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£50,000 awarded over dental errors

A female patient has been awarded £50,000 in medical negligence compensation after botched dental treatment left her in constant pain and unable to eat.

In 2007, Manchester dentist Dr Oscar Kwame Gagoh promised to correct 75-year-old Jean Wall's front tooth and improve her smile. But mistakes left the patient with "life-changing" injuries and victim to severe pain months after the treatment had finished.

Injuries included burnt, swollen lips and nerve damage after Dr Gagoh had begun a course of treatment which was scheduled to include bleaching, crowns, veneers and white fillings at a cost of £10,000.

In addition, an inability to eat forced the pensioner to lose weight and become withdrawn ...Posted : 09 September 2010




Housing market recovery ‘slow yet steady’

House prices edged ahead by 0.2% during August as activity in the property market remained subdued but constant, figures show.

The latest increase follows one of 0.7% in July and reverses most of the falls seen during late spring and early summer, leaving house prices at a similar level to the end of last year.

According to the Halifax, activity in the market had been "largely static" since the start of 2010, enabling house price inflation to cool, after a shortage of supply momentary pushed prices up during 2009.

House prices are expected to finish 2010 at roughly the same level seen in January but figures indicate a market starting ...Posted : 09 September 2010




Court issues first WEEE prosecution

A Birmingham based hairdresser has become the first individual to be prosecuted under recently enforced Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations.

Earlier this year, Aston and Fincher Ltd pleaded guilty to 31 charges relating to failure to comply with packaging waste regulations and failing to register as a producer of electrical and electronic waste.

According to the Environment Agency (EA), the company avoided paying £445 plus unknown costs of financing the recovery and recycling of equipment for which they would have been responsible in 2008.

Aston and Fincher was fined £650 for each offence - totalling £20,150. It was also ordered to pay compensation of £7,135 to the EA for loss ...Posted : 08 September 2010




Couples’ secrecy risking probate issues

British couples risk problems in later life by failing to discuss their estates and Wills while keeping personal finance secrets, new research has revealed.

A study by Prudential found that 22% of couples said they have never discussed estate planning together while 12% of women and 11% of men said they know nothing about probate plans and were not interested.

In addition, 32% of people over the age of 40 but not yet retired do not know the details of their partner's retirement savings or plans.

"It is incredible that so many people do not know the details of their partner's retirement savings," commented Prudential spokesperson Amy Brown.

"Firstly, couples should strive ...Posted : 08 September 2010




10million Brits owed tax rebate

A string of errors at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) means more than 10million people could be in line for a substantial tax rebate.

Earlier this month, HMRC admitted that 4.3million people are set to receive a rebate due to tax overpayments in the past two years. But new evidence regarding historic errors now means an additional 5.8million could be eligible for payments.

Almost £1.8billion in overpaid tax has been given to HMRC in the past two years, while approximately £3billion was mistakenly given in the two years prior to 2008.

On September 4th, the Treasury said nearly 6million people in the UK are to be told they have paid ...Posted : 07 September 2010




First trader fined under ‘Pedlars’ Act’

Manchester town hall chiefs have won their first prosecution since bringing in new 'pedlar' legislation to clamp down on rogue street trading.

The Manchester City Council Act - widely known as the Pedlars' Act - became law earlier this year following a £100,000 drive by the council. Under the Act, town hall officers are given greater powers to seize goods from people suspected of trading illegally.

Earlier this month, Tapha Lo became the first victim of the law and was forced to pay £1,100 after he was caught trading in Market Street, a busy spot in Manchester city centre.

The rules of a pedlars' certificate allow holders to sell anywhere in ...Posted : 07 September 2010




Flexible working equals improved relations

Employers who offer their staff the chance to adapt working hours are more likely to enjoy a positive working relationship, new research has found.

According to studies by the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) and Management Today magazine, organisations that have reacted to the global economic downturn by opting for flexible working and similar schemes are more likely to succeed thanks to higher Chief Executive Officer (CEO) trust levels.

Organisations hit hard by the recession have "extremely low" levels of trust amongst staff while job losses and office closures are blamed on poor management, ILM found.

Despite the dip in trust, female bosses appear to have emerged particularly well from ...Posted : 06 September 2010




Firm fined after series of serious injuries

A Troon sawmilling firm has been fined a total of £28,000 after two of its employees were severely injured in separate incidents just months apart.

In May 2007, 55-year-old John Wilson was working for Adam Wilson and Sons in Troon, Ayrshire, when he fell through a gap in a raised walkway, left open after work had been done on a conveyor belt below. He suffered serious injuries to his arm and permanent loss of movement in his shoulder as a result of the fall.

