Inquest Concludes That The Death Of 89 Year Old Patient Suffering With Dementia Was Contributed To By Neglect
The inquest touching upon the death of 89 year old Sylvia Thompson concluded this Monday at Wakefield Coroners Court. Assistant Coroner Oliver Longstaff recorded a short form conclusion of Natural Causes Contributed to by Neglect. In order for neglect to be found in an inquest, the following must be established; The Coroner must find that…
Pensions On Divorce: An Asset Not To Be Overlooked
In many matrimonial cases pensions are the most valuable asset of the marriage, although many do not realise that both their own pension and their spouse’s pension is considered a matrimonial asset. Depending on the age of the spouses the pension may not provide an immediate income, however it should not be overlooked as to…
Haemochromatosis: The Importance of Regular Surveillance to Prevent Complications
What is Haemochromatosis? Haemochromatosis is a genetic disorder where there is excessive absorption and storage of iron in the body. This condition can lead to serious health issues if not properly managed. Regular surveillance is crucial to prevent complications and ensure early intervention. Understanding Haemochromatosis Haemochromatosis, often referred to as iron overload, occurs when the…
Registering a Child as a British Citizen: An Overview
If your child was born in the UK and has lived here consistently, they may be eligible to register as a British citizen. This is an option worth exploring for several important reasons. Entitlement to Register as a British Citizen Under Section 1(4) of the British Nationality Act 1981, a child born in the UK…
Needlestick injuries, psychological trauma and PTSD
Needlestick injuries: psychological trauma claims. If you have a needlestick injury, whether it was from a discarded hypodermic, insulin tester or other forms of sharp the chances are that, in the absence of infection of by a blood-borne virus (BBV) the physical injury will be slight with no more than a spot of blood to…
Record-Breaking January for Illegal Working Enforcement Activity Announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a record-breaking January for illegal working enforcement activity, as the government intensifies its efforts to combat immigration system abuse under its Plan for Change. The surge in enforcement activity forms a key part of the government’s broader initiative to restore order to the UK immigration system by identifying, disrupting,…
Army Chief Condemns Senior Officers for Failing to Stop Harassment in the Ranks
General Sir Roly Walker, the head of the British Army, has issued a powerful statement condemning the “appalling and shameful behaviour” faced by female personnel within the ranks. His remarks come after over 1,000 women shared their experiences of sexual abuse and harassment in the military, a response sparked by the tragic case of 19-year-old…
Out of Control Dogs: Your Rights After a Dog Bite in the UK
Dog attacks can happen suddenly, leaving victims with serious injuries, emotional trauma, and unexpected financial costs. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options for claiming compensation. At Ison Harrison Solicitors we specialise in no win, no fee dog bite claims, helping…
7 Inspiring Interviews To Celebrate International Women’s Day
This year, to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March, we have interviewed some inspirational women that work at Ison Harrison and in the local community. Find out why International Women’s Day is an important opportunity to celebrate these very inspirational women! Ruth Bundey (Ison Harrison Consultant & Inquest Advocate) Ruth Bundey is recognised nationally…
Law Firm’s Booming Property Division Ranked Number One For Transactions
Press Release – March 2025 A Yorkshire law firm’s property division has been recognised as the region’s leading property solicitors, completing more transactions than any other firm. Following a UK-wide property sector analysis, Ison Harrison is ranked number one in Yorkshire and Humberside for successful property completions, with the highest overall market share. The independent…
Understanding Clinical Negligence in A&E: Your Guide to Making a Claim
Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments provide vital care, they are often busy with doctors and nurses working under pressure. Unfortunately, this means that sometimes mistakes can happen, and these mistakes can have devastating consequences for patients. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a failure to diagnose and treat in A&E, you…
What Every Business Owner Needs to Know About Insurance with Wayne Cowley from Packetts
“If you arrive tomorrow morning and it was a pile of rubble, what would you do as a business?” In the latest episode of The Business Compass Podcast, Richard Coulthard sat down with Wayne Cowley, an expert who bridges two worlds—insurance and the Police. As Shareholder and Director at Packetts Insurance and a background in…
What Makes A Good Employer? Here’s 7 Things To Look For
Every employer should have a specific structure in place which manages their legal duties. This will take care of their responsibility to provide a safe and comfortable work environment, and will also cover human resources services, such as contracts, renumeration and pensions, and a structure to deal with harassment, discrimination, dismissals, redundancy and paternity/maternity rights….
