Sickness Absence Seminar – June 2013

 

Baines Wilson LLP invite you to attend their seminar to discuss techniques for managing absence and to help take the stress out of managing sick employees.
 
Our Employment Law Team have teamed up with Sage Occupational Health, The Lancaster Physiotherapy Clinic and the Cumbria Stress & Trauma Centre to deliver a multi-disciplinary approach to managing absence.
 
This half day seminar will provide you with an update on what many businesses find a challenging area of management. It will explore changes in sickness absence and disability legislation and case law, including key issues faced by employers. 
ASK THE EXPERTS… you can raise any questions you have on sickness related matters on the day and our experts will provide you with practical and pragmatic advice.
 
The seminar will be held at venues in Cumbria and Lancaster and will cover the following areas:
  • Not Fit for Work? Moving to Dismissal   Tom Scaife, Baines Wilson LLP
  • Too Stressed for Work?   Vicki Hastings, Cumbria Stress & Trauma Centre
  • Sickness Absence — Busting the Myths   Angela Tomlinson, Sage Occupational Health
  • Workplace Adjustments — What is Reasonable?   Joanne Holborn, Baines Wilson LLP
  • Back Pain — Prevention v Treatment   Brett Fletcher, The Lancaster Physiotherapy Clinic
Dates and Venues
Tuesday 18 June 2013, at Carlisle Racecourse
 
Thursday 20 June 2013, at The Swan Hotel, Newby Bridge
 
Tuesday 25 June 2013, at Lancaster House Hotel, Ellel, Lancaster
 
9.30 am – 12.30 pm (approx) (followed by buffet lunch)
 
Registration from 9.00 am when tea, coffee and danish pastries will be available.
 
Cost – £75 plus VAT per delegate.
 
If you wish to book a place on one of these seminars, please contact Lindsay Malthouse, or, alternatively, a booking form can be found by clicking here.
 
19 April 2013

Baines Wilson LLP ranked as the leading corporate law firm in Cumbria
We are delighted to report that the 2013 edition of the Chambers UK Guide ranks our corporate team as the leading corporate team in Cumbria, and recognises our employment team as one of two joint leading teams for employment work in Cumbria.
 
The Chambers UK Guide provides independent client-led intelligence on the legal profession, after assessing qualities such as technical legal ability, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence and commitment.
 
Chambers state that the high quality advice on offer from our corporate team and the experience that it offers means that the team is the ideal local alternative to larger teams based elsewhere in the North West. Clients state that the team has “the relevant skills, experience and expertise for all types of work, regardless of complexity”.
 
John Wilson is described as having an “excellent reputation” and as “the driving force in the business”, with “a high profile in the local professional community”.
 
Andrew Hill, who is ranked as the leading corporate lawyer in Cumbria, is described as “very efficient, highly commercial and a good team player”, with Chambers going on to state that he is particularly admired for his project management skills, with clients stating that “he is a very good communicator and keeps all parties up to speed at all times”.
 
Chambers state that clients commend our employment team for its “fast response times”, “use of clear English” and “friendly, efficient approach”. Jo Holborn, who heads the employment team, is noted for her “tactical awareness” and her “measured and balanced approach”.
 
 
 
Managing partner, John Wilson, comments:-
 
“We are naturally delighted with the latest recognition of the quality of advice and service that we offer and would like to thank everyone who recommended us to Chambers.
 
It is particularly pleasing to note that our ability to offer a local alternative to larger teams based elsewhere in the North West is specifically acknowledged. We are certainly seeing this reflected in a growing trend for businesses to move away from the larger national and regional law firms to smaller niche commercial firms like ourselves, where clients can get the benefit of a more personal, partner led service at significantly lower charge out rates, without any compromise with regard to quality and commerciality of advice.
 
With the opening of our new Lancaster office, we will be able to more easily offer businesses and entrepreneurs in Lancaster and South Cumbria who require specialist commercial advice a real local alternative to larger commercial law firms in Manchester and Preston”.
 
