News

The Insolvency Service is setting up a new team to tackle rogue directors who try to avoid paying their company debts. Carly Davies, our Debt Recovery Manager, reports. The Abusive Phoenixism Taskforce will have a staff of 50 people to investigate suspicious company insolvencies. It will have a budget of £25m. The service’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement Services, Dave Magrath, said:  “This is welcome funding which will help the Insolvency Service tackle rogue directors…

A father has successfully appealed a decision that would have allowed his three-year-old son to move to Cornwall, after a High Court judge found the mother’s relocation plan lacked the evidence needed for such a significant change. Sarah Tweedie, Associate Solicitor in our Family Law team, reports on this recent case. Recorder Williams overturned the earlier ruling made in March 2025, concluding that the district judge had been wrong to…

The Court of Appeal has ruled that a brief exchange of emails was enough to create a legally binding commercial contract, even though the parties expected to sign a longer written agreement later. The court said that where key terms are agreed and both sides behave as if a deal is done, the law will treat it as binding. Joseph Halvorsen, Solicitor Apprentice, reports on this recent case. The case…

A divorce case in which the husband allegedly arranged a ‘sham £1.6m loan’ as a way of thwarting the wife’s financial remedy claim is to be reheard. Liz Wilson, Senior Associate Solicitor in our Family team, reports on this recent case. The husband said the money had been advanced by his brother’s company and used in part to help buy the family home in London. He argued that the debt reduced the…

As we step into a new year, many people focus on healthy habits and fitness goals. But January is also the ideal time to review and update your legal affairs. Deborah Flynn, Head of Wills, Probate and Inheritance at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors is encouraging local people to begin 2026 with a legal health check. A legal health check can provide peace of mind for you and your family, ensuring your…

Managing Director Joanne Stronach reflects on a successful 2025 at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors Like many businesses, the run up to Christmas at Cartmell Shepherd is a busy time, as our teams work to meet deadlines and plan for the year ahead. Amidst the Christmas rush, it’s easy to forget to pause and reflect on progress made over the past year, so in this article, I’d like to do just that.…

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,…