Legal services sector in Cumbria ‘should be celebrated’ says leading lawyer
November 1st 2018ONE of Cumbria’s leading lawyers has labelled the county’s presence in an influential industry index as ‘outstanding’. Peter Stafford, the managing director of Cartmell Shepherd, said the verdict delivered this week by the Legal 500 underlines the quality of services across the county. A number of Cumbria businesses were named in the annual report, underlining the degree to which law firms in the county can offer a comprehensive package of…
‘Giveaway budget’ but no rise in inheritance tax allowances
October 30th 2018Deborah Flynn, Head of our Wills Probate & Inheritance Team considers recent budget results. Chancellor Philip Hammond surprised political commentators by producing what’s been described as a “giveaway budget” featuring tax cuts and increased public spending. While many people will welcome the increase in personal tax allowance and extra funds for services like the NHS, there was also some disappointment that there was no increase in inheritance tax allowances and the…
Woman subjected to sexual advances at work awarded £24,000
October 29th 2018Joanne Stronach, Head of Employment & HR considers a recent sexual harassment case in the Employment Tribunal. An employer who told a woman that sexual advances from a Spanish colleague were just cultural differences has been ordered to pay her £24,000 compensation. The woman, who has not been named, worked for Lincolns Care Ltd, supporting people with mental health and learning disabilities. While she was at work, a colleague, Juan…
Expert’s plea in light of ‘wicked’ Cumbria doctor’s Will abuse
October 26th 2018A LEGAL expert has spoken about the importance of ensuring wills are properly drafted after a doctor was jailed for defrauding a wealthy widow. David Tew today issued a ‘do it right’ plea following the case of Zholia Alemi, who was last week imprisoned for five years after faking the will of elderly Gillian Belham. Alemi had been asked to rule on the wellbeing of dementia sufferer Mrs Belham. But…
Key steps for child arrangements if you’re getting divorced
October 22nd 2018By Laura Ousby Solicitor Couples face several new challenges when getting divorced but one of the most important is deciding what will happen to the children. Will they live with mum or dad…or both at different times? How much contact should each parent have? How much will each parent pay towards their children’s upkeep? These can be complicated issues but it’s crucial that couples make the right decisions if they’re…
“Holly – you’re hired!”
October 22nd 2018A law firm has joined the country’s elite – by appointing a rising star as its first solicitor apprentice. The traineeships are usually the reserve of big city firms, but Cartmell Shepherd has stepped up and made history in Cumbria. The move to offer what is thought to be the county’s first solicitor apprenticeship was made by managing director, Peter Stafford, who told Holly Moxon “You’re hired.” Holly, 20, of…
Sisters allowed to correct error to benefit from family trust
October 15th 2018By Claire Wilson Associate Solicitor Two sisters have been allowed to correct an error in a family trust that would have prevented them from benefiting in the way intended when the document was drawn up. The sisters were aged 58 and 56. When their mother died in 2005, they had inherited equally her 50% share of the house that she and their father owned. For tax reasons, they created a…
High five for legal firm after it is named in national top 100 list!
October 12th 2018A LEGAL business has been named in an influential top 100 list for the fifth consecutive year. Cartmell Shepherd is the only law firm in Cumbria to make the national Lex 100, which is based on reviews submitted by trainees. The business is ‘friendly, outgoing and goes out of its way to help people,’ according to the list publishers. The Lex verdict read: “Based in Cumbria and Northumberland, Cartmell Shepherd…
Warning to Land Owners re Vehicle Insurance
October 10th 2018By Carol Fish Head of Personal Injury As it stands there is no specific requirement under UK law for compulsory motor insurance on private land and indeed many private land owners do not insure vehicles that they do not use on a road or public place for example, a quad bike on a farm. In a recent case an individual was rendered tetraplegic when he was struck by a vehicle…
Simplified rules on buying or extending your leasehold home
October 5th 2018By Laura Bright Solicitor If you own a leasehold property and want to extend the length of the lease, or buy the property, the procedure (known as ‘enfranchisement’) is currently a complicated, costly and time consuming one. Radical reforms to provide a better deal for leaseholders who want to purchase the freehold or to extend the lease of their home have been put forward by the Law Commission. The proposals…
