Author Archives: Tinsdills

  1. Newcastle Town Football Club unveils new signing; a league topping partnership ahead of the new season with Tinsdills Solicitors

    Leave a Comment

    Leading local law firm, Tinsdills Solicitors has joined forces with Northern Premier League side, Newcastle Town Football Club as their latest commercial sponsor.

    The budding partnership will see the ‘Towns’ stadium adorned with striking new Tinsdills signage across various ends of the ground visible to staff, visitors and match day spectators alike.

    The Tinsdills livery will occupy a 45ft sign at Red Industries Stadium with further signage at Roe Lane playing fields. The company logo will also feature prominently within the match day programme available digitally to all fans.

    The latest addition will be the introduction of Tinsdills’ Man of the Match award, giving special recognition to those stand-out performances at the end of each game.

    Not only that, the union will also see Tinsdills support Newcastle Towns’ Youth Section, an impressive 32 teams all based at the enormous 20 acre site at Roe Lane. The site which has undergone a complete refurb since its acquisition in 2016 now hosts an abundance of activities including summer camps, weekly soccer club, a popular Football Academy as well as a plethora of training events throughout the year.

    Commenting on the recent collaboration, Tim Cogan, Managing Director at Tinsdills Solicitors said, “We are thrilled to finally be able to announce this partnership, and I would like to thank Caroline Gray, Director and Company and Commercial Solicitor here at Tinsdills for establishing this relationship. Newcastle Town FC is a fantastic club which serves the heart of the community and shares values that we hold dear to us.

    “Having had a Newcastle base for a number of years now, we are looking forward to making new connections within the area.

    “This partnership will allow us to continue delivering support for our local community and we wish Newcastle Town every success for the upcoming season ahead.”

    Established in 1986, Newcastle Town Football Club is located in Lyme Valley Parkway. This unique stadium boasts an abundance of amenities including an impressive 4,000 capacity, including covered accommodation for 1,000 as well as further seating for 300 fans. Surrounded by a recently upgraded 250 LUX average floodlight system, the pitch itself is encompassed by the only recognised outdoor velodrome located in the Midlands.

    Paul Ratcliffe, Chairman of Newcastle Town Football Club said, “We are excited to team up with Tinsdills Solicitors, a renowned local firm which has supported many initiatives in the past and we value their support throughout the new season.

    “As a team, we know how important football is to our fans and the local community. Our club provides opportunities for aspiring young sporting professionals to develop their skills and experience so that they are able to move up within the leagues.

    “We recently received confirmation that we are able to welcome fans back for the new season which is fantastic news, and will certainly give our teams a boost of moral.”

    Match day tickets are now on sale for pre-order only and are subject to availability. If you would like to keep up to date with the latest season fixtures, news or purchase match day tickets, please visit https://www.newcastletownfc.co.uk/

  2. Signing Contracts When Working from Home: What’s the Risk?

    Leave a Comment

    In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, the offices of many businesses remain closed. For those that have opened their doors, many continue to recommend that their staff work from home or that the offices operate on a skeleton/reduced staff basis. This will inevitably mean that it may not always be possible for contractual parties to execute documents in person. So, what does that mean for you legally?

    It makes sense to start by explaining the two fundamental ways in which documents can be executed: either as a contract; or, as a deed.

    A deed is a written instrument, executed with strict formality. There are four formalities to satisfy when executing a document as a deed:

    1. a deed must be in writing;

    2. it must be clear from the face of the document that it is a deed (usually achieved by referring to the document as a deed within the document itself);

    3. it must be executed correctly according to various statutory requirements (this includes, for the most part, the need for signatures to be witnessed); and

    4. it must be delivered. Delivery does not mean physical delivery. A deed is ‘delivered’ when the parties to the deed make clear their intention to be bound by the deed.

    In contrast, a simple contract may be made under English law in writing (or orally) without the need for the formalities required of a deed.

    So how can I execute documents virtually?

    The Law Society has issued (non-exhaustive) guidance on the virtual execution of documents.

    Simple contracts can easily be executed through use of an electronic signature.

