Cartmell Shepherd’s commitment to professional development results in four internal promotions
March 28th 2024Cartmell Shepherd has announced it has promoted four members of its team as part of its ongoing commitment to developing the legal services it provides to its growing client base. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has rewarded staff members for their endeavour and high level of expertise within their legal specialism to support the company’s continued growth. Rebecca Armstrong has been promoted to the position of Senior Associate Solicitor, Selina Gonzalez and…
‘No Fault’ divorce applications fall by 12% after initial surge
March 27th 2024The number of ‘No Fault’ divorce applications has fallen significantly following the initial surge when the new system came into effect in 2022. Sarah Hinett, Paralegal in our Family Law Team reports. Government figures show that in July to September 2023, there were 27,290 divorce applications. That was down 12% compared with the same quarter in 2022, which was the second quarter following the start of the new divorce law. It’s thought…
Transgender worker loses harassment claim over ‘deadnaming’
March 26th 2024A transgender worker has lost her claim that she was harassed when she was ‘deadnamed’ on the staff rota. Jennifer Cafferky Solicitor in our employment team, reports on this recent case. Deadnaming means using the name a transgender person was given at birth instead of the name they adopt after transitioning. The case involved Mandie Monroe, a trans woman who worked for Central Bedfordshire Council. On the application form for the…
Cohabitation – there’s no such thing as a ‘common law wife’
March 25th 2024I don’t know if there’s something in the River Tyne, but Cartmell Shepherd has experienced a significant increase in enquiries from people looking for legal advice about cohabitation. On more than one occasion recently, I`ve been stopped in various locations “for a quick chat” about someone`s “common law” rights. In less than a century, how we “do” romantic relationships has shifted massively. Gone are the days when the only acceptable…
Couples in company law dispute over development project
March 18th 2024Informal business arrangements often lead to legal disputes when disagreements arise, as in a recent case before the Court of Appeal. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution reports on this recent case. It involved two couples who set up a property development company. One couple held a 51% stake (the Majority) and the other couple owned 49% (the Minority). All four served as directors. The company acquired a piece of land…
Early legal advice for separating couples but no mandatory mediation
March 15th 2024Separating couples will get early legal advice as part of the Government’s family court reforms, but the idea of introducing mandatory mediation has been scrapped. Joanne Grey Senior Associate Solicitor in our family law team reports on this recent case. A legal advice pilot will be launched to help families agree child arrangements quickly, addressing barriers to early resolution including a lack of understanding of the options available such as mediation, which will…
RTM company entitled to pursue covenant claim against tenant
March 12th 2024A right to manage company was entitled in the same way as a landlord to pursue a case in the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) against the lessee of a flat who was in breach of covenant. Rob Winder Senior Associate Chartered Legal Executive in our Dispute Resolution team reports on this recent case. That was the decision of the Court of Appeal in a case involving Eastpoint Block A RTM Co Ltd v Otubaga.…
We’re proud to support Update Your Will Week 2024
March 7th 2024This week is Update Your Will Week (4th–10thMarch), an annual campaign hosted by The Association of Lifetime Lawyers. It aims to raise awareness around the risks of not having an up to date Will and encourages people to update their Will to ensure their wishes are carried out when they die. Why is it important to have an up to date Will? Having an up to date, well-drafted Will is…
Manager loses tribunal claim over right to work only from home
March 3rd 2024A senior manager has lost her tribunal claim for the right to work entirely from home. Joanne Stronach Director and Head of Employment reports on this recent case. The case involved Miss Wilson, who works for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA allowed her to work from home during Covid for health reasons. When Covid restrictions eased at the end of 2022, she applied to change her terms of employment…
Essential Legal Tips for Business Growth
February 29th 2024Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, driving innovation and creating employment opportunities. However, as a business owner, you are often required to wear many hats, juggling the roles of CEO, financial planner, marketer, and more. During this balancing act, the legal aspects of running a business can sometimes take a back seat, potentially leading to larger issues down the road. At Cartmell Shepherd we understand the unique challenges…