Less than three months later, 59-year-old Robert Cumming was working for the same firm at the same plant when his head was trapped between the ...Posted : 06 September 2010




Business urged to adapt equal pay policies

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have called on small and medium size businesses to examine their pay systems and ensure they comply with equal pay laws.

On average, full-time female workers are paid 16.4% per hour less than men on average, rising to 21.6% in private firms, according to the EHRC.

To tackle the issue, the Commission and BBC have published a new guide for employers to solve equality pay issues, which should take no more than four hours to implement.

"Businesses want to pay people fairly for the job that they do. This guidance should help smaller businesses analyse any pay ...Posted : 06 September 2010




Teaching Assistant attacked by child wins case through EAD Solicitors

Our client was a teaching assistant at a school in England, where she taught reception class.  A 3 year old child escaped from the nursery building into the playground, where he then tried to escape from the playground and ran towards a wall.  Our client put her arm out to stop the child who then grabbed and bit her arm causing a nasty wound, which consequently left a scar.

The CICA rejected the case initially and at review stage because they stated that although the child was behaving badly, given the age of the child, there was no criminal intent.

There had been a previous similar case in ...Posted : 03 September 2010




EAD Solicitors win low speed impact claims for two clients

EAD Solicitors LLP has again settled two Road Traffic Accident claims for drivers in which the insurers alleged that a low speed impact caused no injury. Both Defendants did eventually accept responsibility for the accident, however in the first instance, both Defendant's lawyers alleged that the impact was not sufficient to cause an injury and both produced an engineer's report which appeared to support this. The Defendants lawyers also alleged that our clients only suffered minor injuries and produced their own orthopaedic evidence, which EAD Solicitors LLP successfully countered with our own medical reports.

The significant outcome of EAD's success is that many solicitors are not prepared to pursue these ...Posted : 03 September 2010




Several conditions excluded from Equality Act protection

Further details of the upcoming Equality Act have surfaced listing a number of physical and mental traits excluded from employment protections.

Government published Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations guidelines outline conditions which have been excluded from disability recognition, including:

  •  Addiction to alcohol, nicotine or any other substance (unless the addiction was originally the result of administration of medically prescribed drugs or other medical treatment).
  • The following conditions: a tendency to set fires, a tendency to steal, a tendency for physical or sexual abuse of other persons, exhibitionism, and voyeurism.
  • Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever) unless it aggravates another condition.

In addition, tattoos and body piercings are excluded from being seen as a "severe disfigurement" or ...Posted : 03 September 2010




£4million awarded to cerebral palsy teen

An 18-year-old woman whose mishandling at birth led to severe cerebral palsy is to receive £4million in medical negligence compensation.

The woman, who cannot legally be identified, brought High Court proceedings against Rochford Hospital with the help of her family and expert solicitors.

In 1992, medical failings during the woman's birth meant she was destined to live her life in the confines of a wheelchair, dependant on the help of others as she can no longer speak and suffers from learning difficulties.

Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust this month agreed to a settlement of her case valued at around £4m, accepting liability for the resulting disabilities.

The judge approved the "fair ...Posted : 03 September 2010




VHCC Panel

EAD Solicitors LLP has again been accredited as members of the VHCC Legal Services Commission Panel for 2010.

As members of the VHCC (Very High Cost Case) Panel, we are one of the few law firms in the UK that are authorised by the Legal Services Commission to undertake serious fraud cases, high profile, serious or organised crime, money laundering and terrorism cases.

As such, we can advise on matters such as:

  • Investigation by Regulatory authorities such as the Serious Fraud Office, Financial Services Authority, Fraud Prosecution Division, HM Revenue & Customs or SOCA
  • Arrest for criminal offences
  • Complex criminal proceedings leading to trial

Our team can provide:

  • Immediate representation while under arrest ...Posted : 12 August 2010


    Agency compensation: do £20K agencies have any value?

    Agency compensation

    Click here to download article

    Posted : 11 August 2010


    Why agents should think twice before telling their principal exactly what they think of him!

    In the recent High Court case of Stephen Gledhill -v- Bentley Designs (UK) Ltd (2 June 2010) the Court was asked to decide whether an apology proffered by the agent (Mr Gledhill) to the managing director of his principal (Bentley) was adequate to maintain the necessary personal relationship of trust to enable the agency to continue.

    Mr Gledhill had acted as agent for Bentley for around 17 years and had enjoyed substantial commission income averaging around £85k in the final years. He was a very effective agent and this was confirmed by his principal during the hearing. In short he had made himself and the principal substantial sums of ...Posted : 05 August 2010




    Defending Welfare Benefit Fraud - the benefit of the doubt

    In my first article in this area, published in December 2009, I highlighted the problems facing those under investigation and prosecution for benefit fraud. I suggested that as public money became tight the pressure on government agencies to recoup would increase. As we now have a new government committed to cutting all public spending and benefits in particular, recoupment of incorrectly paid benefit will be a priority.

