Our Court of Protection team manage the finances of over 100 people who do not have the capacity to look after their own affairs, and who have not appointed an attorney to act on their behalf in these circumstances. Some of the individuals we support have very little by way of financial resources and rarely receive a visitor – even at Christmas.
As a team, we have always visited our more isolated clients near to Christmas, to give them a Christmas card and small gift, and to stay for a chat. For the last two years, however, we have encouraged the rest of the staff at Anthony Collins Solicitors to also consider contributing. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our colleagues and delighted to replace our small Christmas gifts with a basket of goodies.
In addition to general donations to our appeal, this year we introduced a Secret Santa scheme. Colleagues had the option to take a slip of paper with the name of a deputyship client, and some information on their likes and dislikes, to buy them a bespoke gift to go in the hamper.
Gifts donated include chocolate, Christmas decorations, sweets, biscuits, toiletries, nightwear, teddies, and blankets so that each client will have a bundle of parcels to open on Christmas day.
One of our clients, Ruby*, currently in hospital, was keen to open one gift early – it was her Secret Santa gift – a pink teddy bear with a soft blanket. She was overjoyed with her present and delighted in showing it off to all of the nurses on duty.
*not the client’s real name.
The Lifeline Project was a well-regarded charity. Failure to carry out the targets within the contracts led the charity into insolvency and resulted in a personal, 7-year disqualification order.
On 23 July, trainees from Anthony Collins Solicitors will host an ‘experience day’, which will involve various activities and presentations, with lawyers and non-lawyers from across the firm.
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Under most construction contracts, the contractor takes on the ground conditions risk. However, a recent case has demonstrated that the risk can fall on the employer.
The UK Government has been consulting on how it should promote social value in its procurements. Here is our response that we submitted to the consultation...
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A recent case in the Court of Appeal will no doubt bring a sigh of relief for employers, but a corresponding sigh of disappointment may be uttered for equality and gender balance in the workplace.
This briefing assists response to the consultation paper by outlining the consultation questions, providing some background information and prompting some thoughts and potential answers.
A report published on 29 May by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found that since 2009-10, local government spending on services has fallen on average by 21% in real terms.
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