If you would like to know more about our corporate department and the services we are able to provide please contact Andrew Hill or John Wilson on 01228 552600 or email one of them at cca@baineswilson.co.uk.
 
6 November 2012

Baines Wilson and ACAS team up for training

We have teamed up with ACAS to stage five unique training courses covering key issues in employment relations.

The collaboration provides an opportunity for line managers, company owners/directors and Human Resource professionals to receive training and the latest legal guidance.
 
Under the banner of Promoting Employment Relations and HR Excellence, the events will cover Conducting a Fair and Proper Disciplinary Investigation, TUPE and Outsourcing - All you need to know about staff transfers, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour at Work and a Mock Employment Tribunal.
 
Training will be led by Joanne Holborn and her team of expert employment lawyers alongside ACAS staff.
 
Pete Monaghan, Area Director of ACAS North West said “The collaboration brings together the wide ranging experiences of both our teams in providing practical help for businesses within an Employment Law context. In an ever changing workplace this kind of training is becoming vital for companies large or small.”
 
Joanne Holborn added: “We are delighted to be working with ACAS for these events. Our Employment Law Update seminars are well known throughout Cumbria and we believe this initiative will be of further benefit to Cumbrian businesses.”  
 
All courses will be held at Carlisle Racecourse between November 2012 and March 2013:-
 
Conducting Investigations: Common Pitfalls and Practical Solutions
Venue: Carlisle Racecourse
Dates: 08/11/2012 AND 19/02/2013 Time 09:30 - 16:00
Price: £235.00 + VAT - Total £282.00 per person.
 
TUPE and Outsourcing: All you need to know about staff transfers
Venue: Carlisle Racecourse
Date: 28/11/12 Time 09:30 - 16:00
Price: £235.00 + VAT - Total £282.00 per person.
 
Dealing with Challenging Behaviour at Work
Venue: Carlisle Racecourse
Date: 15/01/2013 Time 09:30 - 16:00
Price: £235.00 + VAT - Total £282.00 per person
 
Mock Employment Tribunal
Venue: Carlisle Racecourse
Date: 19/03/2013 Time 09:30 - 16:00
Price: £235.00 + VAT - Total £282.00 per person
 
To book any of the above courses please call the ACAS Customer Services Team on 08457 38 37 36 or visit the ACAS website www.acas.org.uk.
 
26 October 2012

Employment Law Update Seminars Sell Out

We would like to extend a big thank you to all those who attended our Employment Law Update Seminars in Carlisle, Newby Bridge and Lancaster. 

The seminars highlighted key issues facing businesses and employers with changes and new developments in employment legislation and were all a sell-out. 

Nearly 100 delegates attended the three seminars and were given practical advice covering long term ill health dismissals, recent developments relating to sickness absence and holidays, an update on the Equality Act 2010 as well as a general case law and legislation update. 

Attendees at the seminars commented: -

  • "Speakers were very knowledgeable and used plain English"
  • "As ever very informative & relevant to the workplace and everyday situations"
  • "Easy to understand & good coverage of the changes & updates coming up"

The firm's employment department is going through a period of unprecedented growth and now have a vacancy for an Employment Law assistant solicitor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Lancaster Office
We are pleased to announce that we are opening a new Lancaster office at Lancaster Business Park, just off Junction 34.
 
The premises are being refitted and the office will open late October/early November 2012. The firm’s two offices in Carlisle and Lancaster will now jointly service our client base which is mainly centered in Cumbria and Lancashire.
 
Managing Partner John Wilson says: 
 
“This is an exciting time for the firm. We expect to recruit between 4 and 6 lawyers into the new Lancaster office over the next eighteen months.  
We think the Lancaster and Morecambe area needs a specialist commercial law firm. Most importantly, local businesses will no longer need to use Manchester or Preston based lawyers for specialist commercial legal work.”
 
