Below are summaries of media appearances and press articles relating to Stephensons Solicitors LLP over the past few months, click the details link to read the article in full where available:
Details: Daily Telegraph, The Evening Standard, The Independent – March 2020
Headline: Coronavirus could cause a spike in divorces says top lawyer
Summary: Amanda Rimmer comments on how self-isolation could result in a more couples filing for divorce later down the line.
Details: Sky News - March 2020
Headline: Coronavirus – what are my legal rights?
Summary: Stephensons solicitor, Adam Pennington joins Sky News to explore workers legal rights if they need to self-isolate
Details: BBC News, BBC Radio 4, BBC London News
Headline: Coronavirus: Sick leave and sick pay – what are my rights?
Summary: Employment law solicitor, Martha McKinley explains people’s legal rights and employers responsibilities concerning sick leave and sick pay.Details: BBC Radio Manchester – March 2020
Headline: Coronavirus – what are my employment rights?
Summary: Solicitor and employment law specialist, Adam Pennington, looks at the rights of employees during a coronavirus outbreak.Details: The Guardian, The Daily Mail, The Evening Standard – February 2020
Headline: Coronavirus – What are your employment rights and how should employers prepare?
Summary: Employment law specialist, Martha McKinley takes a closer look at how businesses and employees should prepare if the coronavirus takes hold in the UK.
Details: The Daily Mail, TalkRadio – February 2020
Headline: Caroline Flack and the role of the CPS
Summary: Stephensons’ partner, Sean Joyce comments on the CPS’ approach to dealing with alleged victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse
Details: LBC, Global Radio – January 2020
Headline: Bereaved parents to be entitled to two weeks’ paid leave from work
Summary: Stephensons’ partner, Philip Richardson speaks about the introduction of Jack’s Law and the role and responsibilities of employers.
Details: The Daily Mail, BBC Radio 1 – January 2020
Headline: Debenhams pays transgender woman £9,000 in sex-discrimination case after refusing to give her a job
Summary: Stephensons’ partner, Maria Chadwick, a specialist in civil and employment discrimination cases, comments on the discrimination faced by the transgender community in and out of the workplace.
Details: The Daily Telegraph – January 2020
Headline: Pensions at risk from Law Commission's leasehold reforms
Summary: Following the publication of the Law Commission’s leasehold reform proposals, Stephensons’ associate solicitor, Gary Jackson, provides some legal context to The Daily Telegraph.
Details: The Metro – January 2020
Headline: Family Christmas arguments ‘leads to spike in wills being rewritten’
Summary: Stephensons’ partner, Jill Rushton explains why festive fights result in a spike in enquiries from people seeking to amend their WillDetails: The Metro, The Mail on Sunday, The Daily Star, The Sun, The Daily Express, The Manchester Evening News – January 2020
Headline: D-Day Today – Divorce Day is here as festive fights take toll
Summary: Mandy Rimmer, partner at Stephensons takes an in-depth look at the reasons why the first Monday in January is a busy day for divorce solicitors.Details: The Daily Mirror - December 2019
Headline: Mad Friday: Revellers let loose on one of the wildest nights of the festive season
Summary: Sean Joyce, Stephensons’ partner and head of regulatory and criminal justice comments on the perils of overdoing it during the Christmas period and the impact misbehaviour can have.Details: Manchester Evening News – December 2019
Headline: Your employer can get into trouble if you misbehave at your Christmas work do
Summary: Stephensons’ partner, Philip Richardson looks at the consequences of misbehaviour whilst at a work Christmas party.
Details: The Independent – November 2019
Headline: Better off alone, why money is a solo affair
Summary: Emma Roberts, a solicitor in the Stephensons’ family department, comments on the legal rights of unmarried couplesDetails: TalkRadio - November 2019
Headline: Busting myths around cohabitation
Summary: Solicitor, Emma Roberts looks at the common misconceptions around unmarried couples and their legal rightsDetails: The Daily Mail - November 2019
Headline: : David Beckham is pictured for the first time behind the wheel of his car after he was banned from driving
Summary: Partner, Sean Joyce, comments on David Beckham’s driving ban following images of the footballer driving whilst using his mobile phone.
