Taking control of your future: the importance of Lasting Powers of Attorney
May 11th 2026Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) allow you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so. While many people assume this is something to think about later in life, the reality is that loss of capacity can happen at any time, whether through unexpected illness, injury, or a longer-term diagnosis. Putting LPAs in place sooner rather than later ensures…
Employer ordered to pay £392k for decades of unpaid holiday entitlement
May 6th 2026A property manager has been awarded nearly £392,000 after succeeding in a long-running claim for unpaid holiday entitlement built up over decades of service. Jennifer Cafferky, Associate Solicitor in our employment team, reports on this recent case. The Employment Tribunal found that Mr Mohamed Ageli, who had worked for Sabtina Limited since 1987, had accrued a substantial amount of untaken leave which had been carried forward year after year under a…
Supreme Court says no fixed time limit for shareholder unfair prejudice claims
April 29th 2026The Supreme Court has clarified an important point of company law, ruling that shareholders are not subject to any statutory time limit when bringing unfair prejudice claims, even where the complaint relates to events that took place many years earlier. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution provides an update. Unfair prejudice claims, brought under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006, allow shareholders to ask the court to intervene where…
Supplier awarded nearly £4m in dispute over contract termination
April 21st 2026A company has been awarded almost £4m after the Court of Appeal ruled that it did not lose its right to terminate a contract, even though it continued supplying services for several months after the event that triggered the termination right. Joseph Halvorsen, Solicitor Apprentice, reports on this recent case. The case concerned an electricity supply agreement and the principle of waiver by election – whether a party entitled to…
Landlords must provide new information ahead of Renters’ Rights Act
April 14th 2026Landlords and letting agents will be required to provide tenants with new official information explaining upcoming changes to rental law, as the Renters’ Rights Act is due to come into force on 1 May 2026. Haley Howells, Apprentice Paralegal working in our dispute resolution team, provides an update. The government has published an information document setting out the changes, which must be given to tenants by 31 May 2026. The…
Why Partnership Agreements Matter More Than Ever for Farming Families
April 8th 2026Farming has always involved risk – weather, markets, livestock, machinery. Yet one of the biggest risks we see regularly isn’t outside the farm gate at all. It’s the absence of a clear partnership agreement between the people actually running the business. Jonathan Carroll, Director & Head of Agriculture, explores why partnership agreements are essential for farming families. If one of the partners died tomorrow, would everyone know exactly what happens…
Wife awarded £13m in divorce case as judge criticises husband
March 30th 2026A woman has been awarded just over £13m following a long-running financial dispute with her former husband, a businessman, after a 20-year relationship. Sarah Tweedie, Associate Solicitor in our Family Law team, reports on this recent case. Mr Justin Warshaw KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge in the Family Court, ruled that the settlement should leave the wife with around 43% of the couple’s total wealth, worth more…
Security officer called ‘mummy’ by colleagues awarded £69k compensation
March 23rd 2026A female security officer who was repeatedly called “mummy” by male colleagues and subjected to sexist and racist behaviour at work has been awarded almost £69,000 in compensation by an employment tribunal. Jennifer Cafferky, Associate Solicitor in our employment team, reports on this recent case. The tribunal found that the woman, identified only as CL, was harassed on grounds of sex and age while working as a security officer for Mitie…
Investing in future talent – 10th trainee joins top law firm
March 17th 2026Prominent law firm Cartmell Shepherd is continuing to grow its team with the appointment of a new trainee solicitor – the 10th individual to receive their backing. Tom Miller has joined the agricultural property team based at Rosehill in Carlisle. He was born and bred in the city, attended Nelson Thomlinson School, and comes from a farming family so his first role in the company’s team is perfectly placed. “I’ve…
Landlord loses possession claim after failing to prove HMO exemption
March 10th 2026The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is coming soon, with the first phase commencing from 1st May 2026, which includes the abolishment of section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Landlords will still be able to serve, and rely on, a section 21 notice up to the end of April. However, landlords should bear in mind that it is more important than ever to get things right to ensure any section 21 notice…
