Training Deficiency Highlighted as Employee Requires Amputation of Fingers
The issue of enforcing proper training programmes has been raised by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) after an accident at a packaging firm in Sheffield left an employee having to have part of a hand amputated. In this case the employee has solid grounds to claim that negligence on the part of his employer…
2019 Personal Injury Reforms – What Will They Mean For You?
***Updated June 2018*** Our Head of Personal Injury, Gareth Naylor, updated this blog post on 27th June 2018 to provide the most up to date information regarding the Personal Injury Reforms. Controversial personal injury reforms which significantly restrict a person’s access to justice look set to go ahead next year despite the concerns raised by…
Formula One Mechanic Suffers Broken Leg During Race
There are thousands of accidents in the workplace every year, but rarely do millions of people across the globe witness a workplace accident happen live on television. The victim of the accident in question was Francesco Cigarini and the reason millions of people saw him break his leg live was because it happened during a…
Case Study: Acoustic Shock – Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Last week Chris Goldscheider won a landmark case for damage to his hearing caused by loud noise. Mr Goldscheider suffered “acoustic shock” as a result of being exposed to noise levels of in excess of 130 decibels, equivalent to that of a jet engine whilst playing a viola in the Royal Opera House. This case…
Prominent Football Coach Jailed for 30 Years
Barry Bennell has been jailed for 30 years for sexually abusing young boys he preyed on whilst working as a football coach. In passing his sentence Judge Clement Goldstone QC described him as “the devil incarnate”. It was said that this serial abuser of children stole the childhood and innocence of his victims to satisfy…
Birth Injuries to the Mother – What Happens Next?
Birth injuries are a common feature of medical negligence cases, but these usually focus on injuries to the newborn. Injuries to the mother during childbirth are also common, but are often dismissed as being a natural consequence of the birth process. This is not always the case. Birth injuries can have long-term and life-changing effects…
Treated with Contempt: A Warning from the Family Court
A recent case which has seen an 83 year old man sent to prison for contempt of court offers a stark warning to litigants who may be tempted to treat proceedings less seriously than they ought. John Hart had been ordered to transfer his shares in a property development company to his ex-wife. Though he…
Sentencing in Criminal Cases: What Happens When There’s a Slip-Up?
A man sent to prison for his part in conceiving a terrorist attack has now had his sentence increased after the trial judge reviewed it under what is called the ‘slip rule.’ This mechanism for amending a sentence generally receives less coverage than the Unduly Lenient review scheme, but is still significant. Here, we look…
Low Deposit Mortgage Deals Hit a Ten Year High
Increasing confidence in the property market has led to a further boost for first time buyers, with 95% mortgages making something of a comeback. It’s not all good news though, especially for buyers who can only afford a small deposit, reports the BBC. Since the 2008 financial crash, the number of 95% loan-to-value mortgages offered…
New Otley Branch Opening on 26th March
This month sees the start of another new chapter in the Ison Harrison regional branch success story, as we open a new branch in the traditional market town of Otley. This builds on the hugely successful launches of the Pudsey and Huddersfield branches in 2017, and takes the total number of offices to 12. Given…
Ison Harrison Set to Support the Pregnant Then Screwed Live Event
Maternity discrimination is on the rise and at Ison Harrison we know this all too well. As one of the most respected maternity discrimination solicitors in Leeds and Yorkshire, we have seen a 75% increase in queries relating to maternity discrimination in recent years. Sadly, this is accompanied by a shortfall in cases being taken to…
Ison Harrison Strengthens Its Leeds Headquarters with Two New Recruits
Growth is a very important factor that underpins our philosophy here at Ison Harrison, and this has been demonstrated by the announcement of two key personnel appointments to our commercial property department in the last few weeks. Richard Scott and Dhiran Mistry are the latest two additions to our ever-expanding team. While our growth in…
We’re Supporting Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month #StartMakingNoise
March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 11 women die in the UK every day from ovarian cancer. Awareness of ovarian cancer is low, both among women and GPs, with two-thirds of women diagnosed once the cancer has already spread. The Clinical Negligence Team at Ison Harrison are supporting the charity Target Ovarian Cancer by spreading…
We’re Exhibiting at the Help to Buy Show – March 2018
We’re pleased to announce we will be exhibiting at the Help to Buy Show in Birmingham on Saturday 17th March. We will be attending the event with an expert team to help first time buyers from all over the country. The shows are a great source of information for first time buyers where specialist solicitors,…
Can I Claim For a Delay in Diagnosing Cancer?
