"Excellent service. Well done! "
Bridge McFarland to open in Doncaster
Just three months following the merger with Grimsby law firm Stephen Ede, Cooke and Ashton, leading regional law firm Bridge McFarland are expanding even further by opening an office in Doncaster.
Bridge McFarland’s Doncaster office will be the firm’s eleventh office across eight locations and will open in May at Mallard House, Sidings Court, White Rose Way, Doncaster.
Partner, Tim Mincher will head up the office and will be joined by Associate Solicitor Rachel Griffiths who joins the firm on 1st May and Stephanie Pyle moving to Doncaster from the firm’s bespoke claims centre in Grimsby.
Tim Mincher stated “Opening in Doncaster is a fantastic opportunity to extend our services in serious injury, clinical negligence, hospital acquired infections, industrial disease and professional negligence claims to people in South Yorkshire. It is also good to be opening an office in my home town of Doncaster”.
Darryn Hedges, Chief Executive Officer of Bridge McFarland, commented “Despite the current economic climate, we see geographical expansion to Doncaster as a natural step in bringing our claims expertise to South Yorkshire”.
Bridge McFarland has specific expertise in high value personal injury and clinical negligence claims resulting in the recovery of millions of pounds in compensation for their clients.
The recent appointment of Dr John Robertshaw as a Medical Adviser has also brought in-house medical expertise to the firm and will provide clients with the opportunity to be represented by medical and legal professionals in respect of their medical claims.
Anyone who wishes to discuss a potential claim on an initial free, no obligation basis can contact Bridge McFarland’s Doncaster office on 01302 260 033
Apology for mother over police’s failure to find son’s body
A mother has received a double written apology from Nottinghamshire police after her son was left dead or dying by the side of the A1 for three days despite 999 calls informing them that a car had been seen to swerve off the road.
Joanne Lanes’s son, Martin Hope, 19, was last seen alive shortly after leaving work at Tuffnells in Newark on August 17, 2007. His body was not found until August 20, still in his car near the Claypole turn-off of the A1, even though emergency calls from motorists had been received by both Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire police.
Subsequent medical evidence indicated that Martin had died of a brain haemorrhage and was most likely already unconscious when his car left the road. However, the coroner at Martin’s inquest commented that an opportunity had been missed by both Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire police to help Martin or to retrieve his body.
Now Nottinghamshire chief constable Julia Hodson has personally apologised in writing to Mrs Lanes for her officers’ failure to find the crash site. Unfortunately, the apology had to be reissued, along with a further handwritten apology from Mrs Hodson, after the first letter mistakenly referred to Martin as “Matthew” throughout.
Two motorists made separate 999 calls to Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire police on the morning on August 17. One reported that a car had left the carriageway of the A1 near the Claypole turn-off and the other gave the location as close to the Long Bennington turn-off.
Both forces despatched officers to investigate, along with the air ambulance, but a cursory two-minute search failed to find Martin.
A further visual inspection was apparently carried out the next day near the Claypole turn-off but that also failed to find the car. Martin was reported missing by his flatmate on August 19 but it was not until lunchtime on August 20 that his body was discovered by a Highways Agency sub-contractor.
A subsequent investigation into the case highlighted a number of issues involving the control rooms of the two forces involved and various changes to procedures and training have been implemented.
In her corrected letter, Mrs Hodson apologised for the additional distress caused by the “poor standard of service” given by her force.
“I also acknowledge that this tragic incident exposed a failure of cooperation on this occasion with a neighbouring force and that this added to the delay in finding Martin,” she said.
“I know that you were keen to ensure that my force would learn from what happened and ensure that the failures were put right. I hope that you will be reassured to know that processes have been improved.”
Mrs Lanes’ lawyer, Rosemary Joyce, of Bridge McFarland Solicitors, revealed that both Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire police had offered small sums in compensation to Martin’s mother.
She said: “This is a very tragic case and the prolonged heartache caused to Mrs Lanes and her family could easily have been avoided if the initial search had been conducted correctly. Martin would have been found and Mrs Lanes would not have been haunted by the image of her son lying injured and dying all alone. She has said she would give a million pounds just to hold him at that time and to know he didn't die alone.
“Mrs Lanes, who is severely disabled and is in a wheelchair due to back problems, still does not know exactly when her son died and is therefore unable to inscribe a date of death on his gravestone, something she finds very upsetting.
“Julia Hodson went to the trouble of writing a lovely letter of apology and it is a great shame that she failed to check her facts sufficiently to enable her to get Martin’s name right. The mistake unfortunately had the effect of diluting the meaning of the apology, causing more upset to Mrs Lanes rather than bringing matters to a conclusion.”
Bridge McFarland agrees sponsorship deal for Belton International Horse Trials
Lincolnshire based law firm, Bridge McFarland, has agreed sponsorship deal to become the naming rights sponsor for Saturday at Belton International Horse Trials, which takes place in the grounds of Belton House, near Grantham. This is a huge boost for the prestigious event, which this year is due to be held on 24-26 April, and also for the sport of eventing generally which sadly has seen several events cancelled this season due to a loss of sponsorship.
Speaking about the sponsorship deal, Bridge McFarland’s Chief Executive Officer Darryn Hedges said “our agreement to sponsorship of Belton Horse Trials reflects our commitment to the equine and agricultural community in Lincolnshire and nationally. We are delighted to be associated with this prestigious event and look forward to entertaining our many clients and guests”.
