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Updated Civil Procedure Rules

The Civil Procedure Rules (“CPR”) govern just about every aspect of civil litigation, from the moment the letter before action is sent out, through to the trial, appeals, and finally the enforcement of Judgements. The past month has seen several new statutory instruments coming in to force which will affect changes on the CPR and therefore how civil procedure is carried out in practice.

The demise of Big Sam – good news for the game?

Clearly the news that Sam Allardyce has ceased to be England manager after just one game ought not to be a matter for rejoice; it is quite embarrassing for the FA and our national game. Last night’s breaking news – coming a little under 24 hours after the Daily Telegraph’s undercover investigation hit the public domain – is, however, in my view potentially the most positive development within the professional game of football for some time.

Legal 500 2016: “One of the best local firms…solid and dependable, consistently achieving good results”

Leading independent guide to the legal profession, The Legal 500, released the results for 2016 on 14 September with increased rankings and continued praise for Leathes Prior.

Care workers sue over failure to pay minimum wage

The news headlines today have been awash with details of care workers who have sued the council contractor Sevacare and Haringey Council over their alleged failure to pay minimum wage. The claims have been described as the sector’s biggest ever legal claims.

Leathes Prior welcomes four new Trainee Solicitors to the firm

Leathes Prior has recently welcomed four new members of staff with the recruitment of Trainee Solicitors Chris Goodwin, Patrick Gibney, Kelly Stannard and Jack Horwitz.

The employment law implications of Brexit

Whatever your views on Brexit, the UK is slowly coming to terms with the fact that we will, at some point in the near future, be leaving the EU. Following what may be one of the most significant decisions in UK political history there is much uncertainty in many sectors about what the future holds.

Call the fashion police, that dress code is discriminatory… or is it?

Can you make your receptionist wear heels? What about a ban on head-wear? Can you stop your staff wearing a badge for their political party of choice? Dress codes have long been a battleground between employers and their staff, and as a number of recent cases show, it can be a difficult line to draw between keeping staff looking smart, and keeping on the right side of the law. You could face a discrimination claim if your policy places employees at a disadvantage because of a protected characteristic such as their sex or religion.

Our take on fun summer holiday activities with the family in Norwich

With the school summer holidays fast approaching and the weather so hot, you may be looking for different ways in which to spend time with your family. With our offices in the centre of Norwich we hope to be in the know of what’s going on in the local area and we’ve highlighted a few of the exciting activities which Norwich and the surrounding area has on offer over the next few weeks.

What does Brexit really mean for Football?

What does Brexit really mean for Football? Will the UK’s departure from the EU create a recruitment or immigration crisis for our domestic game?

Leathes Prior Solicitors sponsors the Grand Parade at the Royal Norfolk Show 2016

Leathes Prior will be supporting the Royal Norfolk Show this year by sponsoring the much loved Grand Parade of champion livestock and heavy horses. Continuing on from last year’s support of the Supreme Ridden Championship at the show in 2015, the firm is delighted to be supporting the show for another year.

Bursting with pride as Solicitor Stephen Wilson returns from the Lisbon ETU Triathlon European Championships with a bronze medal.

Stephen qualified for the championships by making fourth place in his age group in the British Championships in St.Neots triathlon last year. With Leathes Prior’s sponsorship as support, Stephen travelled to Portugal to represent Great Britain in the championships which took place on 26 May 2016 in Lisbon

Relate publishes findings of a study which looks at distress in relationships

A study recently published by Relate found that 18% of married or cohabiting couples in the UK are in a 'distressed relationship' - an estimated 2.87 million people.

Leathes Prior partners with Norfolk FA to support player registrations and the Veterans League

Leathes Prior is delighted as the Norfolk County Football Association announces the recent deal that sees the firm sign up as their new official Player Registration Partner and Norfolk FA Veterans League sponsor.

Legal redress for YD7 & YD10 compensation disputes?

Following our earlier articles on the often controversial issue of compensation and YD7 and YD10 forms when a young player wishes to change footballs clubs/Academies, this article considers whether or not a player/parent has the legal right to challenge a club’s decision?

Leathes Prior Solicitors is delighted to announce a number of key promotions.

David Richards has accepted an invitation to become a Partner in the firm and Polly Langford, Barrie Baker and Ina Beurich have been promoted to the position of Associate.

Leathes Prior welcomes experienced Solicitor into the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team

Solicitor Calum Paterson joins the team, which has seen significant growth in recent years. Calum will specialise in contentious probate and property disputes, and will also provide assistance with personal injury claims.

Norwich: A Digital City?

Last week marked the launch of Tech East, a new industry body formed to promote East Anglia’s digital sector; yet again signifying the importance of the technology market to the region’s economy. It is envisaged that Tech East will unify East Anglia’s digital businesses, large and small, with a view to creating links and encouraging collaborations.