Details: The Telegraph, Mail Online, The Times, TalkRadio, Daily Express – November 2019
Headline: McDonald's boss Steve Easterbrook fired for having affair with colleague
Summary: Employment solicitor, Stephen Woodhouse comments on McDonald's policy which bans employees from having relationships with each other.Details: The Daily Mail - October 2019
Headline: Michelin-starred TV chef defends 'discriminatory' job ad that asked applicants for photos to work in his restaurant
Summary: Employment law solicitor, Martha McKinley comments on whether asking for a photo when recruiting is ok or bad business practice.
Details: BBC Radio Manchester - October 2019
Headline: School admissions and appeals
Summary: Stephensons’ Partner, Mike Pemberton discusses the school admissions process and parents legal rights when it comes to their child’s education.
Details: BBC Radio Wiltshire - October 2019
Headline: Driving whilst using a mobile phone: What is the law?
Summary: Motoring law specialist, Paul Loughlin, discusses the legalities of using a mobile phone behind the wheel and whether there are any grey areas.Details: The Daily Mail - September 2019
Headline: Tears of Thomas Cook cabin crew: Staff prepare to take legal action
Summary: Stephensons’ Partner, Philip Richardson looks at the legal options for Thomas Cook staff made redundant following the firms collapse.
Details: Retail Gazette – September 2019
Headline: Rent cuts & the tough relationship between retailers & landlords
Summary: Commercial property solicitor, Jonathon Waterhouse, comments on the future relationship between landlords and retailers.Details: The Daily Mail - August 2019
Headline: The rise of the practical prenup: Half of young couples intend to sign pre-marital agreements
Summary: Partner, Mandy Rimmer discusses the results of new research from Stephensons looking at the popularity of prenups with young couples.Details: The Daily Mail – August 2019
Headline: Ban on hands-free kit won’t work because our traffic police are too overstretched to enforce it, motoring experts say.
Summary: Motoring law specialist, Paul Loughlin comments on proposals to ban hands-free devices from cars.Details: The Guardian – August 2019
Headline: Non-disclosure agreements used to muzzle teachers
Summary: Employment solicitor, Stephen Woodhouse comments on the use of non-diclosure agreements in the education sector.
Details: BBC News - July 2019
Headline: Airbnb host fined £100,000 for letting council flat
Summary: Stephensons’ partner, Louise Hebborn provides insight into the legalities of listing a rented property on Airbnb.Details: The Daily Express – July 2019
Headline: Major change to a common driving law could cost you your driving licence
Summary: Motoring law solicitor, Paul Loughlin comments on the governments new Road Safety Action Plan and the prospect of penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt.
Details: The Daily Express – July 2019
Headline: Sepsis symptoms: Delayed treatment for ‘hidden killer’ risks ‘catastrophic’ impact
Summary: Partner and head of the clinical negligence department, Judith Thomas-Whittingham comments on the impact of delays in the treatment of sepsis.
Details: The Daily Telegraph – July 2019
Headline: Asbestos found in nearly half of local authority run primary schools, new figures show
Summary: Partner and head of the personal injury department, Kate Sweeney, provides her thoughts on the number of primary schools reporting asbestos on their premises.Details: Daily Mirror - July 2019
Headline: Asbestos danger in 5000 primary schools
Summary: Partner and personal injury specialist, Kate Sweeney, comments on the prevalence of asbestos in the education system.
Details: BBC News Online – June 2019
Headline: Mark Field: What is the law on tackling intruders?
Summary: Following the suspension of MP, Mark Field, Colin Rawson, a partner at Stephensons, discusses the law around tackling intruders.
Details: BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire – June 2019
Headline: Do I own the land beneath my house?
Summary: Dispute resolution solicitor, Niall Helferty discusses whether a homeowner also owns the land underneath their property.Details: The Daily Mail – May 2019
Headline: Should I change my Will when I move house?
Summary: Jill Rushton provides expertise on whether you should amend your Will if you change your address.Details: The Daily Mail - May 2019
Headline: David Beckham gets a six-month driving ban
Summary: Stephensons’ head of regulatory and criminal justice, Sean Joyce, comments on the driving ban imposed on David Beckham after he was photographed driving whilst using his phone.Details: BBC Radio Manchester - April 2019
Headline: National Offer Day: Primary Schools
Summary: Mike Pemberton discusses the legal rights of parents seeking to challenge their child’s primary school offer.Details: LBC - April 2019
Headline: Driver spared jail because she is a woman
Summary: Paul Loughlin provides legal insight into a case where a woman was spared jail for motoring offences, seemingly because of her gender.Details: BBC Radio Berkshire - March 2019
Headline: Driving whilst using your mobile phone - what can and what can't you do?