    Electronic signatures can take a number of different forms, including:

    1. typing your name into a contract or into an email containing the terms of a contract;

    2. electronically ‘pasting’ your signature or an image of your signature into an electronic version of the contract;

    3. accessing a contract through a web-based e-signature platform and clicking to have your name in a typed or handwriting font automatically inserted into the contract; or

    4. using a finger, light pen or stylus and a touchscreen to write your name electronically.

    In the case of deeds, matters are somewhat nuanced. The general attitude of the courts towards electronic signatures is that it seems theoretically possible for a deed to be validly executed electronically provided the requirements for a valid deed can be satisfied. However, an issue (amongst others surround the formalities for creation of a deed) arises at the point of requiring a signature to be witnessed. Generally speaking, signatures to a deed require an independent adult witness to be present. This is usually not an issue but, when you are working from home, social distancing or self-isolating due to COVID-19, things get tricky. To be independent, the witness must not be related to you. This means you cannot simply call on a family member, living in your household, to witness your signature to the document.

    With that in mind, how do you get your signature witnessed? Well, the Law Society has been somewhat unclear on this point but it appears that, where a witness cannot be in the same room as you when you sign a document electronically (which is the preferred and advised option), the solution may not be as simple as having the witness watch you sign the document via video call and then signing the document once it is sent on to them. After all, this could create evidentiary risk as to whether the person genuinely witnessed the signing.

    Until the issues surrounding virtual execution of deeds and, in particular, the remote witnessing of signatures are clarified by way of parliament or court ruling, it would appear that the safest approach is to avoid seeking to execute deeds electronically and for witnesses to be physically present for the signing of the same unless absolutely necessary and, if electronic signatures are to be used, to take legal advice on the steps to be taken to effect a valid execution. Electronic signature of simple contracts, however, should be of little issue.

    If you would like further information and advice on the execution of contracts, contact one of our specialist corporate and commercial solicitors on 01782 262031.

  3. Celebrations as successful trainee programme strengthens family department

    Leave a Comment

    After a successful year of growth following the acquisition of Grindeys Solicitors on top of Sarah Longley successfully qualifying as a solicitor back in autumn of 2019, Tinsdills’ Family Department has continued to go from strength to strength.

    This week, the celebrations continued on Thursday 3 September as Heather Arnold successfully completed her training contract and joined the family department as a newly qualified solicitor on a permanent basis, bringing the department to a strong team of six.

    Heather’s journey started back in March 2018 when she joined Tinsdills as a Commercial Property Assistant before commencing her training contract six months later. Heather has since completed seats within the Family, Commercial Property and Wills, Trust and Probate departments, gaining a wealth of experience across various aspects of private and business client matters.

    Commenting on her experience as a trainee, Heather said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my training contract at Tinsdills Solicitors. Over the past two years I have gained so much hands-on experience in handling my own workload and client base.

    “I would like to thank the firm as well as all of my colleagues for their continued support and the opportunities I have been given whilst working here. I am excited to start my career as a fully-qualified solicitor in Tinsdills’ Family Department.”

    Heather will join an extensively experienced family law team who have over 50 years collective experience between them across all aspects of family law matters including; divorce proceedings, child matters and financial settlements to name a few.

    Marie Proud, Director and head of the Family Department at Tinsdills commented on the recent appointment: “We are looking forward to Heather joining the department as a qualified solicitor. Heather’s ability to build a rapport with clients along side her professionalism, efficiency and supportive nature will ensure that she excels within our team.

    “We are a passionate, dedicated team and pride ourselves on delivering expert advice and personal service to each of our clients. Heather has been a key member of each department that she has worked in and her success is testament to her dedication and hard work.”

    Since qualifying, Heather is now able to assist clients with all aspects of family law matters including; divorce proceedings, advising on separation and financial matters, child related issues, separation deeds, consent orders, pre-nuptial agreements and change of name
    deeds.

    If you would like to discuss how our expert family team can assist you, do not hesitate to contact us on 01782 262031.

  4. Our Local Community Partnerships

    Leave a Comment

    At Tinsdills, the local community is a key pillar of our company ethos. We love to play a role in contributing to and helping our local community thrive.

