Leaseholders of terrace house not entitled to obtain freehold
June 22nd 2020By Natalie Tatton Solicitor in our Dispute Resolution Team The tenants of eleven terrace houses had no right to acquire the freehold title as their leases excluded certain structural parts of their property. That was the decision of the High Court in a case involving Freehold Properties 250 Ltd v Beverley Ann Field & 18 Ors (2020). Freehold Properties appealed against a decision of the County Court that 11 of…
What does the future look like for SMEs – UK200Group SME Poll
June 19th 2020UK200 Group Poll: What does the future look like for your business? Over the coming weeks, subject to the COVID-19 virus being under control, we are seeing a re-opening of the economy, sectors and SMEs, owner operated and family businesses. But we also know many remain closed due to ongoing lockdown restrictions. This will have implications for SMEs who form the backbone of the UK economy. As members of the…
No-Fault Divorce is nearly here!
June 18th 2020Amy Fallows Associate Solicitor in our Family law team provides update. The moment many separated couples have been waiting for is nearly here… the true ‘quickie divorce’. A law should be passed by Parliament in the next few days which will allow couples to divorce if they wish. Currently one spouse has to cite unreasonable behaviour or adultery if they want to divorce straight away. Many instead opt to wait…
How have you adapted to working from home during lockdown?
June 16th 2020Zoe Calway Director talks about how she has adapted during lockdown. Where are you working from now? Home. I regularly spend part of my week working from home so I am lucky to have a dedicated office with everything I need. I even have an office dog. She’s an old Springer Spaniel. The sound of her snoring away is quite comforting. What has been the most difficult about working remotely?…
Finance broker enforces employee’s non-compete clause
June 15th 2020By Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution A finance company has successfully enforced a non-compete clause preventing an employee joining a rival firm for six months. The High Court heard that Julien Leonard had been recruited by Square Global Ltd as a broker in 2015. He resigned on 11 November 2019. At that time, he had been in discussions for over seven months with a rival financial-services business…
Corporate insolvency bill to ease pressure on businesses during Covid-19
June 11th 2020The government has published its new bill designed to relieve the pressure on businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. It’s hoped the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill will ease some of the pressures posed by the threat of reduced trading and allow directors to focus all their efforts on continuing to operate. The Bill will: introduce temporary easements on filing requirements and Annual General Meetings (AGMs) introduce new corporate restructuring…
Employee from leading Cumbrian legal firm steps up to support local community initiative during time of need
June 10th 2020Terri Hope Marketing Manager at the award-winning Northern legal firm, Cartmell Shepherd has been giving her time to help others during the lockdown. After spotting a social media post from a local village store offering free local grocery deliveries to the community, Terri saw an opportunity to help. The family-run store, Chestnut House in Pooley Bridge was a well-known speciality off licence also stocking a range of local produce and…
Court corrects ‘unintended windfall’ error in man’s will
June 9th 2020By Zoe Calway Director The High Court has corrected a clerical error in a man’s will that would have given his nephews and nieces an unintended windfall. Patrick Joseph Kelly was born in Ireland but moved to England, where he remained until his death apart from visits to his family. He never married and had no children. In 2010, he made a will in Ireland appointing his brother Vincent as executor…
Points based immigration system on course as planned for January
June 8th 2020Claire Davies Director provides an update. The UK’s points-based immigration system is on course to be introduced in January as planned, having passed the crucial second reading stage in parliament. The Immigration Bill introducing the system was approved by 351 votes to 252. Unless there is any unforeseen parliamentary opposition before the bill receives Royal Assent, free movement will end and the UK will introduce a points-based immigration system from…
Property sales pick up as estate agents and conveyancing services get back to work
June 5th 2020RESIDENTIAL property sales are on the move again across Cumbria and Northumberland, prompting conveyancing services to bounce back. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors conveyancing department reports that activity has returned much quicker than many expected. “While it was quiet during the initial stages of lockdown, now that estate agents are open again activities have picked up significantly” said Elizabeth Crouch Head of Residential Property at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors. Several estate agents are…