    Yet as the recession bites and redundancies increase more people will be forced to claim state benefit. What happens then when you recall that many years ago you wisely took out an income replacement policy which pays out in the event of ...Posted : 04 August 2010




    Criminal Investigation

    EAD Solicitors LLP is currently acting in international legal proceedings on behalf of directors of a UK company against a Spanish company and its directors in a high-value commercial dispute arising from a joint commercial venture in China.

    When the Spanish judicial authorities contacted the UK police regarding allegations of fraud and commenced a criminal investigation, Gary Lesin-Davis, head of EAD Solicitors' fraud and criminal law department, was instructed to represent the company and its officers in their defence.

    The ongoing case has involved working in cooperation with Christian Mesia of RCD Lawyers in Madrid. Gary said: "When criminal allegations of a serious matter are being investigated, as ever, having the ...Posted : 07 May 2010




    EAD Solicitors Expands

    Liverpool-based law firm EAD Solicitors has expanded with the addition of a new Huddersfield office. Eight former members of Thornleys Solicitors Huddersfield staff are now part of the EAD team and will continue to focus on providing services to members of the Unite trade union in the region.

    EAD Solicitors has a strong reputation for personal injury and employment litigation and has close links with the trade union movement across the North and beyond.

    Said Tom Doherty, one of EAD Solicitors' founding partners and a specialist in high-value personal injury claims for trade union members: "We are proud to be one of the main legal service providers for a number ...Posted : 27 April 2010




    Maid sues employers over ‘slave’ lifestyle

    A foreign maid who claims that a wealthy couple treated her like a slave during underpaid, 16 hour shifts is suing her employers for a reported £750,000, a tribunal heard this week.

     

    Yoyoh Binti Salim Udin has launched a series of damaging claims against Firas Chamsi-Pasha and his wife, Lina Chamsi-Pasha, through the Central London Employment Tribunal after they allegedly slapped, strip searched and banned the 39-year-old from leaving their home.

     

    The case has seen barbs from both sides over the validity of Miss Udin's arguments, with Mr Pasha's legal team claiming the Indonesian maid enjoyed luxury gifts from the couple and constantly changed her story to reflect hardship.

     

    She was ...Posted : 26 April 2010




    'National Insurance not the biggest election issue’ claim experts

    With election leaders continually disputing the benefits and disadvantages of a rise in National Insurance, research suggests that the debate is not the most important issue for small businesses.

     

    In March's Budget, Gordon Brown's government pledged a 1% rise in National Insurance (NI) to help fill the chasm of debt currently swallowing Britain's economy. The idea has been fiercely contested from David Cameron's Conservatives, with over 1,000 business leaders throwing their weight behind plans to abandon the rise, due to fears of a double dip recession.

     

    But according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and accountancy firm RSM Tenon, political campaigns should be focusing on more important issues that will ...Posted : 26 April 2010




    New Marketing Initiative at EAD Solicitors

    Liverpool law firm EAD Solicitors is getting ready to make a splash with a new strategic marketing campaign designed to increase awareness of the company and its services in the region.

    EAD Solicitors has retained Prodo Digital Marketing, one of the North West's leading agencies, to spearhead its new marketing campaign, which will cover both traditional and new media, combining PR and marketing with a refreshed website, online search marketing and a social media presence.

    Said marketing manager Michaela Hickson: "We are one of Liverpool's best established law firms and we have a lot to say. Law firms are generally very traditional and are typically late adopters in getting to ...Posted : 23 April 2010




    £400,000 compensation bid launched by diabetic teacher

    A diabetic teacher thrown out of an exclusive London prep school will claim more than £400,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal at the Central London Employment Tribunal this month.

    Liz Matthys challenged Abercorn School in St John's Wood after staff allegedly harassed, bullied and discriminated against her following diagnosis in 2007.

    According to her legal team, Mrs Matthys claimed she felt unable to work after January last year because she had endured a year of abuse. The teacher, whose financial claim includes pension losses, was signed off work with stress in November 2008 and did not return.

    She lodged a grievance about her treatment, which was dismissed, and was informed by ...Posted : 23 April 2010




    Landlords welcome buy-to-let improvements

    As the buy-to-let market experiences its most positive month in recent memory, landlords have embraced rising rents, improving house prices and falling arrears, signifying the "beginnings of a seasonal surge" in the letting market.

    According to the latest figures, the average rent in the UK rose 0.1% in March to £659 per month, the second consecutive monthly increase, and a 1.5% improvement on last year.

