Lovely Testimonial for Sarah Bruce

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Sarah Bruce Picture For Testimonial Sarah Bruce acted for a client in Haverhill with regard to probate matters. The client said

“I also wanted to say thank you for all your work you have completed for me over the last two years in relation to both my parents. It has been an emotional and challenging time and I am grateful to you for helping everything go very smoothly in the circumstances.”

Coping with the loss of a loved one is never easy and can feel overwhelming especially if you are responsible for dealing with the legal and financial aspects of their estate. Depending on the circumstances you may need to go through probate, which can be a challenging process at a very difficult time. Sarah Bruce, who works in our Haverhill and Saffron Walden offices, can help you through the process. We also have Leanne Mayes in our Haverhill office, Christine Gee in our Sawston office, or Melanie Pratlett, Head of Wills & Probate, who works mainly in our Saffron Walden office.

Adams Harrison Attends Samuel Ward Academy Careers Fayre 2022

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Jennifer Carpenter, Anton Bilinski and Louise Taghi were delighted to attend Samuel Ward Academy on Friday 23rd September for their Careers Fayre.

They were delighted with the interest shown by students from year 7 through to year 13 and impressed by the knowledge some already had about the legal profession and Solicitors.

Thanks to the school for inviting us to attend and we look forward to next year.

Leanne Mayes celebrates 20 years.

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Leanne Mayes Adam Harrison Congratulations to Leanne Mayes who celebrated 20 years’ service with Adams Harrison on Friday 16th September.
Leanne works in our Haverhill office and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in our Wills & Probate Department.

Adams Harrison CQS Accreditation July 22 to July 23

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We are delighted to announce that we have been reaccredited from July 2022 – July 2023 by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), which is a recognised quality standard for residential conveyancing practices. We have proudly held the CQS accreditation since 2011, an accreditation currently held by less than 15% of Law Firms in the England and Wales..

This shows our clients and other third parties that we have the expertise to deliver nationally recognised quality residential conveyancing advice; use standardised processes to recognise and reduce risks and that we inform clients about what to expect when using our conveyancing services.

The accreditation also gives greater access to lenders, and demonstrates that we can provide residential conveyancing advice of the level expected by clients, lenders and the wider residential conveyancing community.

Please contact us to discuss your residential conveyancing needs.

Adams Harrison CQS Certificate July 22 to July 23

Long Covid May Amount To A “Disability”

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There are certain conditions that automatically qualify as a disability as set out in the Equality Act 2010.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has stated that Long Covid should not be a condition that automatically constitutes a disability.

However, if a person’s symptoms have a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities it might amount to a disability. This is the same statutory test for any condition/illness.

It is estimated that 1.8 million people in the UK are experiencing Long Covid symptoms. It is classified as Long Covid if Covid-19 symptoms last for more than four weeks.

If you suffer with a condition that amounts to a “disability” then you are afforded the full protection from disability discrimination.

For advice and representation on your right not be discriminated against in the work place contact Jennifer Carpenter, our specialist employment law solicitor.
[email protected]

Christine Gee Celebrates 25 Years

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Christine Gee of Adams Harisson 25 Years Bouquet

Congratulations to Christine Gee who celebrated 25 years working with Adams Harrison and before that Webb & Partners (who Adams Harrison took over in 2008).
Christine has a Specialist Paralegal Diploma in Wills & Probate and works in our Sawston office.

Sarah Murrell Celebrates 15 years

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Sarah Murrell, our Saffron Walden receptionist celebrates 15 years

Sarah Murell Adams Harrison

Actually, Sarah joined the firm in 1998 which makes it 24 years but she did have a brief sojourn and then rejoined the firm 15 years ago.

Congratulations Sarah and we hope you will stay for another 15 years or more!

23 Years Of Legal Excellence For Adams Harrison

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Lexcel Logo We are pleased to announce that following an annual audit last week Adams Harrison solicitors has been re-accredited with Lexcel.

What is Lexcel?

Lexcel is a Law Society legal practice quality mark for client care, compliance and practice management. The assessment process is independent and objective. It means Legal Excellence.

Who has Lexcel?

Lexcel is not obligatory. It was introduced in 1998 by the Law Society and this firm was one of the first to achieve the accreditation. In 2021 approximately 13% of all law firms had achieved Lexcel.

What happens during the annual re-assessment?

The auditor interviews staff and partners selected by him. He audits both open and closed files randomly selected by him. He reviews the firm’s practices and procedures, including policies and office manual.

Auditor’s comments

“The Firm continues to be extremely well run and extremely well managed” “The Practice had proactively addressed the need to become, and remain, compliant with the requirements of the Codes of Conduct introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in November 2019” “The Practice should be highly commended for:- • “the maintenance and continued development of a very robust and effective Business Continuity Plan”. • “maintaining its community and social responsibility policy … the Practice has a long and established track record of community involvement”. • “work being done to safeguard the mental health of staff during the pandemic”. • “Highly effective systems, well managed and well implemented”. • “very clear policies and procedures to manage personal data … with a rolling programme of staff communication and training”. • “develop, implement and communicate a set of core values”. • “high standards in terms of training and developing its people and the ongoing coaching, mentoring and support offered to them”. • “the overall quality of its standard client care and terms of business documents. They are detailed and comprehensive, yet well written”. • “for regular reviews of client satisfaction data”.

This excellent report is as a result of all our staff working terrifically well as an effective and efficient team, putting the needs of our clients at the forefront of everything we do.

Haverhill Rotary Club Young Citizens Awards Dinner

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Adams Harrison were delighted to sponsor the Haverhill Rotary Club Young Citizens Awards Dinner at Haverhill Golf Club on 21st March.

Jennifer Carpenter, Managing Partner, attended the prize giving. The awards were made by the District Governor, Ian Elliot of the District Rotary Club to four local students chosen by their head teachers. 2 students from Samuel Ward Academy School were chosen by Mr Andy Hunter; and 2 students from Castle Manor Academy School were chosen by Mrs Vanessa Whitcombe.

Jennifer said

It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and a fantastic award to support. The students were all very well deserving in receiving the award for their outstanding contribution to school and community life and for being great young role models to their peers.

The Rotary Club stated that it was an apt award for them to present as the Rotary moto is “Service above Self”.

Haverhill Rotary Club Young Citizens Awards Dinner 02

Haverhill Rotary Club Young Citizens Awards Dinner 01

Huge payment of compensation ordered in case brought against a London bank

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A huge payment of compensation ordered in sex discrimination, equal pay and victimisation case brought by Ms Macken against a London bank, BNP Paribas.

An Employment Tribunal previously concluded that the bank has spitefully and vindictively discriminated against Ms Macken and caused her psychiatric harm. The bank has been ordered to pay £2,081,449.70 in compensation.

The case is interesting because in addition to the compensation figures being high it is believed to be one of the first cases where a Tribunal has ordered an employer to undertake an audit within the provisions of the Equal Pay Audit Regulations 2014. The bank tried to argue that an audit was not necessary but the Tribunal have ordered that it was and must be thorough and completed by June 2022.

For advice as an employee or employer on discrimination claims please contact Jennifer Carpenter, specialist employment law solicitor and partner at Adams Harrison.
[email protected]