Baines Wilson already acts for many of the North’s leading businesses and entrepreneurs as well as well-known North-West based plcs.
 
8 October 2012

Expanding our capabilities

After bringing Litigation expert Isobel Milburn from Pinsent Masons in London, we've found a Cumbrian-based senior lawyer with the ethos and expertise required to fit into our team ... Matthew Bibby joins our Commercial Property department, which acts for many of the north’s leading property businesses, as well as national players.

Matthew says: “I’m delighted to have joined Baines Wilson. The quality of the firm’s lawyers, clients and work is second to none."

Matthew previously worked for Bell Park Kerridge and Cartmell Shepherd.

26 September 2012

Legal 500

This week, Legal 500 has published its report, drawn from independent analysis and client comment. Once again, all our departments are recommended. The significance of this, is that it reassures businesses in our region of the excellence of our service.

Managing Partner John Wilson commented on the Legal 500 analysis: -

"Larger businesses are moving away from big national and regional law firms to smaller specialist commercial firms like ourselves.

Clients are attracted by a combination of more personal, partner-led service and significantly lower charge-out rates without any compromise of quality and commerciality of advice."

All of our core commercial departments of Corporate and Commercial, Commercial Property, Employment law and Dispute Resolution, were recognised and recommended.

Our Corporate and Commercial team is described as ‘excellent’ and is jointly headed by ‘driving force in the business’ John Wilson and Andrew Hill. Andrew has ‘impressive experience and attention to detail’, and recently advised French-based company Onet on the acquisition of the entire issued shared capital of Bradtec Deacon Technologies.

Our Commercial Property partner Sean Logue, whose department has again bucked the national trend and expanded during the last year, is singled out for praise. The team has recently appointed a new senior lawyer, Matthew Bibby.

Our Baines Wilson’s Employment team is described as  ‘excellent’ and ‘knowledgeable’ team and as being headed by the ‘professional and concise’ Joanne Holborn, and exclusively acts for employers.
 
Our Dispute Resolution department is also recommended and the Legal 500 commented that “the litigation offering was significantly bolstered by the recent arrival of Isobel Milburn from the London office of Pinsent Masons LLP.”
 
Managing Partner John Wilson comments: -
 
“For over ten years now we have been receiving consistent recognition in the Legal 500 but we are still very pleased to receive these latest recommendations from our clients and the wider business community and we thank all those who recommended us."
 
26 September 2012

New Appointment in Expanding Commercial Property Department

Baines Wilson LLP is pleased to announce that it has promoted two lawyers in its successful and expanding commercial property department.


Duncan Harty has been promoted to Partner and Elizabeth Sewell to Associate.

Managing Partner John Wilson said: “We are delighted to make both of these promotions. Duncan and Elizabeth are extremely important members of our expanding commercial property department. We are bucking national and local trends in this regard as most law firms' commercial property departments are contracting.”

Duncan and Elizabeth joined Baines Wilson in 2006 and 2002 and both were re-trained by the firm as commercial property specialists.

Baines Wilson is also pleased to announce that we have recruited Lynne McFaul to our commercial property team as a paralegal. 

Lynne is a very experienced lawyer who is married with three children and lives in Cockermouth. She previously worked for leading North West Law firms DWF and Weightmans where she was an Associate and Partner, respectively.

Baines Wilson’s commercial property department is headed up by Sean Logue who acts for many leading local and national property developers.

Sean added: “Baines Wilson’s commercial property department has continued to thrive despite the recession and continues to attract new clients including regional and national accounts as well as servicing our many excellent long standing clients with whom we have very close working relationships.”