Should I get a pre-nup?

Courts have a huge discretion when it comes to deciding how assets should be divided on divorce/dissolution with the ability to order the sale of property, transfer ownership of property and cash sums between spouses, divide pensions and award spousal maintenance to be paid.

Leathes Prior’s Finance Director to run from London to Cambridge in aid of the NNAB

Leathes Prior is very proud to announce that running fanatic Craig Farr, the firm’s Director of Finance and Administration, has signed up to take on an Ultra Marathon on the 2nd of July to raise funds for the firm's charity of the year.

Employment Law Changes: April 2016

Over the last few months there have been a number of changes and updates in the world of employment law, and some important tribunal decisions have been made. There are always a raft of changes in April, and in order to keep you up-to-date, we’ve summarised these below.

Leathes Prior’s Sports Team completes high-profile transfer

The Leathes Prior Sports Team have completed a high-profile transfer of a footballer from the National League South (the sixth-tier of English football) to the Premier League.

All schools to become academies

George Osborne announced in his budget speech on 16th March 2016 that all schools will be forced into becoming academies by 2022. This may sound like a long way down the road but by 2020 schools must have started or be already undergoing the conversion process.

Stephen Wilson, Solicitor within our Conveyancing Team, qualifies to represent Great Britain in Triathlon Championships

Leathes Prior is delighted to announce that Stephen Wilson, solicitor within the Residential Conveyancing Team, has qualified to represent Great Britain in the Age Group European Triathlon Championships.

Register of persons with significant control

As from 6 April 2016, legislation will come into effect which will make it compulsory for all non-listed UK companies, active or dormant, to create and maintain a register of persons with significant control (PSC).

Formalising a Financial Settlement on Divorce

Getting divorced does not automatically deal with spouses’ financial claims. Spouses and former spouses should be aware of the implications of failing to obtain a Court Order to deal with financial provision on divorce or dissolution, even if there is an agreement between spouses as to how to divide the assets or if there are no assets to divide.

Commission should be included in holiday pay calculations confirms the Employment Appeal Tribunal

We recently reported on a decision in the Employment Tribunal in the case of Mr Lock v British Gas, which held that where an employee is paid via commission (in whole or in part) their holiday pay should include an element which takes into account that commission.

Starbucks employee wins discrimination case

In the wake of the negative publicity over their payment of tax in the UK, Starbucks finds itself facing more criticism following the Employment Tribunal’s recent decision finding that the company had discriminated against a dyslexic employee.

License or tenancy?

Many people allow others to use their property in exchange for payment but it’s sometimes unclear, especially where there is no written agreement, whether there is a license or a tenancy.

Leathes Prior welcomes experienced Employment Solicitor Gareth Stevens

Leathes Prior has today welcomed experienced solicitor Gareth Stevens to their growing Employment Team. The employment expert will be joining the firm at Associate level having previously headed up a team of his own at another local firm.

Leathes Prior steps up to main club sponsor of Swardeston Cricket Club as new deal is signed

Leathes Prior has signed up to be overall club sponsor of The Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League champions as part of a three-year deal. The firm takes over from The Parson Woodforde and Aquaterra Energy, whose financial support over the past four years has seen Swardeston win four consecutive EAPL titles.

The End of Whiplash Claims?

In November of last year, Chancellor George Osborne announced in his spending review that the Conservative Government plans to increase the personal injury small claims limit from £1,000 to £5,000.

Leathes Prior looks forward to another ‘Leathes Prior Grand Prix’ as the running series grows in popularity

Leathes Prior is delighted to be looking forward to another year in partnership with Athletics Norfolk as we sponsor the Grand Prix running series.

Buying a Horse – The Legal Aspects

The recent publication of the British Equestrian Trade Association’s 2011 National Equestrian Survey reminds us that whether as a hobby or profession, buying a horse will inevitably be a significant investment, both financially and emotionally.

Chambers UK 2016: “You truly feel like a client who matters and your file is not one of many”

The Chambers and Partners UK 2016 independent guide to law firms and individual lawyers was released on Friday 30th October, with Leathes Prior highly recommended for another year. Read on for some of the guide highlights.

Leathes Prior Solicitors’ GoGoDragon raises £25,000 for local charity, Break

Leathes Prior is absolutely delighted as their GoGoDragon fetches the highest bid at the GoGoDragons auction. Over 500 people attended the auction, which took place at the Forum from 6.00pm on 1st October, marking the end of the GoGoDragon charity trail.

Legal 500 2015: “A high level of expertise and a well-deserved reputation”

The 2015 edition of the Legal 500, considered to be the leading independent guide to the legal profession, was released on 16 September 2015 with continued praise for Leathes Prior.

