Legal news: O’Neill Patient; Berg; Brabners & more

STOCKPORT-based O’Neill Patient has become one of the few UK law firms to secure the ISO27001 Information Security standard – demonstrating its robust approach to handling its client data securely.

In an industry where secure data handling is a major concern, the firm has invested significantly to achieve the standard, improving its training and bringing in new software and systems throughout the organisation.

Managing partner Sue Brown said: “ISO27001 is a very difficult standard to attain for any business, especially an organisation operating in the legal sector, so I am delighted that we have met the strict criteria.”
 
The news comes in tandem with O’Neill Patient’s recruitment of an additional 15 employees, taking its workforce to 210.

::

MANCHESTER law firm Berg is representing luxury spa group Champneys in a legal battle with Lloyds Bank over mis-sold interest products.

The southern based group, used by Tony Blair and Victoria Beckham, is suing Lloyds for £16m the case which centres around the complex interest rate swap aimed at protecting borrowers against interest rises.

Senior partner at Berg, Reuben Berg, said: “This claim has been brought after we carefully reviewed all the background circumstances. It is another example of a toxic financial instrument causing damage to a household name and we look forward to securing a successful outcome for the client.”

::

THE charity team at North West law firm Brabners have been appointed to establish Waterloo Uncovered as a registered charity.

Waterloo Uncovered is a ground breaking archaeology project which aims to explore the battlefield of Waterloo and reveal secrets that have been buried underground for 200 years.

While the Battle of Waterloo has been studied by generations of historians, it is the first major international archaeological project at the former battlefield using the latest technology and practices developed by conflict archaeologists.

Waterloo Uncovered has been developed by two soldiers from the Coldstream Guards, Major Charles Foinette, who currently serves with 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, and ex-serviceman Mark Evans. The project is also supported by a number of universities including Glasgow, Dundee, Gent and Utrecht, the Service Public de Wallonie and LP Archaeology.

::

MANCHESTER-based Croftons Solicitors has received the prestigious Gold Investors in People accreditation.

The firm has held Investors in People since 2003 and the Silver standard since 2011.

Managing partner Simon Leighton said:  “It’s down to our clear vision – well communicated; embedded policies designed to look after our people, to in turn look after our clients; and core values that we live by, including treating others as you would like to be treated yourself, and seeking to understand before being understood.”

To achieve the Gold standard, businesses need to achieve 125 ‘evidence requirements’ above the standard itself.

::

MANCHESTER-based debt legal services business Ascent has completed the acquisition of the commercial debt recovery division of Sheffield-based specialist P&A Receivables Services as part of its on-going strategic expansion drive.

The P&A deal is the fifth acquisition by Ascent in three years and will increase its foothold in the commercial debt recovery market and add a dedicated international offering to its existing UK services.

The business will trade under the new banner of Ascent Commercial and will operate across a range of sectors providing UK and international debt recovery and litigation services, including a dedicated international team with the experience of recovering debt in more than 60 countries and 10 different languages.

Niall Gilhooley, chief executive of Ascent, said: “This is another important acquisition for Ascent and a sign of our continued ambition to expand.”