Access Legal from Shoosmiths announces £10.8m payout for 11-year-old left disabled from birth

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:23:59 GMT

Access Legal from Shoosmiths has announced that Milly Evans, an 11-year-old-girl left severely disabled from birth, was awarded £10.8 million compensation.

The national law firm Access Legal and its team of medical negligence solicitors helped secure the amount - believed to be one of the largest ever in the UK - at a High Court hearing.

The injury to Milly happened during her birth at Lincoln County Hospital. Milly's mother, Kate Evans, was already in established labour when she was admitted to hospital at 7pm on 1 March 2001. Her baby's heart was initially monitored, but later heart rate monitoring was totally inadequate. By 10pm it was discovered that the baby had an abnormal heart rate and was suffering fetal distress.

Milly was born at 10.20pm and transferred to the neo-natal unit, where she underwent resuscitation and suffered a seizure. Mrs Evans said that if the baby's heart had been properly monitored, the midwife would have spotted the fetal distress sooner and Milly would have been delivered earlier and not suffered catastrophic injury.

After many years, United Lincolnshire Hospital NHS Trust, which runs Lincoln County Hospital, eventually admitted liability for its mistakes, but national law firm Access Legal from Shoosmiths had to fight to secure adequate compensation for Milly.

Milly suffers from cerebral palsy and requires 24-hour care. In addition to being confined to a wheelchair, she is unable to speak and is dependent on others for all daily activities. Milly's intellect has remained fairly well intact, and she communicates through an eye-gaze system.

Milly's parents will use the money to pay for past and future full-time carers, plus ongoing treatment, education, special equipment, transport, and loss of future earnings. Additionally, the compensation amount takes into account general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

Mr and Mrs Evans have had to make many sacrifices for their daughter over the last 11years. Milly's father, Andy, was an RAF Squadron Leader and a former member of the famous Red Arrows display team. He was not able to continue with his career as a consequence of Milly's disabilities.

Milly will now be able to have a specially-adapted home featuring hoists and a hydrotherapy pool, and it will be big enough for Milly to access all rooms in her wheelchair.

Mrs Evans said: "We've all been through a very difficult time. The money will never make up for the mistake that condemned Milly to a lifetime of dependency on others. However, it will ensure that Milly is provided with full-time care and equipment throughout her life. We now want to build a loving and secure life for Milly in a new adapted home."

Access Legal partner and medical negligence specialist Denise Stephens said: "Milly is an amazing girl, with a beautiful smile and a sense of humour. She requires round-the-clock care and attention, and will do so for the rest of her life. It was crucial, therefore, that we were able to secure a compensation award of this size to provide for Milly's needs."

About Access Legal:
From helping customers buy a new house to settling a legal dispute or claiming compensation for an injury that wasn't their fault - Access Legal have it all covered. Whatever legal obstacles life throws at a customer's way, Access Legal from Shoosmiths works to help tackle them.

Access Legal's dedicated team of experts specialises in everything from buying a house to employment rights, to motoring law. Access Legal helps protect its customer's assets, uphold their consumer rights, guide them through a coroner's inquest, and even advise them on how to make a will. Additionally, Access Legal's team of personal injury solicitors offers assistance for those needing to make injury compensation claims.

Access Legal helps to launch new pro bono law clinic

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:33:30 GMT

Access Legal, the consumer brand of national law firm Shoosmiths, has helped launch a pro bono law clinic in Northampton. The joint venture, called the Northampton and District Citizens Advice Bureau pro bono clinic, provides clients with free legal advice from Access Legal experts.

The new clinic is the result of a joint effort between Access Legal, Northampton and District CAB, the University of Northampton Law School and LawWorks, all of whom recognised the immense public value of free legal services. These organisations understand that many people across the UK cannot afford to hire solicitors despite urgently needing legal advice.

More than 30 attendees joined Access Legal and the other organisations involved in the pro bono clinic to celebrate its official launch during National Pro Bono Week.

Paul Morrison, Partner at Access Legal, said: "We're delighted to have had the opportunity to be involved with such an excellent cause.