    While rents remain 4.0%, or £29 per month, lower than their peak level in August 2008, yields on buy-to-let property dropped slightly to 4.7% from 4.8% in February as house prices continued to rise, outpacing increases in rents.

    Tenant arrears have also fallen to their ...Posted : 23 April 2010




    eBay conviction for ‘shill bidding’

    Users of online auctioning giant eBay have been told to watch their actions when selling items or risk substantial fines and criminal convictions for breaching consumer laws.

    The warning follows the criminal punishment and possible £50,000 fine placed on regular eBay seller, Paul Barrett, after he was found to be "shill bidding".

    Shill bidding, whereby sellers bid on their own items through fictitious eBay accounts to drive up the sale price, breaches consumer protection laws, although many are unaware of the practice's illegal nature.

    The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to 10 offences at Skipton Magistrates' Court following extensive investigation by North Yorkshire Trading Standards officers, who responded to complaints from Mr Barrett's customers ...Posted : 23 April 2010




    SMEs ‘pessimistic’ over market outlook

    The first quarter of 2010 has failed to douse financial flames spreading across SME offices as research reveals many are fearful for the year ahead and await the general election before altering their outlook. 

    According to insurer Aviva, 60% of SMEs expect conditions to "remain difficult" for the rest of 2010 and a further 32% believe there is a "real risk" of a double dip in the economy. By contrast, only 14% were optimistic that green shoots would appear during 2010 and only 9% had seen their prospects actually improve during the first three months of the year.

    But fortunes could change for better or worse following one of the ...Posted : 23 April 2010




    Glue dynasty ‘comes unstuck’ over trust details

    The family of a famous inventor are embroiled in a legal battle over the financial divisions of their ancestor's trust, as legal fees threaten to overshadow victory for either side.

    The de Bruynes are one of Britain's wealthiest families following success in the construction market, established by ancestor Dr Norman de Bruyne, inventor of the famous Araldite glue.

    But the inventor's son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren are now squabbling over the family trust created to divide share assets from the late Dr's Techne Corporation, worth several million pounds.

    In 1971, Dr de Bruyne's created a trust in his wife and children's name to detail provisions for his multi-million pound fortune. These were passed ...Posted : 23 April 2010




    Employers punished as illegal worker fines double

    The total annual fines levied against companies who employ illegal workers have doubled since 2008, according to the UK Border Agency (UKBA), as employers hand over more than £22.1m in penalties.

    Following alterations to the UKBA's enforcement methods, 2,210 civil penalties were levied against employers in 2009, with fines totalling £22.1 million, almost double the figures for 2008 when 1,164 penalties were issued, worth £11.2 million.

    In 2008, the government agreed to increase UKBA powers to enforce £10,000 fixed penalties for every illegal worker found in employment. By contrast, in 2007, before such powers were introduced, there were just 38 prosecutions sought by the UKBA.

    The figures were obtained by consultants ...Posted : 23 April 2010




    High Court clarifies blog libel liability

    Blog owners must leave potentially libellous comments alone until notified that they are breaking the law or risk court punishment, the High Court has ruled.

    Alex Hilton, operator of a Labour Party opinion blog, Labourhome.org, was taken to court by political activist Johanna Kaschke after a site user's submission accused the activist of roots in terrorism.

    Writer John Gray's post stated that Ms Kaschke had been arrested in Germany for links with the Baader-Meinhof terrorist group. While not denying that she had been arrested, Ms Kashcke was not adjudged to be a terrorist supporter and sued the site for libel.

    Mr ...Posted : 13 April 2010




    Stall in trading worries SMEs

    Despite the recession officially subsiding at the end of last year, 71% of SMEs have seen little or no improvement in trading levels compared with 12 months ago, according to new research.

    uSwitchforBusiness.com has found that 63% of SME bosses are finding trading conditions tough in the current climate, 5% more than late 2009. The recession's scars are still visible as 44% claim it will take more than a year to recover and 10% believe their future is uncertain.

    However, some SMEs are optimistic about the position the recession has left them in. 11% say that they are in better shape than they were before the ...Posted : 13 April 2010




    Employment damaged by immigration changes

    While the government rolls out drastic changes to the immigration system, market experts believe alterations could have a negative impact on the diverse and skilled nature of Britain's workforce.

    As of 6th April, significant changes to Tiers 1 and 2 of the UK's points-based immigration system were enforced under the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules.

    Alongside a string of adjustments to foreign student eligibility and Tier 1 leave periods, modifications to the points-based system will limit the movement of foreign non-EU workers in employment.

