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.

Higgs strengthens employment team with senior appointment

Higgs & Sons has strengthened its employment team with the appointment of a new partner.

Damian Kelly joins the Black Country legal firm from Eversheds where he trained in 1994 and was most recently a partner in the employment team.

Tim Jones, head of Higgs’ employment team said Damian’s appointment comes at a time where the volume and quality of work coming in to the department requires an experienced partner to meet demand.

“Damian’s appointment means our employment department is now seven lawyers strong – by far the largest team in the Black Country.

“One of our key strengths is our ability to take a case from the very start to the end thanks to our experienced advocacy team.

“Damian joins us at an exciting time, with the firm’s business disciplines now housed under one roof at the Waterfront Business Park. In the few short months since our move, we have already seen increased work from our strong corporate team, which we are looking to capitalise on further in the future.”

Damian said: “I am delighted to join Higgs & Sons at such a progressive time in its development. The firm has an excellent reputation in the employment field and I am looking forward to helping the team achieve its ambitious growth plans.

HIGGS POWERS AHEAD WITH SALE OF PROSPER DISTRIBUTION TO BECK INDUSTRIES

Nick Taylor, head of Midlands law firm Higgs & Sons' corporate team has completed the cross-border disposal of Prosper Distribution Limited (PDL) and its related worldwide companies to Beck Industries.

Beck Industries is Europe's leading manufacturer of special bolts for the power generation and oil industries. The deal was for an undisclosed sum.

The Prosper name has been well known for years as one of the very few top British manufacturers of special bolts for subsea, petrochemical and power generation industries. Thanks to its recent merger with Midsteel and subsequent rationalisation and sales success, the company has expanded strongly especially in the subsea industry. PDL employs over 120 people in Kingswinford, in the heart of the Midlands and in Aberdeen, the Scottish base for the North Sea subsea activities.

The new group turnover will exceed 65 million euros and this acquisition will further strengthen the current impetus in all sites.

Speaking of the deal, Nick Taylor said: “PDL and Beck both share the same absolute resolve regarding quality and safety. Their clients operate facilities and equipment where human lives and the environment are at risk. The merger between the companies will see PDL continue to function as a market leader in the high integrity bolting industry with Martin Boulter remaining as the Managing Director.

“The deal involved the disposal of Prosper group, which has operations in the UK and Scotland, Hong Kong, China and the USA. It’s our second deal for Midsteel in less than two months.”

Beck Industries is a 4th generation family-owned group, focussed on the manufacturing of special bolting, operating eight sites in France, Germany, Belgium, China and now, the United Kingdom.

Higgs & Sons' corporate department is based at the firm's new purpose-designed headquarters in Brierley Hill's Waterfront. The firm was recently shortlisted for Birmingham Law Society Law Firm of the Year.

For further information please contact Hazel Crawford Upton on 01902 714957 or email hazel@connect-group.com

Higgs on the case with family team appointments

Higgs & Sons, which already has one of the largest family teams in the West Midlands, is expanding even further with the appointment of Victoria Fellows.

Victoria, who joins the firm as an assistant solicitor, brings a wealth of experience having been in family law for over five years. She qualified at Atter McKenzie in Evesham and then joined Irwin Mitchell in Birmingham for four years and has been at Sharratts Family Law in Wolverhampton, for the past year.

The appointment comes at the same time as Philip Barnsley takes up the headship of the department from Steven Jackson. Philip said: “Victoria has a very impressive background and will further strengthen our team. She adds another dimension to our diverse team, which can only be seen as a positive thing by clients.

“I am really excited about the coming year as the team is growing rapidly and we possess a range of strengths and experience which, when put together, forms an impressive portfolio for our clients.”

Victoria said: “My move to Higgs will enable me to utilise my experience as part of a growing department and I am thrilled to be working for one of the leading firms in the West Midlands.

Philip continues: “We have also taken on Rhian Jervis who is a newly qualified solicitor. She brings fresh ideas to the team and will be an additional support to clients and us. The coming months will be very exciting for the firm as we move to our new office at 3 The Waterfront. Our ambition is to grow our department even further in this new state-of-the-art environment.”

Steven Jackson remains with the firm as a specialist consultant in the team.