Sydney Mitchell News

Midlands based Dispute Resolution Solicitor, Ligia Bob, at law firm Sydney Mitchell LLP is a finalist in the category of Assistant Solicitor/Associate of the Year in the British Legal Awards 2011.

Over the last few days we have all seen the news: plummeting stock markets, concerns about Europe’s finances and the prediction of a double dip recession. This is quite depressing news in itself, but when you also consider the looming competition from alternative business structures, the proposed Jackson reforms and the tightening of the business sector belt, the future for law firms is looking very tough.

Midlands based solicitor and partner at law firm Sydney Mitchell LLP has been short-listed for Legal Personality of the Year at the Law Society's Exellence Awards.　

Dean Parnell is one of five candidates short-listed for this prestigious award which is based upon individuals who have provided an outstanding contribution to the legal profession. 　

I am delighted to have been short-listed for this award and it is great to have recognition for the work I have done over the last 12 months,
responded Dean

When allegations of domestic violence are made, it is essential that child contact arrangements are made with care.

Sydney Mitchell recently hosted a drinks party in celebration of winning Law Firm of the Year (under 15 partners) at the Birmingham Law Society Awards 2011.

The party was held at Kinnaree, Waterfront Walk in Birmingham, where over 100 guests from companies based in and around Birmingham enjoyed drinks and delicious food to toast the firms’ fantastic achievement, especially as this is the second time the firm has won this award. A charity raffle was also held to raise money for the firm's nominated charity The Maria Watt Foundation.

Sydney Mitchell is delighted to have been awarded Lexcel accreditation by the Law Society after demonstrating their commitment to quality in client care and management of the practice.

West Midlands law firm Sydney Mitchell has handed over a cheque for £4,000 to one of their nominated charities, Headway West Midlands. Partner, Jonathan Simpson and Steve Santy presented the cheque to Traci Scott and Justin Powell from the charity.

Sydney Mitchell's very own employment Partner, Dean Parnell, along with two other members of the Birmingham Law Society have decided to jump 13,500 feet out of a plane in support of the Tiny Babies Big Appeal.

Dean Parnell (president of the Law Society), Andrew Lancaster (vice president) and Mary Kaye (deputy vice president) will be making the big jump on Saturday 16^th April.

Celebrations for Sydney Mitchell as they scoop two top awards.

West Midlands Law firm Sydney Mitchell LLP successfully walked away with the Law Firm of the Year (five to 15 partners) award at the Birmingham Law Society Awards w

With the help of Sydney Mitchell, the Staff and Directors of Impact Repair Centre's HQ site in Birmingham are looking forward to a fresh start in 2011. It will be the first full year for the business to take advantage of the investment that has gone into the fully refurbished paint and body repair facility which caters for major insurance companies and vehicle fleet operators.

Employment Tribunal procedures

There has been much discussion over the last 6-12 months about revamping Employment Tribunal procedures and protocols and with the launch of the "Resolving workplace disputes" consultation by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) changes actually look set to take place.

Sydney Mitchell have appointed Norman Rea as a Consultant within their Employment team in order to expand it’s services to clients.

Staff at Sydney Mitchell LLP, were given the surprise of their life when Britains favorite fashion guru Gok Wan paid them a visit.

The three busy working mums, Georgina, Kate and Debbie all work together at the firm's office in Shirley and were chosen out of thousands of women to appear in the new series of Gok’s Clothes Roadshow - series 1, episode 5.

Family Law Partner, Karen Moores this weekend featured in a report on Sky News on the possibility of American-Style Prenups becoming legally binding here in England.

The independant Law Commission are currently looking into ways of reforming the current system in England, findings of which are due to be published shortly.

Simon Jobson and Charles Jemmett of Sydney Mitchell Solicitors recently paid a visit to Birmingham's Children's hospital, taking with them some Christmas gifts for the Children at the hospital.

For the second year running, Daniel Blood and Simon Jobson, both associates at the firm, have raised funds in order to purchase toys and games for the children who will be spending Christmas in the hospital.

Two Sydney Mitchell employees have been celebrating after their success at this years Solihull Chamber of Commerce Employee awards.

Charles Wheatcroft, Costs Draftsman walked away with the award for Professional Development and Shelly Shorthouse, Personal Injury Assistant, came highly commended in the same category. Giving Sydney Mitchell employees a first and second place in this category.

The Government intends to abolish, by 1 October 2011, the Default Retirement Age (DRA) of 65 contained in the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 and has published a consultation document on how it proposes to achieve its aim.

A five man delegation from Birmingham Law Society (BLS) has visited an international law convention hosted by the Lyon Bar in a bid to improve links with European lawyers.

Solicitors from Sydney Mitchell, Cobbetts, HBJ Gateley Wareing and Henry Browne took part in the trip, which is part of the organisation’s push to forge better overseas links.

The visit was supported by Birmingham Chamber International Team and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), the government organisation which assists UK companies to trade internationally.

Sydney Mitchell have increased their presence in this years Legal 500 by receiving ten placements in the areas of Insolvency and Corporate Recovery, Commercial Litigation, Company/Commercial, Dispute Resolution,

Sydney Mitchell has recently launched its new email newsletter, e-script, which compliments its already existing paper newsletter, entitled Script.

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The Government is today releasing details of its proposed shake up of Licensing Laws with a Consultation on its proposals expected to last no more than 6 weeks just as MP’s start their summer recess.

Romanian Solicitor Ligia Bob recently qualified to become the only dual qualified (England and Romania) lawyer to work in a firm within the West Midlands, according to Law Society statistics. With only 39 firms in the country with a Romanian qualified lawyer, Ligia is pretty unique.

Trained and qualified whilst at Sydney Mitchell LLP, Ligia remains at the firm and specialises in commercial litigation and employment disputes.

Ligia moved from Romania in March 2007 and at that time was unable to speak any English.

We are pleased to announce that our Licensing partner Peter Adkins is yet again in demand for his skills at providing training on all elements of the Licensing Act 2003.

Peter has been contacted by a number of Local Authorities concerning training for new committee members following the recent local council elections.

Many authorities have found they need to admit new members to the committees, which are limited to 15 in number, and these new members will all require training if they are to prove effective and to avoid unnecessary (and costly) appeals!

As a result of this interest, Pe

Dean Parnell, Partner at Sydney Mitchell, has recently become the 191st President of the Birmingham Law Society. He takes over the role from previous President Bernard Shepherd, who stood down on the 27th April. The Birmingham Law Society is now the largest Local Law Society in the Country representing over 3000 solicitors, barristers, legal executives, trainee solicitors and paralegals in 200 practices in Birmingham and the Greater Midlands. It is a membership organisation offering a number of benefits that are relevant to today's Legal Community.

Midlands based legal firm, Sydney Mitchell Solicitors have signaled their intention to provide expert legal services to an even greater number of people with the professional redevelopment of their website. Due to the extensive range of legal services provided the decision was reached to enhance the user friendliness of their website by working with Receptional Internet Marketing Consultancy.