PFMCRI1502424 Newsletter Issue 1 v4 web (1) (PDF)

S PR I N G 2 015

QualitySolicitors
Mander Cruickshank

Newsletter

‘Double Congrats’ to Frankie!
We have the pleasure to announce that the Partners at QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank
have invited Frankie Harwood to become a Partner of the LLP from April 1 2015.
Frankie first joined us in September 2009
and has made a major contribution to our
firm and is now Head of Probate and Wills.
We are delighted that Frankie has accepted
our invitation and we wish her all the best
in her career with us for the future.

Frankie Harwood, Head of Probate and Wills

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We also extend our warmest wishes to
Frankie on her recent marriage to Alex, and
we know you will join us in wishing them a
lifetime of happiness together.

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1

Newsletter SPRING 2015

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR CRIMINAL
SOLICITORS AT JUDICIAL REVIEW SETBACK
QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank have a long and proud tradition of providing legal
aid services in various areas of law, including criminal law.

Changes to Child
Support Agency
Parents who are separated and
pay or receive maintenance
through the Child Support Agency
(CSA) need to know that the way
in which child maintenance is
handled is changing between now
and 2017.
Partner, and Head of Family,
Kathryn Hicklin has ensured all
QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank
staff are aware of the changes so that
we can provide up to date advice
to our clients. She said, “the CSA will
send a letter informing parents when
the child maintenance arrangement
will end, and how and when
new maintenance arrangements
should be made. The plan is for
the CSA to provide parents with
at least six months’ notice before
the changeover, and a reminder
the month before the individuals
arrangement is due to end.”
Kathryn stressed the importance of
continuing to make payments until
told otherwise, including payment
of any arrears owed after the
arrangement ends. She added, “the
choice for parents will then be to
arrange child maintenance yourself,
or to make new child maintenance
arrangements through the new Child
Maintenance Service.” They have a
helpline available Monday to Friday
8am to 8pm, and
Saturdays 9am to
4pm, and can be
contacted on
0800 083 5130.

2

We are united with other members
of our profession in expressing our
disappointment that the legal challenge
against government plans to cut by more
than half the number of duty solicitors
attending Magistrates’ Courts and Police
Stations across England and Wales.
Judges in London’s High Court have ruled
that the Ministry of Justice plans were not
legally flawed.
Partner, and Head of Criminal Defence,
Mr Paul Tubb, responded by saying, “we
fully intend to continue providing legal aid
assistance to those in need of representation
in the Police Stations and Courts.” He
went on to say, “whilst the Judicial Review
failure has increased uncertainty within

the profession about the viability of legal
aid work, and concerns that the plans will
lead to inadequate access to legal advice
for suspects and defendants, it is important
to remember that this decision is currently
being appealed to the Court of Appeal,
and the fight against the plans is by no
means over.”

Paul Tubb,
Partner,
and Head
of Criminal
Defence

Building work begins
QualitySolicitors Mander Cruickshank are delighted to announce that the
building work at our Coalville Office has started, and should be completed
within four months. Partner Jim Abbott was on site as the first brick was laid.
When asked about the work, he said, “This extension will greatly increase the office
space available, and enable us to continue expanding our services in line with
increased demand. We have recently expanded the number of services we provide
to the community, including the addition of our Mental Health department, and
have increased staffing levels in our Conveyancing department. This extension will
also ensure we are able to offer the most up to date services technologically, and in
comfortable surroundings.”

Newsletter SPRING 2015

DNA tests to end acrimonious and
embarrassing court battles
Justice Minister Simon Hughes has
recently announced that funding
has been secured to provide DNA
tests to determine parentage, and
in his view, ending “acrimonious”
family court battles, The Children
and Family Court Advisory and Support
Service will provide up to £1m a year
to pay for the tests in England from
September.