    We’re more than just a law firm – we support local projects, charities and sports clubs throughout Staffordshire and Cheshire, giving back to these organisations wherever possible, making a positive impact through our involvement for our clients, staff and general public alike.

    Corporate Charity Partners

    We’re proud to have supported Douglas Macmillan Hospice for several years – achieving Bronze and Silver Awards for our donations during this time. But we haven’t stopped there, each year we also sponsor the Douglas Macmillan 5k which sees members of the team dusting off their running shoes to help raise funds for this incredible charity.

    More recently we re-evaluated how we get involved with local charities, and with a desire to make a wider impact on the local community, we made the decision to move away from focusing on one ‘corporate charity’, instead choosing to support a variety of initiatives throughout Staffordshire and Cheshire alongside our long-standing partnership with Douglas Macmillan Hospice. To date we have worked with, Alice Charity, local food banks, Headway, Children In Need and The Donna Louise Trust.

    Engaged Fundraisers

    Throughout the year, our colleagues attend quiz evenings for charity and regularly take part in food donation drives supporting our local food bank.

    Getting creative with each of our fundraisers is almost as satisfying as the fundraising itself. Last year, as part of Douglas Macmillan’s ‘Bring a Pound’ campaign, we created a balloon tombola which saw our colleagues bursting balloons around the office to raise almost £130.

    We also focus our attention to some of the region’s smaller charities who are incredible at the work they do. We are proud supporters of Alice Charity, a charity which works with vulnerable children and families without basic living necessities to provide them with vital supplies as part of Alice’s Peoples Pantry – with a view to breaking the cycle of poverty, and reducing the impact these hardships can bring on young people’s lives.

    Every year we enjoy supporting Children In Need. We encourage our colleagues to be imaginative with fundraising concepts and in 2019, we held a dress down day whilst hosting a classic ‘how many sweets in the jar’ competition to raise £110 for a wonderful charity close to many of our team’s hearts.

    Local Sports Team Sponsorships

    Throughout Staffordshire and Cheshire, we’re dedicated supporters of local sports clubs including Trentham Rugby Club, Leek Rugby Club, Sandbach Football Club, Blythe Bridge Marvels and the Red Street Eagles.

    In addition, we sponsor a Tee at Wolstanton Golf Club with our team regularly taking part in many of their Charity Golf Days helping to raise funds for a variety of initiatives city-wide.

    We’re all about people at Tinsdills and as a successful law firm, it’s incredibly important to ensure wherever possible we’re committing time and resource to support our local community through events, donations and volunteering. To read more about our Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, click here.

  5. £20 million support scheme to boost local economy–what you need to know.

    Leave a Comment

    A recent government announcement provided a beacon of hope for small and medium sized businesses trying to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The government has announced £20 million in grants will be made available to eligible small and medium sized businesses to provide access to digital supplies and specialist advice, boosting recovery and helping SMEs get back on track.

    The timely announcement comes as lockdown restrictions have been lifted and businesses across the UK begin to reopen their doors to the public once again. However, the forced closures, lack of trade and ongoing fears leaves businesses uncertain about their future. 

    It is hoped that the grants will provide necessary resources to enable small and medium sized businesses to recover and to help them adopt new technology in order to continue to deliver business activities.

    Grants of up to £5000 will be available to qualifying businesses which can be used towards:

    • HR advice
    • Accountancy advice
    • Legal advice
    • Financial advice
    • IT advice
    • Digital advice
    • Purchase of minor equipment*

    *Minor equipment must be purchased to help businesses adapt to the new climate or to adopt new technology in order to diversify business activity. 

    Funding for the initiative has been allocated to Growth Hubs within each Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and businesses interested in applying for these additional support grants should contact their local Growth Hub for more information. You can find your local Growth Hub here: https://www.lepnetwork.net/local-growth-hub-contacts/

    Corporate and commercial solicitor at Tinsdills Solicitors, Ryan Marr, commented on the recent announcement:

    “This will hopefully be a positive step in the recovery of both the local and national economy. It is reassuring to see the government proactively supporting our communities so that they are able to thrive.

