Huddersfield law firm Ramsdens Solicitors LLP has announced the promotion of five of its lawyers regionally.

Laura Smith has made Associate within the Commercial team, based in their Head Office in Edgerton.  Veronica Mullins (Halifax and Mirfield), Rachael Sykes (Slaithwaite) and Heather Nuttall (Elland) are raised to Associates within the Private Client team and Jan Walters (Slaithwaite) in the Residential Conveyancing team.

Veronica, Rachael and Heather deal with all aspects of Private Client work including, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Wills & Probate.  Heather and Rachael are also both members of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).

Jan specialises in residential conveyancing and Laura has become the youngest solicitor made Associate within the Commercial team in Ramsdens’ history, having only been qualified a lawyer for four years she has already gained recognised specialism in commercial property.

Managing Partner of Ramsdens, Paul Joyce said: “The appointments will further strengthen the team we have at Ramsdens and illustrates the depth of talent we have within the practice and comes at a time of continuing growth for the firm.”

Congratulations (L-R) to Rachael Sykes (Private Client, Slaithwaite), Laura Smith (Commercial Property, Edgerton), Jan Walters (Conveyancing, Slaithwaite), Veronica Mullins (Private Client, Halifax and Mirfield) and Heather Nuttall (Private Client, Elland) on their appointment to Associates with the firm. 

For more information Ramsdens and their people visit www.ramsdens.co.uk, or call 01484 821 500.

The worker had left her job in 2007 to have a baby and was aware that she would not be entitled to statutory maternity payments as she had only worked for the trust for a short period.  However, her wages recommenced in 2008 due to an error in the trust’s payment system and she continued to receive such payments until the beginning of 2010.

Although she was aware of the error, she did not inform the trust of this and instead spent all of the £21,883.45 paid to her.  The case was referred to the NHS Counter Fraud Service who brought the prosecution against her.

The case highlights the need for workers and employees to keep a watch over their bank accounts and to check their pay slips when received.  Payments received in error will usually be required to be reimbursed, which can cause problems if the worker has already spent the money, even if he or she was not aware of its presence.

Employers also need to regularly audit their payment systems and keep accurate records of payments made.  It is astonishing that the erroneous payments were made for nearly two years without the trust discovering them.

The case involved a woman’s claim for council housing on grounds that she had been forced to leave her husband’s home with her two children as his behaviour had led her to believe that he might hit her. Lady Hale stated that violent abuse could include shouting in front of the children and should be determined on the basis of the strength or intensity of emotion, fervour or passion with which the perpetrator acts.

Helen Thewlis, Head of Family at Ramsdens comments: “The decision has been praised by many, including the Law Society, as giving greater protection to the victims of domestic violence, in the context of family and housing law. It has also been welcomed by many as useful ammunition against the Government’s proposals to make the definition of domestic violence narrower for the purposes of determining the availability of legal aid.”

Ramsdens aren’t going to let the recession slow down their expansion plans and they are pleased to announce that as of Monday 1st November they are merging with Dewsbury based Whitfield Hallam Goodall, with the aim of creating a dynamic law firm with expanded regional  reach. 

This combination is the next step in their vision to create a client-focused regional firm that is about one thing – quality.  

This is a great opportunity for the firm and ultimately for their clients. They very much look forward to working together as an expanded team with broader practice capabilities to better serve their current and future client-base.

Paul Joyce, managing partner at Ramsdens comments: “Both firms have long enjoyed excellent reputations, and now together we have the assets and professional resources to carry that forward. As one firm, we will be able to serve our clients better.

Our two firms already share a number of complimentary features – our respective practice strengths and our focus on the highest-quality client service. This is a unique opportunity for us to dramatically increase our business momentum and growth.” 

Ramsdens now have 150 staff and 18 partners across seven offices throughout Kirklees and Calderdale, making them one of the largest firm’s in the area.

The rapid completion of this merger is a testament to the compatibility between Ramsdens and Whitfield Hallam Goodall in the respective firms’ cultures as well as practice areas.

This strategic merger presents an outstanding opportunity to expand Ramsdens regional reach and their new offices in Dewsbury and Mirfield will be known as Ramsdens Whitfield Hallam. 

Contact Sinead Sopala, marketing manager at Ramsdens for further information on 01484 558087 or email sinead.sopala@ramsdens.co.uk.