News & Articles -
News Archive
New Family Department at Bedford Row
(Posted August 06)
We are pleased to announce the opening of a new Family Law department at our office at 8 Bedford Row, WC1 on 4th September 2006. The move aims to better serve our expanding client base and to offer a convenient central London location for those seeking family law advice.
The new department will be headed up by Camilla Thornton, a partner of the firm since 1998. Camilla is an experienced and highly respected family lawyer who specialises in all aspects of family law and in particular, advising on pre-nuptial agreements and complex financial settlements involving family trusts, businesses and high value pensions on separation and divorce.
Russell-Cooke, who are listed in Chambers UK as one of London’s leading family law firms, will now be able to offer family law expertise from all three of its offices, central London, Putney and Kingston. In addition to advice on divorce and separation, the teams can offer expertise in more specialist areas such as children law ( including adoption and care proceedings), international abduction, mediation, collaborative practice and all aspects of civil partnerships.
Partnership Announcement
(Posted June 06)
The firm is pleased to announce that two solicitors from the Commercial Property Group have been promoted to partner reflecting the continuing growth and development of the team. Angela Dennis, who works at the firm's Putney office and Ian Goldsmith from the central London office in Bedford Row will become partners of the firm from the 1st July 2006.
For more information please click here
Russell-Cooke named on Law Society Intervention Panel
(Posted June 06)
Russell-Cooke has once again been retained to undertake intervention work on behalf of the Law Society. Following a rigorous review and tendering process, the Law Society cut its panel from 80 to just 24 firms to act as intervention agents.
Agents are empowered to wind up firms who have been closed down by the Law Society for breaches of the strict rules that govern the conduct solicitors. This involves seizing money and files to protect the interests of the defaulting firm’s clients.
Russell-Cooke has been undertaking intervention work for almost 20 years and is the most experienced firm on the panel. The firm has developed a bespoke database programme to manage the mass of administration resulting from an intervention and the intervention team’s management system has been accredited with the EN ISO 9001:2000 quality assurance standard.
Russell-Cooke Assists ‘House Hijack’ Family
(Posted June 06)
Two Russell-Cooke departments have been advising a family in a recent high profile case. The case, which has been reported in several national newspapers, involved the McGettrick family whose home was taken possession of by builders following a dispute as to the final sum to be paid to them. The McGettricks entered into a contract with Cornerstone Construction Group Ltd to carry out refurbishment works to their home. Under the contract, the Contract Administrator was to be given an opportunity to inspect the works after the builders had left site so as to certify the value of the works (less any sums that could under the contract be properly deducted) and the final sum to be paid to the builders. Rather than leave site and allow the Contract Administrator do to that, the builders barricaded themselves in the McGettricks home and changed the locks, leaving the family homeless and forcing them to find alternative accommodation for two weeks whilst the case was resolved. The builders refused to voluntarily give up possession unless sums, far in excess of what is believed to be due to them, were paid.
The McGettricks instructed Marianne Avery in Russell-Cooke’s Contentious Property department to assist them in regaining possession of their home. Marianne is highly experienced in possession matters and was able to issue court proceedings swiftly and obtain an expedited hearing date. The case was heard earlier this month and Judge William Rose deemed the builders to be trespassing and ordered them to immediately leave the McGettricks home. In addition, he ordered the builders to pay the McGettricks £3000 by way of damages and £2720 court costs.
Russell-Cooke is also helping the family resolve their dispute with Cornerstone Construction as to the value and quality of works carried out, the sums that can be properly deducted under the contract and the final sum to be paid to them. Kerry Talbot in the firm’s Commercial Litigation team is advising the couple as to their rights under the contract in regard to these outstanding matters and the case is continuing.
Russell-Cooke Wins Landmark ‘Whistleblower’ Case
(Posted June 06)
Russell-Cooke has been involved in a recent landmark employment law case at the Court of Appeal. Alex Bearman, a solicitor in Russell-Cooke's Employment department, represented Diana Woodward in her successful claim for permission to take her former employer, Abbey National, to a tribunal over claims she had been victimised for blowing the whistle.
She claimed that, following her redundancy, the bank had given her a poor reference in retribution for ‘whistleblowing’ after she had "voiced her concerns" over the bank's handling of funds for institutional investors. Mrs Woodward, who was formerly Head of Financial Institutions, claimed that the bank was trying to ruin her career.