    These grants will provide small to medium sized businesses with access to a support network that they potentially would not have had the means to obtain before. Having the opportunity to utilise professional advice and support, whether it be legal, financial or otherwise, can help businesses gain a competitive edge and secure long-term success.”

    If you would like to find out how Tinsdills Solicitors can support your business, contact us on 01782 262031 and we would be happy to help.

    You can read the official press release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/20-million-in-new-grants-to-boost-recovery-of-small-businesses

  6. Legal Update: Changes Introduced to Insolvency Provisions and the Law on Termination of B2B Supply Contracts

    Leave a Comment

    The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (“CIGA 2020”) was first introduced as a bill in May 2020 and, having been fast-tracked though Parliament in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, came into force on 26 June 2020.

    According to its explanatory notes, “the overarching objective [of the CIGA 2020] … is to provide businesses with the flexibility and breathing space they need to continue trading during this difficult time” but, whilst the changes may bring relief to customers, they do little to help suppliers who are struggling to cope in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The CIGA 2020 introduces new provisions into the Insolvency Act 1986 aimed at ensuring the continuity of supplies and restricting contractual termination provisions related to events of insolvency. Whilst the CIGA 2020 has been fast-tracked in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the changes introduced have been intended for some time and will be permanent, save in respect of a temporary ‘small suppliers’ exception.

    The changes made by the CIGA 2020 are not intended to apply to consumer contracts but will apply to any B2B contract for the supply of goods or services. They will also apply to contracts for the sale of any assets, stock, consumables or other goods; intellectual property licences which also involve the provision of some services; and joint venture agreements (where the supply of goods or services will be an integral part of the wider transaction).

    Effect of CIGA 2020 on insolvency procedure triggered provisions in contracts

    If a company enters into a relevant insolvency procedure (such as liquidation, administration, moratoriums (including the new moratorium created by the CIGA 2020), voluntary agreements, the appointment of a provisional liquidator and other procedures) on or after 26 June 2020, a supplier of any goods or services to that insolvent company will no longer be able to rely on a contract term entitling the supplier to terminate the contract because of the commencement of insolvency procedures.Subject to certain exemptions, you must continue to supply to the insolvent company.

    The CIGA 2020 also expressly prohibits making the continued supply of goods and/or services to a company after that company has entered into a relevant insolvency procedure subject to the payment of any outstanding charges for supply which accrued before the procedure began. You can no longer cease to supply because an invoice issued before the procedure began remains unpaid.

    A person supplying goods or services to a company which enters into a relevant insolvency procedure will also no longer be able to rely on a contract term entitling it to do ‘any other thing’ as a consequence of that company becoming subject to such a procedure. This would include withholding deliveries from an insolvent customer if the trigger for that right is the entry into the procedure.

    The restrictions will remain in place throughout the duration of the insolvency procedure.

    It is still potentially possible to rely on the termination (and other) rights contained in a contract for the supply of goods/services but only where the supplier can satisfy a court that not allowing the enforcement of such provisions would result in ‘hardship’ for the supplier. Unfortunately, the CIGA 2020 does not define what ‘hardship’ means and so it will be for the courts to interpret this as they see fit.

    Temporary exemption for small businesses

    Whilst the changes brought into force by the CIGA 2020 seem to favour customers over suppliers, there is at least some good news for small businesses who supply goods or services. As part of the CIGA 2020, a temporary exemption from the changes was introduced for qualifying small businesses.

    The exemption will run until the end of September 2020 and applies to ‘small’ businesses who meet at least two of the following conditions (in their most recent financial year):

    • turnover of not more than £10.2 million;
    • balance sheet total not more than £5.1 million; and
    • not more than 50 employees

    This exemption means that ‘small’ business suppliers will still be able to enforce the provisions of their contracts during this period.