    According to the Home Office, Tier 2 migrants seeking to transfer between countries and work at their ...Posted : 13 April 2010




    Homeowner market confidence on-the-up

    The vast majority of homeowners are confident that property prices will rise over the next 12 months, as new research banishes the doom and gloom of recent years.

    According to the latest Housing Market Sentiment Survey from Zoopla.co.uk, 81% of homeowners believe property prices will increase compared to just 30% last year.

    Only 9% of homeowners feel that property values will fall over the next six months whilst a further 10% expect prices to remain flat. The average growth predicted by those surveyed is for house prices to rise by an optimistic 5.7% by October.

    In addition, confidence in the housing market is ...Posted : 13 April 2010




    Financial ruin after ‘scooter crash on aisle four’

    A supermarket worker has been awarded compensation after damaging her knee in a collision with a disabled shopper, leaving the culprit unable to keep her home.

    In late 2005, 42-year-old Morrisons employee Denise Bird was operating a flatbed trolley when 61-year-old Gloria Brown ploughed in to her knee. Ms Brown was shopping for groceries but another scooter reportedly shunted her into the unsuspecting worker.

    Four months later, Ms Bird took the pensioner to County Court for personal injury compensation. Ms Brown was found liable for the accident and ordered to pay £5,628 for negligence and £10,129 in costs, including £3,000 to Morrisons itself.

    The court agreed with Ms Bird's allegation ...Posted : 13 April 2010




    "watch your will writer" urges Law Society

    watch your will writer

    With New Year's resolutions springing up across the nation, the Law Society has called for one resolution to become universal; make sure your will is lawful.

    Over half the population are yet to make a will and the New Year may seem as good a time as any to sort out family matters. But be warned, a significant proportion of wills created in the coming months are likely to have been written by unqualified will writers, leaving individual's open to further anguish if a death unfortunately occurs.

    Paul Sharpe, Chairman of the Institute of Professional Will-writers, and the Law Society have pleaded ...Posted : 13 January 2010




    Landlords Fearing Regulations in 2010

    landlords2010

    According to Paragon Mortgages, 58% of landlords said they were worried about the level of regulation required in relation to the running of their property businesses during the year.

    With almost 50 Acts of Parliament ring-fencing the private rented sector, and 70 sets of regulations governing the total sector, the government's recent announcement that a national mandatory registration scheme for landlords could become a possibility has done little to alleviate fears.

    "It is not surprising that regulation tops the list of landlords' concerns for the year. They already have to comply with a myriad of regulations, which seem to be regularly added to or amended by ...Posted : 13 January 2010




    Defending in Welfare Benefit Fraud Cases

    In these times, when public money is tight the pressure is increasingly on government agencies to recoup money and prosecute "benefit cheats." In the first of a series of articles, a leading defence solicitor and higher court advocate, Gary Lesin-Davis of EAD Solicitors LLP looks at giving you a better understanding as to what steps can be taken when the welfare benefit fraud investigators come knocking....

    Usually, the first sign of trouble, apart from seeing strange cars driving up and down the road either first thing in the morning or last thing at night, is getting a letter through the door telling you to come in for a formal ...Posted : 10 December 2009




    Liverpool Law Election Results

    Two members of the firm EAD Solicitors LLP have today been elected to positions within the Liverpool Law Society.

    Steve Cornforth, deputy managing partner will hold the role of Honorary Treasurer and Cathy Fielding, partner in the personal injury team has been named Joint Honorary Secretary.

    These elections maintain EAD's long-standing tradition of supporting the region's Law Society. Both Steve and Cathy have held previous positions at the Liverpool Law Society; Steve as Joint Honorary Secretary and Cathy as chair of the society's Social Events Committee. Former presidents from EAD also include Paul McCarthy and John Leith.

    Posted : 08 December 2009


    EAD Solicitors perfect their handlebar moustaches to raise money for men's health

    moustaches

    Staff at EAD Solicitors will sport a distinctly 70's look this month as 22 employees take part in 'Movember'; a charity event which sees men of all ages take on the challenge of growing moustaches or beards for a month to raise funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity.

    The team at EAD, ranging across the firm right up to partner level, is joining 200,000 others worldwide in putting aside their razors throughout November.

    Steve Campbell, partner at EAD said of the challenge:

    "It's getting to the itchy stage now and we've been getting very funny looks in meetings.

    "We've had tremendous sponsorship support from colleagues, clients and ...Posted : 16 November 2009




    EAD's team take on the Corporate Run

    run

    EAD Solicitors LLP submitted a team of 37 to the annual Corporate Run on Sunday in a bid to raise desperately needed funds for Nugent Care- a Merseyside-based care charity founded over 100 years ago.

