We are delighted to announce that Susan Campbell (joint Head of Chambers) has been notified that she is to be appointed Queen’s Counsel with effect from 30th March, 2009.

We all congratulate her on this well-deserved appointment.

Peter Telford has recently completed the following publications:

YOUR PATIENT’S RIGHT
TO TREATMENT - Applying for NHS Exceptional Funding for Treatment

THE TREATMENT WE NEED. - How to apply for NHS exceptional funding for treatment.

Please click on the books to download in pdf format.

Elizabeth Willsteed (formerly of Devon Chambers, Plymouth) joined us on the 18th July.

Elizabeth specialises in Civil work homelessness, housing, landlord and tenant, TOLATA, Inheritance Act and general chancery, personal injury, contract and immigration).  She also has a robust Family practice covering ancillary relief, private and public law Children Act applications.

We are delighted that Elizabeth has joined us; she will add even more strength to our existing specialist teams.

Deborah Archer appointed Assistant Deputy Coroner

We are very pleased to announce that Deborah Archer has been appointed Assistant Deputy Coroner for Plymouth and Torbay.

We wish Deborah every success in this well-deserved appointment.

Stack v Dowden :

The House of Lords delivered its long awaited decision in this important trusts of land case on 25th April 2007.

<<read more>>

McFarlane – v – McFarlane;
Miller – v – Miller

The House of Lords decides
On 24th May 2006 the House of Lords delivered long-awaited decisions in the two ancillary relief cases of McFarlane and Miller. Although on the face of it these are big money cases of little relevance to the majority of parties or practitioners, the court of Appeal decisions had appeared to go against established practice. In this article I look at the cases and seek to draw out any wider implications.

<<click here for full article>>

Training Course for Social Workers

Christian Gape and James Rees, in association with IRIS PEOPLE, independent social work agency (01752 251 311), have completed a fully subscribed two day course training Social Workers in legal and Court skills.  The feedback from the course was extremely positive and the course will be repeated later in the year.  HHJ Tyzack QC introduced the course and spoke particularly on the Public Law Outline and the forthcoming changes to care proceedings.  The course itself contained an overview of the Court system, worked examples of cases and allowed the candidates to participate in a case from the first referral to the closing submissions.

Seminars

A series of six Seminars were held during March and early April - in Exeter, Barnstaple, Taunton, Torquay, Plymouth and Truro. These covered the new Adoption Act, and Ancillary Relief Up-date, and were conducted by Robin Tolson, Q.C., Christopher Naish, Susan Campbell, Deborah Archer, Steven Jones and Lauren Pitchford. All were well attended and attracted 1.1/2 CPD points.

"A team of thoroughbreds from top to bottom, and a joy to work with. They have never let me or my colleagues down"

Busby's Solicitors