    Other exemptions to the changes are available but these are limited in nature

    Recommended actions for suppliers

    • Review/redraft any standard contracts used by the business that involve an element of supply of goods/services so they are fit to be used under CIGA 2020.
    • Review contract management procedures and retrain those responsible for managing any contracts with customers to which they supply to ensure that they understand the implications of the CIGA 2020.
    • Review any existing contracts (particularly those of high value/importance) to identify any changes to the way in which they will need to be managed going forward.
    • Review your processes for financially monitoring customers so that you can manage risk and ensure you have an earlier warning of any insolvency.

    Suppliers will need to consider how to account for the additional risk that the CIGA 2020 forces them to take in any contract pricing. For example, suppliers may wish to consider contracts that increase the amount payable in the event of non-payment within the contractually agreed time. There are, however, certain legal requirements necessary to make such provisions enforceable.

    Additionally, suppliers may have to consider simply raising their prices to any business customers whose future solvency is in doubt, or, particularly in the case of high risk customers, insisting on payments being made before any supply takes place.

    If you would like to speak to one of our commercial solicitors regarding the changes that have been introduced by the CIGA 2020 or to discuss amending your standard commercial supply contracts, please telephone on 01782 262031 or by email at lawyers@tinsdills.co.uk

  7. Email Scams & Phishing in the Age of Coronavirus

    Leave a Comment

    Photo: Phishing red text between blue binary data on screen by Marco Verch under Creative Commons 2.0

    Email scams are nothing new. Since the boom of the Internet and the emergence of electronic mail, cybercriminals have sought to exploit people in order to make a profit – by whatever means necessary. These can come in many guises, affecting both individuals and businesses. They often lead to a person handing over precious information (such as bank details), or the infection of a device by malware or ransomware. The latter can lead to your computer or device (or indeed multiple devices) becoming locked, as well as having information stolen.

    Suffice it to say, email scams and ‘phishing’ often target those most vulnerable to such scams, but they can affect anyone. They can lead to businesses losing money or even people losing jobs, as well as significant distress for whoever is involved. As such, below you can find a breakdown of some common email scams to look out for. Being aware of these will put you in a stronger position next time it happens, as you will know when to report or simply ignore certain emails.

    Common Email & Phishing Scams

    False Identification – This one is quite common within businesses, or with businesses clients. Often, fraudsters use social media and company websites to find out information on key people within organisations. Staff members or clients may receive an email from someone within this business making a request, often involving financial details or a transfer of funds. These can catch people out, as on first glance they do appear to be an email from a person they are familiar with – either as a colleague or someone within a company whose services they have acquired. An easy way to spot these is an attention to detail. If you look closely, you will notice key differences. The email address will be extremely similar to the legitimate one, but it will be slightly different. Similarly, be sure to read the email a few times – as these scams are often littered with grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. As a rule of thumb, assume that any email asking for financial details or a transfer is a scam, as it is not standard practice for most businesses to do this. If you are still unsure, however, get in touch with the relevant parties and confirm with them whether or not such an email has legitimately been sent.

    A good question to ask yourself if you’re unsure about an email such as this is, ‘would this person or organisation ask me to do this normally?’ The example shown below is a scam email posing as HM Revenue & Customs. One of the many ways you can identify this as a scam is the fact that HMRC does not carry out such requests via email, and they never ask you to enter your details online through an email. The same rule applies to banks, building societies and so on.


    Dear Taxpayer,

    After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund up to 254.85 GB.

    To submit your tax refund please click here. A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example, for submitting invalid records or applying over the deadline. Please submit a tax refund request and allow us 5-6 days in order to process it.

    Best regards,

    HM Revenue and Customs.


    Bitcoin – This one has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Following the rapid rise in popularity and usage of cryptocurrency Bitcoin, there has been a dramatic upsurge in scams related to this phenomenon – email and otherwise. These types of scam amount to a get rich quick scheme, promising great reward to those who invest in a Bitcoin programme which, you guessed it, involves handing over sensitive financial information.

    The effectiveness of these scams is boosted by the name recognition of Bitcoin in the current climate, as well as several fake celebrity endorsements that often accompany them. Aside from email, this is popular elsewhere online too. It is not uncommon to come across fake webpages posing as respected news publications, telling a tale of a famous person endorsing the Bitcoin scheme – and once again pushing them for an investment further down the page. Once you are aware of these, they are fairly easy to identify.