    The run, organised by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and the Liverpool Law Society, saw lawyers, barristers and staff from local businesses hit the 5k track that took them on a whistle-stop tour of the city's waterfront. But the EAD team certainly made one of the biggest impressions with a massive 37 members of staff turning up in matching branded t-shirts.

    Charles Boulton, a partner in the firm's Private Client ...Posted : 01 October 2009




    Assaulted bar person wins fight for compensation

    asssauted bar person

    GMB member Ann Joyce, advised by EAD Solicitors LLP, has been awarded damages of £7,500 after she was assaulted while working behind the bar on New Year's Day.

    Ann worked in a pub in Liverpool as a part-time bar person to supplement her income whilst training to be a nurse. On New Year's Day two drunken customers became abusive. Ann tried to calm the situation, but was punched in the face by one of them. Although fortunately no bones were broken, Ann was left with a bleeding nose, black eye and her face cut.

    ...Posted : 06 August 2009




    EAD Solicitors recognises Liverpool's top legal talent

    top talent

    EAD Solicitors LLP has continued its support of Liverpool University Law School by awarding the 2009 EAD Solicitors Employment Law Shield to Charlotte McHugh.

    Paul McCarthy, partner at EAD Solicitors LLP presented the award at the official ceremony at the Marriott Hotel, Queen Square, Liverpool.

    The EAD Employment Law Shield is awarded to the student who achieves the highest marks in the employment law paper. Charlotte gained a First Class Honours Degree in Law and will shortly start her Legal Practice Course - the next step to becoming a solicitor.

    Paul also presented the Conkerton ...Posted : 23 July 2009




    Chelesea 0 EAD Solicitors 1

    football

    It was a bad day for Everton fans when Chelsea lifted the FA Cup trophy on Saturday, but law firm EAD Solicitors did at least manage to bring the trophy back to Merseyside last week.

    Lee Flaherty, a Legal Executive in the Personal Injury department won a competition held by travel provider National Express to get the trophy brought to their office for a day - and he says that it was the next best thing to an Everton victory.

    Lee said: "We all had great fun with the trophy on Thursday, and the experience got us ...Posted : 01 June 2009




    EAD Solicitors shortlisted for Personal Injury team of the Year

    EAD Solicitors LLP has continued its support of Liverpool University Law School by awarding the 2009 EAD Solicitors Employment Law Shield to Charlotte McHugh.

    Paul McCarthy, partner at EAD Solicitors LLP presented the award at the official ceremony at the Marriott Hotel, Queen Square, Liverpool.

    The EAD Employment Law Shield is awarded to the student who achieves the highest marks in the employment law paper. Charlotte gained a First Class Honours Degree in Law and will shortly start her Legal Practice Course - the next step to becoming a solicitor.

    Paul also presented the Conkerton Memorial Prize on behalf of Liverpool Law ...Posted : 21 May 2009




    One rule for one...?

    I am sometimes asked about the relevance of law to everyday life and to real people. Any review of media reports over the last week or two would answer that question and as an employment lawyer, my daily case work touches the lives of my clients through their jobs, how they are treated at work and whether they even have a job.

    The most obvious current case relates to our representatives in Parliament, Honourable and Right Honourable MPs. I could spend pages analysing the "unfortunate accounting errors", but I approach this issue from the perspective of an ordinary worker. Some MPs seem to have claimed mortgage ...Posted : 21 May 2009




    EAD Solicitors LLP appoints new solicitor to join expanding Clinical Negligence team

    EAD Solicitors LLP has appointed solicitor Jennifer Lowe to its expanding Clinical Negligence department. Jennifer qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and joins from Walker Smith Way in Wrexham, where she was a solicitor working on clinical negligence cases.

    Commenting on her decision to join the firm, Jennifer said:

    "Before I joined EAD I was aware of the excellent reputation of both the Clinical Negligence team and of the firm as a whole. I am thrilled to be joining EAD as it serves such a wide range of clients and helps individuals with a broad variety of injuries and issues.

    ...Posted : 21 May 2009




    equal pay and equality

    Equality and equal pay is a growing issue and we have a few obvious gaps to address but on a tight budget. Can we, in the name of equality, reduce the salaries of some male employees to match the women at the same level and if so, how should we go about it?

    It is possible to reduce a particular sex's salary for equality purposes. There are two main methods of reducing salaries which employers are undertaking on a wide scale basis.

    One method is to dismiss the male employee and re-employ him on different terms and conditions. In practice, the only ...Posted : 21 May 2009




    EADsecures compensation for victim of sexual assault

    EAD Solicitors LLP, acting on behalf of a GMB member's 18 year old daughter, has recently helped secure compensation for her after she was the victim of a sexual assault.

