On the move: the latest East Midlands hires

Smith Partnership has appointed a multilingual specialist private family lawyer in Leicester, strengthening its work with the Leicestershire community and breaking down barriers to legal support.

Shameela Chopdat has joined the law firm from Worcestershire-based Bank solicitors.

A study last year by The Bell Foundation found that some people were put off seeking legal help because they could not speak English.

The researchers concluded: “Overall, speakers of English as a second or additional language (ESL) are often disadvantaged, as they may be denied fair justice outcomes and face barriers and constraints to access services and support.”

Chopdat speaks English and Gujarati, as well as some Urdu. She believes this encourages people to access legal support.

She said: “When you’re building those relationships with clients, it helps if you speak their language. I have seen before when clients come in and they try to speak in English but are struggling and I say, ‘it’s okay, I can speak Gujurati.’

“They are so relieved because they can get across what they need to more easily.

“I also think that some people aren’t aware that interpreters are available and they may not come forward for legal support at all. When you think that could be someone suffering domestic abuse or in a relationship they can’t escape, it is important they know we can help and we can speak to them in their language without the need for a third party.”

Chopdat is the seventh multilingual lawyer employed by Smith Partnership across its offices in Derby, Leicester, Stoke, Swadlincote, Burton and Ashby.

Della Phillips, partner and branch manager at Smith Partnership’s Leicester office, said: “Interpreters are available but we know they can be costly and it can be more difficult to talk through a third party when you are discussing complex legal matters.

“We are proud to have staff who speak such a range of languages and we want people to know this so they aren’t deterred from seeking legal support.”

A new care home in Market Harborough has named its senior leadership team ahead of its launch in September.

Care UK has appointed Susanne Stevens as home manager of Oat Hill Mews on Leicester Road.

Susanne Stevens and Mark Evans

She with be joined by Mark Evans, who has taken the position of customer relations manager at the care home.

Oat Hill Mews will provide residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 76 people.

Stevens said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the home manager for Oat Hill Mews.

“Having the opportunity to help launch a brand-new care home, and create a welcoming, homely environment for the residents, their families, and our team, is something I’m really looking forward to. I’m thrilled to be starting my new journey with Care UK and I am very excited about developing and supporting the new care team and ensuring residents are supported to live a happy and fulfilling lives.”

Evans added: “I am so pleased to have a role with real purpose and meaning. I am very proud of our fantastic new home’s facilities, we’ve got a great team and with the recent charity donation to Voluntary Action South Leicestershire and our Let’s Talk About Dementia event for local people, we are already starting to build a real community here at Oat Hill Mews. I can’t wait for to open our doors, and really give people a feel for what life will be like in our home.”