5 Minutes With…Loreena Walker, Chartered Legal Executive, Private Family Team
Introducing Loreena Walker, one of the newest members to the Ison Harrison team! Loreena is a Chartered Legal Executive in our Private Family team. How long have you worked at Ison Harrison? I joined Ison Harrison in September 2024. Where did you work previously? I have previously worked for other well-known solicitors firms in West…
16 Common Neighbour Disputes (And How To Resolve Them)
Domestic bliss is one of our main goals in life, but unfortunately we can’t choose who we live next door to, and disputes with neighbours are very common, everyday occurrences. Mostly these can be settled with a cordial conversation and a mutual understanding, because it is in everyone’s best interests to settle a dispute amicably…
If You Go Down To The Woods Today You’re In For A Scary Surprise!
The sun was shining through the trees on Saturday 26th October when Katrina Stapleton and Adina Guy from our Clinical Negligence team attended the Little Hiccups Halloween themed adventure in the woods with Wilderness Adventures. Wilderness Adventures C.I.C. is a not-for-profit forest school based predominantly in a private woodland in Kippax. Director, Nicola Cowell, and…
Inquest into the Death of Henry Grierson
An inquest into the tragic death of 17-year-old Henry Grierson was opened on 8 October at Bradford Coroner’s Court and will resume at 2pm on 31 October 2024. Henry had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at the age of 10. However, after being discharged from mental health services, the medication prescribed for…
Duty To Take Reasonable Steps To Prevent Sexual Harassment
Under the Equality Act 2010, sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that is considered to be intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, offensive or violates a person’s dignity. With effect from 26 October 2024, the law in relation to sexual harassment is changing. There will be a ‘preventative duty’ on employers to prevent sexual…
10 Key Points of the ‘Tipping’ Act
On 1 October 2024 legislation (accompanied by the Code of practice on fair and transparent distribution of tips) came into force governing the distribution of tips, service charges and gratuities, over which employers have ‘control and significant influence’. Where the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 (the ‘Tipping Act’) is not correctly applied, tribunals can…
Common Misconceptions In The Making Of A Will
I meet with clients on a regular basis and have come across many instances whereby individuals have misconceptions into the making of their Will. Some of the main misconceptions I have come across include the following: 1. Making a Will is only for the wealthy I have come across situations where individuals and couples feel…
Renters’ Rights Bill – what does it mean for Landlords?
On 11th September 2024, the new labour Government published the Renters’ Rights Bill (the Bill), with the aim of making renting fairer for tenants, protecting good landlords and holding bad landlords to higher standards. At this stage, the Bill has only been proposed, it is yet to come into force so the opportunity for amendments…
Civil Partnership Vs Marriage: Which Is Best For You?
Same-sex or opposite-sex couples have the option of both a civil partnership and a marriage in terms of formalising their relationship. In England and Wales, legally, same-sex couples have had the option of civil partnerships since 2005 and marriage since 2014. Of course, marriage has been an option for opposite-sex couples for a long time,…
We Won! Ison Harrison Win Two Awards at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2024
Press Release – October 2024 Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison has enjoyed major success at the Yorkshire Legal Awards, one of the legal sector’s most prestigious industry events. The firm was shortlisted for four awards in total, winning in the residential property and personal injury and clinical negligence categories. The 25th Yorkshire Legal Awards ceremony…
Ruth Bundey Named on Women of Leeds Sculpture
We are extremely proud to announce that our inquest solicitor Ruth Bundey, is to be named on the Women of Leeds Sculpture. Nearly 400 inspirational Leeds women, voted for by members of the public, are being celebrated with a new sculpture in the heart of the city’s cultural quarter. Created by artist, Pippa Hale, ‘Ribbons’…
Sexual Harassment Culture Allowed To Thrive In The Royal Navy
A culture of sexual assault, sexual harassment and misogyny is widespread and “permitted to thrive” in the submarine service, according to a whistleblower who has triggered a damning investigation by the Royal Navy. Sophie Brook – a former Lieutenant in the submarine service – made a formal complaint about repeated and ongoing sexual assaults which…
Spotlight On: Tina’s Haven And The Trees Of Hope
One year to the day since the famous and iconic Sycamore Gap tree was cruelly cut down in an “act of violence against Mother Nature itself”, there is a sign of hope that nature could bounce back. The parallels with vulnerable women finding hope and recovery from being subjected to the worst possible adversity, and…
“I Inspire Me”: Celebrating the Journey of Empowerment and Fulfilment for People with Erb’s Palsy
