National Acclaim for Widdows Family Lawyers

Paul Ireland and Louise Cadman, both family lawyers with Widdows Mason, have recently gained Resolution ‘accredited specialist’ status.

Both Paul (a Partner at our Warrington Office) and Louise (an Assistant Solicitor at our Wigan Office) passed examinations in Domestic Abuse and in Children Law to gain their specialist status under the Resolution scheme.

Originally set up in 1999, the scheme is designed to help people who are facing family breakdown to make an informed choice when deciding which lawyer to appoint.  To become a Resolution accredited specialist, lawyers have to agree to uphold the Resolution Code of Practice and to have passed a written test demonstrating a breadth of knowledge of family law issues and specialist knowledge in at least two areas of family law.

By choosing a Resolution specialist, clients can be assured that they are being advised by someone who has a wide knowledge and experience of family law, and has the qualifications to demonstrate it.

Notes

Resolution is an association of over 5500 members who are committed to promoting a non-confrontational atmosphere in which family law matters are dealt with in a sensitive, constructive and cost-effective way.  It sets high standards of good practice in family law and runs an accreditation scheme for specialist family lawyers.

Amy Mathison Appointed to Stonehouse Board of Management

Amy Mathison, family solicitor, based at our Wigan Office has been appointed to the Board of Management Committee at Stonehouse Family and Contact Centre in Leigh.

Stonehouse is run by volunteers and provides an invaluable service to the community by providing facilities and assistance for families facing difficult periods.  During the week Stonehouse operates as a children’s and family centre offering a range of services to children in need aged 0-11 years and their families.

On a Saturday morning the centre becomes a ‘Supported’ contact centre which is utilised, generally in Private Law Children Act Court Proceedings (which are disputes between parents following a breakdown of a marriage or relationship), to facilitate contact between the Child and the Non resident parent where concerns mean that support is required during contact times.

Although the Centre is not a long term measure for contact it provides an invaluable service to families to ensure the contact between children and their absent parent continues even during very difficult times.

The Contact centre accepts referrals from a number of sources including Widdows Mason.  At present the contact centre does not accept ‘self referrals’ (from parents themselves).  The Closure of the Bolton contact centre has resulted in Stonehouse receiving an increase in the number of referrals.

The Contact centre is run entirely by volunteers who give up their own time to provide support to families during difficult times.  Without the devotion and commitment the Contact centre would not be able to open its doors each week.

In recent years the Centre has successfully obtained grants of money from CAFACSS and the National Association of Child Contact Centres which, in addition to fund raising events and donations, has allowed the Centre to continue operating.  However, due to changes in CAFCASS funding and the availability of grants from other sources the centre is more reliant than ever on Fund raising events and Donations. 

Amy comments ‘Stonehouse contact centre provides a fantastic and invaluable service to the local community and the volunteers are inspirational.  It is a pleasure and a privilege to be appointed to the board of Management Committee of such a vital community resource’.

Widdows Trainee Scores Top Marks

Widdows Mason Trainee Solicitor Kerry Szczerba recently passed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at Manchester Metropolitan University with distinction, scoring the highest marks across stage one and two and scooping the annual New Charter Prize.

The New Charter Prize for overall highest performer is sponsored by social housing provider the New Charter Housing Group, which featured in the recent BBC1 series 'Neighbourhood Watched'.

The Legal Practice Course is a postgraduate diploma in law which is the professional qualification taken before becoming a Solicitor.  Kerry completed the LPC part time whilst working and studied a fast track course which condensed the usual 2 years part time LPC into 15 months. She is due to qualify as a Solicitor at the end of her Training Contract in December 2011.

Kerry says: 'I was always told the LPC would be hard work and that certainly turned out to be true, so I was very pleased to pass with distinction and to receive top marks was fantastic. I'm sure I won't have any trouble finding something to spend the prize of high street vouchers on! I'm looking forward to qualifying as a solicitor at the end of my training contract this December'.

Kerry has been invited to attend the New Charter awards ceremony later in the year. 

National Acclaim for Sharon Ferguson - Family Lawyer

The skills of a North West lawyer have been recognized by the UK's leading family law group - Resolution. Sharon Ferguson, family lawyer and partner at law firm Widdows Mason, has gained Resolution accredited specialist status.

Sharon Ferguson has passed her examinations in domestic abuse and children law - private to gain her specialist status under the Resolution scheme.

Originally set up in 1999, the scheme is designed to help people who are facing family breakdown to make an informed choice when deciding which lawyer to appoint. To become a Resolution Accredited Specialist, lawyers have to agree to uphold the Resolution code of practice and to have passed a written test demonstrating a breadth of knowledge of family law issues and specialist knowledge in at least two areas of family law.

Sharon Ferguson is one of a growing number of North West lawyers to achieve Resolution accreditation. She comments:

'As a Resolution member, I am committed to encouraging a non-confrontational approach to resolving family disputes. That way, both the emotional and financial costs of divorce or family breakdown are minimized for those involved.

Now by choosing a Resolution specialist, individuals can be assured that they are being advised by someone who has a wide knowledge and experience of family law and has the qualifications to demonstrate it.'

Note

Resolution is an association of over 5,500 members who are committed to promoting a non-confrontational atmosphere in which family law matters are dealt with in a sensitive, constructive and cost effective way. It sets high standards of good practice in family law and runs an accreditation scheme for specialist family lawyers.

New Branch in Chester

The Partners of Widdows Mason are pleased to announce that we now have a branch in Chester, following the acquisition of the existing practice of E J Bamforth Solicitors.

The office is based at 9 Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AQ (Tel: 01244 357209 Fax: 01244 357226) and has traditionally specialised in Criminal Law and Social Welfare Law including housing and welfare benefits advice. Our full range of services will soon be available at this branch including Family Law, Conveyancing, Wills and Probate, Personal Injury, Employment Law, Commercial Law and Motoring Law