Residential Conveyancing Solicitor Norwich

Restrictions on title – protecting interests in property

In property and private client work we often find ourselves explaining how a person’s interests in a property that is registered with the Land Registry can be protected by entering a restriction on the title to that property.

Training Compensation; the Category 4 loophole?

In the latest of a series of articles discussing training compensation, we take a look at a potential solution that players and their advisers might consider where (a) they can not sign for a new club without the former club being due training compensation and (b) whether due to the cost of that compensation, the merits of the player or the attitude of other clubs (or a combination thereof) the player is struggling to find a new club willing to sign him.

Leathes Prior Solicitors sponsor Equine Competitions at the Royal Norfolk Show

Leathes Prior Solicitors sponsors the Supreme Ridden Championship which is a brand new addition to the equine competitions at the Royal Norfolk Show this year.

Leathes Prior’s GoGoMosaic dazzles in Tombland

Leathes Prior is very proud to see their sponsored GoGoDragon impressing outside of their offices in the heart of Tombland. The firm paired up with local artist, Carolyn Ash of Mosaic Memories , to design and create their striking dragon; GoGoMosaic.

Leathes Prior Solicitors announced as new Swardeston CC youth sponsor

Leathes Prior Solicitors has partnered up with Swardeston Cricket Club to sponsor their growing youth section. The firm will join existing Swardeston sponsor The Parson Woodforde.

Leathes Prior Solicitors sponsor Norwich City of Ale festival

Leathes Prior Solicitors proudly joins the list of sponsors to support the Norwich City of Ale Festival as glassware sponsor. Norwich City of Ale is a not-for-profit organisation with the mission to promote Norwich, nationally and internationally, as the UK City of Ale.

Leathes Prior Solicitors proudly sponsors North Walsham Young Farmers Coastal Trek

Leathes Prior Solicitors sign up as main sponsor to support the North Walsham Young Farmers Club as they take on a 70 mile trek along the Norfolk Coast from Great Yarmouth to Hunstanton over the course of three days (which is over 23 miles a day!).

Earlham Park Café to remain open during Radio One Weekend

David Richards, Associate in the Dispute Resolution Team at Leathes Prior Solicitors, stepped in to act for Earlham Park Café on a pro bono basis throughout their dispute with the BBC over their entitlement to trade during the Radio One Big Weekend.

EPPP : the curious YD forms?

Shortly after the introduction of the much heralded Elite Player Performance Plan (“EPPP”) I had cause to write an article; EPPP: can the player vote with his feet?

Leathes Prior is noted as commercial, practical and prompt in the Chambers UK 2015 guide

Leathes Prior is noted as commercial, practical and prompt in the Chambers UK 2015 guide. The Chambers and Partners UK 2015 independent guide to law firms and individual lawyers has been released.

Wills, Trusts & Estates Solicitor Norwich

Inheritance and Trustee Powers Act 2014 - Change to the intestacy rules

The Inheritance and Trustee Powers Act 2014 (ITPA 2014) has changed the rules relating to intestacy as of today (1st October 2014) resulting in a more favourable distribution to spouses and civil partners.

Franchise Focus: A recent decision confirms there is no implied duty of good faith and upholds a non-compete restriction against a franchisee

In the recent case of Carewatch Care Services Ltd v Focus Caring Services Ltd & Ors (2014), the court found for the franchisor and enforced restrictive covenants and step-in provisions in franchise agreements.

Leathes Prior is pleased to announce the sponsorship of a GoGoDragon in 2015

Leathes Prior is pleased to announce the sponsorship of a GoGoDragon in 2015, following on from the success of the GoGoGorillas in 2013.

Leathes Prior Incorporates Cole & Co Solicitors from 1 November 2013

We are delighted to announce that from 1 November 2013 Cole & Co Solicitors will join forces with Leathes Prior Solicitors.

Player Solidarity Payments: a hidden goldmine?

After advising a lower league football club this week that they were owed substantial sums of money in respect of a player solidarity payment, it has occurred to me that many clubs – in these difficult economic times for most clubs outside of the elite – could be losing out on a small fortune.

Vicarious liability: how much responsibility must an employer bear?

A recent Court of Appeal decision highlights the increasingly far reaching liability of employers for the actions of their employees. Judgment in JGE v The Trustees of the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust was handed down on 12 July 2012.

EPPP: can the player vote with his feet?

With the implementation of the new Youth Development Rules and EPPP now well underway, and the latest Category status of Football Academies being announced on a regular basis, we are starting to see what impact and issues are arising.

Goldsmith v Patchcott and another [2012] EWCA Civ 183 – Liability when trying a new horse

Yesterday the Court of Appeal dismissed Kara Goldsmith’s appeal against the finding of Judge Christopher Walton sitting in Newcastle County Court last year that she had voluntarily assumed the risk of the injuries that she suffered when being thrown from a horse she was trying with a view to buy.

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