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Sponsored by: Thursfields Solicitors


Boosting your income could lead to legal action


Covid-19: the impact on Family Law


A leading solicitor is warning that people who try to boost their income during the lockdown by turning their hands to work they are not qualified to do could face legal claims for negligence. Richard Kerry, of Bell Lax


Solicitors in Sutton Coldfield, said that financial pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic could lead to struggling trades people being exposed to legal claims. He said: “Many businesses are


By Philip Rea, Associate Director, Family


The coronavirus public health emergency is unprecedented. Its impact however reaches beyond the health and wellbeing of the population. Family lawyers have recently observed its impact on families in several ways. On 23 March, the


government published full guidance on staying at home and social distancing. This clarified that where parents do not live in the same household, children under the age of 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes. On 24 March, the President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, provided additional advice, stating that where coronavirus restrictions cause the letter of a court order to be varied, the spirit of the order should nevertheless be delivered by making safe alternative arrangements for the child. Furthermore the Covid-19


impact has also been felt by couples who are in the process of negotiating and seeking to agree financial arrangements on divorce. The downturn in the economy, being worse than the 2008 crisis, has impacted the value of assets and investments leaving some spouses facing a potentially significant wait to agree a financial settlement and couples in this situation are being advised to be cautious about finalising their settlements at this time and to seek expert legal advice.


For further information please contact me on: E: PRea@thursfields.co.uk T: 0121 227 3365 M: 07720 089204


60 CHAMBERLINK June/July 2020


currently experiencing financial difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “During times of financial


pressure, it is tempting to take on new types of work to boost income and cash flow. While such a policy is completely understandable, it can potentially lead to problems down the line. “Businesses which carry out


work they have no previous experience of, or they are simply not qualified to undertake, expose themselves to the risk of legal claims for negligently carrying out such work.


area have seen a drop in their income. Mr Kerry said the challenging


economic climate could result in unnecessary legal action, as people turn to different ways of earning income. “Another problem to bear in


mind is insurance cover,” he said. “Professional indemnity insurance or other relevant commercial insurance policies may not cover their mistakes and therefore any claims made against them. “A lack of appropriate insurance


Richard Kerry: don’t take on work you are not qualified for


“This is an issue which both


professional service providers and trades people need to wary of.” Research by the West Midlands


Combined Authority suggests that 79 per cent of businesses in the


is a major problem for businesses during economically stable times. However, when businesses are struggling for cash this scenario will expose not only businesses, but also their clients and customers. “A business that is struggling to


generate income is going to find it nigh on impossible to pay court judgments. Insurance is, after all, there to protect both sides in any legal claim. At a time when businesses are short of money, it is not, therefore, always a good idea to seek new revenue streams.”


Law society appoints new chair


Birmingham Law Society has appointed Asian Business Chamber of Commerce former vice- president Dee Kundi as its new chair. Ms Kundi is a commercial litigation partner at Birmingham law firm VWV, where she heads up its debt recovery department. Ms Kundi was elected as a council member of Birmingham Law Society in 2015 and 12 months later became the first Asian woman to join its the board. She said: “I am extremely humbled, honoured and


exceptionally pleased that I have been appointed as the new chair of the Birmingham Law Society Board.


“We are working through unprecedented times


where we all need to work together effectively. “I honestly believe my hard work, business acumen, integrity and perseverance has helped me to achieve my professional growth, which I ensure will continue in my new appointed role. Another step in breaking through those glass ceilings. I look forward to working more closely with the board and supporting our membership.” Birmingham Law Society represents around 5,000


legal professionals from more than 100 regional practices.


Technology lawyer joins firm


Law firm Mills & Reeve has recruited technology lawyer Jagvinder Singh Kang (pictured) as its international head of information technology. Mr Kang will work out


of the firm’s Birmingham office. His background includes launching specialist law firm Technology Law Alliance in 2003. Since then, he has advised on


billions of pounds worth of technology transactions, involving some of the world’s biggest corporations.


He has also been recognised by


both Legal 500 and Chambers as an ‘elite technology lawyer’, having been top ranked by both legal directories for nine consecutive years. He said: “I launched a boutique law firm from a standing start. By the time I decided to leave, it was viewed in the field of technology law as equal, if


not better, than the likes of Clifford Chance and Slaughter and May. “I’m truly excited by what I can


now help accomplish with the backing of a leading full-service UK


law firm, which already has heavyweight specialist lawyers, a great national reputation, as well as strong international alliances.” Mr Kang is qualified as a


technology lawyer, a specialist data protection lawyer, and a qualified software engineer, and also has a first class honours degree in computer science and software engineering. He said: “This unique


background allows me to better advise my clients, by applying my understanding of the underlying technology to the associated technology law issues.”


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