Finding out that you or a loved one has Cancer is absolutely devastating, whilst considering the prognosis, treatment and overall implications you may start to consider if it could have been diagnosed sooner. Cancer Clinical Negligence Claims Most claims in this area relate to a delay or a failure to diagnose the disease. It is well known…
Testicular Torsion – Know the Signs
A twisted testicle, more accurately described as testicular torsion, is a painful experience but the effects can be long lasting if medical treatment is not administered as quickly as possible. Testicular Torsion is a medical emergency; there is a short window to treat before permanent damage occurs. Testicular torsion occurs when the spermatic cord twists…
Ison Harrison to Exhibit at the Otley Show
On Saturday 19th May we will be exhibiting at the Otley Show for the first time. The Otley Show is one of the oldest agricultural events in the country, dating back over 200 years, and held on the Spring Bank holiday weekend. Over 100 trade stands offer a wide range of crafts, gifts, floral displays…
Ison Harrison at the Squires Egg Fun Run
We have a longstanding commitment to being involved with community groups, initiatives and events- and this year is no exception. One event we’re really looking forward to is the forthcoming Charity Egg Run at the famous Squires Café. Friendly solicitors in Leeds The café is situated in an area served by our Garforth and Crossgates…
Divorce and Dissolution: Ways to an End
The terms “divorce” and “dissolution” are often used interchangeably. No matter what the semantics, the end result is that the marriage or civil partnership comes to an end. In order to obtain a divorce or dissolution, you must have been married or in the civil partnership for at least 12 months before the issue of…
Smart Motorways: the Driving Force Behind Legal Changes
Smart motorways, the brainchild of Highways England in a bid to cut congestion, currently cover some 480 miles of the UK’s roads. Areas of Manchester and the North East feature the new technology, as do locations in Surrey and the West Midlands. There are plans to extend their reach, which is accompanied by changes in…
My Path to Law: Our two Newest Partners
Matthew Channon, a law lecturer at Exeter University, recently started the ‘My Path to Law’ hashtag on Twitter. This prompted a whole host of lawyers to share their stories, detailing how they came to be in practice against the backdrop of a whole variety of backgrounds. In the spirit of #mypathtolaw, our most recently appointed…
Jury returns Damning Verdict following Death of a Young Woman in Prison
Another inquest jury has returned a damning verdict following the tragic, and unavoidable, death of a young woman in prison. Emily Hartley was just 21 when she died at HMP New Hall, Wakefield, in April 2016. She had been sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment after setting fire to herself, her bed and…
Announcing the Launch of Our New Company Video: ‘If You Ever Need Me’
We’re really pleased to announce the launch of our brand new company video, “If You Ever Need Me”. It’s a law firm video with a difference, featuring a bespoke piece of performance poetry by local playwright and poet Dave Jarman. Our intention was to move away from traditional showcases, which can lack inspiration and quickly…
New Build Property Department Plans for 2018
Our New Build Property Department is looking forward to another busy year. With the upturn in New Build property purchases continuing last year, we are receiving increasing numbers of instructions from both purchasers and developers, seeking our specialist help in this field. Government schemes help the New Build sector The Government has done much to…
Our Work in 2017 Supporting Birth Injury Charities
At Ison Harrison, our work in supporting charity groups and raising awareness of birth injuries is well documented. We are one of only three law firms in England and Wales recommended by the national charity the Erb’s Palsy Group, with whom we have partnered in 2017 to promote a series of fantastic events. Specialist knowledge…
Understanding Cauda Equina Syndrome
There are several different parts to the spine, each with its own name. Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) relates specifically to a particular one of them. The human vertebral column comprises 33 different vertebrae, five of which are known as lumbar articulating vertebrae- which actually come in pairs. The second to fifth lumbar nerve pairs and…
