News

Deemed “the fastest growing sport in Britain” by the Lawn Tennis Association, padel tennis is experiencing a rapid surge in popularity. Figures show that participation more than tripled last year, with new courts springing up across the country. Hexham Tennis Club was among the first in the Northeast to embrace the trend, opening its own padel court supported by Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors. One year on and the court has been…

Late payment is one of the most common causes of financial stress for businesses. A company can be profitable on paper but still struggle if cash is not arriving in time to meet wages, rent and supplier invoices. For many firms, the difference between stability and insolvency lies in how effectively they manage credit. The first step is ensuring that payment terms are set out clearly from the very start.…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Autumn Budget to parliament this week, with changes that will impact individuals and businesses across the country. Cartmell Shepherd Managing Director Joanne Stronach, Head of Agriculture Jonathan Carroll and Director in our Wills, Probate and Inheritance team Alan Douglas gave their thoughts on how the budget announcements will impact local businesses and farming families. Joanne Stronach said: “The Chancellor’s long-anticipated Budget has delivered a double-edged…

By Carol O’Donoghue, Marketing and Business Development Director at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors. Securing sponsorship and funding can be a vital lifeline for organisations, whether you’re running an event, a community project, or a charity. But approaching businesses effectively requires more than just asking for support. It’s about building a mutually beneficial partnership. As a Marketing and Business Development Director in a large regional community driven law firm for many years,…

AN EXPERIENCED solicitor has joined Cartmell Shepherd’s Wills, Probate and Inheritance department. Emma Pringle joins the firm’s Hexham office as Senior Associate, bringing nearly two decades of experience and a specialist knowledge of rural estate management. Emma previously worked for respected law firms in Manchester and Newcastle and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the global professional body for experts in inheritance and succession…

Following the Renters Rights Act 2025 receiving Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, the government has published its roadmap for implementation. The legislation will be introduced in three phases, with several key changes taking effect from as early as 1st May 2026. These include the banning of no-fault evictions (otherwise known as Section 21 evictions), fixed-term tenancy contracts and rent bidding, among other changes. The MHCLG Policy Paper, published on…

By Terri Hope, Marketing Manager, Mental Health First Aider & Wellbeing Champion at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors At Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, we believe that good health and wellbeing are just as important in the workplace as they are at home. That’s why, this Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate our commitment to supporting one another not only as colleagues but as people. We’re proud to…

A County Court appeal has clarified when landlords must serve fresh deposit information if a tenant’s money is moved between protection schemes. Laura Murphy, Paralegal in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. The issue arose after the tenant paid a deposit that was protected in the MyDeposits scheme. Prescribed information was served correctly at that stage. The landlords later transferred the deposit to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) custodial…

The government’s new Renters’ Rights Act has now received Royal Assent, introducing sweeping reforms to the private rental sector in England. While much of the media focus has been on the 11 million tenants who will benefit, it’s equally important that landlords understand how these changes affect their rights and responsibilities.  Rob Winder, Senior Associate Chartered Legal Executive and Head of Property Litigation in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. At the…

A judge has criticised a father and mother who secretly used tracking equipment to monitor the movements of their children, who were involved in care proceedings. Sarah Tweedie, Associate Solicitor in our Family Law team, reports on this recent case. His Honour Judge Sharpe, sitting in the Family Court, found that devices had been concealed in toys and a bag given to the children by their parents while they were…