The case received a great deal of media attention and was widely reported in legal journals because it was the first time the Employment Rights Act has been applied to protect a former employee from action taken by their former employer after the employment has come to an end. Mrs Woodward’s case had been dismissed at an earlier Employment Tribunal because it considered that a previous Court of Appeal decision meant that it had no jurisdiction but Lord Justice Ward at the Court of Appeal overturned this decision to allow Mrs Woodward to make a claim for damages against Abbey National. He said: “It simply makes no sense at all to protect the current employee but not the former employee, especially since the frequent response of the embittered, exposed employer may well be dismissal and a determination to make life impossible for the nasty little sneak for as long thereafter as he can……He who blows the whistle should be protected when he becomes victimised for doing so, whenever the retribution is exacted."
Alex Bearman, who has represented Mrs Woodward since shortly after she began her damages case in 2003, said: “The ruling means that the protection which whistleblowers enjoy from suffering victimisation will not come to an end as soon as the employment is terminated and it brings the law in this area in line with anti-discrimination legislation”.
Alex was interviewed on Radio Four’s ‘Law in Action’ programme on the implications of the ruling. Click here to download the programme.
Charity Team named in top three legal advisors
(Posted April 06)
Russell-Cooke's Charity Team have been listed has one of the top legal advisors in the RCM Top 3000 Charities 2006. The publication ranks firms according to how many of the top 3000 charities they represent. The Charity Team were instructed by 51 new clients from the top 3000 in 2006 to see them leap from fifth to third in the rankings.
The team has grown significantly in order to handle the increased workload. Four experienced solicitors have joined the team in the last twelve months and another is due to start in the summer. Please click here to find out more about the work of the Charity Team and their clients.
Merger to enhance client services in Surrey
(Posted March 06)
Russell-Cooke is pleased to announce that on 1st April 2006, the firm will merge with established Surrey solicitors Caporn Campbell. Caporn Campbell’s 12 solicitors and support staff will join Russell-Cooke’s 32 strong team at its Kingston upon Thames office.
The merger will broaden the range of expertise in Russell-Cooke’s existing Conveyancing and Family law teams in Kingston. More significantly however, the addition of Caporn Campbell’s experienced private client solicitors, lead by Roger Ford, means that the firm will be able to offer wills, probate, trust and estate planning services at the Kingston office for the first time. The merger will also enhance the offices’ developing commercial property practice.
Caporn Campbell senior partner Roger Ford said: “This is a very positive move. Our clients will benefit from the broader range of services on offer at Russell-Cooke and our staff will enjoy improved support in areas such and IT and facilities allowing them to further develop their professional expertise.”
John Gould, senior partner at Russell-Cooke added: “The merger will allow us to offer new and improved services to our valued Surrey client base and effect further expansion of the Kingston office in the future.”
Following the merger, Russell-Cooke will have almost 300 solicitors and support staff across its offices in Kingston, Putney and Central London. Russell-Cooke will retain its name and Caporn Campbell’s Surbiton and Thames Ditton offices will close from 1st April.
Russell-Cooke Appoints its First Associates
(Posted March 06)
Against the background of the debate concerning the future of solicitors’ partnerships Russell-Cooke, the growing London and Surrey solicitors has appointed two senior legal executives Paul Reed and Gloria McDermott as the first Associates in the firm’s one hundred and twenty-five year history.
These are the first appointments to be made under a new approach designed to encourage the substantial contribution to the firm made by lawyers who are not solicitors.
Associates will have an enhanced role in a number of areas including team building and practice development. An individual annual planning process will allow the Firm to commit the resources required for continued success.
Russell- Cooke’s Senior Partner John Gould said:
“We think our Associate role offers something new to senior lawyers, who don’t happen to be solicitors. Nobody wanted to create an unsatisfying badge of status so we’ve developed a role which allows a broad contribution to the Firm’s development”
Paul Reed is a former National President and Council Member of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX). He is Senior Legal Executive in the Firm’s Commercial Property Department. Gloria McDermott is Senior Legal Executive in the Kingston office’s Residential Property Department. She also lives in Kingston. Together they have 40 years experience advising clients in property related matters.
Summer Placement Scheme
(Posted March 06)
For the first time in many years Russell-Cooke is offering a summer placement scheme in 2006. A limited number of places will be offered for a week in early July. Successful applicants will spend their week in one department and will also have the opportunity to learn more about the various departments in the firm and the career opportunities on offer. Click here for further details.