Raising Awareness of Sepsis
Sepsis is known as the ‘silent killer’. It is a rare but very serious complication of a routine infection, and can have fatal consequences if not diagnosed or if mis-diagnosed. Currently there is a “Just Ask: Could It Be Sepsis” campaign being promoted on a national basis- at Ison Harrison, through the experiences of our…
Ison Harrison sponsors of this year’s Ilkley Beer Festival
This weekend, Ilkley Round Table hosts its yearly Beer Festival. Reflecting our presence in the area with our Ilkley branch, we’re proud to continue our association with the event. This year, we’re Silver sponsors. Every year, the event raises in excess of £40,000 for local good causes. These range from children’s sports teams to senior…
The Myth of the ‘Quickie Divorce’
The press love to reference a “quickie divorce,” usually when writing about the latest celebrity marriage to come to an end. Often, the reporting gives a misleading impression – that by virtue of your fame, the path to a divorce is faster and smoother. Here, I look at why this is inaccurate and how effectively…
Commercial Lease Break Clauses – What You Need to Know
There are many reasons why a tenant may wish to exercise a break clause in a commercial lease agreement. You may have grown unsure about the location, you may have run into financial difficulties or you may have found that your business is not suited to the premises. Whatever the reason, expert advice is a…
Taxi Licensing: What is Plying for Hire?
In the UK, there are two types of taxi: Private Hire and Hackney Carriages. Hackney drivers can pick up fares by being flagged down in the street or approached at taxi ranks. However, it is illegal for Private Hire drivers to pick up passengers from the street or from a taxi rank. Private Hire fares…
An Ode to Ison Harrison….
This year is a very special one for the firm, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. With this in mind, staff were asked to put pen to paper for a different reason to usual- a friendly poetry competition. The winning entry, written by our Ilkley-based Clinical Negligence expert Geraldine Kane, is below. We hope you…
When do I Need to Pay Additional Stamp Duty?
1st April 2016 saw the introduction of a controversial amendment to the rules relating to Stamp Duty, resulting in one of the busiest periods ever seen in our Residential Property department as buyers sought to complete before the changes took effect. A recent blog post detailed the new rules for first time buyers- but how…
Ison Harrison are Key Sponsors of the Kind Hearts Give Back Ball
We’re thrilled to announce our sponsorship of this year’s Kind Hearts Ball. Organised by the Kind Hearts Give Back organisation, it’s a fantastic yearly event that raises money for various cancer charities, including those with a local presence. Last year, over £39,370 was raised in aid of the Yorkshire Cancer Centre, the Teenage Cancer Trust…
I’m a Casual Worker and Had an Accident at Work – What Do I Do?
Winter is often a time when the opportunity to gain casual work increases, as companies look to meet the demands of the festive season and beyond. They may take on these staff using a variety of means, but this mix of recruitment methods can cause confusion for workers if something goes wrong. Here, we make…
A Guide to TUPE and What It Could Mean for You
Often, the first time an employee will encounter the TUPE Regulations is in the context of a redundancy situation. It’s certainly a complex area- but what do the regulations mean in practice? Yunus Lunat, Partner and Head of Employment Law at Ison Harrison, makes sense of the rules here. TUPE stands for Transfer of Undertakings…
Immediate Changes to Legal Aid rules for victims of Domestic Abuse
There is welcome news this week with significant amendments to the rules governing Legal Aid in family cases, which in the words of the Vice President of the Law Society ‘make it easier for victims to qualify for legal aid and access essential help and support.’ Tim Burt is a Solicitor in our Family law…
Two new Partners at Ison Harrison
We are delighted to announce the appointment of two new Partners at the firm. Ian Anderson and Gareth Naylor head up our Regulatory Law and Personal Injury departments respectively. Ian Anderson Ian joined Ison Harrison in 2014 to head up the firm’s newly-founded Regulatory Law team. Since his arrival, Ian has successfully grown a fledgling…
What are Confiscation Proceedings and how do they Work?
