A Yorkshire law firm has passed a milestone by donating more than £1,000,000 of free legal advice. Leeds MPs and the Law Society have praised Grahame Stowe Bateson (GSB) for hosting free advice surgeries every Wednesday since opening its first office in 1981.

Led by Grahame Stowe, the firm now operates across seven locations in Leeds and Harrogate.

Mr Stowe’s wife, leading divorce lawyer Marilyn Stowe, has also been applauded for her pro-bono work. While working with GSB, Mrs Stowe unearthed crucial medical evidence which secured the release of Sally Clark, wrongly convicted of murdering her two sons. She runs her own firm, Stowe Family Law.

Mr Stowe said: “Pro-bono advice is a way law firms can really contribute and put something back into the communities they work in. It is far more effective than just handing over a cheque.

“I’m very proud that we have sustained this commitment for over a quarter of a century and am delighted with all the work the team has put in to achieve this milestone.”

Paul Marsh, president of the Law Society, said: “The value of GSB’s pro-bono work should be an inspiration for other law firms and businesses. It has shown a real commitment to providing access to justice, which is priceless to those who benefit from the advice provided.”

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem) said: “I believe this is an essential and much needed service, particularly as legal aid funding is becoming ever more difficult to access.”

Fabian Hamilton, Labour MP for Leeds North East: “The public often believes that lawyers only care about the fees they are paid and not about the clients they represent. GSB is a firm that shows clearly why many lawyers went into their profession: to help vulnerable people who need legal advice gain equal access to the law, one of the essential elements of a real democracy.”

During November the practice waived £50,000 in fees as part of Will Aid, a national initiative where lawyers donate their services to support nine UK charities including the NSPCC, the British Red Cross and Help the Aged.

The firm’s expertise has also been recognised by Leeds University, which appointed GSB to provide pro-bono advice to its students. 

Legal warning over redundancy pay-offs SENIOR employment lawyers in Leeds are warning of a potential ‘litigation time-bomb’ as bosses rush through redundancy deals with fast-track settlements.

Employers are said to be increasingly turning to compromise agreements to speed up the process of reducing staff numbers, which involve employees accepting a higher pay-off in return for waiving their right to sue for other grievances.

With a sharp increase in the number of such agreements being proposed, two of the region’s law firms – Grahame Stowe Bateson and hlwMcCombie Commercial Lawyers – are urging both sides to make sure every detail is carefully checked, or risk serious consequences in future.

Employment solicitor at Leeds-based Grahame Stowe Bateson, Arthur Bateson, says he has seen a significant increase in the number of people being offered compromise agreements in recent months.

Rights

“Employees need to remember when they sign one of these agreements they are surrendering a wide range of legal rights,” he warned.

“For example, if they are being bullied, harassed or discriminated against they would not be able to sue once they have signed.

He added: “While the bigger pay-off may be attractive, it’s important to measure this against the potential damages you may be entitled to under another claim. The offer may not be as generous as it first appears.”

Joan Pettingill, employment partner of hlwMcCombie Commercial Lawyers, which is also based in Leeds, has acted for a number of employers working through the redundancy process in recent months.

She said: “It’s imperative bosses are aware that the simple act of offering a compromise agreement can amount to unfair dismissal. Compromise agreements can be a useful tool, but they are also another complexity that can lead to expensive headaches if they are not handled properly.

Guidance

She continued: “With clear, concise guidance employers can strengthen their business for the future without delay or excessive legal costs. Redundancy needn’t be a minefield if companies take their time and keep all records up to date to avoid any potential litigation after a deal is signed.”