Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

West Wales law firm Redkite Law LLP has opened an office in the city centre of Cardiff. Redkite Law is an established law firm which has been serving the counties of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire for more than 100 years and is founded on the principle of specialist legal expertise. Its team of solicitors provide a full range of services to include company commercial, dispute resolution, employment, commercial property, family, wills, probate and estates, tax planning and trusts, conveyancing and injury claims and are proud to offer their services in both English and Welsh. The new Cardiff office is situated on Cathedral Road where Associate Solicitor Louise Irvine, and Solicitor Catrin Reed, will be based. Both Louise and Catrin specialise in family law and private client work. They will be joined by the Head of Company and Commercial, partner Paul James, who has not only recently been listed by the Western Mail in this year's Top 35 business and professional men in W...

West Wales legal experts Red Kite Law have announced the appointment of Neil Walker as Chief Executive. Mr Walker succeeds Andrew Manning, who will remain as a consultant to Red Kite Law. Mr Walker joined Red Kite Law as chief operating officer and finance director last summer. He said: “I am delighted to be stepping into the role of Chief Executive. “We are a forward looking legal firm operating primarily in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. But we also service clients throughout Wales and have recently opened an office in Cardiff. “We have a strong local brand, a fantastic team of solicitors and long-lasting relationships with our clients, who like us because we are local, we are good lawyers and we do a great job for them.” Mr Walker joined Red Kite Law from Cooperative Legal Services. He is a graduate of Manchester University and a qualified Chartered Accountant. Before joining Cooperative Legal Services, he worked in various parts of the Co-operative Group including holding the...

Hannah Dahill, the Head of Redkite's Employment & HR Team offers some advice to employers during the hot weather . . .  Over the next few days, Britain is expected to reach temperatures in excess of 30°C. With the Met Office placing the whole country under a level two heat-health alert, employers are under increased pressure to ensure the safety of their workers against the effects of excessive temperatures. By working in excessively high temperatures, a number  of adverse effects can occur including dehydration, headaches, nausea, dizziness, lacking concentration, increased risk of accident and the potential of a reduction in productivity. To minimise the negative side effects employers can undertake a number of precautions to ensure the safety of employees. For employees working predominately indoors, precautions include:- •Allowing Adequate Ventilation. •Access to cool water at all times. •Permitting an increased number of rest breaks. •A relaxation of f...

This the latest Employment Law update from Hannah Dahill, Head of Employment Law at Red Kite solicitors -  Shared parental leave The shared parental leave (SPL) regulations means that anyone who is due to give birth or adopt from 5 April is entitled to split their “maternity leave” with their partner. Except for the immediate 2 weeks that a mother has to take off, the remaining 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of paid statutory leave can be shared between the parents. Unfortunately, the new regulations are infuriatingly complex and there are question marks of the likely take up for fathers. Click here to read more.   Dismissal for offensive, non-work-related personal tweets The Employment Appeal Tribunal has recently decided that an employment judge failed to take full account of the public nature of Twitter when finding that an employee's dismissal for posting offensive tweets was unfair. The judge did not properly consider whether the employee's alleged private use ...

Red Kite Law chief executive Andrew Manning is planning a marathon charity mission to mark his 50th birthday. Mr Manning will be getting on his bike for a number of charities during the course of his birthday year, with the aim of raising £50 for every one of his birthday years. One of the charities to benefit will be the Enfys Foundation, the charitable wing of Red Kite Law. Mr Manning explained -  "I have a big birthday coming up at the end of this year- and, yes, I know I look younger/older than that (take your pick!). "I have been asked how I am going to celebrate this milestone, and want I want for it. "Well, I am going to celebrate it by trying to ride my bike further and faster than I have done before. "I am seeking to do this by riding my bike across the width of England ("coast to coast" ), in April (135 miles in 2.5 days) , the length of the UK (Lands End to John O Groats) in May/June (950 miles in 10 days) ,and London to Paris in ea...