Eton College Settle Sarah Forsyth Claim
(Posted Feb 06)
Anthony Sakrouge, head of Russell-Cooke's Employment department, has been acting for Sarah Forsyth, a teacher who brought a claim against Eton College. Following the Tribunal's finding that Ms Forsyth was unfairly dismissed and before the assessment of damages hearing, the claim was settled for £45,000. The parties issued a joint statement saying "Ms Forsyth and Eton College have reached an agreement on a settlement acceptable to both parties and the proceedings between them are now concluded." Ms Forsyth also said that she was content that the compensation which Eton had agreed to pay her constituted recognition that she had been unfairly treated.
Russell-Cooke Secure Record Damages for Sky
(Posted Dec 05)
Peter Cadman, partner and head of Professional Regulation, recently won £65,000 in damages for British Sky Broadcasting from a north London company that operated a number of licensed premises that were showing Sky without the correct commercial viewing agreement. The company agreed an out of court settlement which was the highest ever awarded to Sky for showing their live football matches illegally.
Praise for Russell-Cooke Training Programme
(Posted Dec 05)
The Lex 100 and the Chambers Student Guide are two publications which aim to guide graduates into trainee positions at suitable firms. Both books, which are also published on the web, interview current trainees at a range of law firms to get an overview of the firm and what trainees can expect from their training contracts. The latest editions of the books were published recently and Russell-Cooke has been widely praised for the diversity of its training programme.
The Lex 100 survey rates firms' training contracts for job satisfaction, quality of work, client contact, helpful colleagues, stress levels, working hours, social life, friendliness, likelihood of being kept on and likelihood of being with the firm in five years time. Russell-Cooke featured in the top ten firms in eight of those categories - no other firm reviewed did better.
Chambers Student Guide highlighted that the firm's unusually broad range of specialist departments made it a 'clever choice' for those who were undecided about the area of law they wanted to specialise in after their contract.
Russell-Cooke takes in 5-6 trainees a year. The training contract lasts for two years and each trainee spends 6 months in four different departments.
Click here to see the LEX 100 Survey.
Click here to see the Chambers Student Guide.
Russell-Cooke Shine In Legal 500 and Chambers Directories
(Posted Dec 05)
The recent publication of the two most highly regarded legal directories, Chambers Guide and the Legal 500 show that Russell-Cooke continues to grow both in size and the breadth and depth of its specialisations
In terms of the number of fee earners, Russell-Cooke is now the 55th largest law firm in London (up from 61st last year) and 108th in the country (up from 137th last year).
Russell-Cooke is recommended in a number of work areas. Crime, Family, Commercial Property, Charities and Contentious Trusts & Probate are recognised once again this year and the firm moved up the rankings for Professional Discipline. Although they have long been recommended in the Legal 500, the Property Litigation team was recommended by Chambers this year too.
The two mergers in 2005 led to the firm being recommended in new areas such as Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury, Advertising & Marketing, Music and Theatre.
Several of the firm's solicitors have been singled out as leaders in their fields: Deborah Blythe, Peter Cadman, Jae Carwardine, Tim Curtis, Lawrence Harrison, Jason Hunter, Terry Lee, Samantha Little, and James Sinclair Taylor.
Click here to see our recommendations in Chambers.
Click here to see our recommendations in the Legal 500.
Richard Frimston Addresses the European Union on Cross-Border Wills Issues
(Posted Nov 05)
Richard Frimston, partner and head of the Private Client department, was recently invited to address the European Parliament Committee on Legal Affairs on the issue of which country's law applies when executing wills with a cross-border dimension. Richard is a member of a number of working parties including that of the Law Society and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners who have been considering the issue for some time. The outcome of the meeting was that new EU legislation was required to clarify the issue and that the most applicable law should be the law of the state where the person was last habitually resident unless the person chooses otherwise.
Russell-Cooke Launches Civil Partnership Webpage
(Posted Nov 05)
The Civil Partnership Act which comes into force on December 5th will have far reaching legal implications. In response, Russell-Cooke have launched a dedicated area of the site to offer advice to those contemplating taking the step. The page looks at the impact a civil partnership has in areas such as childcare, inheritance, and tax. It also considers pre-partnership agreements (similar to pre-nuptial agreements) and what happens in the case of relationship breakdown. Click here to go to the page.