"The opportunity to work alongside well respected and dedicated groups such as the CAB, the University of Northampton Law School, and LawWorks has been fantastic; it's given us the chance to use our professional knowledge and expertise for the benefit of those in the community who find it hard to otherwise access legal advice."

Together, Access Legal and its partners at the clinic will provide members of the community with legal services that are completely free of charge. Some of the legal services provided by Access Legal's experts include: legal advice on employment disputes, landlord and tenant issues and consumer rights.

The chief executive of the Northampton and Distract CAB, Martin Lord, echoed Paul Morrison's sentiments, saying: "This is a significant development for us. It ushers in what we hope will be a new era of cooperation with the legal community."

Lord went on to say that all of the bro bono support involved in establishing the clinic represents an untapped resource for the community. He expressed his gratitude to the University of Northampton Law School, LawWorks and Access Legal for their efforts in developing the clinic and setting a positive tone of collaboration for the future.

The pro bono clinic is one of many charitable endeavours that Access Legal has taken part in. The company also recently raised more than £30,000 for one of its charity partners, Aspire, which provides practical support for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

About Access Legal from Shoosmiths:
Access Legal from Shoosmiths is the new consumer brand of top 30 national law firm Shoosmiths. From offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Southampton, Access Legal from Shoosmiths offers more than 100 legal services to individuals, including access to no win no fee solicitors and legal advice on estate administration. Services have been grouped under seven headings: conveyancing; legal disputes; medical negligence; motoring law; personal injury; and wills, family and wealth. Access Legal from Shoosmiths makes it easier for people to get specialist advice from legal professionals. Shoosmiths has more than 150 years' experience and advises household name corporate clients.

Access Legal contributes to 'Aspire' charity

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:50:57 GMT

Access Legal, the consumer brand of national law firm Shoosmiths, has raised more than £30,000 for Aspire, a charity that provides practical support for individuals suffering spinal cord injuries. The charity is one of the firm's 2010 nominated charity partners.

Access Legal had originally pledged to raise £25,000 for Aspire, but exceeded its initial pledge by an additional £5,000. This donation will allow Aspire to pursue its mission to help people with spinal cord injuries live their life in as happy a manner as possible.

The fundraising effort involved a variety of events, including challenges that the Access Legal staff underwent in exchange for sponsorship from friends, family and co-workers. Some staff members went sky diving to raise money for the cause, while others participated in a 10k fun run.

One of the most difficult challenges completed by Access Legal staff was a sponsored swim across the English Channel. Additionally, employees of Access Legal took part in a rugby game against the London Wheelchair Rugby team and some staff members underwent the 177-mile Offa's Dyke challenge.

The Aspire charity's mission ties in closely with the Access Legal brand, which provides personal injury claim services for people who have suffered spinal cord injuries. At the opening of Aspire's newest specialist home for those paralysed through spinal injury, members of Access Legal's staff were in attendance to show the support for the charity's cause. The staff members who attended the opening event for Aspire's Buckingham House included: catastrophic injuries expert Chris McKinney, mixed liability department head Sarah Lake, trainee solicitor Oliver Spicer and campaign assistant Georgia Baillieu.

Every year people across the UK suffer from spinal cord injuries, which can cause partial or full paralysis. Such injuries are often caused by road traffic accidents, but may also be a result of falls or sport-related contact. Access Legal from Shoosmith is determined to offer the victims of spinal injuries the legal services they deserve and to help its charity partner, Aspire, provide them with specialist living facilities.

About Access Legal from Shoosmiths:
Access Legal from Shoosmiths is the new consumer brand of top 30 national law firm Shoosmiths. From offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Southampton, access legal from Shoosmiths offers more than 100 legal services to individuals, including access to no win no fee solicitors. Services have been grouped under seven headings: conveyancing; legal disputes; medical negligence; motoring law; personal injury; and wills, family and wealth. Access Legal from Shoosmiths makes it easier for people to get specialist advice from legal professionals. Shoosmiths has more than 150 years' experience and advises household name corporate clients.

Access Legal from Shoosmiths secures Law Society CQS status

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:03:08 GMT

Access Legal from Shoosmiths has secured the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), making it the largest law firm in England and Wales to do so.

