Latest News
The latest news from Switalskis Solicitors as well as some of the stories affecting our clients and our practice
10/1/12: British women can have French breast implants removed for free
The government has said that women who are concerned about breast implants produced by the French company, Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) should be able to have them removed for free. This would be by the NHS if the implant was inserted by the NHS after reconstruction surgery following breast cancer or by the private clinic if it was cosmetic surgery. The government has also said that an inquiry into the safety of the PIP implants has not suggested that removal is required as a matter of routine. This is despite the fact that industrial-grade silicon (intended for use in mattresses) instead of medical silicone, was used in the manufacture of the PIP breast implants... more
10/1/12: Proposed Legal Aid cuts could cost £139 million, report suggests
Independent research conducted by Kings College London suggests that the government’s planned legal aid cuts will save less than half the amount predicted, and in some areas could cost vastly more in knock-on costs than is saved. The planned cuts include a reduction in fees paid to legal aid law firms and a reduction in scope – with areas including clinical negligence and employment law being removed altogether and along with significant reductions in scope for family law and other areas of social welfare law. Eligibility criteria for individuals may also be tightened, meaning that many who currently qualify for legal aid will not under the new proposals... more
13/10/11: After 'M', Advance Decisions have become even more important
A recent judgment in the Court of Protection has made making an Advance Decision essential for anyone wishing to refuse life-sustaining treatment in the event that they lose capacity to make decisions for themselves. The family of a fifty-three year-old woman, known only as 'M', lost their fight to for doctors to allow her to die. M was left with severe brain damage in 2003, after suffering viral encephalitis and she has been fed through a tube since then.
8/8/11: Doug Feery & Lindsey Rhodes to address ReThink Conference
Doug Feery and Lindsey Rhodes of Switalskis' Court of Protection team are to address the conference of mental health charity, Rethink's conference on 28th September. Doug and Lindsey will address key issues in community care law that have been identified by carers, service users and the not-for-profit organisations that exist to support them... more
5/8/11: Head of Prison Law speaks out on Prisoners' Rights
Switalskis' Head of Prison Law, Tony Quinlan appeared on BBC Radio Leeds this week to discuss prisoners' rights. Tony's appearance followed the announcement that Levi Bellfield, the murderer of teenager MIlly Dowler, is to sue the Prison Service over an attack in Wakefield prison which left him with minor injuries... more
15/7/11: Erica Restall speaks at Judicial Review North 2011
Switalskis Head of Public Law, Erica Restall, spoke yesterday at the Public Law and Judicial Review North conference in Manchester. This annual event brings together best and brightest practitioners in the Public Law field, to share knowledge and practical experience. Erica, whose particular interest is in Asylum support cases, chaired a breakout session entitled "Asylum Support: A Survival Guide"... more
10/12/10: House of Commons to debate legal aid reform proposals
Karen Buck MP, the Labour Member of Parliament for Westminster North has been allocated an adjournment debate on Tuesday 14th December 9.30 - 11 am at Westminster Hall, the House of Commons. The subject is 'Legal Aid'. The proposed reforms to legal aid, laid out in the recent government green paper, Proposals for the Reform of Legal Aid in England and Waleswill be under discussion... more
18/11/10: Head of Wills & Probate, Catrin Lloyd, appears on BBC Radio Leeds
Head of Wills and Probate, Solicitor Catrin Lloyd, appeared today on BBC Radio Leeds' lunchtime show, presented by Liz Green. In the final half hour of the show, Catrin shared her insights into the family stresses and strains that can arise when someone dies, including the problems of locating the will, and disagreements over funeral arrangements. Callers from West Yorkshire then shared their stories... more and link to the interview on BBC 'Listen Again' service
16/11/10: Switalskis voices concern over proposed legal aid cuts
Switalskis Solicitors has expressed concern following the announcement of government proposals to reform legal aid. The proposed cuts include reduced provision in family law, housing law and welfare benefits work. Switalskis holds legal aid contracts in six areas of West Yorkshire, covering nine different areas of law. The firm is also a provider of legal aid funded Community Legal Advice Service... more
1/10/10: New Wakefield Community Legal Advice Service opens
Wakefield's new Community Legal Advice Service opens today, bringing together a wide range of advice services under one roof. The new service will provide a full range of general advice and information, plus specialist advice in debt, welfare benefits, housing, employment, community care and family law... more
30/9/10: Law Society wins High Court challenge on family legal aid contracts
The Law Society has today won a High Court challenge to the Legal Services Commission's tender process for family law legal aid contracts. The Law Society's challenge, which was supported by Switalskis and firms from across the country, was raised following concerns about restricted access to justice for victims of domestic abuse and forced marriage, as well as vulnerable children... more
7/9/10: Switalskis to deliver new Wakefield Community Legal Advice Service
We are delighted to announce that Switalskis Solicitors has been awarded a three-year contract to provide a new Community Legal Advice Service for Wakefield District... more
12/8/10: Solicitor Joanne Brown joins Halifax Family Team
We are delighted to announce the addition of Law Society Family Panel member, Joanne Brown, to our Halifax Family Law team. She is based at our offices in Silver Street, Halifax ... more (including photo)
19/7/10: Leeds 10K Update: Switalskis team smashes fundraising target!
