Latimer Hinks Helping to Light Up Durham @ the Lumiere 2011

The Festival of Light - the Lumiere - is happening again in Durham City from 17th - 20th November.

It's a fantastic free event suitable for all of the family.

In 2011 Latimer Hinks decided to become part of the Lumiere, and along with Recognition PR are sponsoring a "preview" evening for local businesses.

If you're interested in going along, take a look at their website. There will be some fabulous installations, i'm particularly looking forward to the "snow dome" in Durham market place.

The Bride's Ball - A great success!

The Bride's Ball, held on 30th September 2011 was a great success. Over £3300 was raised on the evening with the monies distributed evenly between:

• St Teresa's Hospice, Darlington
• Age UK (Darlington)
• Holistic Cancer Care Centre at James Cook University Hospital

We could not have chosen a better day to hold the ball. What can I say...I love an indian summer! Temperatures during the day reached 27 degrees, dipping only slightly to 22 on the evening. Not a bride in sight was shivering.

Guests really took to the dress code. Over 50 ladies dressed in bridal gowns - a sea of white satin, silk and lace.
A competition took place for new, old, vintage and bijou dresses - which added to the excitement. An auction, tombola and water or wine game helped to boost the money raised on the evening.

However, I don't think the girls will be planning another bridal event in the near future...fee earning and event organsing don't exactly go hand in hand. Hats off (or should I say tiaras) to the girls for organising such a successful and enjoyable evening.

Full press release can be found here Brides and Grooms Raise Over £3300 for North East Charities

You might also want to take a look at some of the pictures the professional photographer (Debbie Stogden) took Debbie Stogden Professional Photography

Thanks again to all that supported the ball

We've Been Recommended by the Legal 500!

The Legal 500 is classed as the Who's Who in law and 5 of Laitmer Hinks partners are recommended - so really, we have to shout about it! Get ready...

Legal 500 - Latimer Hinks

Partners
Tim Haggie - Real Estate/Commercial Property
Anne Elliott - Agriculture and Estates, Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate
Nick Poole - Corporate and Commercial
Neil Stevenson - Agriculture and Estates
Mark Gardner - Dispute Resolution/Commercial Litigation

The Bridal Ball is mentioned in Hitched (Bridal Magazine)

Hey, we managed to promote the Bridal Ball via Hitched, an upmarket bridal magazine. Many thanks to their editor Pauline Holt and to BQ Magazine for passing our details to Hitched in the first place.

You can take a look at the piece here and click to page 76.

There's not much time left until the ball, we're all very busy organising but i'd like to thank a few of the very generous businesses who are supporting the Bridal Ball by offering their services free of charge in order that we can raise as much money as possible on the evening.

• Debbie Stogden for professional photography Services
• MT print for preparing the tickets and marketing material
• Limelight Ltd for providing the photobooth
• Bake My Day Catering for donating the cake

As well as loads of other local business that have donated prizes for the fundraising games on the evening.
The list is very nearly endless....Crathorne Hall Hotel, Middlesbrough Football Club, Michael Simpson, personal trainer, Audi Teesside, Ainsley Financial Management Ltd, Kings Camps, Neighbours Cleaning Services, Wynyard Hall, Buyagift.com, The Cheese and Wine Shop, Crathorne Hall Hotel, Teesside Audi, Middlesbrough Football Club, Whitehouse Funeral Services, Dinsdale Spa, Redcar Races , Clean Care fabrics, Heather Carter, myhousecleaner.co.uk, The Perfume Shop, Me Me Me Accessories, Metro Centre, Marc Antoni, Buckles and Bows, Chez Bec, Boots plc, Poppy Bridal for allowing us to use their shop for our press release and to borrow their beautiful bridal gowns, The Old Tapas Bar, The Village Inn Brompton, Psyche, No 7, Dobinsons Bridal Shop for donating a Tiara, Wades Associates, Independent Financial Advisors, Beamish Museum, Point Blank Paintball, Ariel Extreme, Hollywood Bowl, Virgin Vie, You got nails, Camera A, Northumbrian Water Property Solutions, Café 85, The Silver Shop, Smile Spa, North Yorkshire Moors Railway , Revolution Newcastle, Falconry Centre, Diggerland, Majestic Wines, Rockliffe Hall, Hartlepool Historic Quay, Compugift, Saltburn Surf School, Prego, Ebony, Café Lilli, Black Sheep Brewery, Big Sheep Little Cow, Van Mildert
 
I'll update you once the ball is over.

