Three times the charm at Clough & Willis
September 17 2007
The Partners at Clough & Willis welcome two new trainee solicitors to the firm, as a former trainee celebrates her admission to the profession.
Karen Yates, from Bury, qualified as a solicitor this month following a two year training contract at Clough & Willis. She originally came to the firm on a two week work placement, and subsequently applied for a training contract. Now qualified, Karen has accepted a permanent position and will be joining the successful conveyancing department.
Karen said "I thoroughly enjoyed my training at Clough & Willis and I am looking forward to my future career with the conveyancing team. It is a particularly exciting time given the recent developments in the law with the introduction of Home Information Packs and threat of the so called Tesco Law."
Tim Gray, Training Partner at Clough & Willis, said "We are delighted that Karen has decided to continue her career at Clough & Willis. As a firm, we are committed to training our future solicitors and provide a diverse and challenging training experience."
As part of the successful trainee solicitor programme, the Partners have recruited two new trainees, Laura McGuckin and Rebecca Green, taking the total of trainee solicitors to four.
Laura, originally from Northern Ireland and Rebecca from Bolton have joined the family and conveyancing department respectively.
The Enduring Power of Attorney is not so enduring
July 02 2007
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a framework for making decisions on behalf of people who lack mental capacity, replacing the existing Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) with Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA).
An EPA allows a donor to appoint an attorney to manage financial affairs but they can not take lifestyle, welfare or health decisions on the donor's behalf. An EPA can start immediately, however, should the attorney believe that the donor is becoming mentally incapable it needs to be registered with the Office of Public Guardian.
From 1 October 2007 it will no longer be possible to make an EPA, if a donor wishes to appoint an attorney it will have to be by way of an LPA. The LPA is more comprehensive than an EPA and allows the attorney to make decisions regarding personal welfare.
As such, the LPA document is more complex and requires a greater amount of detail. To aid the attorney in acting in the donor's best interest the donor can detail any personal views he wants to be taken into consideration when the attorney is making decisions on his behalf. It also includes a certificate of capacity where a third party confirms the donor had capacity to make the LPA at the time of signing.
Unlike the existing EPA, all LPAs need to be registered with the Office of Public Guardian before it can be used.
Ellen Fay, Clough & Willis Solicitors, said "LPAs have been introduced to clamp down on the abuse of the existing scheme. The increased complexity and the need to register all LPAs will mean that the process will become lengthier and ultimately more costly
"If you are thinking of appointing an attorney we recommend you consider your situation and whether the current EPA meets your needs and offers adequate protection should you lose mental capacity. If this is the case you must make one before October."
Clough & Willis Solicitors double accreditation
June 08 2007
Clough & Willis Solicitors are proud to be recognised as specialists in personal injury law, having achieved both individual and corporate accreditation from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
APIL is an independent, not for profit, organisation providing a kitemark of competence and specialist expertise for solicitors dealing with personal injury.
Chris Macwilliam, Partner, who recently celebrated his 25 th anniversary at the firm, specialises in personal injury and is acknowledged as a senior litigator within APIL. The individual accreditation demonstrates that an APIL solicitor has extensive experience, expertise and competence in dealing with personal injury claims and in fighting for maximum compensation awards in court.
Corporate accreditation is awarded to a firm with at least one senior litigator and which satisfies stringent requirements about training, the number of cases taken to trial and the amount of compensation recovered for clients at those trials.
Chris, who is also a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel, said "Personal Injury law has changed immensely since I qualified. The growth of claim management organisations and the 'no win no fee' structure has made it very difficult for clients to choose who should act for them.
"Accreditations such as APIL make it easier to identify experts in various disciplines, in this case personal injury law.
"Clough & Willis is proud to be accredited, particularly as we are one of the few firms within Greater Manchester to have achieved this status."
Government announce delay to controversial HIPs
May 23 2007
The introduction of the mandatory Home Information Packs have been delayed following pressure from MPs and a legal challenge by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).
Originally scheduled to be introduced on June 1 2007 the packs will now be phased in from August 1, starting with properties with four or more bedrooms.
No implementation date has been set for smaller properties but Ruth Kelly, Communities Secretary, said packs will be phased in as sufficient energy assessors become available.
Shefali Talukdar, Managing Partner, Clough & Willis and Secretary of Bury and District Law Society said "We are deeply frustrated at the inept way the Government has handled the implementation.
"The Law Society has continually maintained that consultation with stakeholders has been inadequate for such a significant consumer issue and we continue to question what consumer benefits HIPs will bring. The packs fail to aid buyers in making an informed decision as focus remains on the Energy Performance Certificate rather than providing the consumer orientated information originally promised."
Counting chips for Pendlebury Children's Hospital
April 25 2007
Nichola Ashworth, family law solicitor at Clough & Willis Solicitors, and husband Aaron celebrated their baby's first birthday by holding a successful charity casino evening at Rochdale Town Hall.
The event was in aid of Pendlebury Children's Hospital who had cared for Elizabeth and supported her parents throughout her treatment.
Now fully recovered, Elizabeth is a typical one year old but she has had to overcome a lot in her first year after being diagnosed with group B streptococcal meningitis - a strain which can target a new-born's immune system - and later fluid on her brain.
Nichola said "The staff at the hospital were amazing and we can't thank them enough for all the exceptional care they gave Elizabeth."
The evening, sponsored by Clough & Willis Solicitors, was a huge success, raising a total of £2300.00. Nichola continued "Everyone who attended had a great evening and a lot of fun was had on the tables, with roulette proving a particular favourite!"
Shefali Talukdar , Managing Partner, said "We were proud to be involved with this worthy cause. At Clough & Willis we support a number of local charities and recognise the importance of supporting our local community."