Commenting on the new sponsors, Stuart Buntine of BEDE Ltd, the organisers of Belton, said “we are delighted to welcome Bridge McFarland to Belton this year. As one of the country’s leading Equestrian Law firms, we look forward to working with Bridge McFarland for the benefit of the sport”.
Bridge McFarland’s sponsorship of Belton coincides with the launch of their specialist Equine Law Department which opened in October last year and which is headed-up by Equine Law Barrister, Jane Bennett. Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Jane said “I am delighted to be part of a Firm that is so enthusiastic about lending its support to eventing, about which I am personally very passionate. I have competed at Belton on two previous occasions and am aware that it is regarded as one of the highlights on the eventing calendar. I hope that our level of commitment clearly demonstrates how serious we are about the services we offer to the equestrian community across the country.”
Bridge McFarland's rookie jockey eyes big day
Bridge McFarland’s Simon Latchford is within touching distance of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to race on Grand National day at Aintree.
Simon Latchford is one of 16 novice riders who are vying for places in the charity 10-runner John Smith's People's Race on Saturday, April 4.
The 29-year-old has already beaten off the challenge of more than 3,000 members of the public after seeing the competition advertised in a magazine.
He has been training at the Northern Racing College at Doncaster and with James Given in Gainsborough over the last month.
The 10 students who perform best in training will be selected to race at Aintree by a panel including former Grand National-winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald, with the final cut taking place on March 22.
Latchford, of Thornton Abbey, has ridden horses all his life in either hunts or pony clubs, but is a complete stranger to racing.
In order to make the adjustment successfully, the trainee solicitor has lost two-and-a-half stone in weight since Christmas and spent hours on a racing simulator.
"It is nothing like any of the riding I have done before, so it has been odd" he admitted.
"I go to the races and I have had pointers in the past but, really, I am new to it.
"I read about it in Horse and Hound and it sounded like a laugh, so I thought I would apply.
"I thought because I could do five hours hunting I was fit and could ride a bit, but it is a totally different style.
"It is absolutely exhausting. Your arm and stomach muscles hurt, your backside hurts - it has been a bit of a shock.
"I am getting there, though. I am feeling like I am in charge of the horse now and I know what is going on."
As an equine enthusiast, Latchford admits racing on Grand National day at Aintree would be the stuff of dreams.
He added: "I am trying not to think about it too much because six people won't be able to go and I could easily be one of them.
"It is like a motorsport fan being told they can drive an F1 car before the Grand Prix.
"Unless you are a jockey, it is something nobody gets to do and to have the opportunity is insane."
Latchford has already spent eight days at racing college and several days under the tutelage of Given, the trainer he was allocated by the competition organisers.
"The racing college was brilliant" Latchford explained.
"They tell you everything from how to tack up to how they expect you to ride.
"We were taught the basics and, from then on, it was a case of getting on the simulator and someone pointing out what we were doing wrong."
He thanked his firm, Bridge McFarland, for their support.
John Arnold joins Bridge McFarland
Bridge McFarland are delighted to announce the appointment of one of the county’s well known legal personalities, John Arnold.
John joins Bridge McFarland as a Consultant from Andrew & Co where he was a Partner since his firm of Day, Arnold & Turner merged with them in 2006.
Specialising in private client matters, John is based at Bridge McFarland’s
Bridge McFarland’s Chief Executive Officer, Darryn Hedges who made the appointment said “I could see that John would be an asset to our
Outside the office, John is the national Chairman of the British Cactus and Succulent Society and enjoys gardening, travel, walking, sport, music and the Lions International Charity. John can be contacted at Bridge McFarland’s
Bridge McFarland and Stephen Ede, Cooke & Ashton announce Grimsby merger
The Partners of Bridge McFarland and Stephen Ede Cooke & Ashton are pleased to announce the merger of the well established Grimsby law firm Stephen Ede Cooke & Ashton with Bridge McFarland
The merger will be effective from 1st January 2009 and reaffirms Bridge McFarland’s commitment in providing quality driven commercial and private client legal services to Grimsby and is the first amalgamation of two Grimsby law firms since Bridge McFarland merged with Granville Chapman Geo A. White & Co in 1999.
The existing offices of Stephen Ede Cooke & Ashton will become a bespoke family law centre, ideally located next to the Courts and complement the existing main commercial office of the firm as well as the specialist injury centre on Wellowgate.
Partners Philip Ashton and Simon Jones join Bridge McFarland as Partners whilst Stephen Ede will join the firm as a Consultant. Commenting on the acquisition Philip Ashton said “Joining forces with Bridge McFarland is a natural evolution for the firm, enabling the same high level of client service to be provided in the future.”
Darryn Hedges, Chief Executive Officer of Bridge McFarland said “This transaction creates for the combined firm the premier family practice in North East Lincolnshire; as well as adding considerable commercial expertise to our existing capabilities.”
On 1st January 2009, the newly enlarged firm of Bridge McFarland will be providing specialist legal solutions from offices on South St. Mary’s Gate, Wellowgate and New Street Chambers, Grimsby; in addition to their other office locations in Hull, Lincoln, Louth, Mablethorpe, Market Rasen and Skegness.