In a world where stories of resilience and self-empowerment often go untold, Ison Harrison have launched the “I Inspire Me” campaign in association with the Erb’s Palsy Group to shine a spotlight on individuals with Erb’s Palsy who inspire themselves and others every day. We are inviting individuals with Erb’s Palsy to nominate themselves and…
Urgent Reform Of Maternity Care Called For After Increase In Clinical Negligence Cases
Pregnancy and childbirth should be a joyful and happy time, but sadly this is not always the case. Poor maternity care is becoming a more common and widespread issue impacting many families in causing avoidable harm or life-changing injuries. In 2023, 13% of all clinical negligence claims related to pregnancy and childbirth and NHS Trust…
Ison Harrison Receive Multiple Nominations For Top Yorkshire Awards
The Ison Harrison team are very proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for four awards at the prestigious ‘Yorkshire Legal Awards’, which are due to be held in October at a glamourous event which is always the highlight of the legal calendar. Our director and head of corporate and commercial, Richard Coulthard, has…
#YouAreNotAlone – Violence is not the only form of domestic abuse.
Trapped, isolated, frightened and without hope. These are some of the emotions that are likely to be experienced by those all over our country that are in an abusive relationship. Those feelings must be magnified at a time where the victim may not be able to get any break from their abuser; forced into lockdown…
“Stronger” Bill Should Lead To No-Fault Eviction Ban
The revised Renters’ Rights Bill, which has finally been published and entered parliament, has been praised as a “stronger” piece of legislation than the previous version, and which will better protect renters in the private rental sector. This is expected to include a ban on no-fault evictions to be in place by Summer 2025. Having…
Key Stage In Asda’s Long-Running Equal Pay Dispute
UK retail giants could face an £8bn compensation payout if a long-running equal pay dispute involving 60,000 Asda workers rules in favour of female shopfloor staff. The equality row started in 2008 at a Manchester store of the supermarket giants, and has this week reached a key stage which could pave the way for a…
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Know The Signs & Symptoms
Each October, people all over the world show their support for everyone affected by breast cancer. It is a great opportunity to educate yourself and others about the importance of cancer screenings and being breast aware. Breast cancer doesn’t just affect women, everyone has breast tissue, which means that whatever your gender, you could be…
A Simple Guide To Making A Will
The only way to ensure that your estate and assets are divided according to your wishes in the event of your death is to make a will. If you don’t make a will, the people that benefit from your money, property and valuables may not be the people you would want to. If you die…
Yorkshire Law Firm Works with Leeds Charity to Provide Legal Advice
Press release – September 2024 Ison Harrison has experienced significant growth in the number of clients that it acts for and recently opened its 20th office in Selby, reaffirming its expansive presence in the region. To compliment this growth and to be able to assist people in more of the communities where the firm has…
Making a Medical Negligence Claim for a Child
Where a child is harmed as a result of unacceptable medical care, this can have a devastating impact on the child and their family. The consequences can be far-reaching and lifelong. For the child, it may mean enduring further medical intervention, physical disability, or a delay in development, which can affect their education, social interactions,…
9 Things To Do As Soon As You’ve Been Made Redundant
If you are facing a redundancy situation it can come as a huge shock. It presents a scenario where there is uncertainty and anxiety, and while it is easy to become emotional and to feel vulnerable, it is also a time where you need to respond quickly and see this as an opportunity. More than…
Delayed Diagnosis vs. Misdiagnosis of Cancer: Key Differences and When You Can File a Medical Negligence Claim
Macmillan estimates that there are more than 3 million people living with cancer in the UK and that figure is rising all the time. Finding out that you or a loved one has cancer can be a shock. There is no right or wrong way to feel and you may have lots of questions. Those…
The Pros And Cons Of Buying A New House Vs An Old House
Everyone has different tastes and ambitions when it comes to buying a house, and often there is an overriding factor which determines our choice, such as location, availability or budget. There is a fundamental difference between buying a new-build property compared to buying an older property. Some people are attracted to the history and character…
5 Minutes With…Afzal Patel, Family Solicitor
Today we’re chatting to Afzal Patel, a Solicitor within our Private Family team. How long have you worked at Ison Harrison? I joined Ison Harrison in March 2023. Where did you work previously? I have previously worked for law firms in Yorkshire. Describe your day-to-day role Working through cases, preparing applications and drafting documents. Consultations…
Bile Duct Injury After Gallbladder Removal: What Should You Do?