Red Kite Law will be supporting the Radio Pembrokeshire Local Hero awards 2015. The legal eagles are sponsoring the prestigious Child of Courage award. “As a locally-based firm, we always like to do our bit to support community events,” said Red Kite Law partner David Sangster. “The Child of Courage award at the annual Pembrokeshire Local Hero awards is one of the most important at the event. “We are looking forward to being part of the judging panel. And we are looking forward to being at the glitzy awards dinner to be staged at The Cleddau Bridge Hotel. on Thursday, February 26.” Mr Sangster added: "We sponsored the Child of Courage award at last year's event and our Donna Purchase presented the prize. It is one of the most emotional prizes on the night and we are proud to be associated with it." The overall sponsors for the Radio Pembrokeshire Local Hero Awards are Valero, the operators of Pembroke Refinery. Nomination categories include: Act of Bravery Entrepren...

A son of Sir Gâr (Carmarthenshire) has returned home to join the Red Kite Law commercial property team in their Carmarthen office. Alun Price, who is a fluent Welsh speaker, trained and worked as an associate for seven years in the London office of the Top 10 global firm, Norton Rose Fulbright. At Red Kite Law, he will be advising on a wide range of property transactions, ranging from sales, lettings, financings, developments and the property aspects of corporate transactions (both share and business sales). Alun also has expertise in renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms. Having grown up in Carmarthenshire, Alun loves the rural life the county has to offer and spends his weekends gardening, playing football and doing other outdoor sports. Simon Campbell-Davies, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Red Kite Law, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alun to the team here at Red Kite. He has great local roots and a passion for the community. He will be a great ...

Rugby players in the Under-18 Pembrokeshire Schools Academy will have wings on their back this season thanks to Red Kite Law. The legal firm has taken the wraps off its sponsorship of the Under-18 Pembrokeshire Schools Academy. “Supporting local people and helping youngsters in the community is a passion at Red Kite Law,” said James Subbiani, a partner at the firm. Mr Subbiani attended the Under-18 Pembrokeshire Schools Academy pre-season friendly game against Cowbridge at Whitland RFC to make the presentation of the first team kit. “We are delighted to see the Red Kite Law logo on the back of the shirts,” said Mr Subbiani. “Here’s hoping the new kit gives the team that little bit of extra lift to take them to success in the new season.” Jonny Llewhellin, WRU development officer for Pembrokeshire, thanked Red Kite Law for their sponsorship. He added: “Getting backing from local businesses such as Red Kite Law is very important to us and we are grateful for the firm’s help. I kn...

Red Kite Law partner Donna Purchase has been shortlisted in the category of ‘Professional Woman of the Year’ in the Swansea Bay Business Life and South Wales Evening Post Women in Business Awards 2014. Donna heads up “the strongest employment team in West Wales” (The Legal 500 UK 2013) and has been described by clients as being “extremely approachable and pragmatic”. She advises on all aspect of employment law for both employers and employees from complex restructures, contracts and policies to unfair dismissal claims and redundancy matters. Donna's colleagues at Red Kite Law are thrilled that her work has been recognised and that she has been shortlisted down to one of just three for the award. The team at Red Kite Law would like to wish her all the best for the upcoming awards. The awards are being held at the Marriott Hotel, Swansea, on Friday 3rd October. Weblinks - http://www.digital-southwales.co.uk/vivid_events/index.php/women-in-business-2014 http://...

As one of the largest employers in West Wales, Red Kite Law is actively engaged in discussions to improve the business environment for clients and contacts. Paul James, Head of Company and Commercial Law, took part in the West Wales Economic Forum at the Parc y Scarlets stadium in Llanelli. Paul was one of only four business experts on a panel fielding questions from an invited audience of over 100 delegates – all themselves representatives from the leading businesses in West Wales. The other panel members were Roger Evans, managing director and plant director, Schaeffler (UK), Anna Bastek, director, Wolfestone Translation, and Stephen Yorke, area commercial director, HSBC. “The questions and the broader debates were topical and very interesting” said Paul. “We covered everything from the roll out of high speed broadband to how to improve education locally to make sure people have the skills they need to join the workplace. I found the tone most encouraging for business in...