The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) requires practices to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-reporting, random audits and annual reviews in order to maintain CQS status. It is open only to members of the Law Society who meet the demanding standards set by the scheme, and has the support of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Building Societies' Association, Legal Ombudsman, and the Association of British Insurers.

Desmond Hudson, Chief Executive at the Law Society said: "Access Legal from Shoosmiths' accreditation illustrates that CQS is an initiative that is suitable for firms of all sizes.

"Firms that have gone through the CQS application and assessment process have gained the quality mark in recognition of the high standards they have met in residential conveyancing. CQS is the benchmark for the conveyancing sector, and Access Legal from Shoosmiths' commitment to securing it is further acknowledgement of the high standards the scheme embodies.”

David Parton, partner at Access Legal from Shoosmiths added: "We're delighted to have secured CQS accreditation, which is recognition that this particular consumer service meets the benchmark for conveyancing set by the Law Society.

"It enables our current and future residential conveyancing clients to identify the excellent service level we provide, at what is often a stressful time for many people.

"Our clients receive a reliable, efficient service, which is at the heart of our ethos and the CQS standard."

Access Legal from Shoosmiths assists clients in preparing to move house and provide legal advice for whatever issues they may encounter. Its solicitors are experts in the conveyancing process and its services are available on a no-move no-fee basis.

About Access Legal from Shoosmiths:
Access Legal from Shoosmiths is the new consumer brand of top 30 national law firm Shoosmiths. From offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Southampton, Access Legal from Shoosmiths offers more than 100 legal services to individuals and their families, whether they are buying a house, claiming compensation for an injury or writing a will. Services have been grouped under seven headings: conveyancing; legal disputes; medical negligence; motoring law; personal injury; and wills, family and wealth. Access Legal from Shoosmiths makes it easier for people to get specialist advice from legal professionals. Shoosmiths has more than 150 years’ experience and advises household name corporate clients.

Access Legal report latest figures reveal male drivers aged 17 to 24 are most at risk

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:09:44 GMT

Access Legal report that figures released by the road safety charity Brake show that men aged between 17 and 24, whilst holding only 12% of the driving licenses issued, are involved in 25% of deaths and serious injuries that occur in the UK.

The figures reveal that one in five in the same age group crashes in the first six months after passing their test.

Every year, more than 3,300 young drivers and passengers aged 17 to 24 are killed or suffer a life changing serious injury as a result of a road traffic accident.

Parents everywhere will be concerned about the statistics that one in every 60 young male drivers is involved in a crash that results in death or injury to themselves or to their passengers or to other road users.

The figures show a dramatic decrease in the risk as the driver gets older and more experienced. Whilst one out of every 451 17-year-old male drivers is killed or seriously injured in a road traffic accident, the figure decreases to one in every 634 when we look at young men aged 18.

Once the driver reaches the age of 19 the risk decreases further to one in 841. Whilst statistics may not always tell the full story, it's clear that gathering the information and understanding the risks involved is not enough to reduce the number of fatalities, head injuries, amputations, spinal injuries and other catastrophic injuries caused by and to this group of young men on the roads in the UK.

The solution, backed by Brake, is to introduce a system of graduated driver licensing, which would impose certain restrictions on new drivers such as a reduced drink drive limit and a limit on night time driving during the first 12 months to two years after the driving test is passed, during which period drivers can gain greater experience on the road.

Access Legal from Shoosmiths provide legal services with a direct link to lawyers at a leading national law firm with over 150 years experience.

Access Legal share HSE report that shows increase in fatal accidents in construction industry

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:07:54 GMT

Access Legal from Shoosmiths report that provisional information released by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has shown an alarming increase of nearly 20% in the number of workers killed in the construction industry.

During the 12 month period between April 2010 and March 2011 the total number of construction workers killed rose to 50, compared to the previous year when 41 people died.

The increase was mirrored across other workplaces, with the total number of fatal accidents increasing significantly compared to last year.

HSE chief construction inspector Philip White said: "HSE will continue to work to reduce the number of fatal accidents, but it is ultimately the responsibility of those who create health and safety risks to control them and prevent people being killed and injured.

