Eight new lawyers for Higgs & Sons

Leading Midlands law firm Higgs & Sons has appointed a further eight lawyers, as it gears up for more growth in 2011.

The largest growth area for the award-winning firm is in dispute resolution where the team is now boosted by three new lawyers including partner Tom Read, associate Carole Maddock and solicitor Laura Westwood who trained with the firm.

Department head, Julia Lowe, said that 2010 had proved to be a very successful year for the team. “It’s fantastic to welcome new talent to the firm and to retain lawyers upon qualification. The new appointments will add both strength and depth to the dispute resolution team and demonstrate the firm’s commitment to the growth of this practice area.”

Higgs & Sons’ private client team, which is one of the largest and most highly regarded practices in the region welcomes two new lawyers, Victoria Knight and Sarah Darby. Newly qualified solicitor Sarah trained with the firm.

Alongside Laura and Sarah, Higgs has also retained Oliver Ward-Jones upon qualification, to further strengthen the firm’s insolvency team.

Two other departments also welcome new lawyers. The commercial property team has appointed Lisa Craddock and personal injury sees Laura Dyke join the team.

Managing partner, Paul Hunt, says that the appointments are exciting developments for the firm: “A solid business strategy, excellent client care and a determination to make a difference to our clients has ensured that Higgs has continued to grow year on year.

“These latest appointments reflect our growth across the whole firm. We enjoy developing long-term relationships and recruit people who we know will deliver real value to our clients.”

Picture shows from left to right: Sarah Darby, Laura Dyke, Victoria Knight, Lisa Craddock, Oliver Ward Jones, Paul Hunt, Tom Read, Carole Maddock and Laura Westwood.

IS SOCIETY READY FOR PRE-NUPS?

On the day there could be a landmark case for divorce law, new research from a leading Midlands law firm suggests that the UK is ready to adopt legally binding pre-nuptial agreements.

Higgs & Sons questioned 200 people for their opinion of pre-nuptial agreements, with some surprising results.

Philip Barnsley, head of Higgs & Sons’ family department and Chair of Resolution West Midlands, said: “All the people we spoke to, a mixture of married, separated, divorced and remarried, said they did not currently have a pre-nuptial agreement in place. Of those who were divorced or separated 60 per cent said they wished that they had had one and 56 per cent of those who were married said they wished they had signed an agreement prior to their marriage.

“When we questioned people on whether pre-nups should now be legally binding in the UK, 92 per cent agreed that they should.

“We also asked everyone if they were to give a significant sum of money to their children, would they encourage them to have a pre-nuptial agreement with their partner. Eighty eight per cent of people said they would encourage this.”

A ruling by the Supreme Court on the case of Radmacher v Granatino is expected this week.

Philip explains: “The Supreme Court are being asked to decide whether the Court of Appeal erred in finding that pre-nuptial contracts ought to be given decisive weight, where entered into freely by both parties. Mr Granatino does not wish to be held to a pre-nuptial contract that was signed prior to their marriage which provides that neither party could make a monetary claim against the other in divorce proceedings.

“Pre-nuptial agreements are enforceable in Germany, where the couple's was signed, but not in the UK where they married. They are also enforceable in Mr Granatino's home country of France.”

“It’s thought that this case may pave the way for pre-nuptial agreements to finally become legally binding in the UK.”

For specialist legal advice or to speak with Philip Barnsley or his team contact him directly on 0845 111 5050.

Lawyer says employers could face more tribunals with changes to retirement age

A Black Country employment lawyer is warning businesses that they could face the risk of increased age discrimination claims in the near future.

Nick Vernon of law firm Higgs & Sons, believes that the proposed changes in the law on the default retirement age recently announced will lead to more employment tribunals: The Government has recently published a consultation document setting out its proposals to phase out the current default retirement age of 65 in October 2011.

Nick says “In a statement the Department for Business said they estimated that the changes would lead to a reduction of between 200 and 400 employment tribunals every year. However it’s our belief that the exact opposite may occur because employers in the region will be forced to prove whether or not older employees are capable of continuing in their current role at 65. We believe this will lead to an increase in older employees taking their employers to employment tribunals claiming age discrimination.”

A six-month transition period from the existing regulations begins in April 2011.

Nick continues: “It’s estimated that the Exchequer could gain an extra £79 million in tax revenues in the first year alone once the default age is scrapped.

“The Government has also claimed that the changes will save employers money, but it appears to be underestimating how much businesses will spend in costly tribunals taken by disgruntled workers who are classed as incapable of working in their current role once they pass 65.
"We strongly suggest that employers take legal advice before making any changes to existing employment contracts."To find out how Higgs & Sons' employment team can support your business, contact them directly on 0845 111 5050 or visit www.higgsandsons.co.uk.