    Coronavirus – If there’s one thing the people running these scams take advantage of, it is fear. Unfortunately, that means that the current situation we find ourselves in is ripe for exploitation. The Coronavirus pandemic has already seen many high profile scams seeking to profit from people’s worries. One incredibly common email scam are those claiming to provide ‘important updates’ on the Coronavirus, including a simple link to discover said updates.

    Following this link can once again lead to devices being infected with malware, leaving your information and data at risk. Another such attempt saw a series of emails posing as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the setting up of Coronavirus websites looking to sell fake equipment to battle the virus. The CDC attempt even included Bitcoin transfers to help fund a (completely fake) vaccination. It is normal to be anxious in times such as these, and the desire for up-to-date information is shared amongst the majority of the population. However, we would stress the importance of not engaging with any emails such as those detailed above. It is always a safe bet to stick to the official government advice, which is regularly updated here.

    Glossary

    Here is a brief rundown of some of the key terms you might come across when reading up on email scams.

    Phishing
    The act of pretending to be someone trustworthy or known to a person to obtain sensitive information or data from them, often in the form of a fraudulent email.

    Malware
    Malicious software that, if running on a device, can lead to:

     The theft or deletion of data
     Encryption of data
     Taking control of a device and attacking other businesses
     Theft of information that gives others access to your systems or services
     The utilisation of other services that cost you money
     Your device becoming locked and (in some cases) completely unusable

    Ransomware
    This is a specific type of malware that causes a device (usually a computer) to become locked. As a result of this ransomware, data and information may be stolen, deleted or encrypted, so it cannot be accessed. There is also the potential for ransomware to spread across other devices on the same server/network. One particularly high profile case of Ransomware was the NHS cyber-attack in 2017.

    Bitcoin
    This is a cryptocurrency. It’s essentially a digital form of currency with no central bank, which can be transferred by user to user.

    Now that you’ve read the essentials, you are hopefully somewhat better equipped to identify these scams if and when you come across them. Aside from that, the best piece of advice we can give anyone is to be vigilant, not give out sensitive details via email or on the phone, and stay safe.

  8. Tinsdills Solicitors Launch New Fixed Fee Advice Package

    Leave a Comment

    Leading law firm launches a brand new advice package in a bid to help local companies navigate the Government’s latest Job Retention Scheme.

    Tinsdills Solicitors announced today, 31st March 2020, that it will now provide a brand new Fixed Fee Advice Package to help employers who need to implement furlough during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

    The Fixed Fee Furlough Advice Package will be available for any employer with fewer than 20 employees, looking for legal advice surrounding the furlough process.

    Priced at £150 plus VAT, the Fixed Fee Furlough Advice Package will include;

    • a review of applicable clauses within your employment contracts;
    • an appropriate template furlough agreement letter to be sent to employees;
    • general employment law advice on furloughing employees.

    Aiming to support local companies during this difficult time, the package will provide timely support, advice and guidance to allow employers to furlough affected employees seamlessly and confidently.

    David Morgan, Employment and Commercial Solicitor at Tinsdills Solicitors commented,

    “In these extraordinary times it is more important than ever that companies, especially start-ups and small businesses, feel there are support options available to them should they need to access them.

    “We recognise that this is a difficult time with a lot of uncertainty, which is why we want to provide a service that helps to make this process as smooth and straightforward as possible for all involved.”

    If you are an employer looking to start the furlough process, please do not hesitate to get in touch with David Morgan or Ryan Marr and book your Fixed Fee Furlough Advice Package today.

  9. Solicitors Services Deemed Most Satisfying in Significant Survey

    Leave a Comment

    If you need an indication of just how vital solicitors are in helping people every day, look no further than this large survey by the Legal Services Board & the Law Society – the largest one of its kind.

    Overall, the survey shows that the service given by solicitors continues to be held in the highest regard. However, there are lessons to be learned too, and ways in which we can continue to reach out and help potential clients. The research shows that almost 1 in 3 people who come across an issue will either want further help, wait 2+ years for a resolution, or not look for help at all.

