28 ■ LEGAL
Morecrofts Solicitors appoint three new associates LEADING Merseyside law firm Morecrofts has appointed three new Solicitor Associates. Gaynor Lanceley, Helen Dring and Mark Fergusson will now join three other associates at the well-established firm, which provides a wide range of services in areas such as commercial company law, property, insolvency, dispute resolution, probate and all
aspects of family law including resolving disputes by mediation and collaborative law. Morecrofts managing partner Helen Broughton said: “We aim to bring a fresh and dynamic approach to Liverpool and also the North West’s legal services and these three people, with their backgrounds and knowledge, are very welcome additions to our team.”
(L-R) Gaynor Lanceley, Mark Fergusson and Helen Dring
Ray Goodman becomes chairman of the lawyers section of NASDA ONE of Liverpool’s wellknown solicitors has been appointed chairman of the lawyers section of the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants (NASDA). Ray Goodman, senior partner at Goodman Legal on Rodney Street, will head up the group of specialist dental lawyers, which was formed to work alongside NASDA to make it easier for dentists to select and appoint complementary
specialist advisors. Mr Goodman, who has more than 25 years experience in acting for dentists in practice acquisition and disposal, described NASDA’s membership as ‘a badge of excellence’. He added that two of the group’s main priorities were to develop standard contracts for the buying and selling of dental practices to help to promote speedy and robust sales and also to develop the members’
Brabners Chaffe Street reports increase in holiday claims activity THE holiday season is upon us and local solicitors are already seeing an increase in enquiries from disappointed holiday makers. In the wake of the volcano ash disruption and incidents such as the recent bout of illness on the Boudicca cruise ship, Liverpool law firm Brabners Chaffe Street is reporting an unusually high number of enquiries concerning ruined holiday plans. Paul Lunt, litigation partner at Brabners Chaffe Street, says: “Holidays are extremely important to most people who often spend all year planning for their break. Understandably, they feel very strongly when things go wrong through no fault of their own.” “A common problem in advising disappointed holiday makers is that they often feel the amount of compensation provided for is inadequate or that it doesn’t properly reflect the level of upset
and distress caused to them. In some circumstances, there are regulations that will cover direct costs such as accommodation costs for those that are stranded but the actual compensation for a ruined holiday can be fairly meagre.” Only weeks ago, the Court of Appeal reviewed the level of compensation to be awarded in ruined holiday claims. It acknowledged the “rather low awards” given by the courts but did little to change the position. “One of the highest awards for the distress of a ruined honeymoon was only £4,406. Run of the mill ruined holidays have typically attracted between £80 and £1800” says Lunt. “Holiday makers are advised to look very carefully at the level of cover on their travel insurance to make sure that they will be adequately compensated should anything go wrong.”
expertise in this specialist field of legal work. He said: “The important part of the lawyers group of NASDA is that it is the only UK forum where specialist dental lawyers get to exchange information and experience. The fact it is part of NASDA gives it additional benefit to the accountants and the lawyers involved because there is a huge amount of cross over with the work that they both do.”
Heaney Watson celebrates acquisition
The Heaney Watson team (from left to right) Director’s Tracey Winstanley and Simon Heaney with Managing Director Liza Watson and new Director Ruth Kearns.
NICHE family law practice, Heaney Watson has announced its acquisition of the family department of Adams Taylor Solicitors in Manchester. The acquisition sees the firm build on its strong base of three offices in Liverpool and one in the Spinningfields area of Manchester. The acquisition will mean that the firm will now base its
Manchester operation at St John Chambers, St John St. Liza Watson, Managing Director of Heaney Watson, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Adam Taylors Solicitors to Heaney Watson and to have a greater presence in Manchester. Sue Taylor has a committed team of family lawyers and the expansion marks a very exciting time for the Heaney Watson team.”