Legal briefs: Turner Parkinson, JMW, Napthens and Hill Dickinson

MANCHESTER law firm Turner Parkinson has advised on an acquisition by Stoke-based Fuchs Lubricants.

Fuchs Lubricants (UK) plc has acquired the business and assets of CNC Fluids Limited, a supplier of metalworking fluids based in Bristol.

The Stoke-On-Trent based company is the UK subsidiary of German Fuchs Petrolub AG, the world’s largest independent lubricant company.

Fuchs UK, which has annual sales of £100m, is a specialist manufacturer of lubricants for the mining industry, industrial manufacturing and commercial automotive markets.

Turner Parkinson senior partner Nick Davenport, pictured, and head of employment Gareth Roberts advised on the deal.

Mr Davenport said: “Fuchs has been a valued Turner Parkinson client for a number of years and it’s extremely rewarding to assist a long-standing client in the continuing expansion of its business. The acquisition is an important addition to the company’s already expansive range of services.”

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OLIVER McCann, employment partnerat Napthens’ Blackburn office, has advised the makers of Coronation Street on the employment law aspects of the sacking of Fiz Brown from her job at the knicker factory Underworld.

ITV approached McCann for advice when researching last week’s episode which saw Fiz, played by Jennie McAlpine, fight with rival Kirsty Soames, played by Natalie Gumede.

He said: “I was happy to advise Coronation Street’s researchers to help them fully understand the legal consequences which could arise from the reasons for, and manner of, Fiz’s sacking and give some extra credibility to the story line.

“With millions of viewers each week, it is critical for Coronation Street to run storylines that are true to life, and its makers regularly run plots past relevant experts.”

He added: “I advised that fighting in the workplace is usually a gross misconduct offence and can justify dismissal, although handing Fiz her P45 and dismissing her on the spot without investigation or a disciplinary hearing could render the dismissal procedurally unfair.

“I suggested to Coronation Street that, in the circumstances, Fiz could have grounds to threaten legal action and take it further if she wished.”

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A TEAM from the Manchester office of Hill Dickinson has worked on a deal involving the Canadian network infrastructure group Commerx Corporation.

The Calgary-based firm has bought Surrey-based Net Consulting International, an ICT recruitment services company with an operation centre in Dehradun, India.

Partner Ian Riggs and Jonathan Gillow, a solicitor in the corporate team of the Manchester office at Hill Dickinson provided legal advice to Commerx Corporation.

Mr Riggs said: “Commerx Corporation’s successful acquisition of NCI demonstrates the wide-range of services Hill Dickinson is able to provide to international clients. Following a referral from a legal contact in Calgary, we were able to apply our expertise to assist Commerx on its acquisition, which will help it to realise its ambition to become one of the globe’s largest providers of network services and technical recruiting.”

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TWO lawyers have been recognised at the JCI Young Talents Awards.

The JCI Young Talent Awards recognise outstanding individuals aged 18-39.

Laura Hadzik, a specialist road transport solicitor, won Legal Professional of the Year, while trainee solicitor Nathan O’Connor won the Rising Star Award.

Senior partner Joy Kingsley said: “It is good to know that our investment in young talent is proving so successful and that JMW is in such capable hands going into the future.”