Award of
Training
Contract
At a time when record numbers of law
students are unable to secure training
contracts, we at QualitySolicitors
Mander Cruickshank are delighted to
announce that we are continuing to
provide regular training contracts for
our highly motivated junior lawyers.
We congratulate Rebecca Holmes for being
awarded our latest Training Contract, which
will commence in April 2015. She works
within our Criminal Department, and over
the last 18 months has demonstrated a
high level of motivation, determination
and willingness to learn. Head of Criminal
Defence, Paul Tubb, said “Rebecca
has already gained her Police Station
Accreditation, and frequently receives high
levels of praise from satisfied clients. She is
often commended on her good client care,
her willingness to listen, and her accurate
and detailed advice.”

Partner, and Head of Family, Kathryn Hicklin
pointed out that “government cuts to legal
aid in 2013 meant that funding for DNA tests
was no longer available, and the knock on
effect was that court cases lasted longer
because many parents simply could not
afford the fee”. She added “even the Ministry
of Justice has accepted that this was the
case, but it is hoped that this new funding
will save the courts time and money.”

Kathryn Hicklin,
Partner & Head of Family Law

East Midlands property
set for stable 2015
The housing market looks set for an unremarkable
year, claims Shani Box, Head of Conveyancing at
Quality Solicitors Mander Cruickshank.
“A stable housing market means people
move for the right reasons,” she said. “A
few years ago when property was rising
at an astronomical rate it created a very
strange environment and we can only
hope the effects of the relatively recent
recession has meant people have learnt
lessons,” she said.
“Looking at all the predictions it seems
that 2015 isn’t going to be a year of
boom or bust for the property market
here in the East Midlands. In the UK we
have an obsession with property and
here in Coalville is no different. All the
indications should mean a year when
there remains trust and confidence in
property and thankfully that should
benefit the whole economy,” said Ms
Box.
She said most experts had predicted
slow rises and she expected many moves
during the year to be more based on
lifestyle needs rather than anything else.

A home purchase is a highly stressful
matter and those involved in a property
transaction need assurance that the
matter is in the safest hands.
“We try to give our clients realistic
expectations as to timescales and
then do our utmost to achieve them.
We also communicate with our clients
frequently to ensure they are not kept
in the dark.”
As part of our service QualitySolicitors
Mander Cruickshank give all would-be
clients a free 30 minute consultation to
outline the process.

3

Newsletter SPRING 2015

Millions of
adults have
no valid Will
Research by QualitySolicitors has raised
awareness of how many adults in the
UK may die Intestate.
Currently 70% of adults aged over 50 do not have a valid Will, and
46% of those who do have a Will admit that they have had a major
life change since they last reviewed it. Reasons for not having a
will are wide ranging, from not having thought about it, feeling
uncomfortable talking about personal circumstances, to concerns
about cost.
Frankie Harwood, Head of Probate, urges people to consider
reviewing, updating or creating a Will. She said, “whilst all lawyers
acknowledge that the prospect of passing away can be difficult to
talk about, with many people feeling awkward or worried about
discussing what will happen after they die, in my experience, the
most common cause of family disputes following the death of a
loved one, is the absence of a valid Will.”
“Wills are there to bring clarity at a very difficult time of sadness and
loss. It is greatly concerning that so many over-50s are currently
without a valid, up-to-date Will.”
She added that making a Will is easier than many people think and
that it is imperative to use a recognised Will specialist especially if
your personal situation is not straight-forward.
“With a good solicitor, the service is actually much cheaper, less hassle
and less shrouded in jargon than people think.” At QualitySolicitors
Mander Cruickshank we offer a discreet and professional service at
a cost that will not break the bank. For £140 plus vat (£168 incl vat)
for a single Will, you can have a lifetime of peace of mind, knowing
that your affairs will be sorted in accordance with your wishes.
Wills in the UK – Reservations amongst the over 50s
(1000 people surveyed)

Change the way you see lawyers.
enquiries@mandersol.co.uk

qualitysolicitors.com/mandercruickshank

Berrisford Row, 101 - 105 Belvoir Road, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 3PH
01530 510 666
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01530 510 666
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