Father who showed no interest in his child loses parental responsibility
July 4th 2024A father with serious criminal convictions who showed no interest in his daughter has lost parental responsibility for her. Sarah Tweedie, Associate Solicitor in our Family Law team, reports on this recent case. The father had parental responsibility for the two-year-old girl, referred to as A because he was her biological father and was named as such on the birth certificate. The issue arose when the girl’s mother applied to…
Leading employment lawyer welcomes new law to support unpaid carers
June 29th 2024NEW legislation which entitles carers to one week’s unpaid leave to support their loved ones has been welcomed by a leading employment lawyer. Joanne Stronach, who is Head of Employment Law and HR at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said the new measures introduced as part of the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 were a step in the right direction to support the millions of people who provide unpaid care to dependant family…
Experienced Family Law solicitor becomes firm’s first appointment since acquisition
June 27th 2024An experienced solicitor has joined a law firm’s growing Family Law team in what is a milestone appointment for the company. Sarah Tweedie, who has worked at law practices across the North of England for the past 17 years, has joined Northumberland-based Nicholson Portnell Solicitors, becoming the firm’s first recruit since it was acquired by Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors earlier this year. Sarah, who grew up in the Tyne Valley, works…
Tenants to get new rights to help them hold landlords to account
June 25th 2024Social housing tenants are to get new rights to help them hold their landlords to account and drive up the quality and safety of their homes. Laura Murphy, Paralegal in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. The government has begun a consultation on new rules that will allow social housing tenants or a representative, such as a lawyer, to request information for free about the management of their homes.…
Business community celebrates law firms coming together
June 17th 2024BUSINESSES from across the Tyne Valley joined in the celebrations to mark the coming together of two prestigious Northern law firms. Hexham-based Nicholson Portnell Solicitors and Cumbrian firm Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors invited guests from across the region to learn more about how the amalgamation of the two companies will strengthen the legal services provided across both geographies. The celebration event, held at Hexham’s Beaumont Hotel, provided an opportunity for people…
Partner entitled to share partnership assets despite her resignation
June 5th 2024A woman who resigned from her family’s business partnership is still entitled to a share in the partnership assets, the Court of Appeal has ruled. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution reports on this recent case. The case of Procter v Procter involved a 600-acre farm. The partnership consisted of two brothers, their sister, and their father. Each partner was entitled to one quarter of the profits. The partnership agreement had…
No-fault divorce hailed a success after two years in practice
May 30th 2024No-fault divorce has been hailed as a welcome success, two years after it was introduced in 2022. Amy Fallows Senior Associate Solicitor & Head of our Family Law team reports. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 was designed to reduce the potential for conflict among divorcing couples by removing the ability to make allegations about the conduct of a spouse and allowing couples to end their marriage jointly. Under previous law, one…
Legal dispute specialists shortlisted in prestigious regional awards
May 28th 2024The Dispute Resolution team at a Cumbrian legal firm has been named as a finalist in the Northern Law Awards. The team from Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has been shortlisted in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution category of the prestigious regional awards. It is the only entry with its head office in Cumbria to make the final. The specialist legal team supports clients across Cartmell Shepherd’s offices in Cumbria and Northumberland,…
Family disputes over Wills and probate continue to rise
May 20th 2024The number of family disputes over Wills and probate rose by just over 5% in 2023, according to the latest family court statistics. Selina Gonzalez Associate Solicitor in our dispute resolution team reports. There are several reasons why this might happen. The increase in the number of second and even third marriages make life more complicated these days. People making a Will may have to weigh up the conflicting interests of their children…
Government decides against increasing divorce fee by 10%
May 13th 2024The Government has decided against increasing divorce fees by 10% as initially proposed. Sarah Hinett, Paralegal in our Family Law Team provides an update. The decision comes after a public consultation in which concerns were expressed that higher fees could lead to some couples being trapped in an unhappy or abusive marriage. Divorce application fees will now remain at £593. In its response to the consultation, the Ministry of Justice said: “Consultation…