Red Kite Law is going from strength to strength as the partners implement the new strategy announced earlier this year. As the leading local firm in West Wales, the partners aimed to invest in improved management and are delighted to announce two significant new recruits: Neil Walker and Simon Campbell-Davies. Neil has joined from Cooperative Legal Services – one of the big brands tipped to revolutionise the way that people buy legal advice. He is now Red Kite Law’s chief operating officer and finance director. Simon is the new head of marketing and business development and joins the firm from Hugh James in Cardiff. Red Kite Law partner David Sangster said he was delighted to welcome Neil and Simon to the firm. “We are a go-ahead legal firm operating in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and now further afield in Chepstow, Monmouthshire. “We have a strong local brand, a fantastic team of solicitors and long-lasting relationships with our clients who like us because we are local, ...

The Red Kite Law team will be at the Pembrokeshire County Show with a special offer. They will be offering a 20% discount off all new Will Writing and Lasting Power of Attorney instructions. Simon Campbell-Davies, head of marketing and business development with Red Kite Law, said: “We are very proud to be supporting the Pembrokeshire County Show both as a sponsor and with this special offer which is to help people protect their assets and legacies.” The Red Kite Law team will be at the CLA Country Land and Business Association (Country Landowners’) stand throughout the show to explain their special offer. To coincide with the show, the offer is also running on the Red Kite Law website - www.redkitelaw.co.uk Customers can also ring the firm’s main Pembrokeshire (01437 763332) and Carmarthenshire (01267 239000) numbers. Mr Campbell-Davies said: “We are putting the spotlight on will writing and lasting power of attorney arrangements. “Not having a will means the state decides what hap...

When the Royal Mint needed some specific expert commercial legal advice, they turned to Red Kite Law’s Company and Commercial partner Paul James. Paul is one of a small number of lawyers in Wales who has built a strong reputation in advising both public sector and private sector clients, and can claim to be an expert in providing practical, commercial legal advice to organisations of any size. “I’m delighted to have been asked to help The Royal Mint with their legal requirements” he said. “As clients go, you can’t get much more prestigious than The Royal Mint and I am looking forward to working with them, particularly at such an exciting time for the organisation, to support their forthcoming significant capital investment programme.” Paul, 31, is head of Red Kite Law’s Company and Commercial department. As well as the Royal Mint, their clients include Ceredigion County Council, the Valero Pembroke refinery and a wide range of SMEs in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. Paul said: “Th...

The Red Kite Law team welcomed the President of the Law Society, Andrew Caplen, to the firm’s Carmarthen office. Mr Caplen was on a fact-finding tour of Wales and met senior partners at Red Kite Law for a discussion on the challenges facing the legal services industry. Red Kite Law partner David Sangster said: “We had an excellent meeting with Mr Caplen, who outlined his vision for the Law Society. “We were also able to highlight our success stories here at Red Kite Law.” Mr Caplen is a consultant with Heppenstalls, a predominantly private client firm in Hampshire. He has been a Law Society Council member for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight since 2000 and has a particular interest in access to justice and legal aid issues. Mr Caplen plans to use his presidential year to highlight the work of the Law Society and the English and Welsh legal profession in three broad areas - Access to justice; Diversity and inclusion and Membership engagement. Mr Caplen said: “Speaking up for the most v...

Investing in people is paying off for legal eagles Red Kite Law. “It may sound like a bit of a cliché, but it is a proven fact that investment in people always pays dividends,” said Red Kite Law partner David Sangster. The law firm has just had the prestigious Investors in People award quality benchmark stamp renewed for another three years. “It’s a great boost to us as a law firm and an endorsement of the way we like to work as a business. “As a law firm, we always stress the need for strong standards and for providing a trusted service. “For us, those standards start at the core of the business and how we help to develop and nurture our staff. “Here at Red Kite Law, we have happily taken on board the ideas and practices laid down by Investors in People. Making sure our staff reach and fulfil their potential is hugely important to us. “We are a unique, innovative law firm, founded on the principle of specialist expertise. Our team of solicitors provide expert guidance in virtually e...