Removal of the gallbladder (also known as cholecystectomy) is considered a relatively safe procedure; however, it is still a procedure which goes wrong from time to time. Occasionally the bile duct or the hepatic duct can be cut during surgery, but not identified or repaired. Where this occurs patients can suffer serious complications. What happens…
10 Most Desirable Places To Buy Property In Yorkshire
The people of Yorkshire might roll their eyes at reference to the Government’s fabled ‘Northern Powerhouse’, but the levelling-up agenda is a real thing and investment in the north offers plentiful areas of huge potential for eager property investors. Average house prices for the region currently sit at £227,000 but there is a substantial swing…
Landmark Agreement Reached With MoD Over Historical Hearing Loss Claims
Veterans and ex-service professionals who have served in the armed forces since 1987 will soon be able to successfully claim for hearing loss suffered during their service, thanks to a landmark High Court agreement reached this week with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This has opened the door for as many as 10,000 claims for…
Law Firm Opens New Office In Selby Increasing Regional Network Presence To 20
Press release – July 2024 A leading Yorkshire law firm has opened its newest regional office in Selby, taking its total network of offices to 20. Ison Harrison’s new office on Brook Street will be managed by Daniel Kenworthy, who is assistant head of residential conveyancing for the firm and also manages the firm’s successful…
Informed Consent and Medical Negligence Claims
The theme of this year’s birth trauma awareness week is informed consent. You can find more information about informed consent in our blog article: Birth Trauma Awareness Week – What Is Informed Consent? As medical negligence solicitors, we advocate for mothers and children in cases where they were not adequately informed about the risks associated…
Inquiry unearths illegal arrest and demeaning strip searches by members of Greater Manchester Police
A damning report published today has found that serving officers of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been “using their powers unwisely, unnecessarily and sometimes unlawfully”. What is the Baird Inquiry? It is an independent Inquiry commissioned in August 2023 by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. The purpose of the Inquiry was to investigate…
Birth Trauma Awareness Week – What Is Informed Consent?
Birth Trauma Awareness Week is an annual event run by the Birth Trauma Association (BTA), which aims to raise awareness about birth trauma and provide support for those affected. This year, it runs from 15-21 July 2024. The theme this year is Informed Consent. Here’s what you need to know: Informed Consent Informed consent is…
Jury concludes that there were missed opportunities to save the life of 4 year old little girl
The inquest touching upon the sad death of Makenna-Rose Thackray concluded today with the Jury returning a narrative conclusion. The Jury concluded that there were missed opportunities to save the life of 4-year-old Mekenna-Rose Thackray. Makenna-Rose was diagnosed with Scarlett Fever on the 9th December 2022 but was only prescribed a 7 day course of…
NHS In Crisis? NHS Resolution A Contradiction In Terms
Mr Simon Helliwell in our personal injury team recently settled a claim on behalf of Mrs W in the sum of £12,500.00 in which the NHS litigation authority fought the case all the way to within 1 month of Trial denying liability throughout. Mrs W was at work and slipped due to wet floor that…
Ison Harrison Expands with Strategic Acquisition of Cohen Cramer Solicitors
Press Release – July 2024 Leading Yorkshire Law Firm Strengthens Expertise and Employee-Owned Vision Ison Harrison, one of Yorkshire’s most prominent law firms, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Cohen Cramer Solicitors, a distinguished firm with a robust presence in Leeds and a national clientele. This strategic move underscores Ison Harrison’s commitment to growth,…
Inquest Opens Into Self-Inflicted Death Of Vulnerable Young Woman Shortly After Discharge From Hospital
Before HM Assistant Coroner Mr J Puzey Worcestershire Coroner’s Court, Martins Way, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8UN. Scheduled 28 June at 1pm to Wednesday 3 July 2024 Beth Taylor Jarvis was a much-loved daughter, sister and aunt. She was born on 4 July 1997 in Hammersmith, London and died on 25 March 2023 aged 25 years old….
