Fox Speaks After The Riots

People know right from wrong but believing the rules shouldn’t apply to them also applies irrespective of one’s so called position in society. That said how can we expect lazy, selfish, arrogant, complaining parents who have no sense of ‘the family’ and who don’t put the education of the children above their own next pint, fag or fix to do any better than they are!

This does not just apply to the financially poorer parts of our society but to all those who seem totally devoid of decency and morality they just put themselves first all the time. The world is not about you or me it is about the next person in line!

All is not lost following the recent eruption of rioting in our Cities – UPDATE

Ultimately you may succeed with the insurance claim but if you do not and have not made a claim against the Police Authority you may be in difficulties.

The lesson: Protect your position; make a claim against the Police Authority; or at least intimate a claim and seek to reach agreement with the Police Authority that the 14 day deadline is extended pending resolution of the insurance claim.

You really do not want to discover your insurers are not going to pay out after the deadline for submitting a claim to the Police Authority.

For further information or should require assistance please contact Christopher MacCafferty on 0161 615 0677 or via e-mail to christopher.maccafferty@ralli.co.uk or Michael Forrester 0161 615 0670 or via e-mail to Michael.forrester@ralli.co.uk.

Greater Manchester Police Message To Businesses

Following the disorder and criminality witnessed earlier this week more than 60 people have been dealt with by the courts in Manchester, many of them jailed. This is a fantastic result and there is more to come

We will be publicising details of the court results throughout the day via various media channels

The criminals who attempted to destroy the spirit of Greater Manchester have failed with communities from every background including the business community standing against them in solidarity. The support shown to the police has been overwhelming.

You are encouraged to continue business as usual while considering the safety of yourself and your staff

You are reminded of the following precautionary measures:

1 Where possible retail premises should be suitably staffed with security guards during opening times
2 Ensure staff report any suspicious activity to security and/or police
3 Consider regular checks of the building and surrounding area
4 Identify areas that are vulnerable to forced entry
5 Make sure all service doors are kept locked and secure when not in use
6 Ensure your CCTV system is fully operational
7 In case of an emergency ensure there is a record of the names of key holders who can be contacted
8 Consider removing high value goods from display windows overnight
9 Consider keeping as little cash as possible on the premises
10 Ensure that your premises are secure and, if fitted, your alarm systems are fully operational
11 Ensure that staff are not alone when opening and closing premises
12 Police have released images of people suspected of carrying out criminal damage and disorder in Manchester and Salford earlier this week www.flickr.com/photos/gmpwanted
13 If you have information please email fib.communityintelligenceteam@gmp.pnn.police.uk or call 0161 872 5050.
14 In an emergency, where there is threat to life or a crime in progress, call 999
15 For specific advice regarding security arrangements around your premises please contact your local authority.

We are working on a specific Crimestoppers campaign to tap into the mood of the public details of which will be released tomorrow.

All Is Not Lost – Riot Compensation

Chris MacCafferty - Business Litigation & Professional Negligence Solicitor

It is fair to say that all civilised people are appalled by the recent trouble which has erupted in our Cities.

It is further troubling to see decent hardworking citizens and business people suffering physical damage to property and financial losses particularly given these difficult economic times we find ourselves in.

I am sure there are people and businesses out there that have suffered financially from the wanton vandalism and looting who unfortunately find they have no insurance to cover their losses.

Please do not despair. All is not lost.

If you find yourself being in this unfortunate position there is a little known act of parliament called the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 which provides that the Police Authorities must pay compensation for damages arising from riots.

Whilst there are differing views as to the performance of the Police Force I must stress that this is not a claim against the Police Force or indeed is to apportion any blame but it is a claim against the Police Authority to compensate those who have suffered loss and damage as a result of the riots.

For those who would be concerned to take such action in these difficult financial times please be aware that the Police Authorities should have insurance in place to cover any such claims for compensation under the act. Effectively therefore if you are without insurance to cover your losses you can seek compensation from the Police Authorities’ insurance company.

Those contemplating a claim are urged to contact Ralli quickly. The Regulations provide such claims must be delivered 14 clear days after the day when stealing, injury or destruction took place. If unsure, it is better to notify the Police Authority of a claim at this point than risk being out of time to claim.

I suspect the Police Authorities and/or their Insurers may seek to claim the recent events do not constitute a riot. Given the numbers involved this argument is unlikely to succeed.