Legal eagles Red Kite Law will be staging a free employment law update seminar at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, on July 29. Full details from the Red Kite Law team: When: 4.30 – 6.30pm, 29th July 2014 Where: Parc y Scarlets We are delighted to invite you to our free employment law update seminar. The seminar will be run by our fully qualified Employment Solicitors. It will provide an update of Employment Law for 2014/2015, covering the key topics, and is essential for all business owners, managers and HR officers. The seminar is free and includes a complimentary handout. We will cover: Flexible working: the extension of the right to request flexible to all employees from June 2014 Holiday pay: should overtime and commission be included in holiday pay following recent cases? Shared parental leave: new system for parents to share leave for babies born after 5 April 2015 Managing absence: new assessment and advisory service TUPE: changes to the obligations for small employers Di...

The Red Kite Law team can guide businesses and individuals through the new law on flexible working. The new rights for employees started this month (July). “Change is the one constant factor in employment laws and working practices and we have a team of experts here at Red Kite Law to guide people through the new rules,” said Donna Purchase, head of the legal firm’s Human Resources (HR) team. Mrs Purchase, a partner with Red Kite Law, leads “the strongest employment team in West Wales” (as recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2013 benchmark). “We are all about giving clear, practical advice and cost-effective solutions for our clients,” she said. “So when changes to employment laws happen we are in the vanguard of helping to point people in the right direction. “Smaller firms (SMEs) may be baffled by the changes and may not have their own HR resources. “This is where we can bring our expertise to bear, making sure that everyone fully appreciates the latest changes to the law on flexible...

The Red Kite Law team has backed the popular ‘Myrddin’ appeal in Carmarthen. The campaign to support the Myrddin Special Needs and Autistic Unit has taken the town by storm in recent months. The unit won the Times Education Supplement competition for a new £80,000 Clearspace Buildings classroom. And local campaigners have been busy raising fund for equipment for the new classroom. In the vanguard of the fund-raising campaign has been Andrew Bassett, a director of Basmac Homes Limited and Bassett and Macgregor Construction Limited. Andrew, his wife Bridget and their daughters Rachel and Rebecca walked parts of the Great Wall of China to raise money for the Myrddin unit. Red Kite Law staff rallied around to raise cash to support the appeal and their donations were cash-matched by the firm’s partners to the value of £300. To date, the Bassett family has raised an incredible £42,000 for the unit. Mrs Morris said: “Red Kite Law believes in playing its part in the local community and we ...

The people of Cardiganshire, North Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire are being given a chance to air their views on crime and police matters. In a first for the Dyfed-Powys police force area, Red Kite Law is sponsoring a Crime and Policing Hotline event organised by the Cardigan-based Tivyside Advertiser newspaper. Tivyside Editor Sue Lewis has invited Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon to her office to take public questions by letter, phone, email, text, Twitter or Facebook. The Crime Commissioner and Editor will be joined by Jamie Subbiani, of Red Kite Law. Mrs Lewis said: “Crime and community safety is always a hot topic with Tivyside readers, so I do hope they take this chance to quiz the Commissioner and Jamie. “I’m eager that readers’ views are heard; this is a great opportunity to ask questions about concerns such as anti-social behaviour, road safety, thefts and going out after dark.” Mr Salmon said: “This is an innovative idea by the Tivyside. I’m delighted ...

Commercial property expert Lucy Morris has been appointed a partner with the go-ahead legal team at Red Kite Law. Mrs Morris, 30, is already in charge of Red Kite Law’s market-leading commercial property team. Mrs Morris is based at Red Kite Law’s offices in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. “I’m delighted to be given partner status with Red Kite Law, a legal firm with extensive local knowledge of the community in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire,” she said. Fellow partner David Sangster said he was delighted to welcome Mrs Morris into the partnership. He said: “We pride ourselves on our local roots and Lucy is an extremely able solicitor who is both a team leader and a team player with Red Kite Law. “As someone rooted in the local community, she adds to the unrivalled expertise we are able to offer our clients as the ‘local’ legal team of choice.” Mrs Morris said: “I have the pleasure of heading up a team with unrivalled breadth of expertise and specialism in all areas of commerci...