"The majority of deaths continue to be on small construction sites. Big construction companies have shown steady improvement over the last decade, and we want to see smaller firms take a similar lead. This is not about money, it's about mindset - planning jobs properly, thinking before you act, and taking basic steps to protect yourselves and your friends."

HSE figures also show a substantial increase of around 15% in the total number of fatal accidents at work, across all workplaces, compared to the previous year.

Access Legal from Shoosmiths partner and personal injury specialist Philip Baldwin said: "The construction industry has always seen more deaths than any other sector, but over recent years there's been a steady reduction in the overall number of fatal accidents as health and safety practices have improved."

"It's not yet known why last year was so different, but clearly any increase in fatal accidents is extremely worrying and needs very careful investigation. Every single incident represents a tragedy for a whole family. Last year saw 171 workers go out to work, but not come home.

"The impact on families can't be underestimated. They're often left emotionally and financially devastated. As well as having to deal with the emotional, practical and financial implications, families have to deal with an inquest into how their loved one died."

Fatal accidents are investigated by the HSE and will result in a coroner's inquest to investigate the circumstances leading to the death.

Access Legal from Shoosmiths has compassionate experts who are able to help individuals and families through the inquest process to try and help them get the answers they need. Where appropriate, they can also help individuals and families with a claim for compensation as a result of a fatal accident.

Shoosmiths appoints David Palmer as new head of Access Legal

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:21:18 GMT

Shoosmiths has announced it has appointed David Palmer has the new head of its consumer legal services operation Access Legal. David has been appointed to drive Access Legal forward after a successful first 18 months.

David will be taking over from the current head of consumer services, Judith Dorkins, who has worked for Shoosmiths for 20 years, and spent months helping to develop and launch Access Legal.

Judith Dorkins, who is retiring to pursue other interests, commented on David taking over from her: "David is an experienced business leader who had developed success across a wide range of sectors and for some of the most challenging and innovative international companies.

"He has just the skills we were looking for to take Access Legal to the next level in the journey to become a leading and trusted provider of high quality legal services to consumers."

David Palmer, new head of consumer services, Access Legal, commented: "This is a wonderful challenge at what is an exciting time for the consumer legal services market. To be the leading player as we intend in this brave new world we must offer legal expertise coupled with traditional service values, delivered in a modern way that deploys the best practices from other fast-moving consumer sectors. I'm looking forward to making this happen."

Before moving to Access Legal, David has enjoyed a wide ranging career, including roles such as director of the UK personal cards business of Citigroup, international marketing head for US private equity and investment banking group Robert W Baird, and head of personal customer marketing for Royal Bank of Scotland's card division.

Access Legal was first launched in February 2010, and marked its first year anniversary at the start of 2011 with an impressive set of launch-year statistics.

It recorded a 178% increase in direct enquiries, saw web enquiries up more than 100%, staff referrals and member claims climbed from 1% to 11% and it experienced 25 times more enquiries through recommendations.

About Access Legal:
From helping customers buy a new house to settling a legal dispute or claiming compensation for an injury that wasn't their fault – Access Legal have it all covered. Whatever legal obstacles life throws in a customer's way, Access Legal from Shoosmiths can help them tackle them.

It has specialists in everything from selling homes to employment rights, motoring law to personal injury solicitors and making a personal injury claim.

Access Legal will protect assets, uphold consumer rights, provide conveyancing services, guide customers through a coroner's inquest; even advise them if they want to make a Will.

Access Legal from Shoosmiths joins the Institute of Customer Service

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:00:51 GMT

Access Legal from Shoosmiths has announced it has joined the Institute of Customer Service, making it the first top 30 legal services firm to do so.

The national law firm believes that becoming a member of the Institute of Customer Service will help support its key strategic aim of delivering the highest levels of client and customer service.

Access Legal provides a variety of services including personal injury claims, and considers customer service to be extremely important. The team at Access Legal aim to be friendly, supportive and caring and treat each client as a real person rather than a 'case'.

Claire Rowe, chief executive of Shoosmiths, commented: "One of Shoosmiths' central tenets is that only the very best customer service is good enough.

"And while we're proud of the service levels we've already achieved, we're the first to acknowledge that there's always room for improvement.

