Shepherd, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for our specialist expertise in…

Leading law firm Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has announced three senior promotions this week, as part of a move to highlight specialisms within its Dispute Resolution team. Director and Head of Dispute Resolution Mark Aspin said: “Dispute Resolution encompasses a broad spectrum of legal work. While our team deals with the majority of ‘Civil Disputes’, we also employ recognised specialists in the areas of Will & Inheritance Disputes, Property Disputes, and Court of Protection,…

Businesses 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…

The Costcutter Supermarkets Group has won a contract dispute with two convenience store operators over whether a limitation clause meant they did not have to pay for goods received. Stephanie Johnson, Senior Associate Solicitor, reports on this recent case. The issue arose when Costcutter sought to enforce debts owed by the store operators. The stores argued that the limitation clause in their trading agreements capped their liability, effectively nullifying their…

The High Court has ruled against a landlord that devised a development scheme to serve as grounds to regain possession of business premises occupied by McDonald’s. Stephanie Johnson, Senior Associate Solicitor, reports on this recent case. The case, McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd v Shirayama Shokusan Company Ltd, is a rare decision on compensation for misrepresentation under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. It also addresses breaches of court undertakings and the…

When drawing up business agreements the method used can prove crucial, as seen in a recent case before the High Court. Stephanie Johnson, Senior Associate Solicitor, reports on this recent case. Lendlease Construction (Europe) Ltd wanted to bring a claim against consultancy firm Aecom Ltd in relation to the construction of the oncology centre at St James’s Hospital in Leeds. The issue was whether the agreement between the two companies…

The High Court has settled a dispute between four siblings over the validity of their father’s Will. Stephanie Johnson, Senior Associate Solicitor, reports on this recent case. The court heard that the father had died on 11 September 2016. He had four children: the claimant and her three siblings (S1, S2 and S3). In a will found after his death, the father left his estate to his first wife, who…

The High Court has corrected an error made when changing a trust fund because it would have led to significant inheritance tax liability. Stephanie Johnson Senior Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. The declaration of trust had been executed in 1992 in respect of a life insurance policy held by the settlor. It identified “possible beneficiaries”, including any children or grandchildren of the settlor, and certain “immediate beneficiaries” (Kate, Adam,…

A recent case involving Gill v Lees News Ltd highlights the granting of a new tenancy to a business despite opposition from the landlord due to breaches of the tenancy agreement. Stephanie Johnson, Senior Associate Solicitor, provides a report on this case. The landlord opposed the tenant’s application for a new tenancy based on disrepair, rent arrears, other breaches of the agreement, and an intention to redevelop the premises. In…

The High Court has rejected a man’s claim that he was entitled to inherit his brother’s estate instead of the brother’s wife. Stephanie Johnson Senior Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. The issue arose because in September 2002, the deceased had executed a will bequeathing his whole estate to his brother. However, following his marriage in 2010, he had instructed solicitors to draft a new will, but before executing it…