£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weight and become withdrawn ...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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 -
- How do you educate the omniscient? Partners know everything.
They have been there. They have built up the business their
way.
- How do you educate the uninterested? How often do ...
Posted : 13 February 2009
GMB Member Scores Claims Hat Trick
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
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
EAD
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
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
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 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