"We must make sure everyone at the firm is committed to delivering great customer service all the time, which is why we're rolling out an Institute-associated people development programme, to ensure client service is understood at all levels of the firm.

"One of the reasons we chose to join the Institute is because it's recognised as the leading body in its field by so many of our clients. And it would be wonderful to think that as the first top 30 law firm to join it, we might just be setting a new benchmark for the legal industry."

The Institute of Customer Service is an independent, professional membership body for customer service. It aims to be the first port of call for every aspect of customer service, so that its customers can improve their business performance and their overall customer experience.

About Access Legal from Shoosmiths:
From helping customers buy a new house to settling a legal dispute or claiming compensation for an injury that wasn't their fault - Access Legal has it all covered. Whatever legal obstacles life throws a customer's way, Access Legal from Shoosmiths can help them tackle them.

Access Legal has specialists in everything from selling homes to employment rights, motoring law to personal injury solicitors and legal disputes. It will protect customer assets, uphold consumer rights, guide customers through a coroner's inquest; even advise them if they want to make a Will.

Access Legal announces appointment of Nicholas Tubb to medical negligence team

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:33:42 GMT

Access Legal from Shoosmiths, the national consumer legal services provider, has announced it has hired Nicholas Tubb as its new partner in the medical negligence team.

Tubb has joined Access Legal from Challinors' clinical negligence department and will be based in Access Legal's Birmingham office.

Tubb has considerable experience in the sector and has specialised in medical negligence claims on behalf of patients and their families for more than 10 years, with a particular interest in complex cases and a wide experience of claims involving surgical errors and deaths following treatment. He also has a keen interest in getting answers for patients and their families.

A partner since 2005, Tubb has successfully pursued complex birth injury, brain and spinal injury claims for clients, securing a number of multi-million pound awards.

He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, and is a panel member of AvMA (Action Against Medical Accidents).

The team at Access Legal from Shoosmiths is growing and Nicholas Tubb will strengthen its medical negligence offering.

Richard Follis, partner and national head of medical negligence, Access Legal, said: "Ours is a growing team at a time when there's a worrying rise in the number of patients receiving inadequate or negligent care at the hands of health professionals.

"Nick's knowledge in this highly specialised area, plus his excellent contacts and connections in the city and the wider region, will undoubtedly bolster our already strong team."

Services are grouped under seven headings: conveyancing; employment law services; legal disputes; medical negligence solicitors; motoring law; personal injury claims; and wills, family and wealth.

Access Legal from Shoosmiths makes it easier for people to get specialist advice from legal professionals. Shoosmiths has more than 150 years' experience and advises household name corporate clients.

Access Legal named best provider of home purchase and sale conveyancing services

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:59:56 GMT

Access Legal, the law firm from Shoosmiths, has been named best provider of home purchase and sale conveyancing services by the Conveyancing Alliance.

The national law firm came top in a survey conducted by the Conveyancing Alliance which was voted for by estate agents. Users of the Conveyancing Alliance portal ranked law firms on several service standards including communication levels, speed of delivery and client feedback.

Client feedback was a key area for Access Legal, as it is very customer focused and aims to treat people as individuals rather than just another case.

Karen Stewart, partner at Access Legal, commented: "Only once they've been carefully vetted can law firms join the panel to receive work from Conveyancing Alliance, so we've already gone a long way to proving ourselves. To then be acclaimed best service provider by estate agents backs to the hilt what we say about only providing the very best levels of service."

Conveyancing Alliance surveyed all its users, who are all mortgage advisors and estate agents, on the service levels received from the 11 law firms on its panel. Users of the Conveyancing Alliance portal then ranked law firms on service standards, which lead to Access Legal being awarded the top spot on the survey by estate agents in England and Wales.

About Access Legal from Shoosmiths:
Access Legal from Shoosmiths is the new consumer brand of top 30 national law firm Shoosmiths. From offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Southampton, Access Legal from Shoosmiths offers more than 100 services to individuals and their families, whether they are buying a house, buying shared ownership housing, claiming compensation for an injury or writing a will. Services are grouped under seven headings: conveyancing; employment law services; legal disputes; medical negligence; motoring law; personal injury claims; and wills, family and wealth. Access Legal from Shoosmiths makes it easier for people to get specialist advice from legal professionals. Shoosmiths has more than 150 years' experience and advises household name corporate clients.