Summary: Motoring solicitor, Paul Loughlin, explains the law around using your phone behind the wheel.
Details: The Sunday Times - March 2019
Headline: Hacked company can demand full payment
Summary: Commercial litigation solicitor, Julie Hunter, explains the legal rights of a company and their customer who lost £100,000 following an email hack
Details: BBC Radio 4 - March 2019
Headline: Money Box - Probate
Summary: Probate executive, Adam Sym, explains the responsibilities of an executor of a Will and what to do if you’re faced with demands for monies following the death of a loved oneDetails: The Daily Telegraph - March 2019
Headline: More than one-third of couples suffer mobile phone 'screen snubbing' by their partner, survey finds
Summary: Stephensons’ Head of Divorce, Mandy Rimmer, looks at the impact of technology on modern marriage and relationshipsDetails: Mail Online - March 2019
Headline: 'I feel I've failed my son': Parents tell of despair as one-in-five children across UK miss out on first-choice of secondary school after allocations are announced
Summary: Mike Pemberton discusses the options available to parents whose children did not get a place in their preferred secondary school.Details: Personnel Today - February 2019
Headline: Four in ten companies have reported a wider gender pay gap
Summary: Employment solicitor, Martha McKinley comments on the growing gender pay gap in large companies in the UK.Details: LBC - February 2019
Headline: Prince Philip surrenders his driving licence
Summary: Motoring specialist, Paul Loughlin, gives his thoughts on Prince Philip voluntarily surrendering his driving licence and looks at the legal issues in this particular case.Details: Channel 5 News - February 2019
Headline: Rolf Harris’ breach of licence
Summary: Mike Pemberton, Partner and Head of Civil Liberties, explains the legal position for Rolf Harris following a potential breach of his licence.
Details: ITV Granada Reports - January 2019
Headline: ‘Clare’s Law’ to give people right to find out details of partner’s past from police
Summary: Head of Family Law, Victoria Gethin discusses Clare’s Law and how its introduction should better protect potential victims of domestic abuse.Details: LBC - January 2019
Headline: Prince Philip’s car accident
Summary: Paul Loughlin, a specialist motoring lawyer at Stephensons discusses Prince Philip’s incident and the law around careless driving.Details: ITV – Judge Rinder’s Crime Stories (Series 4, Episode 8) - January 2019
Summary: Sean Joyce provides legal commentary on the case of a man who defrauded thousands of pounds from his own family.Details: ITV – Judge Rinder’s Crime Stories (series 4, episode 8)
Summary: Sean Joyce provides legal commentary on the case of a man who defrauded thousands of pounds from his own family.
Details: The Times - November 2018
Headline: Injuries are a part of rugby, player told as he loses claim
Summary: Danielle Callaway, a partner in our personal injury team, looks at the issue of injury claims made by sports professionals.Details: BBC Radio Humberside - November 2018
Headline: Restorative justice - does it work?
Summary: Sean Joyce discusses the pros and cons of restorative justice and what to keep in mind.
Details: BBC Two – November 2018
Headline: Conviction: Murder at the Station
Summary: Correna Platt examines the case of convicted murderer Roger Kearney and his fight for an appeal.
Details: Love Money - November 2018
Headline: Passing on property: Gifts, Inheritance Tax and trusts explained
Summary: Nicola Mawson explores the ins and outs of gifting property for the personal finance website, Love Money.Details: Zoopla - October 2018
Headline: What new HMO rules mean for landlords and tenants
Summary: Jonathon Waterhouse looks at changes to the licencing of rental properties for Houses of Multiple Occupation.Details: The Sunday Telegraph - September 2018
Headline: Virgin drops drag queen 'for being a woman'
Summary: Head of discrimination law, Maria Chadwick, comments on a discrimination row between Virgin Atlantic and a drag queen who was dropped from their advert 'for being a woman'.