An Insight Into Life After Domestic Abuse
A number of our lawyers here at Ison Harrison are IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) Ambassadors, an important charity whose work involves providing support for those who have been victims of sexual and domestic abuse and training and educational work to inspire individuals and organisations to tackle the root causes of domestic abuse. Here is…
Former Soldier Exposes Culture of Misogyny in the Army
A former soldier has spoken out about the sexist environment faced by women in the British Army, describing how female personnel endure persistent harassment, crude remarks, and damaging gossip. The comments emerged during an inquest into the death of 19-year-old Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, who was found dead in her barracks at Larkhill Camp,…
How To Claim For Your Needlestick Injury At Work
Most needlestick injuries could have been avoided and the employers would, in most cases, have been liable for the injury and stress resulting from the incident. It doesn’t matter that the injury was caused by someone else; your employers are liable for the actions and mistakes of your colleagues. The same duty of care and…
Government Consultation on Raising Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards in the Private Rented Sector
The UK government is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (“MEES”) for residential properties in the private rented sector. This potential reform aims to enhance energy efficiency by requiring landlords to meet higher standards, aligning with the broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability. Proposed Changes to MEES…
Three notable changes to employment law in 2024: Is your business up to speed?
Employment law is constantly evolving, and 2024 brought several important changes that businesses must be aware of. From enhanced protections against redundancy to new obligations around flexible working and preventing workplace harassment, these updates could have a significant impact on how employers manage their workforce. Failing to comply not only risks legal action but could…
How To Climb The Property Ladder (And Be Savvy)
The property ladder involves a different number of steps, some planned and some unplanned. The number of steps on the ladder will relate to your life ambitions, what decisions you make and what life throws at you. Unfortunately, the hardest step on the ladder to reach is the first one. How you climb the property…
Three Year Time Limit For Bringing A Case For Childhood Abuse To Be Scrapped
The abuse of a child, like any abuse, is an abhorrent crime often leaving the victims with lifelong mental scars. The survivors of such abuse often take many years to be able to speak about the abuse they suffered, often due to mental health difficulties, the feeling of shame, fear and the mistrust of people…
Breaking the Silence: Richard Coulthard Addresses Men’s Mental Health with Alistair Gladstone From Wingmen
“If I can completely fall apart like that, then other people are going to be suffering in silence in the same way as I was.” – Alistair Gladstone In a recent episode of The Business Compass podcast, host Richard Coulthard, Director and Head of Corporate at Ison Harrison Solicitors, sits down with Alistair Gladstone from…
Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Commercial Leases
As interest rates in the UK continue to rise, and uncertainty around future rates, businesses are feeling the ripple effects across various sectors, and businesses with commercial leases are no exception. For landlords and tenants alike, understanding these impacts is critical to navigating lease negotiations and long-term commitments. The immediate effect of rising interest rates…
Three notable changes to employment law in 2024: Is your business up to speed?
Extension of Protection Against Redundancy Change: Protection against redundancy for employees that have taken maternity, adoption, or shared parental leave was enhanced. Previously, protection against redundancy only applied during maternity leave, but now it covers additional family leave types. Penalty: Employers who dismiss employees during these protected periods may face claims for unfair dismissal in…
What Rights Do Cohabiting Partners Have?
Contrary to popular belief, cohabiting partners do not have the same rights as partners who are legally married or who are in a civil partnership. The ‘common law’ marriage agreement is a myth, and because unmarried couples are now very common, it is important that the rights of cohabiting partners are fully understood. What are…
The Pathfinder Pilot: A Revolutionary Approach to Family Law Comes to Leeds
A new way of doing family law is coming to Leeds. The ‘Pathfinder Pilot’ is soon to be implemented by Leeds Family Court. This is a new method of dealing with applications about who a child lives with and spends time with (‘child arrangements’). As those who have experience of the Family Court will know,…
How Can I Protect Myself From Needlestick Injuries?
