Wright Hassall secures CQS status

WARWICKSHIRE firm Wright Hassall has secured membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme.

The Leamington Spa-firm underwent rigorous assessment by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status, which marks the firm out as meeting high standards in the residential conveyancing process.

Jackie Prior, senior associate in the firm’s residential conveyancing team, said: “We are delighted to have secured CQS status. It is recognition of the high standards we provide to our residential property clients and is a signal to future home buyers of the excellent service level we provide at what is often a stressful time for many people.

“The overall beneficiaries will be clients who use Wright Hassall when buying a home. They will receive a reliable, efficient service as recognised by the CQS standard.”

The scheme requires practices to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self reporting, random audits and annual reviews in order to maintain CQS status.

Auto enrolment hotline for Punter Southall

PUNTER Southall has launched a hotline for employers in the Midlands looking for advice on how to deal with new requirements to automatically enrol their employees into a pension scheme.

Companies calling receive obligation-free help and tips on how to deal with auto-enrolment, which requires employers  to automatically enrol their workforce into pension schemes as part of a government initiative to boost retirement saving.

The scheme is starting with the UK’s biggest firms but will eventually include employers with just one or two eligible staff. The new regulations cover all workers aged 22 or over, earning more than £8,105.  

Andrew Constantinou, Senior Consultant at Punter Southall in Birmingham said: “Auto-enrolment presents a complex challenge for employers.  We have created this helpline to make it easy for companies in the Midlands to seek expert, uncomplicated advice on how to manage the process.  With an office in Birmingham, Punter Southall is well placed to help local businesses throughout the region.”

Where there’s a will there’s a way for Thomas Horton to help hospice

BROMSGROVE-based Thomas Horton solicitors has donated the costs from its Will writing services to St Richards Hospice, raising more than £700 for the facility.  
 
The firm drew up simple Wills free of charge, with clients then donating a discounted fee to the Worcester-based hospice. The money will support the charity in its vital work providing care for patients and families living with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
 
Tina Circus, head of Wills, Trusts and Probate, said: “We were extremely pleased to offer our Will writing fee as a donation to the wonderful work St Richards Hospice does for the families and loved ones who are facing the prospect of losing someone they care for. We are proud to be able to help local businesses and we hope that the money raised will help them continue with the invaluable care and support they provide.”