Details: The Daily Mail - September 2018
Headline: Clive hired a 'master builder' to fix up his four-bedroom Somerset home...but he's now £84k out of pocket after the firm he used went bust
Summary: Andrew Leakey comments on the flaws in the Federation of Master Builders verification process.Details: The Times - September 2018
Headline: How school uniforms became the new legal battleground
Summary: Mike Pemberton discusses the increasing number of parents seeking legal advice when completing school applications, appealing admission decisions and challenging exclusions.Details: The Sunday Times - August 2018
Headline: Violent dispute over a driveway cost us £50,000
Summary: Solicitor, Niall Helferty, discusses the ins and outs of dealing with a long-running neighbour dispute in The Sunday Times.
Details: BBC News - August 2018
Headline: Jet2 plane divert row couple cleared of endangering aircraft
Summary: Cecilia Goodwin helps secure an acquittal for a client who faced a charge of endangering an aircraft when the plane was diverted following an argument between the couple.Details: The Guardian - July 2018
Headline: Court allows police to reveal acquittals during record checks
Summary: Mike Pemberton reacts to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the case of AR - v – Greater Manchester Police.Details: BBC Radio Manchester- July 2018
Summary: Mandy Rimmer discusses The Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Owens vs. Owens and its implications for divorce law in the UK.Details: Fleet Point - July 2018
Headline: London courier firm sued in 'gig economy' transgender case
Summary: Phil Richardson comments on the issues surrounding the employment rights of gig economy workers.Details: Daily Mail - June 2018
Headline: Is this the death of the gig economy? Pimlico plumbers boss warns firms such as Uber and Deliveroo to brace for a 'tsunami of claims' after heating engineer wins landmark workers' rights battle
Summary: Phil Richardson comments on the judgement made by the Supreme Court and what it could mean for other gig economy workers.Details: ITV - Judge Rinder's Crime Stories (series 3, episode 11) - May 2018
Summary: Sean Joyce appeared on Judge Rinder's Crime Stories to provide an insight into the criminal justice process for drink and drug driving offencesDetails: The Times (subscription) - May 2018
Headline: Bailiffs scared me into paying a fine that was not mine
Summary: Andrew Leakey discusses bailiff law and how you can prove you own your items to avoid having to pay fines belonging to somebody else living at your property.Details: LBC - May 2018
Summary: Andrew Leakey discusses the discrimination law case involving a bakery owned by a devout Christian family who refused to bake a cake featuring the words 'Support Gay Marriage'.
Details: Daily Express - April 2018
Headline: Bowel cancer: 95 per cent CAN’T diagnose Britain's second biggest killer
Summary: A study by Stephensons' clinical negligence team finds that 95 per cent of people cannot confidently identify symptoms of bowel cancer.Details: BBC News Online - April 2018
Headline: No girls, no entry: Is it OK for bars to turn away groups of men?
Summary: Head of discrimination law, Maria Chadwick, discusses how groups of men being turned away from bars may be discriminatory.Details: The Sunday Times and The Times (subscription) - April 2018
Headline: Insurer drove us to new despair
Summary: Motoring law expert, Paul Loughlin, discusses the implications automatic insurance policy renewals can cause.Details: BBC Radio 5 Live and LBC - April 2018
Summary: Motoring law expert, Paul Loughlin, discusses Ant McPartlin's record breaking drink driving fine.Details: BBC Radio Manchester - April 2018
Summary: Mike Pemberton discusses national primary school offer day and how parents can appeal.
Details: Accountancy Age - April 2018
Headline: FRC introduces £10m sanctions for Big Four firms
Summary: Carl Johnson comments on the enforcement action and financial penalty taken against Deloitte Brazil.
Details: Care Home Environment - March 2018
Headline: Facing up to the challenge of CQC inspections
Summary: Laura Hannah explains why care home providers must challenge decisions that are not accurate or consistent with the CQC’s strategy and framework in order to protect their businesses and reputationsDetails: Fleet News - March 2018
Headline: More work is needed to explain the law on mobile phone usage
Summary: Paul Loughlin discusses how despite falling numbers of fixed penalty notices for mobile phone use at the wheel, more needs to be done to combat the issue.Details: Personnel Today - February 2018
Headline: Charity scandal: Can employers inform others about misconduct?