There are 40,000 reported needlestick injuries in the NHS each year (source NHS Employers). It is estimated that the same number again go unreported. This figure doesn’t include care workers, veterinary workers, private health/beauticians etc. The risk of a needlestick injury is high. The best policy is to take all steps you possibly can to avoid…
56 Baby Deaths at Leeds Hospitals Possibly Preventable
A BBC article today reveals that the deaths of at least 56 babies and two mothers at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust over the past five years may have been preventable. The investigation found that these deaths occurred at the trust’s two maternity units, Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital, which are rated…
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme: What it Covers and How We Can Help
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is available for members of the UK Armed Forces who have been injured in service, or have had a previous injury made worse by service. This covers both physical injuries and mental health conditions. Anyone who is still serving or has left the Armed Forces can apply. To be…
Leading Yorkshire Law Firm Gears Up for Continued Growth In 2025
Press Release – January 2025 One of Yorkshire’s leading law firms plans to build on the success it achieved last year by making 2025 the most successful year in its 47-year history. Leeds-headquartered Ison Harrison posted its most successful trading period ever for last year, making 2024 its most profitable year since it was founded,…
Current Trends Shaping the Commercial Property Market in the UK
The UK commercial property market continues to adapt to evolving economic and societal shifts. From rising interest rates, national debt, to the ongoing effects of hybrid working, several trends are shaping the market in 2025, presenting both challenges and opportunities for investors, landlords, and tenants. One significant trend is the increased demand for flexible office…
Understanding Non-Freezing Cold Injuries in the Military
One of the most dangerous non-combative threats military personnel face is the cold. Non-freezing cold injuries (NFCIs) are often overlooked, but are a significant risk for service personnel, especially those deployed out to places with extreme weather conditions or those who undertake training exercises exposed to the elements for weeks on end. NFCIs are not…
Divorce and Finances: The Evolving Law And Why You Should Still Seek Expert Legal Advice
There can be many factors which can ultimately lead to a couple deciding to divorce, however the most common concern, particularly when there are children of the family is how the couple will be able to financially support themselves and the children. Changes to Divorce Law On 6 April 2022 the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation…
Meet Abbie Churchill: Championing Law in Barnsley and Supporting the Reds with Her Family!
Abbie Churchill, the face behind our Barnsley branch, balances her busy legal career with family life and cheering on Barnsley FC – thanks to her kids’ passion for the team! What drew you to Barnsley and to Ison Harrison as the branch manager? I have worked in Barnsley since 2003 and have close links to…
“Moral Stain” Addressed As LGBT Veterans Can Finally Claim Compensation
A historical ‘gay ban’ which saw thousands of LGBT veterans mistreated or dismissed from the armed forces merely on the basis of their sexual orientation, has finally prompted an apology in the House of Commons. But a proposed award of up to £70,000 in compensation has been criticised as insufficient, when compared to the losses…
What is the risk of infection from a needlestick injury?
If you have suffered a needlestick injury, then chances are your first concern is whether you have sustained an infection as a result of the incident. While there is always a chance of infection by a blood borne virus (BBV) those chances are very, very slim and the need for injections and blood tests is…
How To Know If You’re Ready To Be A Home-Owner
Buying a house and becoming a homeowner is a common ambition, and is a significant milestone most people aspire to. While renting a property gives you some freedom, becoming a homeowner is the first step towards financial security and stability, and is also a more dependable form of investment. However, building up equity in a…
What Happens When You Get 12 Points On Your Driving Licence?