New partner strengthens the Russell-Cooke Commercial Property Group
Russell-Cooke is pleased to announce that Howard Swindall joins its Commercial Property Group as a partner on 5th September 2005. Howard, who has more than 25 years experience in the sector, brings Russell-Cooke's flourishing property group to 12 partners and 33 fee earners overall. His appointment is key to the continuing development of Russell-Cooke as a national leader in commercial property law. Howard spent more than 22 years in the Commercial Property Group at Richards Butler, including over 19 years as a partner, before making the decision to leave and join Russell-Cooke.
Click here for full press release.
New Partner Announcement
Russell-Cooke is pleased to announce that Paul Greatholder and Donall Murphy have been made partners in the firm as of 1st July 2005.
Paul works in Russell-Cooke's Contentious Property department. He specialises in all areas of contentious property work, including business tenancy renewals, commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes (including bringing or resisting possession proceedings), party wall disputes, rights of light actions, rent arrears recovery and freehold land disputes. Paul is a Director of the Property Litigation Association.
Donall works in Russell-Cooke's Conveyancing department based in Putney, where he specialises in all aspects of residential property. Donall Qualified in 1997 before going on to work for Murray Maclean & Krieger. He joined Russell-Cooke in 2002.
The new appointments mean that Russell-Cooke now has 40 partners in its offices in Central London, Putney and Kingston-upon-Thames.
Sarah Forsyth wins unfair dismissal claim against Eton College.
Click for the Full Press Release
Russell-Cooke 10th Annual Law Prize
The 10th Annual Russell-Cooke law prize was awarded to Suzanne Franzkowiak. The prize is given each year to the best academically performing student on Kingston University's Post Graduate Diploma in Law course and is a welcome boost to its recipients as they embark on their legal careers.
Suzanne said " I had a fantastic year at Kingston University…the course was very positive and it really spurred me on to continue in Law".
She is currently completing her LPC at Guilford and has a training contract at BP Collins lined up.
Russell-Cooke wishes Suzanne all the best with her future career.
Sponsorship News
Russell-Cooke is pleased to announce that it will once again be the sole sponsor of the Roehampton Gold Cup, one of the leading competitions for professional and amateur lady golfers. The event will take place on Saturday 23rd April 2005 at the Roehampton Club, Roehampton Lane, London SW15 5LR. Spectators are most welcome. More information can be found at www.roehamptonclub.co.uk
The firm is also pleased to announce a new sponsorship with Polka Theatre in Wimbledon. The theatre is one of the few venues in the UK which is dedicated to producing and presenting high quality theatre for young audiences. Amongst other things, Russell-Cooke's support will allow the theatre to further extend its programme of workshops and after school activities.
Russell-Cooke Merge with Leading Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Practice
The partners of Russell-Cooke are pleased to announce that on 1st March 2005, the firm merged with Evill & Coleman solicitors. The merger has significantly enhanced the firm's existing Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence team as Evill & Coleman are national leaders in this area of law. Russell-Cooke retains its name.
Based in the firm's Putney offices, Russell-Cooke's enhanced Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence department numbers thirty solicitors and support staff, including an in-house damages expert and a medically qualified member of staff to advise on the clinical aspects of claims. All the solicitors in the department are specialists, including members of the Law Society Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Panel and support groups such as Headway and the Spinal Injuries Association.
Evill and Coleman's clinical negligence team has built its national reputation handling cerebral palsy and catastrophic cases, as well as obstetric, gynaecology, cardiology and dental claims. The personal injury team handles a range of work from highway accidents to occupational diseases and specialises in sporting injuries, particularly rugby.
John Gould, Senior Partner of Russell-Cooke said: "There can be little doubt that the limited resources available to small niche firms have had an adverse impact on their willingness to take on high-risk personal injury and negligence cases, particularly since the removal of legal aid for personal injury cases. This merger is therefore mutually beneficial. We gain from the addition of a highly experienced team with a national reputation; they benefit from a level of technical and logistical support only available in a larger firm."
"Most importantly, the clients' gain is two-fold: the services of an enhanced, highly specialist team to fight personal injury and clinical negligence cases and, should they need it, ready access to all the other legal services they might require in connection with their cases."
Deborah Blythe of Evill & Coleman said: "This is an exciting time for us. We are looking forward to building on our existing reputation with a set up that allows us to represent our clients in high-profile cases on a much more level playing field."
Tale of Two Winners
The Russell-Cooke sponsored athletes had a hugely successful summer after excelling in the areas of rowing and fencing.
