Black Country legal specialist appointed to Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel

One of the region's leading clinical negligence specialist solicitors has been appointed to the Law Society's Clinical Negligence Panel.

Clare Langford, an associate at Midlands law firm Higgs & Sons, is only one of a small number of clinical negligence lawyers to be appointed to the panel. Her appointment recognises her achievements within clinical negligence law which includes dealing with claims involving injuries of maximum severity and fatal cases.

Speaking of her achievement, Clare said: "It's a vigorous process to be appointed and I had to present a portfolio of my cases to the Law Society to demonstrate my experience."

"The appointment means that I can now take on the role of clinical negligence supervisor, enabling Higgs & Sons to offer clients public funding through the Legal Services Commission in appropriate cases.”

Ian Shovlin, Senior Partner at Higgs & Sons states, "Clinical negligence litigation is a specialist area of law requiring a knowledge of both the law and medicine. Clare's appointment to the Law Society panel is evidence of her experience and expertise in dealing with these complex claims.”

Clare is a volunteer for the charity Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA) and attends on a pro bono basis at the Manchester office to run the clinical negligence helpline. The service offers free advice and assistance to members of the public concerned about any aspect of their medical treatment.

Kingswinford-born Clare joined Higgs & Sons in 2001 as a trainee and qualified in 2003.

Higgs & Sons employs over 170 people from offices in Brierley Hill's Waterfront Business Park and Kingswinford.

Directors pay the price for ignorance warns insolvency lawyer

One of the Midlands’ most experienced insolvency lawyers says that directors of companies in the UK are continually failing to fully understand their duties and this is leading in some cases to dire consequences.

David Ellis, a partner at Higgs & Sons, says the firm is increasingly meeting directors of insolvent companies who are surprised to find themselves made personally liable for their company’s debts when the firm fails.

“Many entirely honest directors whose companies have failed through no fault of their own are finding themselves facing personal liability on two counts,” explains David.

“First, liquidators are challenging directors who have taken their remuneration through dividends rather than as salary. This is often recommended by their accountants to save tax however if the company is failing and there are insufficient profits to justify such dividends then these can be clawed back by the liquidator as illegal payments. Secondly, if it is found that a director has permitted the company to trade on longer than a "reasonable" director would have done, the liquidator can ask him or her to personally make good any losses incurred by the creditors in that period.”

“In addition to being personally liable for these debts, many people are also unaware of the Company Directors Disqualification Act, which can disqualify them as directors for up to 15 years.”

David says that for the companies which are struggling, early legal advice is essential: “Once a company has failed it gives us no comfort to know that in many cases if we had been able to advise the director 12 months earlier he or she should have avoided such difficulties.

“With this in mind we have established a team within the firm to protect directors and advise on ways to limit their exposure. There appears to be a great need for advice which is aimed at directors in these circumstances (and their professional advisers) but which is independent of any advice given to the company itself.”

To contact David telephone 0845 111 5050 or email david.ellis@higgsandsons.co.uk.

Higgs opens doors to largest legal practice in the Black Country

This week Higgs & Sons officially opens its doors for business at its new prestigious Waterfront Business Park address.

The leading law firm has already given over 300 of its clients and contacts a sneak preview of the new premises at two high profile launch event evenings.

The move creates the largest legal practice in the Black Country, with 76 lawyers and a further 80 support staff relocating to the new premises in Brierley Hill’s Waterfront.

Higgs has spent the last five months refurbishing the new 30,000 square foot facility to create leading edge headquarters for its growing team and clients. The firm worked closely with fit out specialists Morgan Lovell and designers Grant Thorp on the new building. The deal was one of the largest commercial property transactions of 2009 and was supported by NatWest.

Ian Shovlin, senior partner, said at the official opening of the new building: “In bringing over 150 of our team together under one roof, we can now offer all services, meetings and events from one fantastic location.

“2010 is the 135th anniversary of Higgs & Sons and I can think of no more fitting tribute than to take the firm to the next stage in its development.

“The new facility means that our specialist lawyers can continue to offer clients the very best legal advice but now in a purpose designed building which not only meets our requirements today but also as we grow in the future.

“We now have the premises to match our great team and we look forward to offering a complete service to all our business and private clients at our new home for many years to come.”

Higgs signed a 10 year lease on the new building. The move will bring together Higgs’ team which is based across offices in Brierley Hill and Stourbridge. The firm will keep its presence in Kingswinford to serve the local community.

Picture shows Ian Shovlin, Senior Parter, Higgs & Sons