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In some cases, however, an employee may feel the need to ask for a settlement agreement themselves. In this article, we explain how this alternative dismissal process may work in your favour, and how to ask for it. When should I consider asking for a settlement agreement? Usually, your employer will be the one to offer you a settlement agreement. However, this isn’t to say that you can’t ask for one yourself. If, for example, you feel that you are being executively managed out of your job, you might consider asking for a settlement agreement. Although in some cases, claiming for constructive dismissal may be possible, working out a settlement agreement with your employer can often make it faster for you to leave the company without missing out on any financial compensation you may be due. What will my employer do if I…

SWEENEY Miller Chartered Legal Executive Rebecca Cresswell has been chosen to be part of the prestigious Northern Law Awards judging panel for 2019. Rebecca, who works in the family and litigation department of the company, is heavily involved in the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx ) – the professional body which represents chartered legal executives, legal practitioners, paralegals and apprentices and is secretary of the Newcastle branch. She works tirelessly to promote alternate routes into law and has helped organise numerous charity fundraising events over the years at the Newcastle CILEx Branch. She said: “It’s an honour to be on the judging panel for what is such a well-known and well-respected awards event in the legal calendar.” A spokesperson for the Northern Law Awards said: “We are hugely fortunate to have a fantastic panel of judges with a great diversity of experience…

MONEY has been raised by Sweeney Miller staff to help those suffering from cystic fibrosis. A cheque for £158.35 was handed over to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in the wake of recent fundraising efforts at the company. And the charity’s support care officer, Jennifer Alcindor, says such donations are vital to help those who suffer from the distressing condition. “Every single penny will help us create future where everyone with cystic fibrosis can lead a long and healthy life,” she said. “We are fighting for a Life Unlimited by cystic fibrosis (CF) for everyone living with the condition, and those who are born with it every week. Together we’ll create a brighter future for all of those affected by the condition. ” Jennifer says the CF Trust’s work is dominated by research into the condition, support to those…

NORTH East Landlords (NEL) has been set to help ALL the landlords in the North East. The event will help you get to know why NEL is being established, how we see it working and hear what you would like to see it deliver. There are experts on hand during the event to give you advice on Property and Rental legal issues, Tax & Accounts, Landlord and Property Insurance as well as Mortgages – please book a 10-minute slot ticket Agenda to follow. Come along and get the information, help and assistance you need for your property business. Doors open 5.30pm for the tea/coffee and light buffet and the presentations start at 6.30pm. There is ample free onsite parking. To book your place please click on this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk  

A STAGGERING one in five couples will seek some form of legal advice this January which could result in divorce. Statistics show divorce rates are set to rise in the month of January and continue up until the end of March in what has become a recognised post-Christmas trend. There’s no doubt that pressures on relationships can intensify during what can be a stressful time of the year. But there’s another aspect – that many see the new year as a fresh start, a chance to wipe the slate clean as many individuals don’t want to remain in the same place physically or mentally for another year. Another reason for the statistical increase might be the fact that if post-Christmas seems like a fresh start, the run-up to Christmas can be…

GOVERNMENT plans to curb whiplash claims by 2020 is causing concern to personal injury lawyers who say the public will be disadvantaged should the new legislation be introduced as proposed. The changes would mean the public only receiving a nominal sum for whiplash claims if any. Sweeney Miller Law is among law firms monitoring the implications of legislation aimed to reform the system which will reduce compensation for claimants, even those who may be unable to work for months. The Civil Liability Bill has passed through the House of Commons and will introduce a fixed tariff for whiplash damages, complemented by a rise in the small claims limit from £1,000 to £5,000 for road traffic accident-related personal injury claims and from £1,000 to £2,000 for other personal injuries claims, such as public and employer’s liability. The small claims limit change means legal costs…

Sweeney Miller Law is proud to sponsor a number of causes in the local community – and one of our favourite causes is local football! Here are some of the budding footballers we are supporting at Red House Farm Football Club in Newcastle sporting their new kit. We hope the new jackets will keep the youngsters warm during the cold frosty winter so that they can focus fully on developing their football skills!    

MANAGEMENT at Sweeney Miller Law have been undergoing Mental Health First Aid training In order to recognise and deal with potential staff problems as they arise. The two-day course, delivered by Tim Ford of Live Well Training, covers mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety and gives guidance in spotting the signs and being proactive. It also looks at ways of maintaining and promoting good mental health in the workplace. Tim Ford of Live Well Training Company co-founder Paul Miller said: “The course has been brilliant, really eye-opening and I would recommend it to all companies out there. “It is good in the way it challenges preconceptions and it supports ways to make sure that people feel happy and secure in the workplace. It also leads to a better…

Christmas is a time for joy and celebration, but it is also a time to be thankful and to remember those less fortunate than us. Keeping in with the Christmas spirit, staff at our Newcastle office arranged a charity shoe box collection with essential items and a little treat to support some of those in need. The shoebox idea proved to be a great success and we wanted to give a special mention to our lovely Kierra for organising the initiative!

THE North East Landlords’ Association is to hold its first meeting in Sunderland this week, giving landlords and associated businesses across Wearside the chance to get the latest updates in the property market. The meeting will take place this Tuesday, November 27th from 5.30pm-9pm in the Bede Tower in Burdon Road, Sunderland (SR2 7EA) with a host of interesting talks and advice seminars. On the fun side, there will be the ‘Brucey Bonus Landlord Quiz’ hosted by Bruce Haagensen. But other talks include: ‘How to Spot Common Defects in Houses’ by Rob Harrison, ‘Cyber Security – Why it is Vitally Important for Landlords’ by Nick Atkinson, ‘Protecting Your Wealth’ by David Smith. There will also be an update on local and national issues of interest to landlords.

SWEENEY Miller Law solicitor Rebecca Cresswell is taking part in a mentoring session this month for people exploring alternative ways into law. Rebecca will be at BHP Law offices, Westgate House in Darlington on Wednesday, January 30 as part of a panel discussing lawyers who found different ways of getting into the profession. Amanda Adeola of BHP Law will be hosting the session and joining Amanda and Rebecca will be Helen Griffiths and Fiona Hill who will be discussing the same subject. With training contracts and pupillages being very competitive and few and far between, they will be explaining that there are other routes to practicing law. The session will discuss paralegal positions and how to maximise the potential this brings and the experience that can be gained from that role. Rebecca and Helen will talk about their journeys from a law degree holder background…