Tips For Blowing The Whistle On Workplace Wrongdoing
It is common to witness what you perceive to be a ‘wrongdoing’ in the workplace, and out of a sense of decency and honesty you feel a duty to report it to someone to protect the public and/or colleagues. However, there is a very specific way you need to do this. People can feel cautious…
Leasehold Vs Freehold: Here’s Everything You Need To Know
When you are buying a property there is a lot to consider, usually this relates to costs, contracts and the results of searches and surveys, but you may also come across the terms freehold and leasehold. These are quite common terms in UK property and this article is designed to define the difference between the…
Grace Smith: Hospital Failures Linked to 16-Year-Old’s Tragic Death, Inquest Reveals
Grace Smith, aged 16, passed away on August 5, 2022, at Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People in Loughborough following a self-inflicted ligature at St Andrew’s Healthcare in Northampton. An inquest jury determined that Grace’s death resulted from suicide, influenced by a failure to adequately address her risks and triggers despite available information. The…
Leading Lawyer Gears Up To Represent Great Britain Age Group At Duathlon European Championships
Press Release – June 2024 A Yorkshire lawyer is proving she’s fit for business after qualifying to represent Great Britain in the Duathlon European Championships. Victoria Boid, a Partner in the Corporate team of leading Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison, will be taking on the gruelling challenge in Portugal. Victoria, who has been training for…
Ison Harrison Named As A Top Donating Firm For 2023 Will Aid Campaign
We are proud to announce we have successfully raised £7,630 through our firm’s participation in an annual charity will-writing campaign, placing us among the top contributors nationwide and the third highest in the North East. At Ison Harrison, we have been involved in the Will Aid campaign since 1998 and accumulated a total of £119,187…
Conservative MP’s Sepsis Battle Highlights Importance of Early Detection
Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay has spoken of his life-threatening sepsis ordeal that left him having his hands and feet amputated. Mr Mackinlay said that he was “extremely lucky to be alive” and had had some “extreme surgery” as a result of the illness. Speaking about his return to work, he said he now wants to…
Enforcement action taken against Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with a Section 31 notice, putting conditions on its registration, and demanding urgent improvement following concerns with the provision of maternity care within the Trust. The maternity service remains open but has several reporting conditions in place to ensure improvements are made…
APPG inquiry calls for overhaul of UK’s maternity and postnatal care
An All-Party Parliamentary Group’s (APPG) inquiry into traumatic childbirths has called for an overhaul of the UK’s maternity and postnatal care. The picture which emerged from the inquiry, was of a maternity system where poor care is all-too-frequently tolerated as normal, and women are treated as an inconvenience. What is the Birth Trauma Inquiry? It…
Can I Claim For A Missed Scaphoid Fracture?
What is a scaphoid fracture? The scaphoid is one of the small bones which make up the wrist. It is located on the thumb side of the wrist. It is an important bone for movement and stability of the wrist. The scaphoid can be injured by a fall onto an outstretched hand, by a blow…
Knowing Your Legal Rights As A Grandparent
How grandparents fit into the legal framework with regards to the care of children is not a commonly understood element of family law and is not as clearly defined as the parent’s rights. And yet grandparents can play a key role in how children are brought up and looked after. They can also play a…
eVisas Set To Replace Biometric Residence Permits: Here’s What You Need You Know
Many foreign nationals living in the UK have what is known as a Biometric Card otherwise known as a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). This is a card that confirms their identity, contains their biometric information, immigration status and conditions of stay. Employers want to see this so that they can determine when that person’s visa…
What Happens If New Drivers Get Caught Speeding?
In many areas of life there is leniency applied to people who are newly qualified in a certain field, but the legal standpoint on newly qualified drivers is actually stricter, purely because they have less experience and are more likely to cause accidents if they can’t demonstrate safe and lawful driving. Any learner driver has…