Access Legal solicitor moves from PA to clinical negligence lawyer in two countries

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:06:35 GMT

Access Legal from Shoosmiths has revealed that one of its clinical negligence specialists has been admitted as a solicitor - for the second time.

Kishma Small, already admitted as a solicitor in the UK, made it a double in her native British Virgin Islands (BVI) in the Caribbean. She is one of the first BVIslanders to complete a Legal Practice Course (LPC), and then remain in the UK to complete a legal training contract.

Kishma has just returned from a special ceremony in the Supreme Court in Road Town, Tortola - the largest of the islands which form the BVI archipelago - where she was required to make a formal speech. Her application to become a solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court had to be supported by a number of BVI senior legal practitioners for it to be successful. The ceremony was officiated by High Court Judge Her Ladyship Madam Justice Rita Joseph-Olivetti. Kishma's application was presented by Helene Anne Lewis, senior partner at SimonetteLewis and supported by Colin Riegels, partner at Harney Westwood & Riegels.

Kishma said: "By 2001, I felt that it was time to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. I chose to study in the UK because I was confident that I would receive an excellent standard of education as well as gain valuable experience of life abroad, away from my tropical home.

"It was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make, especially as it meant leaving my friends and family, not to mention my country - but it was something I needed to do. I'm so grateful for this phenomenal opportunity - being admitted to practice in the BVI is quite literally a dream come true. I'm privileged to be able to do the job I love in my two favourite countries."

Richard Follis, partner and national head of clinical negligence at Shoosmiths said: "To be admitted once as a qualified solicitor shows real hard work; to be admitted twice is a fantastic achievement. We're incredibly proud of Kishma. She's set a wonderful example to both the team and the legal profession as a whole."

Kishma, originally from Tortola, had always aspired to become a lawyer. Just a few days after graduating from the British Virgin Islands High School with Honours, in 1996, she began work as a legal secretary at local general practice firm, J.S. Archibald & Co.

In 1997 she moved to Harney Westwood & Riegels' BVI-based office to work as a legal secretary in its corporate department, and then as a PA to the partner heading the mutual funds team. Here, she was given a rare opportunity to fly by Concorde to hand-deliver papers crucial to the conclusion of a multi-million dollar client transaction.

Kishma joined Shoosmiths as a legal secretary in 2006 after completing her LPC at the College of Law, Birmingham, in 2005. She qualified as a clinical negligence lawyer into Shoosmiths' medical negligence team in May 2009.

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

Access Legal makes first Manchester hire

Thu, 06 May 2010 16:34:42 GMT

Access Legal from Shoosmiths – national law firm Shoosmiths' consumer legal services brand – has made its first Manchester hire.

Partner and personal injury specialist Debra Woolfson becomes the first non-Lender Services Group employee at the Spinningfields office.

Her appointment comes two months after Shoosmiths announced it would go full service in Manchester, just a year after opening in the city in January 2009.

Partner and head of consumer services Judith Dorkins said: "Having said we'd go full service ahead of schedule many people expected appointments in other corporate areas, ones that would naturally complement our lender services offering.

"But when someone of Debra's calibre becomes available you're almost obliged to strike while the iron's hot, and if we're able to develop our personal injury work sooner rather than later then we'll do it. The opportunity presented itself and we've grabbed it with both hands."

Woolfson, who joins from Manchester's Pannone, has been running a varied caseload of personal injury claims, including amputation, fatal and non-fatal road traffic collision cases, disease claims, and professional negligence claims with a personal injury element.

She said: "I have strong business development skills, so to be able to join Shoosmiths at this exciting time is a perfect chance for me to help grow its presence here, and in an area that will also enable it to diversify its offering more quickly."

Access Legal from Shoosmith was launched on February 1 and offers more than 100 legal services to consumers under seven headings: conveyancing; employment law; personal injury; legal disputes; medical negligence; motoring; and wills, family and wealth. It is among corporate, commercial, commercial property, employment, restructuring and insolvency, and regulatory services that Shoosmiths aims to offer from its 3 Hardman Street base.

