Law firm doubles up on fundraising push for charity
September 16th 2021COLLEAGUES from a leading legal firm took part in two fundraising events over the same weekend to raise money for a local charity. Staff at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors put their best foot forward to raise around £1,300 for Carlisle and North Lakeland Hospice at Home, with donations still coming in. On Saturday, September 11, a four-strong team joined the charity’s Step Up to the Plate sponsored walk along the Hadrian’s…
Landlord loses service charge appeal after failing to consult tenants
September 15th 2021A landlord has lost its appeal against a decision that it could not impose service charges for certain works because it had failed to consult tenants properly. Natalie Tatton Solicitor reports on this recent case. The landlord owned several flats let on long leases. It carried out various works to the flats and, in 2017, sought to recover the cost from the lessees through the service charge. It applied to…
Employer had made ‘all reasonable adjustments’ for disabled employee
September 13th 2021A disabled employee has lost a discrimination claim after a judge concluded that her employer had made all reasonable adjustments to avoid any disadvantage to her. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment and HR reports on this recent case. The employee, Ms Martin, started working for the employer in 2014. She had several stress-related absences. In March 2017, an occupational health report advised that she had a chronic medical condition exacerbated…
Legal firm offers free guide to SME businesses
September 8th 2021A LEADING legal firm has produced a handy guide for businesses planning for the future. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, who are members of the UK200Group, have created the ‘Top 20 Tips for SMEs’ guide which focuses on practical steps businesses can take. The guide highlights the three key areas that businesses should focus on: their cash, their people and their customers. Commenting on the guide, Sam Lyon, Head of Corporate and…
Court interprets woman’s will to enable all her children to inherit
September 7th 2021The High Court has reconciled contradictory instructions relating to a deceased woman’s estate so that all three of her children can receive an equal inheritance. Rebecca Armstrong Associate Solicitor reports on this case. The court made the ruling after the trustees of a settlement applied for an interpretation of the woman’s will. Under the deed of settlement, the woman had a special power of appointment in respect of property in…
Tougher penalties for not belting up
September 6th 2021WEARING a seat belt saves lives – possibly your own, or potentially that of a loved one sharing the car with you. Thinking it over with Carol Fish Director & Head of Serious and Catastrophic Injury… But it would appear that too many people are taking risks by not buckling up when in vehicles, and sadly the consequences can be catastrophic, sometimes fatal. A recent report by Cumbria Police revealed that the constabulary…
Director didn’t breach duty over employee bonus in company transfer
September 2nd 2021A director didn’t breach his legal duty when he gave an employee an enhanced bonus entitlement shortly before a takeover involving the transfer of employment contracts. Mark Aspin Head of Dispute Resolution reports on this recent case: That was the decision of the High Court in a case involving Reader v SPIE Ltd. The court heard that Paul Garside had sold his company to SPIE under a share purchase agreement which…
Jewellery designer wins passing off claim against rival
August 31st 2021A jewellery designer who had built up a strong brand reputation has won a passing off claim against a new business using a similar name. Sam Lyon Head of Corporate & Commercial reports on this recent case. The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court heard that Alyssa Smith started out as a sole trader in 2009, using the trading signs Alyssa Smith Jewellery, Alyssa Jewellery and @alyssajewellery. She attracted media attention, with…
Nursing officer was dismissed for making protected disclosures
August 25th 2021The Employment Appeal Tribunal has upheld a decision that a nursing officer was dismissed solely because she had made protected disclosures. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR reports on this recent case. The officer, Ms Fairhall, had worked in district nursing for University Hospital North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust for 38 years and managed 50 nursing staff. In 2015 she was commended for her care and leadership qualities.…
Interior designers win dispute over hotel ‘five-star finish’
August 24th 2021A firm of interior designers have won a contract dispute over unpaid invoices for their work refurbishing a hotel requiring a “luxurious 5-star feel”. Selina Gonzalez Trainee Solicitor reports in this recent case. The case involved Phoenix Interior Design Ltd v Henley Homes plc. Henley engaged Phoenix to provide interior design services, furniture and fittings for a new apartment hotel in Scotland. The brief stated that the hotel was intended…