Summary: Martha McKinley highlights the issues surrounding providing staff with references, particularly for those with potentially damaging allegations on their records.Details: The Sunday Times - February 2018
Headline: He put his insurer on the spot…and won six years of refunds
Summary: Andrew Leakey discusses home insurance after a retired banker questioned how his provider calculated its charges.Details: Personnel Today - February 2018
Headline: Five things buried in the Good Work plan consultations
Summary: Phil Richardson discusses how new employment law legislation must address issues concerning the gig economy as it is now and take into consideration how it may be in the future.Details: 24 Housing - February 2018
Headline: 'Government rolls out Universal Credit changes to address arrears spike'
Summary: Louise Hebborn discusses how the changes to Universal Credit will affect not just tenants but their landlords and registered providers.Details: ITV Granada report with Elaine Willcox
Summary: Mike Pemberton, Head of Public Law, comments on the legal implications concerning Poppi Worthington.Details: ITV This Morning - November 2017
Summary: Andrew Leakey gives advice to callers about neighbour disputes. Watch on ITVHub.Details: The Telegraph - July 2017
Headline: 'My Sky broadband was wiped out by neighbour's faulty kettle'
Summary: Andrew Leakey discusses the rights of consumers with regards to their broadband contracts when they experience outages.Details: The Independent - July 2017
Headline: Government to refund tribunal fees after Supreme Court ruling, Ministry of Justice reveals
Summary: Phil Richardson discusses the decision of the Supreme Court to stop charging employment tribunal fees and refund thousands who have paid them in recent years.Details: Mail Online - July 2017
Headline: Pay up...or we'll switch off your car: rutless finance firms install 'kill switches; to immobilise vehicles if drivers miss a payment.
Summary: Andrew Leakey highlights the problems that may arise if finance firms have the ability to immobilise customers' cars.Details: The Independent - July 2017
Headline: Finance firms fitting 'kill switches' to immobilise customers' cars if they miss a payment
Summary: Andrew Leakey highlights the problems that may arise if finance firms have the ability to immobilise customers' cars.
Details: LBC - June 2017
Summary: Mike Devlin on: British Asian couple in adoption row with council.
Details: LBC - June 2017
Summary: Joanne Ellis on: Grenfell Tower - eviction of tenants for fire safety.
Details: BBC Radio 5 Live - June 2017
Summary: Rachel Adamson on: Grenfell Tower - possibility of charges for corporate manslaughter.Details: The Guardian - June 2017
Headline: Key questions about the Grenfell Tower fire
Summary: Rachel Adamson comments on the potential corporate manslaughter charges which could be brought after the Grenfell Tower fire.Details: Metro - June 2017
Headline: Theresa May orders full public inquiry into Grenfell Tower disaster.
Summary: Mike Pemberton explains the different types of public inquiry.Details: ITV - June 2017
Summary: Sean Joyce appeared on Judge Rinder’s Crime Stories, series two episode two.Details: ITV - June 2017
Summary: Rachel Adamson appeared on Judge Rinder’s Crime Stories, series two episode two.Details: Mail Online - June 2017
Headline: Four managers at company paid £11million to manage inferno tower block shared more than £650,000 pay last year
Summary: Rachel Adamson comments on the potential criminal charges which could be brought after the Grenfell Tower fire.Details: The Independent - April 2017
Headline: Newcastle United and West Ham HMRC investigation is 'of a very serious nature''
Summary: Rachel Adamson comments on how the scale of the investigation into the two clubs suggests that the alleged offences are of a very serious nature.Details: Money Supermarket - March 2017
Headline: Insurance and driverless cars - where next?
Summary: Kate Sweeney, head of personal injury, explains the implications of insurance for driverless cars.Details: The Sun - March 2017
Headline: Parents reveal heartbreak of teen mum who went into hospital with tonsillitis and died less than 24 hours later
Summary: Claire Mooney comments on one of our recent clinical negligence cases where the death of a young mother could have been avoided if appropriate medical investigations had been carried out.
Details: 24 Housing - February 2017
Headline: Housing associations 'front & centre' in Housing White Paper
Summary: Kate Bullen examines the recent Housing White Paper and the key points for housing providers.
Details: The Sun - February 2017
Headline: Ex-DVD rental shop boss threatens 900 customers with bailiffs over unpaid fines total £40,000 from 20 years ago
Summary: Matthew Halton comments on the difficulties involved when enforcing a debt more than six years old.