ENDS

About Access Legal
Access Legal from Shoosmiths is the new consumer brand of top 30 national law firm Shoosmiths. From offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Southampton, Access Legal from Shoosmiths offers more than 100 services to individuals and their families, whether they are buying a house, looking for a personal injury solicitor or writing a will. Services have been grouped under seven headings: conveyancing; employment law; legal disputes; medical negligence; asbestos claim; personal injury claims; and wills, family and wealth. Access Legal from Shoosmiths makes it easier for people to get specialist advice from legal professionals. Shoosmiths has more than 150 years' experience and advises household name corporate clients.

Access Legal from Shoosmiths hooks up with biker group

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:28:32 GMT

Access Legal from Shoosmiths is to help the 50,000-strong Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) become the UK's leading consumer organisation for bikers, as the consumer legal services provider announces it has teamed-up with MAG to offer free legal advice to its members.

Comprising volunteers, MAG lobbies to protect motorcycling from legislation it believes threatens riders' pleasure; while its charitable arm - The MAG Foundation - promotes motorcycling through research, representation and collaboration.

Access legal from Shoosmiths is providing a dedicated 24/7 legal helpline to MAG members, their friends and family, offering free legal advice on a range of issues, including road traffic accidents.

Then, for every personal injury instruction received via MAG, Access Legal from Shoosmiths will donate £100 to the Foundation, while £50 will be donated for conveyancing instructions, £25 for motor defence, and £15 for wills.

Partner and head of consumer services at Access Legal, Judith Dorkins said: "Not only are we boosting funds for a worthwhile cause, we're also helping MAG members pursue their rights, have easy access to justice, understand the legal process, and make informed decisions.

"It's great example of our commitment to investing in the community."

MAG general secretary Nich Brown said: "MAG members know their right to ride is one of the most important things in life. Every day we're asked for advice on how to fight injustices by riders who've had a raw deal. This partnership means our members can quickly find expert legal advice of all kinds whenever they need it."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Access Legal
Access Legal from Shoosmiths is the new consumer brand of top 30 national law firm Shoosmiths. From offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Southampton, Access Legal from Shoosmiths offers more than 100 legal services to individuals and their families, whether they are buying a house, suffered from a motorbike accident, claiming compensation for an injury or writing a will. Services have been grouped under seven headings: conveyancing; employment law; legal disputes; medical negligence; motoring law; personal injury; and wills, family and wealth. Access Legal from Shoosmiths makes it easier for people to get specialist advice from legal professionals. Shoosmiths has more than 150 years' experience and advises household name corporate clients.

Access Legal calls for more help for Asbestos disease victims

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:31:21 GMT

Access Legal, consumer legal services provider from Shoosmiths, is calling for more to be done to help victims of mesothelioma, as it believes that not enough is being done to help sufferers of fatal asbestos-related diseases.

Access Legal wants to see more done to help victims of mesothelioma, an asbestos-linked cancer common in builders, plumbers, joiners, and teachers.

The call comes in the midst of a Health & Safety Executive awareness-raising campaign aimed at those workers most at risk. Sara Hunt, associate and asbestos specialist at Access legal from Shoosmiths, said: "With some people already hit by this creeping disease, and with many others potentially at risk, not a lot seems to be getting done.

"There are calls for government funding for a national centre for asbestos related diseases, and a 24,000-signature petition was presented to 10 Downing Street last year, but there’s been little positive reaction."

Hunt also believes Alimta - a drug that extends the life expectancy of mesothelioma sufferers - should remain available on the NHS. In 2007 the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) said the drug was not cost effective. However, following successful lobbying that decision was overturned, and Alimta was made available on the NHS. Now, that decision in turn is being challenged.

Hunt said: "If that challenge succeeds, suffers will no longer have NHS access to Alimta.

"Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and sufferers often have a very short life expectancy. Is it right to deny them access to a drug that may extend their life?"

Asbestos was used extensively as a building, insulating and fireproof material, particularly from the 1950s to 1980s. People exposed as long ago as 40 years might only now be developing asbestos-related conditions.

