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On Sunday, April 30, the 5k Race for Grace Obstacle Challenge is expected to attract hundreds to Herrington Park. And Damien Todd, conveyancing solicitor from Sweeney Miller’s Sunderland office will be taking part alongside colleague Faye Brown. Damien said: ““I am taking part in the Sunderland 10k for Grace House but when I heard about the 5k Race for Grace Obstacle Challenge I thought it sounded great fun. “And once my colleagues heard  I was taking part they wanted to take part too with their friends and family.” The Grace House Appeal started in 2003, and since then over £5m has been raised to care for and support some of the most disadvantaged and socially excluded children and young people. Sweeney Miller solicitors Faye Brown and Damien Todd with four-year old Isla Carpenter, who will all take part…

And the North East solicitors are backing efforts from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) to ensure the issue is rightly highlighted to the public. The fear is that people injured in traffic accidents will be robbed of fair compensation in the mistaken belief that insurance premiums will fall as a result of Government proposals for personal injury in its Prisons and Courts Bill. If you received a traffic ticket as well you can fight the traffic tickets houstonhere. The bill was unveiled by the Justice Secretary by this month and has been trailed by claims that if personal injury claims are changed and restricted, insurance premiums for motorists would fall. But Neil Sugarman, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) a national not-for-profit group which represents injured people, has pointed out (click here for the details) that data…

There are fears that if proposed Government changes overseen by former Chancellor George Osborne go-ahead, whiplash victims will be penalised, compensation for soft-tissue injuries will be limited or scrapped altogether and changes to small claims limits will play into the hands of insurance companies. And this month many legal interests, including the Law Society, lobbied the Government over potential Ministry of Justice reforms which could have a big impact on the personal injury sector. Paul Miller of Sweeney Miller said: “The suggested reforms are supposed to be aiming at improve things but our fear is that they will have the reverse effect as far as the public are concerned. “And we would call on the Government to look very closely at proposals in front of it and put the onus on putting the interests of the public, and claimants in this case, before…

The survey shows that one in five motorists have driven the day after a heavy drinking session, despite knowing they could be over the drink-drive limit. Commissioned by the Automobile Association, the poll questioned almost 20,000 drivers and found 29% of those aged 25 to 34 years – and 20% of all respondents – admitted to possible drink driving the following morning. And Sweeney Miller partner, Paul Miller, said: “There are probably still many people who believe that as long as you’ve had a good sleep after a night out, you’re safe to drive the next day. “This valuable survey shows that’s often not the case and we’re hoping that more people than ever before in our region will hear this Christmas safety message, of keeping an eye on this often overlooked aspect of potential drink driving. “In an ideal world, everyone would…

North East solicitors Sweeney Miller are backing calls to ensure access to justice for all in the wake of cuts to legal aid. Proposals for a set of minimum standards to ensure access to justice for all have prompted the Law Society to warn that the justice system is at breaking point and that civil legal aid cuts will ultimately cost tax payers more than they will save. Responding to an interim report from the Bach Commission on Access to Justice, Law Society chief executive Catherine Dixon said: ‘The right to British justice should apply to everyone who is subject to the laws of this country irrespective of background or income. This is sadly no longer the case. ‘Successive governments have repeatedly cut the legal aid budget and the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders…

Living North magazine is hosting its second Awards evening this Friday, November 25 – and just like last year’s inaugural event- Sweeney Miller will be giving it their support, Almost two dozen awards will be given out in the stunning setting of St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle with recognition covering a whole range of activities. From Restaurant of the Year to the Changing Lives award; from Hotel of the Year to the Creative Contribution award; from Retailer of the Year to the Best Regeneration or Restoration award, the night will highlight what is good and great in the North East right now. Sweeney Miller’s special area of interest on the night will be the Promise and Potential award which the company will be sponsoring. The citation for the award reads: “A community is nothing without young people…

Workers across the region were represented by Isaac Abraham Solicitors’ in pursuit of compensation for accidents and industrial disease claims, particularly hearing loss cases. But now the industrial disease arm of the Bury-based firm is being investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Enforcement officers from the SRA took the action after concerns were raised over a number of hearing loss claims. Although no wrong doing has been established against the Isaac Abraham’s Solicitor at this stage, the intervention means Isaac Abraham can no longer deal with their Claimant ongoing cases. Many of their clients are North East based, having worked in heavy industry and mining and now face looking for new Solicitor to handle their cases. North East law firm Sweeney Miller has stepped in to help victims left in the lurch after the suspension of the personal injury solicitor and is offering to take…

Caring for your animals from beyond the grave Perhaps the simplest, and most often overlooked method, is to make a Will. Despite the ease of having a Will prepared, in research conducted in 2011 found that only 25% of the United Kingdom’s population have even considered preparing a Will. Why make a Will? In this age of austerity and the availability of ‘Do-it-yourself Will Kits’ at local stationary shops, some people are tempted to draft their own Wills, oblivious of the pitfalls involved in doing so. It is therefore always a good idea to take professional advice when making a will especially if circumstances are even just slightly out of what was once perhaps assumed to be the ordinary. For example: Anyone who owns a property, land or has business interests overseas; Anyone who has children under the age of 18, especially if you…

Sweeney Miller, one of Sunderland’s biggest law firms, has kicked off the latest sponsorship drive by the Sunderland and District Society of Association Football Referees with a £200 donation. The cash has been used to purchase essential TV and sound equipment for the association to use during its regular meetings when guest speakers update its members on technical issues, rules changes and best practice. The association, which is affiliated with the National Referees Association, formed back in 1906 to look after the welfare of referees and to give them help and guidance. The Sunderland association has 96 members and is the third largest in the England.  It represents referees who officiate over children’s football and amateur games right up the Football League, with members working in the Championship, Leagues One and Two, and the Vanarama National…

Runners Gemma Brown, Jemma Rackstraw, Damien Todd and Sarah Taylor are in training for the run on May 1st which this years starts at the new Keel Square. The 10k route takes in the city centre, St Peter’s riverside and Roker before returning to the finish line. Sweeney Miller has a tradition of local fundraising and every year raises thousands of pounds for local charities. Sweeney Miller founding partner Paul Miller said: “All the staff at Sweeney Miller get involved in our fundraising efforts and once again the team have stepped up to boost funds in the local area. “St Benedict’s offers crucial care at a difficult time and we are happy to once again offer our support.” St Benedict’s Hospice has provided specialist palliative care to the people of Sunderland and surrounding districts since 1984.  Hundreds of…

The firm, with offices in Newcastle and Sunderland, has a policy of successfully training its own staff as well as attracting experienced lawyers to the team as it continues to expand. Former University of Sunderland law graduate Mike Cattermole joined Sweeney Miller in 2011 and this month has successfully qualified as a solicitor after achieving the required amount of on the job training and experience. Mike has qualified in the wills and probate team and working with Melanie Finlay brings to the role a breadth of knowledge and experience in not only private client matters but also litigation. Commenting on his appointment, Mike said: “I am delighted to have been kept on at Sweeney Miller following the completion of my training. It is a very exciting time for the firm and I am thrilled to be…