    The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was assaulted by a stranger when she was 17 and EAD Solicitors took her case to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

    Helen Powell, who works as a solicitor in the Personal Injury team at EAD Solicitors and who dealt with this case commented:

    "Both myself and my client were shocked when her claim was initially rejected on the basis that ...Posted : 15 May 2009




    EAD Paralegal Appointed Vice-Chair of Junior Lawyers Division

    EAD Paralegal Appointed Vice-Chair of Junior Lawyers Division

    Ingrid Bialozynska, a paralegal at Liverpool law firm EAD Solicitors has been appointed to the position of Vice Chair at the Merseyside Junior Lawyers Division (JLD).

    Ingrid was elected to the position by members of the Merseyside Junior Lawyers Division (including paralegals, trainee solicitors and solicitors with up to five years post-qualification experience).

    Ingrid has today taken up her new role and will hold the position for one year. She will now act as a representative of all junior lawyers in the Merseyside area.

    Ingrid said: "I put myself forward for ...Posted : 14 May 2009




    Risk management in the real world

    There is a lot of talk about the importance of Risk Management and how it can be used most effectively. It is certainly a subject of topical interest. But what does it actually mean in the real world? And how do we get it onto our firms' agenda?

    We have to start with our partners or members. Unless we have commitment from the top it is no more than a fringe activity. Three immediate problems come to mind -

    1. How do you educate the omniscient? Partners know everything. They have been there. They have built up the business their way.
    2. How do you educate the uninterested? How often do ...Posted : 13 February 2009


      GMB Member Scores Claims Hat Trick

      GMB

      GMB Member John Swift sustained an injury in an accident at work.

      Through the GMB he was referred to EAD Solicitors LLP. His Solicitor Paul McCarthy obtained a medical report which concluded that the injury from that accident was minor.

      His Employers' Insurers offered £3,000.00 to settle the claim. However the medical report also referred to two earlier accidents at work. John had not thought to claim compensation for those other two accidents even though the injuries were serious. The GMB was prepared to support him in bringing claims for compensation for all three accidents. Further medical evidence was ...Posted : 03 November 2008




      Stress in the workplace - the legal position

      vicarious liability and Harassment

      Stress is a present and growing problem in the workplace. The situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. During the current financial downturn we will be seeing lower pay, longer hours, increased pressure and therefore more workers becoming stressed. An increase in stress is likely to correspond with an increase in claims for compensation.

      The purpose of this article is to look at the present state of play as far as such claims are concerned.

      Stress itself is difficult to define. It is far more vague than say hearing loss or a broken leg. It is defined on ...Posted : 17 July 2008




      EAD Solicitors LLP present shield to top Liverpool University law student

      law shieldEAD Solicitors LLP has continued its support of Liverpool University Law School by awarding the 2008 EAD Employment Law Shield to Rachel Bott.

      Paul McCarthy, partner at EAD Solicitors LLP, presented the shield and a cheque for £200 at the official awards ceremony on Friday 4 July 2008.

      He commented:

      "We are delighted to continue our support of Liverpool University by presenting the EAD Employment Law Shield to Rachel.

      "The firm and its partners have a long standing association with the University and we are proud to play a small part in the future development of Liverpool's legal profession.

      "We would also like to wish Rachel ...Posted : 14 July 2008




      Golf day a big hit for EAD

      EAD Solicitors LLP successfully hosted its annual golf day at Formby Hall Golf Resort this month - and businesses throughout the region turned out in force.

      As well as the overall winner there were a number of additional prizes, including nearest the pin and longest drive.

      Commenting on the day, Gerry Edwards, partner and head of commercial property said:.

      "It was very worthwhile to arrange an event, away from the usual office environment, for clients and business partners. The feedback we have received has been excellent and we are looking forward to building on its success and staging further golf days on a regular basis."

      Pat Higgins ...Posted : 17 June 2008




      Road Traffic Accident claim for taxi driver

      EAD Solicitors LLP have recently settled a Road Traffic Accident claim for a taxi driver in which the insurers alleged low speed impact caused no injury. The Defendant did eventually accept responsibility for the accident, however the Defendant's lawyers alleged that the impact was not sufficient to cause an injury and produced an engineer's report which appeared to support this. The Defendants lawyers also alleged that our client only suffered a minor injury and produced their own orthopaedic evidence, which EAD Solicitors LLP successfully countered with our own medical report

      Consequently, the matter proceeded to a full hearing and the significant outcome of EAD's success is that ...Posted : 01 June 2008




      New era for EAD solicitors

      This month sees the launch of a new era at EAD Solicitors with the firm unveiling a new look management team, completing its merger with Widnes practice Poole Swale and converting to LLP status.

