Marsden Rawsthorn launch In-Property

Marsden Rawsthorn’s In-Property team is new, but the experience of the firm and its lawyers is far from it. Marsden Rawsthorn has always had a strong Property focus, however, increasingly, the need for specialist advice regarding disputes in property is growing. To meet this demand we have formed a team to focus on this core area and who are passionate about property and getting the best result for you. If you are a landlord, tenant, property owner, occupier, investor or developer we can help you.

Promotions for Marsden Rawsthorn team recognise outstanding efforts

Leading Lancashire law firm, Marsden Rawsthorn, has given recognition for the ‘outstanding’ performance of its staff and made a raft of promotions within the firm.

Family solicitor, Sahida Ahmed, has been made an equity partner, with Libby Daultrey and Mark Alexander both promoted to Partner and Head of Family and Head of Commercial Development respectively. Finally, Laura Hallett has been promoted to Associate and Head of Landlord and Tenant.

Stephen Hodgson, Chief Executive of Marsden Rawsthorn said: "2011 saw a year of internal change for the firm to introduce more efficient working practices for the benefit of our clients by providing a better response, improved communication and revised fee structures.

Libby Daultrey, Sahida Ahmed and Laura Hallett. 

"Our clients told us they like to know up front what their legal fees will be and we now have a fixed fee pricing structure throughout the firm in response this feedback. All the team have been involved in these unique developments and we are delighted to give recognition for outstanding efforts."

Marsden Rawsthorn provides legal advice for both business and private clients, and now offers fixed fees for all its services.

Marsden Rawsthorn advises Mechan Controls on acquisition of PJO

Marsden Rawsthorn advised Mechan Controls in its recent acquisition of Rotherham-based testing company PJO Group.

PJO works with utility companies and the deep mining industry providing calibration, testing and repair to the gas, electric and water industries. The business also manufactures and supplies mining consumables, methane extraction equipment and mining machinery.

Mechan said it had particular hopes for PJO's mining supplies business which it claimed has "superb export potential".

Wilf Boardman, group managing director of Mechan, said: "PJO adds to our range of products and services and our experience in overseas markets, particularly the USA gives us the opportunity to really add value to the whole group."  Click here to view a recent interview of Wilf Boardman discussing the acquisition.

 

Employment Law Reforms

After months of press coverage the government has now confirmed their proposals for their comprehensive review and shakeup up of Employment legislation.

The aims of the reforms, according to Vince Cable, is to "….radically reform employment relations – but safeguard workers’ rights, while deregulating to reduce the onerous and unnecessary demands on businesses". The latter may well come as a welcome message to small employers but what reforms are they proposing. The proposals are:

Marsden Rawsthorn scoop two Lancashire Business Awards

We were delighted to receive two of the Lancashire Business Awards hosted by Downtown Lancashire in Business.  Associate solicitor Mark Alexander won Male Networker of the year and Marsden Rawsthorn won Best Marketing Campaign.

 

 

New Head of Debt Recovery appointed

Litigation specialist Laura-Jayne Brushett has been appointed by leading Lancashire law firm Marsden Rawsthorn to launch their new debt recovery service. Laura Jayne, was previously Head of Insolvency at debt management solutions company Arrow Global.

She commented: "I have worked in the field of Litigation for over 10 years and for a number of years I specialised predominantly in the field of insolvency and debt collection. My new role at Marsden Rawsthorn is to set up and manage the Debt Recovery team, which will concentrate on all　aspects of　enforcement to help our clients recover outstanding debts,and in the current climate this is a service that is much in demand."

 

 

Why should you make a Will?

Here are 27 good reasons!

We welcome another team member to our commercial team

Commercial & Corporate Law specialist Alexandra Sagar has joined leading Lancashire Law Firm Marsden Rawsthorn. She was formerly with Forbes Solicitors where she qualified in 2006. 

Lancashire born Alexandra, a former UCLAN student, will work alongside Partner and Corporate Law specialist Peter Hine. He commented “Alex has an impressive range of commercial and corporate law experience and will be a great addition to our growing commercial team.”

Alexandra was delighted to have been appointed. “The Corporate and Commercial team at Marsden Rawsthorn has an excellent reputation and enviable client base.  The complexity of some of the deals that they broker will give me experience that I could only hope to gain in a large city law firm.”

Commercial Team continues to grow

Employment law specialist and former Marine James Bellamy has joined leading Lancashire Law Firm Marsden Rawsthorn to head up its Employment Law Department.

Lancashire born James spent 5 years in the Marines, which included a Tour of Duty in Northern Ireland and 6 months on the amphibious helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, before training as a Solicitor.  Prior to joining Marsden Rawsthorn he was with East Lancashire firm Roebucks and latterly Taylors of Blackburn, where he specialised in Employment Law.

James commented “Employment law is fast moving and constantly changing. My mission is to ensure that clients see the commercial benefits of employment best practice as well as avoiding the pitfalls. I was impressed with Marsden Rawsthorn’s excellent systems and processes, which allow their legal practitioners to concentrate on what they do best – giving client s the best possible legal advice. I am delighted to have joined such a progressive firm.”

Chief Executive at the firm, Stephen Hodgson, commented “James impressed us with his positive approach, determination and track record. His arrival further extends the quality and depth of our Employment Law service for our clients.”

Bribery Act 2010 - are you ready?

The long awaited Bribery Act (passed in April 2010) is finally due to come into force on the 1st July 2011. Although, it has been put back twice already by the coalition government so this date is yet to be confirmed.

 

Despite the fact it imposes serious consequences for breaches (maximum jail sentence of 10 years) there is significant comfort in that it provides for a full defence, if an organisation can show that it had adequate procedures in place to prevent persons associated with it from indulging in the bribery, of which it is accused.