If you drive a lot of mileage due to work, family or lifestyle commitments you face the risk of committing a road traffic offence all the time. Although you might think you are a careful and experienced driver, you can quite quickly accumulate penalty points for exceeding a speed limit or driving through a red…
6 Ways To Create A Positive Working Environment
Negativity in the workplace can be an enormous drain on an employer’s resources, in terms of time, energy and personnel. Any kind of division or conflict can demotivate the workforce, which affects commitment and loyalty and ultimately impacts on productivity. The cause of negativity and division in the work environment can be many things –…
When You Are Unable To Soldier On
The Armed forces are there to protect our freedoms and for their personnel it is their way of life with a great sense of pride, achievement and camaraderie. Too often this is taken away from them when they suffer fatal or permanent life-changing injuries such as hearing loss, cold injuries, or other serious injury and…
Dog Bites and Compensation Claims: What Delivery Drivers Need to Know
For delivery drivers, encountering dogs is a common part of the job and with increased deliveries at Christmas the chances of confronting a potentially aggressive dog increase. While many interactions are uneventful, the risk of dog bites remains significant, with injuries ranging from minor scrapes to serious trauma. Preventing dog bites should be a priority,…
Inquest Findings and Safety Failures: Lessons from the Tragic Death of Mrs. Gloria Linton
The Inquest touching upon the death of Mrs Gloria Linton concluded last week with the Jury returning a critical narrative conclusion. Mrs Linton received care at home and on the 6 August 2022 emergency services were called with reports of Mrs Linton being trapped in a commode. Firefighters cut Mrs Linton free, and she was…
Secure Your Justice with Ison Harrison: CICA Claims Made Simple
If you’ve been the victim of a violent crime, be it a physical or sexual assault, obtaining compensation for your injuries and trauma can be a vital step toward recovery. At Ison Harrison, we specialise in helping victims navigate the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims process, ensuring you get the support and financial award…
How Old Is Too Old? What To Do When Discriminated At Work For Your Age
The Equality Act 2010 protects individuals from being treated unfairly at work in the form of discrimination. This legislation includes discrimination in nine different forms, such as gender, race, religion and disability, plus age. It is important to note that age discrimination can include being treated unfairly for being too young, but the most common…
A Guide To The Pet Abduction Act 2024
The Pet Abduction Act 2024 brings two new offences in relation to dog and cat abduction. From 24th August 2024, it was a criminal offence to abduct a household pet from its owner, and a person convicted could face up to five years in prison. The new legislation will benefit a large proportion of people…
Understanding Needlestick Injuries: What is Post Exposure Prophylaxis?
If you have had a needlestick injury you may have been prescribed a course of Post Exposure Prophylaxis; don’t worry, contrary to popular myth, it does not mean that you are a high risk for HIV. PEP is given as a precaution when there is any possibility that the person who used the needle (the…
Navigating Christmas Contact Arrangements
Shhhh, don’t say the C word! Some think that the word Christmas shouldn’t be uttered until 1 December and shudder at the sight of Christmas decorations in the shops as soon as the kids have returned to school in September. Whilst others embrace the season and can’t wait to hear Mariah on the radio. But…
Neurodiversity: What Is It And What Can It Mean For Your Child?
This National Children’s Month, we recognize and celebrate children who are neurodivergent. What Is Neurodiveristy? What does that mean? Is it a buzzword, or a medical condition? Is my child neurodivergent? Neurodiversity is a term which arose from the disability rights movement. It challenges the idea of there being a ‘normal’ way to think. It…
The Hidden Risks of Workplace Christmas Parties: Addressing Sexual Assault and Your Rights
The festive season is a time when workplaces often come together to celebrate the year’s achievements and foster team spirit. Office Christmas parties are a staple of this period, providing an opportunity for colleagues to unwind, network, and enjoy a break from the usual routine. However, as joyous as these events can be, they can…
Spotlight On: The Forcer Protocol – And How Resilience Is Never Lost
Resilience is a key attribute required of anybody involved in the Armed Forces, particularly because, many years after being exposed to the traumas of warfare and human suffering, in your quieter, isolated and more reflective moments, you are still fighting a battle. Alan Forcer, an Armed Forces veteran from Stockton-on-Tees, demonstrated resilience in many different…
Pet Ownership: What Happens to the Family Pet Upon Separation or Divorce?
Your children may have been pestering you for what feels like eternity, and you finally decide to give in. What’s the perfect present for the whole family you think….. a pet! Similarly there may not be any children in the family but you and your partner decide that you want a pet. Your pet becomes…