Jamie Cook has joined the Cheltenham residential conveyancing team at QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks.

Having graduated with an Honours degree in Management and Systems from City University in 1992, Jamie worked on quality management systems in Essex, before specialising as a software developer. Following a career path change at City of Bristol College, he qualified as a Fellow of The Institute of Legal Executives in 2009 and was admitted as a Solicitor in 2012.

Jamie played for the Old Patesians RFC in Cheltenham for many years and enjoys rugby and cycling. He has run the Cardiff half marathon and completed the Cheltenham triathlon 3 times. He also plays the cornet and flugel horn and manages his own photography website. His love of travelling has helped him to be part of a team establishing a charity project in Uganda, rainwater harvesting.

Managing Partner, David Greer said, “We are delighted to welcome Jamie to join our highly respected residential conveyancing team. His knowledge and enthusiasm will add to the considerable depth and experience provided by QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks”.

QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks have offices in Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and Pershore; offering all the services that you would expect from a long established Solicitors practice. For your convenience, our Tewkesbury and Pershore offices now open on Saturdays. Our approach to business is built upon the uncompromising commitment to the client and his or her needs.

It seems that the regulation of Will Writing, and for people who have read my previous posts they will know this is something close to my heart, is significantly closer now.  This is due to an announcement by the Legal Services Board (LSB) which states that a consultation process has started regarding the proposed tighter regulation of Will Writing.  In fact, the proposals are wider than simply Will Writing and also include all Estate Administration services.

The LSB proposals have been welcomed by The Law Society and the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

The new proposals include:

·         A mandatory register of authorised providers

·         All providers to have financial protection arrangements

·         All providers to have a Code of Conduct (to include dealing with sales techniques)

·         Appropriate staff training and supervision

·         Punishments for breaches to include fines

The consultation period ends on 16^th July 2012.  Hopefully this will end up with some proper protection for Clients and a level playing field for all providers.

If you have any worries or questions about Will Writing or Estate Administration please contact the Private Client team at QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks.

We have been pleased to support Evesham United FC Under 15s this year.

A couple of weeks ago they suffered an agonising loss in the County Cup semi-final to Forest Green on penalties.  However, they overcame that the following week to clinch the title for the Cheltenham Youth Division 2.   See the second photograph for David Bloxham and Simon Cook in support at the Forest Green game.

Well done to the team and all the best for next season!

QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks is to be part of the biggest national television advertising campaign in the history of the legal profession.

The £15 million campaign is designed to shake up the legal world and help make solicitors’ services more accessible to everyone. It will kick off on Sunday (25 March) with a 90-second TV advert screened in a primetime slot during the live final of ITV’s Dancing on Ice.  Over coming months, 8,000 more adverts will hit TV screens. A new website, featuring 300 video testimonials from clients explaining the services that QualitySolicitors offer on the high street, will also be launched at the end of the month.

QualitySolicitors’ (QS) national network of lawyers consists of 350 branches across England and Wales, incorporating 150 Legal Access Points in WH Smith stores. It includes the stationer’s branch in High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. QualitySolicitors is on course for its target of expanding to 1000 locations by the end of 2012.

With offices in Imperial Square, Cheltenham, High Street, Pershore and Church Street, Tewkesbury, QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks (www.qualitysolicitors.com/tblaw) joined QualitySolicitors in February 2011. We were invited to be part of the network after a rigorous selection process involving customer feedback. We are the only QualitySolicitors in Cheltenham, the Vale of Evesham and Tewkesbury.

QualitySolicitors branches offer a full range of everyday legal services, from buying your first home, to starting a business or making a will. As part of QS’ commitment to changing the way lawyers give advice, more QS branches across the country are opening on Saturdays, to reflect the needs of customers. It was something QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks introduced in May last year, with a Saturday service from 10am to 1pm in our Pershore and Tewkesbury offices and by appointment at our Cheltenham offices.

Chief Executive of QualitySolicitors Craig Holt says, “Our aim is to revolutionise legal services, giving people local advice they can trust with the reassurance that comes from a single, national brand. We want to make going to your local solicitor as simple and straightforward as going to the supermarket, and tackle people’s apprehensions about seeking legal advice, which can seem a daunting and stuffy process. QS’ mission is to provide consumer-friendly legal services through expert, leading local law firms - not unqualified staff in remote call centres.”

Julie Anne Roberts, Partner at QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks, says the television advertising campaign gives solicitors an exciting opportunity to let people know how easy it is to get a range of legal help and advice from qualified solicitors on their doorstep. 

“We recognise that there is a demand for professional and cost-effective legal services so we have worked hard to ensure that’s what we provide. It’s also important for us to let people know where and how they can get that help. The television advertising campaign means we can get that information directly to people.”

About QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks:

·         QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks has been in business for more than 170 years

·         We joined QS in February 2011 and are the only QS solicitor for Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the Vale of Evesham

·         We have 10 Partners, supported by more than 50 employees

·         We have branches in Pershore, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury as well as a Legal Access Point in WH Smith in Cheltenham

·         Our services for individuals include Accident and Personal Injury Claims, Asset Protection Trusts, Assisting the Elderly, Court Claims, Domestic Violence, Employment Problems, Estate Tax Returns, Family, Granting a Power of Attorney, Making a Will, Moving Home, Personal Injury Trusts, Personal Tax Returns, Probate, Tax Planning, Trust Administration, Trust Tax Returns and Trusts

·         Our services for business include Agricultural, Business Advice, Charities, Debt Collection, Employment Law, Leases and Property

About QualitySolicitors:

·         Launched in 2010, QualitySolicitors (QS) is a group of law firms across the country working as part of the QS brand. Only one firm per local area is selected to become a QS partner.  Customer feedback is an integral part of the selection process.

·         QualitySolicitors lawyers are experts in their fields dealing with both consumer and SME legal matters. QualitySolicitors offer a personal, local service but with the assurance of a recognised national brand.

·         QualitySolicitors’ CEO is Craig Holt and Saleem Arif is the COO.

·         QualitySolicitors’ Web address is www.qualitysolicitors.com

·         In 2011 QS secured equity investment from Palamon Capital Partners, a private equity house with a £700m fund

Deep in the cellars of 37 High Street, Pershore, QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks have discovered the trappings of the Pershore Plum Charmer.  From the style of dress discovered - gown and winged collar - it would appear that this medieval musician was originally connected with the church or the law. 

Most striking is the Plum Charmer’s wig, which over the last twenty years has turned progressively purple, apparently in response to the rejuvenation of the Pershore Plum Festival, held during August each year and culminating on August Bank Holiday Monday. 

For those not familiar with the art of Plum Charming, it is essentially the playing of music to plums to encourage them to ripen.  Solicitor Paul Johnson, a clarinet player and the newly-appointed Pershore Plum Charmer, reported to the Festival Organising Committee that he had researched the subject and although he had found very little scientific evidence for the art of Plum Charming, the leading theory proposes that the resonance of particular styles of music causes water molecules within the fruit to vibrate, promoting the production of sugars, the release of fragrance and a blush of colour.   From his own experiments, the Pershore Plum Charmer reports that plums respond well to the period music popular when Pershore was in its pomp as a Georgian market town, and that dramatic results have been achieved while playing the Blues - the jazz standard “Deep Purple” having a notable effect on the famous Pershore Purple.  The smaller yellow and green varieties, amongst them the plum sometimes known as the Pershore Yellow Egg Plum, were found to respond to Gershwin’s “Summertime”, while Marjorie’s Seedling appeared to enjoy “On the Sunny Side of The Street” and to blush at the Morecombe and Wise signature tune, “Bring Me Sunshine”. 

This year The Pershore Plum Charmer is asking the nation to join him in collecting evidence of the effects of playing music to plums, and the public are encouraged to follow the Festival Website and Twitter Feed where personal observations can be exchanged and suggestions made as to the best music to play to plums.   You are all therefore urged to stare at your plums whilst playing the radio or listening to your favourite tracks and to note down both your immediate observations and any changes to your plums in following days.  Later this season the Pershore Plum Charmer hopes to discover whether a rare butterfly that favours plum trees, the Brown Hair Streak, can be further encouraged by music. 

Paul adds that all suggestions for appropriate musical repertoire should be sent to the festival committee. I have a feeling that they might not be the only suggestions generated by his comments.

At QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks we always aim to offer our injury clients a “Conditional Fee Agreement” also known as the “No Win No Fee” Agreement.  This means that, win or lose, you will not have to pay us a penny.  But, if you should lose then who pays the court fees, experts fees and other expenses including your opponent’s lawyers costs which could run into tens of thousands of pounds?  With Litigation Insurance, you can rest assured that all these potential fees will be taken care of and even the Policy fee itself is self covering if you lose and payable by your opponent if you win.

Litigation insurance is essential to give you peace of mind whilst seeking compensation for an injury sustained through no fault of your own. 

Julie Roberts has now been given delegated authority by one of the country’s leading legal insurance providers Temple Legal Services to grant litigation insurance in personal and clinical negligence claims.

Julie, based in our Tewkesbury office is an experienced Injury Solicitor and has Senior Litigator Status with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and is always happy to make a home visit for initial advice. 