Rebecca Romero won a Silver medal in the Athens Olympics after she stroked the British Women's quadruple sculls team to second behind the gold medal winners, Germany. Alison Mowbray, Debbie Flood, Frances Houghton and Rebecca were gaining on the German team as they crossed the line but left themselves with too much to do and were just pipped to the finish line by two seconds.
Rebecca's 2004 season started well after she earned gold in the season's opening World Cup in Poznan, before adding silver in the World Cup event in Munich and gold in the Lucerne World Cup.
Thomas Cadman, of the London Thames Fencing Club in Barnes, was crowned British National Champion in July. Thomas has been one of the country's top epeeists for a number of years, but his recent performances at the Championships, which were held at RAF Cosford, pushed him to the top of the national league table.
SFLA Accreditation for Russell-Cooke Solicitor
Anna Keat, a Solicitor in Russell-Cooke's Matrimonial department, has received a significant accolade after achieving Accredited Specialist status with the Solicitors Family Law Association (SFLA).
Anna's accreditation has been awarded in the areas of financial provision on divorce and international child abduction, and recognises her skills in handling family disputes.
The SFLA scheme is intended to help those faced with family breakdown make informed choices when seeking legal advice.
To qualify as an Accredited Specialist Anna was required to prove a thorough understanding of child and family law, demonstrate her knowledge of the latest developments in legislation affecting family finance and have established standards of good professional practice.
For further details about the SFLA click here.
Russell-Cooke Consulted by the Telegraph
Richard Frimston, partner and head of the Private Client department, was invited to contribute to an article which appeared in the Sunday Telegraph on 4th July 2004.
The article, which featured in the Money section, focused on the various tax implications of buying properties abroad.
Richard is a recognised expert in multi-jurisdictional estates and is Chairman of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners' (STEP) Cross Border Property and Succession Group. He recently represented STEP at the European Union Succession Conference and reported back to the Law Society's International Issues Committee.
Richard can be contacted at:
frimstonr@russell-cooke.co.uk
New Partner Announcement
Russell-Cooke is pleased to announce that Samantha Little and Shivaji Shiva have been made partners in the firm as of 1st July 2004.
Samantha works in Russell-Cooke's Childcare Department where she specialises in care proceedings, adoption, and residence and contact cases. She is a member of the Law Society's Children Panel, the National Association of Guardians ad Litem and Reporting Officers, the Solicitors Family Law Association and the Association of Lawyers for Children.
Shivaji advises charities and voluntary organisations on a range of commercial issues, including trademark and copyright, advice on funding agreements, fair trade, and the legal aspects of employment policies. He also provides advice on employing new media, managing research contracts, brand protection and regulatory issues.
The new appointments means Russell-Cooke now has 37 partners in offices in Central and South West London, and Kingston-upon-Thames.
In other partner news, Pauline Droop has retired as a
partner of the firm but is retained as a consultant for the Employment Department.
Top 5 for Charities
Russell-Cooke's Charity Team has been listed amongst the top five legal advisors in the country for charities and the voluntary sector in the recently published Dresdner RCM Top 3000 Charities 2004.
The publication is a highly regarded charities guide and Russell-Cooke's inclusion, ahead of global firms such as Eversheds and Linklaters, is recognition of the committment and expertise of James Sinclair Taylor and his team.
Click here to visit our Charities department.
Stepping Out 2004
In the face of very strong competition, the winner of the 2004 'Stepping Out' T-shirt design competition was Abby Fox of St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Putney.
Councillor Chief Mrs. Lola Ayonrinde, The Mayor of Wandsworth presented Abby with her prize during assembly at St Mary's on Friday.
Russell-Cooke's Managing Partner, Nigel Coates, and School Travel Plans Co-ordinator at Wandsworth Borough Council, Jane Greatholder were there to see Abby being presented with her winning design, as was Abby's proud Mum.
Abby and each member of her class who entered the competition received a T-shirt depicting the winning design, along with goody bags containing gifts to support walking to school and outdoor activities.
As part of the build up to Wandsworth Council's Walk to School week a selection of the judges favourite designs are featured as part of a 'Stepping Out' exhibition in both Putney and Roehampton Children's libraries during the next few weeks.
This year's competition was the most popular ever, with almost 200 entries from schools across Putney and the judges found the decision-making process even harder than ever.
"We were delighted with the response from schools in Putney this year even though it made our job much harder", said Jane Greatholder, School Travel Plans Co-ordinator at Wandsworth Council and member of the judging panel.