We are delighted to announce that the Switalskis Solicitors Leeds 10K team has so far raised £2854 in sponsorship for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, smashing its fundraising target of £2500. This is in addition to the £2500 the firm donated to the Appeal by entering the runners into the event... more plus team photo
18/6/10 Almost fifty Switalskis staff to run for charity this July
Almost fifty staff drawn from across Switalskis' six West Yorkshire offices will take part in Jane Tomlinson's Run for All on July 4th 2010. The Switalskis team will be the largest corporate team to enter this year's event, which will raise money for cancer and children's charities... more
21/5/10: Home Information Packs suspended
The Government confirmed in a press release yesterday that the requirement for people selling their homes to commission a Home Information Pack (HIP) has been suspended. From 21st May, estate agents and sellers will not be required to provide or hold copies of HIPs for residential property sales... more
7/5/10: Halifax team expands
Switalskis is pleased to announce the expansion of its Halifax branch. The Halifax team now includes a specialist criminal defence team. The new team of four includes experienced trial Solicitor, Bill Rawstron and will handle all types of criminal work in the Calderdale area and beyond. Bill has practised in and around Calderdale for many years and brings almost twenty years' experience to Switalskis, along with specialist expertise in handling serious crime cases... more
22/3/10: Legal Aid Minister visits Community Legal Advice Network
Legal Aid Minister, Willy Bach, visited the East Riding Community Legal Advice Network on Friday, 19th March. The Network, opened on 1st March 2010 and run by East Yorkshire Citizens Advice Bureau in partnership with Switalskis Solicitors, offers a full range of legal advice to people across the East Riding from simple, 'next steps' advice through to representation in court. The areas of law covered by the network include community care, debt, employment, housing and welfare benefits... more
15/03/10: New Medical Negligence team will be an important part of Switalskis expansion plans
Switalskis Solicitors will end the current financial year on a high after setting plans in motion to achieve 33 per cent growth in twelve months. Switalskis, which has twice been named Yorkshire Law Firm of the Year, secured £1m funding from Royal Bank of Scotland last October. Since then, the firm has recruited almost 30 staff, including a medical negligence team of six from Barnsley-based firm, Raleys. The new department is based in Wakefield and will provide services across Yorkshire and Humberside... more
20/01/10: Disability rights appeal not heard
The Court of Appeal case seeking to obtain a right to direct payments for health care, did not go ahead today because at the last minute the Appellants’ legal advisers became aware that new legislation addressing the issue was to be brought into force the day before the Hearing. This late news changed the legal arguments because the arguments would now have to address the new legislation... more
16/01/10: Disabled duo to resume court fight for direct payments
Two disabled people will challenge the government in court this month over its refusal to allow them to use direct payments to manage their own long-term healthcare. They will argue that the decision discriminates against them and breaches their human rights. The Government is fighting the case despite passing new legislation in November that will allow the NHS to use direct payments. It is now preparing to pilot their use in some primary care trusts (PCTs). Steven Harrison (Harry), a 41 year old former soldier from Wakefield, who is represented by Switalskis, broke his neck whilst in the USA on 4 July 1998, when he dived from a boat that had drifted into shallow water. Until July 2005, he was provided with Direct Payments by his Local Authority Social Services Department, allowing him to select and pay his own carers... more
9/01/10: New Year, new look website
Welcome to the new-look Switalskis website, launched January 2010. We welcome your feedback, so if you have any comments, please let us know: webmaster@switalskis.com
3/12/09: We need more Domestic Violence Advisors, says Leeds' HALT...
Leeds' HALT (Help, Advice and the Law Team) is part of a groundbreaking report on what works to keep victims safe. Two-thirds of women facing the most severe forms of domestic abuse could become free of violence if more Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) services were rolled out across the country, a recent report suggests... more
(2/12/09) East Riding CLAN contract awarded
We are delighted to announce that East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Legal Services Commission have selected East Yorkshire Citizens Advice Bureau and Switalskis Solicitors to deliver services for the East Riding Community Legal Advice Network to be opened in March 2010.... more
(2/12/09) New Higher Court Advocate for Crime team
Leeds-based Criminal lawyer, Stephen Winehouse, has recently learned that he has been awarded Higher Rights of Audience for Criminal proceedings... more
(25/11/09) Forced Marriage Conference raises awareness
On Monday 23rd November, more than 250 representatives of the legal professions, police, social care services, health, education and voluntary organisations came together in Bradford to examine the impact of the Forced Marriage Act which took effect a year ago... more
(25/11/09) Lorrette Law announced as new SRA Board Member
Switalskis Senior Partner, Lorrette Law, has been announced as the final Solicitor member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Board whose term will begin on 1st January 2010... more
(30/9/09) Switalskis Solicitor Shortlisted for Top Award
We are delighted to announce that Razia Jogi, our Head of Family Law in Bradford, has been shortlisted in the category of Solicitor of the Year (Private Practice) for this year's Law Society Excellence Awards... more
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