Stephen Cook is also a Senior Litigator based in our Pershore office and has particular expertise in brain injury and catastrophic injury cases. 

Contact Stephen or Julie for further information.

First time buyers will not have to pay stamp duty on homes costing up to £250,000 but completion must take place before 24th March 2012.
 

Thus first time buyers may wish to “complete” as soon as possible to take advantage of this exemption. The exemption will only apply if “completion” occurs on or before 24th March 2012 – not exchange of contracts.  If you have only exchanged contracts by that date, you will not be eligible for the relief and will have to pay stamp duty on top of any other costs.

So, first buyers, to take advantage of this exemption, you will need to act as quickly as possible.

We can assist you in the process of buying your first home and, therefore, contact Sylvia Gillham or Jeremy Smith for further details.
 

See the following link for further details of the exemption
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sdlt/calculate/reliefs-exemptions.htm#15

High profile cases, such as New of the World and Andy Coulson, can give the impression that fancy legal agreements are reserved for the high and mighty. But you don’t have to be a public figure to want to keep your private employment details off the net.

As economic difficulties lead to more and more business restructuring, we are preparing or approving an increasing number of Compromise Agreements for employers and employees hoping to part company on terms that will satisfy both parties and avoid the expense and uncertainty of Employment Tribunals and the Courts. The agreement can include a condition that its terms shall remain confidential.

It goes without saying that the agreement requires careful drafting. Negotiation between the parties might be required. But with the right advice, it need not be a painful process. And a disgruntled employee (or employer) will think twice before venting their anger on Facebook if this will put at risk an agreed financial settlement.

I am happy to receive enquiries from employers and employees who need help to work through problems or to end their working relationship.

Paul N. Johnson

Solicitor

pauljohnson@qualitysolicitors.com

QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks started the New Year by welcoming a newly qualified solicitor to its Cheltenham office. After two years of training with the firm, Hristina Dyke, was successfully admitted as a solicitor on 3^rd January 2012. Following her admission in the role, Hristina joined the Business Law and Commercial and Residential Conveyancing Departments at the firm’s Cheltenham branch.

Hristina’s principal area of interest is Company/Commercial Law. She provides legal and practical advice in a wide range of transactions including asset sales/purchases of businesses, share sales/purchases, freehold and leasehold sales/purchases of commercial and residential properties, transfers of equity and also deals with Land Registry and Companies House applications.

David Greer, the head of the firm’s Business Law Department, stated: “Hristina has acted for a number of clients in matters relating to business and share sales/purchases. Without exception they have expressed how well Hristina has dealt with the transactions, her precision, level and speed of service and attention to detail. She has received similar praise from the parties on the other side of the deals and their professional representatives. We feel very fortunate to have secured Hristina's services and she has become a valued member of our Business Department team”. 

Prior to joining the firm in November 2009 as a trainee solicitor, Hristina obtained a First Class Law Degree at the University of the West of England and in September 2008 obtained a Master Degree in Commercial Law at the University of Bristol. On her route to qualifying, she also successfully completed the Legal Professional Course and the SRA Professional Skills Course.

Outside her legal training, Hristina enjoyed a bilingual secondary education, which increased her desire to learn foreign languages, study foreign cultures and travel around the Globe. At present, she speaks Bulgarian, Russian, German and English. Her language skills and international background have proven to be very useful in terms of facilitating communications and creating connections with international clients.

However, qualifying as a solicitor is only the beginning for this ambitious young lady. The next step in her career path will be to qualify as a Notary Public. Hristina is in the process of applying for an exemption to the Faculty Office and hopefully securing a place at the Notarial Practice Course with the University of Cambridge. The team at QualitySolicitors Thomson and Bancks wishes her luck and success in all her future endeavours. 

Several ladies at QualitySolicitors Thomson & Bancks (Pershore Office) have been on one diet or another and decided in February that, rather than paying £5 each week to be weighed at a fitness centre, they would start up their own Slimming Club. 

We have been having weekly “weigh-ins” in the office and a log has been kept with the results.  Those who took part would bring along a piece of fruit or other healthy item and the person who lost the most weight that week would take away the treats (healthy treats!).  On the other hand, if anyone lapsed and gained weight, 50p or £1.00 was paid as a forfeit. 

It has been a way of saving some money and a bit of fun too, and everyone who participated has done really well.

Without naming names, a collective total of 3 stone 12lbs has been lost since February 2011. And despite the positive weight loss, we have somehow managed to build up £60.65 in forfeits which we are pleased to donate to a very worthy cause, “Help for Heroes”. 

We shall be keeping up the good work and carrying on with our weekly weigh-ins for 2012, although having a well earned break to enjoy the Christmas festive treats.

Chrys L. Wall