Nigel Coates Stepping Out judge and Managing Partner of Russell-Cooke said: "We have been bowled-over by the creativity of the children who entered the competition. They show an impressive understanding of the benefits of walking to school on their health and the environment. It has been a pleasure to be involved in the competition once again."
This year's competition was the most popular ever, with almost 200 entries from seven schools across Putney.
Jason Hunter published by Law Society
Russell-Cooke Partner and Head of the Contentious Property Department, Jason Hunter had his book, 'Business Tenancies - A guide to the New Law' published by the Law Society in May.
The book, which is available from Hammicks, highlights the changes in business tenancy law and explains each position before and after the implementation of the Reform Order.
Easing the Pain of Personal Injury Claims
Janice Gardner, Personal Injury Partner in Putney, has been asked to take a number of key roles during the development of the all new London Accident Link, after being made company secretary and a member of the steering committee.
Accident Link was set up in response to the huge rise in unregulated claims management companies who "sold" claims to solicitors and made huge short term profits from selling insurance products to underwrite conditional fee agreements.
In contrast Accident Link is an independent non-profit making organisation that aims to put genuine claimants in touch with reputable and local personal injury specialists.
Through collaboration, firms such as Russell-Cooke are able to pool finance and manpower, and experience and expertise to compete in an increasingly aggressive competitive market.
Janice's involvement means she will be able to assist in the development of the group's strategy and also drive the organisation forward as it aims to make up ground on claims management companies.
Over the next 6 months London Accident Link will be launching a London-dedicated website, running a series of high profile/high quality adverts on Capital Radio and launching London Accident Link with an event at The Law Society Committee Meeting Room.
London Accident Link is the newest addition to the Accident Link group and will be the "jewel in the crown" of the organisation, says Janice. Whereas the other areas and regions only involve a handful of solicitors, which in turn limits their investment potential, London Accident Link has already secured 22 PI specialists, with the potential for another three to sign up within the next few months.
"The aim of London Accident Link is to get back to basics. Many highly reputable solicitors firms became involved with companies like Claims Direct and as a result have got caught up in the backlash. As a group we are looking to restore the credibility of personal injury solicitors".
Charity Commission Appoints Russell-Cooke
The Charity Commission has appointed The Charity Team at Russell-Cooke to its panel of advisors for its 'Receiver Manager' and 'Appointed Intermediary' activities.
As Approved Intermediaries the Charity Team will offer its experience and expertise to assist Receivers and Managers when taking temporary charge of a charity during difficulties.
James Sinclair Taylor, Russell-Cooke Partner and Head of the Charity Team said of the appointment:
"Our application emphasises the leading reputation of the Charity Team in the charity field and the complimentary skills of Russell-Cooke."
Russell-Cooke Rewards Academic Excellence
Russell-Cooke recently awarded its 8th annual Law prize to Amanda Gourlay of Southfields.
The prize is given each year to the best academically performing student on Kingston University's Post Graduate Diploma in Law course and is a welcome financial boost to its recipients as they embark on their legal careers.
"The diploma was very hard work but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was delighted to achieve the grade I did and receiving a prize from Russell-Cooke in acknowledgement of my efforts was the icing on the cake." said Amanda.
Click here to view the full press release.
French Property Partner Joins Sunday Times
Dawn Alderson, Partner and Head of Russell-Cooke's French Law department has been asked to act as legal adviser for a new French law supplement of the Sunday Times.
Dawn will feature as part of a regular monthly column focusing on a range of issues associated with buying or running a property in France.
Dawn first appeared in the newspaper on 1st February in an issue covering a number of areas, including an overview of how new French tax rules will affect British property owners, the differences between UK and French law regarding noise pollution and a feature entitled, How to Keep Your Head Above Water.
UN Agency Instructs Charity Team
The Charity Team at Russell-Cooke has expanded it international work after being retained by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to advise on a range of fundraising and governance issues.
The team already advises a number of other international agencies, including Planned Parenthood and the UK Committee for UNICEF and James Sinclair Taylor, Partner and Head of the Charity Team regards this new work as the next step in its international portfolio.
"We are pleased to be able to further expand our international work and consider this new undertaking in part as recognition of our experience and expertise on international matters", said James.
New Partner Strengthens Private Client Team
Russell-Cooke is pleased to announce that David Biddle has joined the Private Client department as a partner as from 1st January 2004.