    This survey shows us the views of some 28,633 members of the public, having been based around YouGov data from February and March last year (2019). It is the first to utilise OECD guidance regarding how we conduct surveys on legal needs, segmenting people by income and the extent to which consumers are equipped to make decisions.

    Solicitors Come Out on Top

    Perhaps the most significant fact we can pull from this survey is that solicitors rank highest when it comes to people being truly satisfied with their service. 9 out of 10 indicated that they were satisfied with the service they were given by a solicitor, and 84% believed that they had received value for their money. People who sought out professional help were much more likely to get what they feel was a fair result – 66% of people who got the help of professionals were satisfied with the result.

    The worst ratings were reserved for providers that are unregulated. 1 in 5 said they were dissatisfied with the service they were given by these places.

    On the whole, 2 in 3 people had come across legal issues over the previous 4 years. A massive portion of these were deemed to be contentious. The breakdown for these is as follows: professional or faulty goods or services (26%), a neighbour’s anti-social behaviour (14%), buying and selling property (11%), employment issues (11%) and wills (11%).

    Of all the places and professions people sought advice from, solicitors were the most likely to be consulted by the public – with 30%, or even higher at 40% for issues considered contentious.

    professional negligence home 3

    Legal Stats for the Ages

    As tends to be the case, older people proved more likely to seek out a solicitor. 4 in 10 people at 65+ stated that a solicitor was their main source of advice, which fell dramatically amongst 30-49 year-olds at 26%, and further still with 18-29 year-olds at just 18%. This is due to young people choosing to seek out help outside of professional circles.

    The majority of people did not pay for the service of their advisor first hand. Most of these people (49%) got their advice for FREE, whilst another 7% got theirs through an insurance provider or family & friends.

    Just 1 in 5 people who were provided with professional advice looked around at alternative options.

    That being said, the majority of people who used a solicitor looked at two providers or more, at 57%. Meanwhile, 1 in 10 explored four or more.

    Of the few reasons given for any lack of satisfaction with the service given by a legal professional, none related to price but instead a sense that their designated adviser had not done enough (32%) or that they took too much time to do their job (31%).

    The Case for Legal Education

    The study also discovered a link between legal capability and the outcomes of cases – indicating once again a need for stronger education when it comes to legal practices. People with less legal knowhow and lower-income understood their individual rights far less, and thus were also less likely to look for professional help. In turn, this resulted in the majority feeling dissatisfied.

    9 in 10 adults believe that legal aid is good, but of the people earning £32,000 or less who were eligible for this aid, 85% mistakenly believed themselves to not be eligible. Further to this, those with more legal ‘confidence’ were more likely to know their rights than those with less.

    Another issue that proved to be somewhat common is a lack of understanding regarding regulation. 1 in 3 people were unsure of whether their adviser was regulated, or in some cases did not check at all. The majority just assumed they were regulated. Again, this is an issue that further legal education would look to fix going forward.

    If you are looking for expert legal advice, then look no further than Tinsdills Solicitors. Feel free to give us a call today on 01782 652300. Alternatively, you can drop us an email at enquiries@tinsdills.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

  10. The Tinsdills Family Is Growing!

    Leave a Comment

    Continuing our exciting news last month with welcoming Helen to the family team, we are now pleased to announce that Sarah Longley has completed her training contract and has qualified as a Family Law Solicitor. Sarah started her training contract at Tinsdills in 2017, where she completed seats in Family, Commercial and Residential property before going back to complete her final seat in the Family department. Sarah says she is “excited to be continuing her career” at Tinsdills.

    Well done Sarah!

    Sarah has a wide range of experience dealing with divorce, including the preparation of petitions and the proceedings in general, advising clients on children related issues, preparing applications for court proceedings and dealing with Court proceedings in general. Sarah will mainly cover our Leek and Hanley branches, joining Marie and Helen. Marie has worked at Tinsdills for 18 years and specialises in Family Law, and Helen has also specialised in Family Law for 30 years.