Swine Flu - What Employers need to know

The spread of swine flu is reported to be on the increase and it is important that employers are aware of their health and safety duties and how to deal appropriately with staff absences.

Employers should check advice from the government (available on the internet) for information about swine flu. They should keep employees updated with information and ensure that there is good hygiene in the workplace. This may include encouraging staff to wash their hands with soap, carry tissues, and ensure the cleaning of phones, door handles etc. There is information and guidance available from the Department of Health leaflets (available on the internet.)

Grandparents Rights to Access

It is almost certainly the case that many grandparents today play a fundamentally different role to that played by their own grandparents when they were children.  Society has changed radically, and irrevocably, in ways which impact upon the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren in modern society, especially in two main areas.  

Firstly, it is now the norm for the greater majority of mothers to work at least part time (indeed, part of the last Labour Governments impetus, in terms of the family, was to make it easier for that to happen by the provision of better day care through nursery placements, albeit there is plenty of psychological argument that this may have been misconceived) which has led to an increasing role of grandparents as front line back up day carers.

 

Why Sharing Your Office to Save Money Can Cost You Your Business!

Despite a weak economy there seems to be a number of optimists riding out the economic storm by simply cutting overheads. In an attempt to reduce costs, many businesses are choosing to underlet their leased properties, however what seems to be a straightforward cost effective decision can lead to extreme consequences. In a simple underletting, you in effect give occupation of a property to a third party who pays you a rent, whilst you also continue to pay rent to your Landlord.

Solicitor, Laura Hallett at Marsden Rawsthorn Solicitors explains that there is strict compliance with terms of leases when underletting, therefore good preparation is essential.  Tenants should ensure that they consider their leases (and any supplementary documentation) carefully and liaise with their solicitors accordingly.

Marsden Rawsthorn Launch New Law Clinic for Personal Injury and Disputes

We are delighted to announce we are launching a new Law Clinic for Personal Injury and Disputes.  The Clinic will provide a free half hour consultation with one of our dedicated Dispute Team, who will be able to discuss your case with you and advise on the best way to proceed.

With enquiries for legal disputes and personal injury at an all time high the Clinic will provide an ideal opportunity to understand how the claim process operates and will enable you to discuss your case without worrying about how much it may cost.

The Clinic will be held 11am-2pm every Monday at both our Fulwood and Chorley office from 10th January 2011.  If you would like to arrange an appointment please call or email Karen Maysmor on 01772 799600 kmaysmor@marsdenrawsthorn.com 

 

Looking forward to 2011...

As 2010 draws to a close and we reflect on the economic climate, few things have really progressed from 2009 for small and medium sized businesses.  Times are still tough, costs have to be minimised and maintaining or increasing profit margins still proves challenging.

This climate, coupled with the continued difficulty experienced by SME's in obtaining funding from traditional sources, means that other methods of raising funds have to be found.  This has become increasingly common place in the field of mergers and acquisitions where there has been an increase in vendor finance, this is to say the vendor acting as a source of finance for the purchaser.  Here at Marsden Rawsthorn we have observed this trend, particularly over the last six months, in a number of deals in which we have been involved. 

 

Office Christmas Party Do’s and Don’ts!

The office Christmas party is a time to join in festive merriment with colleagues and to look forward to a relaxing break from work for those who enjoy time off over the Christmas period.

For some however, it is a time to drink excessively, lose all inhibitions, and spend the festive period regretting their embarrassing antics at the office Christmas party comforted only by the false hope that all will have been forgotten by new year.

For some, they go a step too far..

It’s sNOw joke for employers!

The plummeting temperatures and frosty mixture of snow falls and ice formations continue to cause immense excitement amongst the school children as many schools remain closed and the only solution seems to sledge, make snowmen, and launch fatal snow balls at innocent passer bys (perhaps just my street.)

However, the weather is not so exciting for those grown ups amongst us as it undoubtedly causes severe inconvenience for parents, employees and employers. Many employees have been unable to get into work through public transport cancellations and impassable roads, which through no fault of their own, does cause a considerable strain for employers in already difficult economic times.

Hospital staff with high sickness absence will forfeit pay rises

It has been reported that the Central Manchester University Hospitals Trust is introducing a new sickness absence policy as part of its drive to save £120 million over the next four years. The Policy was envisaged to come into effect on 1 October 2010. Under the terms of the new policy, hospital staff in Manchester who take more than 18 sick days, and/or take four separate periods of absence, will not be eligible for annual pay rises. According to a spokesperson for the Trust, the system will be discretionary and will not be applicable to staff with disabilities or long-term illness. Unite plan to take legal action on behalf of affected staff, arguing that the new policy will be in breach of their contracts.

Marsden Rawsthorn launch free Employment Law Clinic

Marsden Rawsthorn have just launched a free employment clinic which is held every Friday morning at our Fulwood office.

Employees and employers alike can book a half hour free appointment to attend the clinic which is run by our employment law specialists.  This offers both clients and prospective clients alike the opportunity to speak with our team to identify if they potentially have a claim.

If you would like to arrange an appointment call 01772 799678 and speak to Karen Maysmor.

 

 

Coalition government split over employment law

Apparent divisions within the coalition government regarding employment law has been revealed through a survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).  The survey revealed that 87% of Conservative MPS surveyed believed legislation in employment law had shifted too far in favour of the employee, whereas 71% of Liberal Democrat MPS surveyed felt the opposite was true. BCC has voiced concerns over these differences, highlighting the importance of a stable government in aiding the UK 's economic recovery.

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