For further information or should require assistance please contact Christopher MacCafferty on 0161 615 0677 or via e-mail to christopher.maccafferty@ralli.co.uk or Michael Forrester 0161 615 0670 or via e-mail to Michael.forrester@ralli.co.uk.

It didn’t feel right but the professionals know what they’re doing, don’t they?

Chris MacCafferty - Professional Negligence Solicitor

Well fortunately most professionals do know what they are doing and will provide you with the service you deserve to receive.

However, some will not. Unfortunately mistakes do happen, it what’s you do about it that counts. As an old colleague and friend of mine used to say ‘it’s why cars have bumpers and professionals have insurance’ – mistakes happen.

With the vast library that is the web people are a lot more knowledgeable about the jobs professionals do. Consequently it was my belief that most people felt more comfortable raising concerns with professionals as they had a good grasp of what there rights were and if not where they could read up on it.

However, I was reading in the Law Society Gazette recently that one of the focussed groups reasons for wanting to ‘name and shame’ solicitors was due to the high esteem held for solicitors and therefore the reluctance and almost fear that Clients have of questioning them.

The article said:

The focus group report said: ‘Solicitors are held in a degree of respect bordering on awe, that is awarded to few professionals other than perhaps doctors.’

It found ‘a strong degree of reluctance to complain’ about solicitors, due to a ‘fear [by consumers] that the solicitor will be able to outsmart them’. Read more »

They say the pen is mightier than the sword

David Potts, Partner and Head of Business Litigation

Especially when two leading academic express their views in writing and that leads to the loser in a piece of litigation having to write cheques in relation to both parties’ costs.

In 1991, Mr Robinson and his Wife agreed to buy a house which was being built from PE Jones (Contractors) Limited for £350,000.00 or so.  The purchase of the property, 12 Magnolia Rise, Prestbury, was completed around April 1992.  In September 2004, Mr Robinson called a gas service engineer to service his gas fires.  The gas fires failed the service engineers’ test and both were disconnected for safety reasons.  Mr Robinson wrote to the builder saying that the flues were not built in accordance with good building practice or Building Regulations.  It appeared that the cost of repairs would be substantial (about £35,000.00 or so) because the flues would require reconstruction.  Mr Robinson issued proceedings against the builder in December 2006. Read more »

Marketing Excellence Rewarded With Second Award

Ralli continued a successful start to 2010 with Marketing Executive, Robert Illidge, awarded a Commendation in the Emerging Marketer of the Year category.

Robert was awarded for embracing web 2.0 strategies allowing Ralli to share our expertise using digital outlets and establishing an excellent social media presence, including the use of Twitter and LinkedIn.

The results of the 2010 Drum Marketing Awards were revealed at the gala black tie awards ceremony held at the Ramada Manchester, rewarding those who had shown marketing excellence. Read more »

Deborah Rainford elected as MJCC President

(L-R) Adrian Anderson, Deborah Rainford, Stephen Fox

Solicitor Deborah Rainford has been appointed as president of the Manchester Junior Chamber of Commerce to lead the organisation’s ambitious growth plans.
 
Deborah, a specialist in business law at Manchester law firm Ralli, was officially appointed as President at the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting on 22nd April 2010.
 
Her plans include to increase individual and corporate membership, raise the profile of the organisation and position the Chamber as an essential resource for the business community in Manchester. Read more »

Bovis reports provide property boost

Peter Flemming (Property Solicitor)

The news that house builder Bovis has just reported a pre-tax profit of £4.8 mill last year after losing 78.7 mill in 2008 is  a sign that the house building sector is hopefully over the worst.

The larger house building companies with easier access to funding are all making noises that the time is right to go back into the land buying market.  However it is likely that smaller companies are still finding development finance hard to come by. Read more »

Twitter, Advertising and UGG Boots

Rob Illidge (Marketing Executive)

Search-based ads will use DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) technology to scan a users tweets and relay ‘relevant’ and targeted ads back.

I suppose you could argue what is the problem with that? If I was desperately seeking an Employment Solicitor, not that I would , and vented my frustrations via Twitter, I would be more than happy to have a targeted ad from a Manchester based Solicitor delivered.

After all I’m using their platform so they are entitled to pursue revenue in this way.

Then there is the privacy issue. There’s always a privacy issue.

Why should Twitter ‘bombard’ users with ads that may not be relevant? And what if these ads take me to somewhere I thought I was buying ‘genuine UGG boots’ from, and ultimately ruin my online experience as a result. Read more »