      The new look management team sees long standing partner Mike Sexton taking on the senior partner role from Tom Doherty, the founding member of EAD in 1989. Partner Steve Cornforth also takes on the newly created role of deputy managing partner. Both Mike Sexton and Steve Conforth will work closely with EAD's managing partner, Garry Abrams.

      After stepping down as senior partner, Tom Doherty will continue as a partner specialising ...Posted : 02 May 2008




      Trainee Solicitor takes on Law Society Role

      Suzanne Carse, trainee solicitor at law firm EAD has been appointed as social representative for the Law Society's Junior Lawyers Division - launched in April this year to offer support and advice to student members throughout England and Wales.

      Suzanne's new role will see her organising a variety of initiatives and social events for junior lawyers throughout Liverpool.

      Commenting on her appointment, Suzanne said: "I am very excited about taking up this role.

      "I think social networking events and other out of office activities are important for junior lawyers in particular as they look to progress and develop their own contacts. ...Posted : 02 May 2008




      EAD scoops top award at Society Dinner

      This year's Liverpool Law Awards, organised by Liverpool Law Society, saw EAD Solicitors awarded 'Dispute Resolution Team of the Year' at the ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Saturday, 9 June.

      The winners at the awards - which celebrate the elite within the profession - were decided by a ballot of all law society members who could not vote for their own firm.
      At the awards dinner, the team was commended for its growth and progress over the last 12 months.

      Tom Doherty, senior partner and head of dispute resolution at EAD said of the win:
      "We are ...Posted : 11 June 2007




      Helen Barry to speak at Encephalitis Society seminar

      Helen Barry, Head of Clinical Negligence at EAD Solicitors, has been invited to speak at the 'Encephalitis Society Seminar'. The professional seminar will take place at the Neurosupport Centre in Liverpool on January 16, 2007.

      Helen will provide an overview of clinical negligence and look at case studies relating to Encephalitis.

      The seminar is sponsored by EAD Solicitors and will include other keynote speakers such as: Prof. Barbara A Wilson OBE, MRC Cognition and BrainSciences, Cambridge and Prof. Michael Kopelman, Dept. of Neuropsychiatry, St Thomas's Hospital.

      Says Helen Barry: "I am delighted to have been invited to speak at this Seminar. The Encephalitis Society is an important resource for people suffering ...Posted : 14 November 2006




      ABI Proposals

      The A.B.I.'s (Association of British Insurers) proposals for an increase in the Small Claims Limit and a simpler, faster, compensation process have been "thrown into disarray" following the near collapse of a similar scheme in Ireland says Mike Sexton, head of Personal Injury at E.A.D. Solicitors in Liverpool.

      Sexton, who has long been against proposals to raise the Small Claims Limit as he believes that it would disadvantage the Claimant, points to statistics from the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (P.I.A.B.) in Ireland, the body set up to eliminate Court proceedings, showing that it is now making awards in just 1 in 8 personal injury claims.

      Posted : 01 November 2006




      Inaugural EAD golf classic 2006

      golf

      EAD's inaugural Golf Classic took place during the summer at Carden Park Hotel & Golf Centre, Chester. The partners and staff entertained clients for what proved to be a memorable occasion.

      The days leading up to the event did not bode well with wind, rain and below average temperatures which left the organisers searching for a "plan B" (an indoor lecture on the Laws of Golf) but it all came right on the day with several players sporting colourful shorts as the sun shone down.

      24 players in teams of four all ranging in handicaps teed off for a ...Posted : 01 October 2006




      Vicarious Liability and Harassment

      vicarious liability and Harassment

      I was speaking at a Personal Injury Conference in July 2005 and asked for a show of hands of those who were still taking on Stress Cases. I was met with a predictable groan from those who did and glassy eyed stare from the rest. It is fair to say that, apart from Union lawyers, most Personal Injury practitioners have been giving these cases a wide berth. And understandably so since the Hatton v Sutherland cases.

      But the House of Lords decision in Majrowski v. Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust is certainly cause for hope, if not yet celebration.

      The factual ...Posted : 20 August 2006




      Ead Solicitors announces...

      ead solicitors announces...

      EAD Solicitors is to continue its expansion with a move to new offices at Prospect House, Columbus Quay, Liverpool. Prospect House is a stunning four storey property fronting onto Sefton Street and overlooking the River Mersey. With 13,000 sq ft of available space, the new offices will enable the firm to relocate its entire Paradise Street workforce. It will also facilitate the firm's continued growth, providing a first rate working environment and state of the art facilities.

      To complement the move, EAD has unveiled a new logo, corporate identity and website to differentiate the firm and enhance it's reputation.

      Posted : 10 April 2006