In criminal cases, the conclusion of the trial is not always the end of the matter. For many offences Confiscation proceedings will follow and here, Ison Harrison looks at how such proceedings work in practice. What are Confiscation proceedings? Confiscation proceedings are heard in the Crown Court after a person has been convicted of a…
Environment Agency Prosecutes Yorkshire-based Company
The Environment Agency may not immediately spring to mind as a proactive government department in terms of prosecution and enforcement, but a recent case highlights its willingness to take action. A Doncaster-based car scrappage firm, Motorhog Ltd, had been issued with a permit to depollute and bale end-of-life vehicles. Agency officers had visited the site,…
Inquest jury finds that Pensioner Died from Head Injuries
On the 19 November 2016, 73 year old Keith Holmes was out walking and was on his way to meet his wife in Bingley when he passed The Myrtle Grove pub on Main Street, a JD Wetherspoon pub. As he passed the pub, an advertising board placed outside it collapsed, knocking him to the ground. Mr Holmes…
An Englishman’s Home is his Castle: Self- Defence in Householder Cases
So-called ‘householder cases’ have long been the subject of controversy. The topic is periodically mentioned in the press, usually as a result of a court case hitting the headlines, but where does the law actually stand in this area? A recent decision in the Court of Appeal is of real interest in this respect. There…
From Cohabitation to Pre-Nups: Legal Considerations Pre-Marriage
For 21st century couples, it’s not just hearts and flowers. They may take a pragmatic approach, considering ways to legally safeguard their positions in a way that their parents’ generation would not. Cohabitation Agreement A Cohabitation Agreement formalises financial arrangements when couples aren’t married and merely choose to live together. It protects assets and how…
Why Your New Year’s Resolution Should Be Speaking to a Solicitor about a Will
It is coming to the time of year when we start to think about tasks that we may have been putting off during previous months. One such task is that of making a Will. It’s not surprising – thinking about your Will may seem morbid and unnecessary. Lucy Holt, a Solicitor in our Wills and Probate…
Hefty Fine after a Manual Handling Operation Goes Wrong
A failure to carry out basic health and safety responsibilities has led to an engineering company in Norfolk being hit by a £20,000 fine, after an employee suffered an injury to three fingers in February this year. Gareth Naylor, Head of Personal Injury, examines the case below. Dantech Engineering of Burrell Way, Thetford, Norfolk, had…
Starting a New Business in 2018? Here’s Some Useful Legal Advice…
It is unlikely that you will wake up on January 1st and suddenly decide to start a business. This is probably something you have been thinking about for a long time, it may even be a lifelong dream or an itch you just have to scratch. Whatever your motivation, starting a business requires a lot…
Personal Injury Firm in Manchester Closed Down By SRA
The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority has this week closed a personal injury firm in Manchester, quoting suspicions of dishonesty relating to its Managing Partner. The firm, Dennison Greer, specialised in personal injury matters. The SRA’s panel took the decision on the basis that it was satisfied that there was a reason to suspect dishonesty on the…
National Cohabitation Week: An Expert’s Guide to the Law
The results of a poll commissioned to mark Cohabitation Awareness Week are being reported in the press-and they make interesting reading! Speaking to 2,000 adults, the poll found that nearly two in five British adults (37 per cent) wrongly think that unmarried couples who have lived together for more than two years are classified as…
Do’s and Dont’s at the Office Christmas Party
The festive season is approaching and chances are so is your company’s Christmas party. Even though you may be physically out of the office, normal rules apply. The venue you’re at is an extension of the workplace for the purposes of the employment legislation: you are expected to conduct yourself to the usual standards expected of…
Female Genital Mutilation Prevention Orders: The Law Explained
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is defined by the NHS as a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there is no medical reason for this to be done. It is often referred to as female circumcision. The NHS also reports that between April 2016 and March 2017, there were 9,179…