Asbestos remains in around 500,000 UK buildings, with people exposed when asbestos is disturbed and asbestos fibres become airborne. It can also be disturbed by pushing drawing pins into walls, and it is thought a single drawing pin can release 6,000 fibres. Mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to just one fibre.

Teaching unions are campaigning for asbestos to be removed from schools, after figures revealed 228 teachers died from asbestos-related diseases between 1991 and 2005.

Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and is a fatal illness. It is one of the least researched of the UK’s top 20 cancers, despite claiming more than 2,000 lives each year in the UK. It is believed this figure will continue to rise, peaking in 2015.

ENDS

Notes to Editors
Access Legal from Shoosmiths is the new consumer brand of top 30 national law firm Shoosmiths. From offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Southampton, Access Legal from Shoosmiths offers more than 100 legal services services to individuals and their families, whether they are buying a house, claiming compensation for an injury, suffered an accidents at work, making an asbestos claim, or writing a will. Services have been grouped under seven headings: conveyancing; employment law; legal disputes; medical negligence; motoring law; personal injury; and wills, family and wealth. Access Legal from Shoosmiths makes it easier for people to get specialist advice from legal professionals. Shoosmiths has more than 150 years’ experience and advises household name corporate clients.

Shoosmiths has launched a new brand for its consumer legal services

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:32:30 GMT

Shoosmiths launches new brand, Access Legal, to bring together more than 100 legal services for consumers.

Partner and head of consumer services at Shoosmiths, Judith Dorkins, said: "Consumers lack easy and reassuring access to legal services and advice. The consumer legal market is fragmented and without a leading legal brand, leaving it open to new entrants as a result of the Legal Services Act. We recognised an opportunity in that we were ideally placed to put our stake in the ground as the professional law firm that wants to attain a share of this 'new' market.

"We already had the expertise, track record and infrastructure in place, but what we hadn't fully refined was our customer care and the integration of our core conveyancing; wills, family and wealth; and personal injury services into a complete product range."

The new Access Legal website also brings all of the Shoosmiths' services, whether it is helping people buy a house or advising on a £multi-million corporate deal, under the Shoosmiths' name.

"Marketing to consumers and to commercial clients requires different approaches, and we felt the time was right to wrap up our distinct consumer services in a standalone brand that's accessible and friendly, yet highly professional, and which has over 150 years' history and experience to back it up."

Access Legal from Shoosmiths is for people who take responsibility for their lives, and who recognise the value of specialist professional advice.

The new logo for the brand has been created by Shoosmiths' in-house design team and the typeface reflects both the modern and traditional elements of the new services, whilst retaining the Shoosmiths blue.

Dorkins said: "Our research amongst consumers identified that they wanted the reassurance of a law firm but with modern service delivery which fitted around their busy lives, so our helpline will be operational seven days a week. Research also revealed that very few law firms were providing added value to clients in terms of staying in touch and providing relevant and timely information."

Access Legal is a fundamental move away from the old fashioned lawyers' view of the client as a 'transaction' and a move to recognise that people have legal needs throughout their life - Shoosmiths' aim is to earn and retain that loyalty. Ultimately, Shoosmiths wants to provide consumers with the solutions to their complete lifetime legal needs.

Shoosmiths' commercial and consumer operations complement each other because some of the firm's larger commercial clients offer their employees discounted legal services as part of a benefits package.

Crucial to the brand's success will be the new website which was developed by Shoosmiths' in-house IT and creative teams.

Dorkins said: "Internally, people see the sense in doing this because we're making our service offering clearer with separate websites and brands for our different stakeholders, whether they are commercial organisations, consumers, or our own employees."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Access Legal from Shoosmiths
Access Legal from Shoosmiths is the new consumer brand of top 30 national law firm Shoosmiths. From offices in Basingstoke, Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Reading and Southampton, Access Legal from Shoosmiths offers more than 100 services to individuals and their families, whether they are buying a house, claiming compensation for an injury or writing a will. Services have been grouped under seven headings: conveyancing; employment law; legal disputes; medical negligence; motoring law; personal injury claims

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