David has more than 33 years' experience of dealing with complex wills, trusts and other personal assets. His appointment is central to the continuing development of the highly regarded Private Client department, which specialises in wills, probate, trusts and taxes planning.
David's former firm, Pinsents, are concentrating on developing the commercial side of their practice and David's sense of obligation to his longstanding clients prompted his move to Russell-Cooke, where private client work is strategically important.
David is great-grandson of Frederick William Biddle who in 1876 joined the firm that subsequently became Biddle and Co. David worked some 31 years for the family firm during which time it grew from 9 to 34 partners.
Biddle and Co. merged with Pinsent Curtis in 2001 and thereafter David worked as a partner in the new firm's Personal Tax and Trust team.
Click here to visit our Wills, Probate and Tax department.
March 2004
French Department Expands Business Law Expertise
The French department at Russell-Cooke has expanded its business law expertise after recruiting Patrick Delas from KPMG in Paris.
Patrick's 12 years experience in French corporate law means the department can now offer comprehensive legal services to those looking to set up and run a business in France, in addition to its flourishing property practice.
The development is in response to the changing needs of the department's client base. People are increasingly taking advantage of the cheaper property prices in France to adopt a new lifestyle and this often includes setting up and running their own business.
Patrick Delas joins the French team on 5th January 2004.
For further information see the French Law pages of www.russell-cooke.co.uk or visit www.frenchpropertylaw.co.uk
Charity Team Secures Major New Client
The Charity Team, lead by James Sinclair Taylor, has been appointed to act for Eduserv, the educational grant making and service providing organisation.
The charity, which has a turnover of £14million a year, provides innovative technologies across education and the wider community, as well as investing in learning and research.
A representative from Eduserv said they chose Russell-Cooke because of the Charity Team's 'intelligent approach'.
The team has considerable experience in this field and acts for a number of not-for-profit organisations specialising in the provision of Internet services.
James Sinclair Taylor said of the appointment:
"We are very excited to be working with a charity at the cutting edge of technology as it continues to improve services across the education and training sectors."
The Charity Commission's website can be viewed at:
www.charity-commission.gov.uk
Charity Team Commences New Seminar Series
The Russell-Cooke Charity Team is pleased to announce a new series of seminars aimed at charities and the not-for-profit sector.
The series will cover a range of topics, including Risk Management, Fundraising and Trading, Care Services Contracts and The Role of Company Secretary in a Charity.
The seminars, which begin on the 6th November and will be held at Russell-Cooke's Central London offices, have become an increasingly popular event and places are strictly limited.
For further details and a booking form please click
here.
Charity Team Legal Updates
The Charity Team is pleased to announce that its popular legal updates for charities and the not-for-profit sector will soon be available online at www.russell-cooke.co.uk.
The updates contain the latest legal developments affecting charities and other not-for-profit organisations. The issues addressed range from employment law and racial discrimination, to public sector contracting and the risks associated with managing websites.
If you would like to register to receive the free updates or view past issues then please click here.
Russell-Cooke Launches French Property Website
Russell-Cooke has launched a new French Property Law website that aims to demystify the laws governing French property purchasers and make the process of buying French property simpler.
The site is a comprehensive resource for people looking to buy a property or set up a business in France, and features guides to buying or renting property in France, the latest legal developments in French property law, frequently asked questions and a glossary of useful French property terms.
As the number of people in the UK buying a property in France increases Russell-Cooke has maintained a strong presence in French property law and the firm sees the site as an extension of its specialised service.
Dawn Alderson, Partner in the French department at Russell-Cooke said:
'Because the French system of buying and selling property is very different from the English one, it can have far reaching implications for English purchasers. We see French Property Law as a critical part of our service to existing clients and those looking to make their dream move.
"By employing our vast experience and bilateral approach to buying property abroad, we are able to recognise the concerns of potential buyers and go some way to making their move a less stressful one."
New partner Announcement
Russell-Cooke Solicitors is pleased to announce that Jae Carwardine will be made a Partner in the firm as of 1st October.
Jae is Head of the Criminal department, which is held in high regard and recommended in the Legal 500. She specialises in a range of serious and complex cases, both privately and publicly funded.
Jae has a proven track record of defending professionals whose reputation and/or career is threatened as a result of criminal charges. She is also experienced in dealing with high profile cases that generate local and national media coverage.
The new appointment brings the total number of partners to 35 across Central and South West London, and Kingston-upon-Thames.