Our commercial property department provides full service commercial property advice including:-

  • Acquisitions and Disposals

  • Auction Purchases and Sales

  • Property Development

  • Commercial Property Investment

  • Construction

  • Environmental

  • Lettings

  • Property Finance

  • Portfolio Management

  • Property Litigation

22 August 2012

 

Baines Wilson LLP sponsor Women in Business events
A series of Women in Business events across the county organised by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is to be sponsored for the second year by Cumbria-based corporate and commercial law firm Baines Wilson LLP.
The first Women in Business event to be sponsored by Baines Wilson will be at the Inn on the Lake, Glenridding followed by a trip on the Ullswater Steamers on 19 June.
 
The series of events provide networking opportunities for Cumbrian business women along with the opportunity to develop business connections and promote business within the county.
 
This year’s series of events will help women promote their businesses, create new outlets and give new starters the experience of gaining new contacts.
 
Joanne Holborn, a partner in Baines Wilson and Head of Employment and Employment Training said: “As legal experts, advising only businesses, we know the importance of getting the right advice and support when running a business – and the importance of networking events.
 
“Many more women are now running businesses. We wanted to support the Chamber of Commerce in their initiative to help business women grow their businesses with support and opportunities within the county.
 
“We are also delighted to sponsor the annual Cumbrian Business Woman of the Year Award, which was launched by the Chamber in 2011. The accolade is awarded at the annual conference, which will take place in November this year, a celebration of Women in Business in the county.
 
“We look forward to working with the Chamber and meeting the new as well as the established female entrepreneurs who are working hard across Cumbria and making a significant contribution to the local economy.”
 
Catherynn Dunstan, Events Development Manager at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce/Made in Cumbria said: “No matter who you are, running a business requires a range of skills including being able to manage finances, market your business, understand the legal requirements, staff recruitment, health and safety, to name but a few.  You don’t have to have knowledge of each of these areas, an accountant can look after your finances, advertising agencies can help with marketing and Baines Wilson can assist with your legal requirements.

“Successful female entrepreneurs possess particular personal characteristics.  They are energetic, not afraid to take risks, motivated and tenacious.  Even armed with these qualities, setbacks will be encountered along the way.  Running your own business is hard work and involves long hours. We are delighted to be working with Baines Wilson to support local businesswomen.

“Throughout the year we hold a variety of networking events, allowing you to make new contacts and generate business.  We also run specific women in business events, allowing you to share your experiences and contacts with other female entrepreneurs.”
 
15 June 2012

Dedicated Agribusiness team

Baines Wilson LLP has over the years developed a strong reputation for the provision of pragmatic sound commercial advice to businesses based in Cumbria and throughout the UK.

We act for some of Cumbria’s larger farm businesses and have done so since the firm was established in 1999. We also act for some of the leading local and national businesses involved in the agricultural services sector; including suppliers of agricultural machinery foodstuffs or fuel in addition to purchasers and/or processors of agricultural products.

Given our experience and expertise both to the wider business community and specifically to this sector and also in recognition of the changing nature of the agricultural sector, we have made the decision to formally put in place a team dedicated to serving the needs of Agribusiness clients.

Introducing the team

The Agribusiness Team is made up of:

Commercial Partner John Wilson who deals with the corporate and commercial aspects including renewables projects, commercial agreements, acquisitions and disposals of businesses.

 

 

 

Employment Partner Joanne Holborn who has specialist knowledge of dealing with employees in the agricultural sector.

 

 

 

 

Commercial Property Associate Duncan Harty a member of the Commercial Property team who will deal with property matters including purchases, sales and tenancy aspects.

 
 
 
Services

The range of services the Agribusiness Team provides includes: -

  • Farm and Estates sales and purchases
  • Energy schemes (including wind turbines, hydro and biogas)
  • Purchase and sale of agricultural sector businesses and companies
  • Utilities easements and wayleaves
  • Partnership and business advice
  • Advice on the full range of commercial agreements, including long term supply agreements
  • Joint Ventures
  • Employment law issues
  • Contracts and handbooks
  • Landlord and Tenant
  • Intellectual property and branding

For further information regarding our Agribusiness services please contact John Wilson, Duncan Harty or Joanne Holborn.