The past few weeks has seen a consistency of freezing temperatures and icy conditions unseen in this country for some years. It may be of little surprise to know that here at Archer & Archer we have not been called upon to advise those unfortunate enough to sustain injury from slipping on an area cleared with good intent by a neighbour. In fact, such cases would be very difficult to pursue, despite what the media would suggest, because of issues concerning contributory fault by the injured person, arguments over the degree of care and extent of the duty owed by the well meaning neighbour, and the ability of that neighbour to meet any order for compensation and costs awarded to the injured person.
We are pleased to have appointed to our staff as from the very beginning of the New Year, Wendy Baish, who has arrived to assist our very busy Accounts Manager, John Bailey. Wendy joins us directly from a similar position held at Stanley Tee LLP, Solicitors in Bishop’s Stortford and will be a valuable addition to our team. Wendy’s appointment follows that of Rachel Conn in September 2009 as a Senior Solicitor in the Wills & Probate department. Rachel brings a wealth of experience in this area of law to Archer & Archer and was previously a Partner at Lorimer Longhurst & Lees (now Stanley Tee LLP).
Michael Judkins & John Thorogood taking part in the Ely 8
(Photo courtesy of the Ely Weekly News)
Those of you looking carefully through the “Ely Weekly News” last month would have seen evidence of the fitness of my two partners Michael and John, photographed taking part in September’s Ely 8 event, organised by the Arthur Rank Foundation. The occasion was sponsored by Archer and Archer and features four to a team, two runners and two walkers, relaying over 8 miles – hence the name. Without making too great a point, it’s fair to say that same Archer & Archer team managed to walk ( and run ) away with the first prize. The Arthur Rank hospice provides much-needed palliative and respite care, extending out here in Ely, and we certainly hope to support them next time.
As one of the few firms in East Anglia still offering Legal Aid in all the areas of work covered, we find ourselves entering into a new process, now being introduced by the Government, of “tendering” for the work. Time will tell what difference, if any, this new system will bring, but the likely result is an eventual further drop in providers of publicly-funded services that were years ago available from most lawyers, but are now in very short supply. Archer and Archer currently remain committed to the continuing provision of Legal Aid, subject to the outcome of the tendering process.
Rachel Shaw - January / February 2010