Fun Photo Shoot for the Bride's Ball



Joanne Gilligan (and wig!), Paula Whittaker - Brides at Poppy, Natalie Palmer and Helen Thomas, Latimer Hinks Solicitors

 What a busy day I had yesterday. In the morning I had organised for 18 of our fee earners to have their photos taken so that I could update their profiles. Quite an organisational nightmare considering the the fee earners take phone calls, have appointments and meetings. Hats off to our reception staff Michelle and Katarina for managing to locate all 18 before 12:30!

After that it was a quick dash up to Brides at Poppy. Owner, Paula Whittaker readily agreed to support our publicity campaign for The Bride's Ball at Rockliffe Hall, Sep 30th - a charity event in aid of three charities:

• St Teresa's Hospice, Darlington
• Age UK (Darlington)
• Holistic Cancer Care Centre at James Cook University Hospital

The dress code for the Bride's Ball is wedding attire. Bridal gowns for the ladies and groomswear for the men - the ultimate "dressing up" evening!

Natalie Palmer, Helen Booth and Joanne Gilligan, all employees of Latimer Hinks Solicitors were persuaded (and very easily at that) to "dress up" in bridal dresses from Brides at Poppy. The ladies at Poppys were extremely helpful in choosing a dress, headgear and footwear for each of them to wear...and my ladies were more than happy to be dressed by them!

They all looked stunning...and I must admit I was a little jealous that I had not dressed up - such beautiful dresses!

Joanne, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer could not decide whether to wear her wig - or not... I think she looks stunning with or without!

So, many thanks to Brides at Poppy

Check out our Facebook page The Bride's Ball at Rockliffe Hall. We hope you can join us - tickets are on sale at £50 each.

See The Bride's Ball Flyer for further information

Something Different - A Bridal Ball to Raise Money for Charities

Have you ever wanted to wear your wedding dress again (i'm talking to the ladies out there)?!

Have you ever been a Bridesmaid but never a Bride?

Do you want to wear the dress without the stress?

If so read on..

The Bride's Ball
Friday 30th September 2011
@ Rockliffe Hall, Darlington
Ticket cost: £50

Latime Hinks is supporting Helen Thomas and Natalie Palmer in their quest to raise as much money as possible for three very deserving charities via The Bride's Ball. A fun event that will see around 100 wedding dresses in the same room (grooms are invited too!)

The evening will include a superb three course meal, entertainment, charity auction, raffle and by asking people to turn up in a wedding dress (or grooms wear for the men) it will add a special element to the evening.

Prizes will be given on the night for the best dresses in the following categories – old (or shall we say “vintage”), new, borrowed and bijou (or “sparkly”). So “dress to impress”.

The venue for the Bride's Ball is the magnificent Rockliffe Hall, Darlington. A venue any bride would be proud to hold their wedding.

The Charities:

• St Teresa's Hospice, Darlington
• Age UK (Darlington)
• Holistic Cancer Care Centre at James Cook University Hospital

 for larger version of image click here

and for further details Brides' & Grooms' Charity Night

We do hope you can join us!

We've Managed to Help a Client Save Thousands....

Nicola Neilson, partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors has worked with Atlas Washroom Systems to purchase their premises in order to save around £20,000 per year - money which will then be re-invested in the firm.

Nicola has understood the needs of her Client and the Client will reap the benefits!

Latimer Hinks Help Local Manufacturer Purchase their Premises

ASSIST - Ladies Networking Event - Radio Blah Blah, Making the most of media opportunities....

ASSIST is a networking group for ladies in the Tees Valley area. The aim of the group is to "help each other" in the world of business and all it entails.

At each event we hold a networking game to "break the ice" this is then followed by a presentation.

Our next event is entitled:
Radio Blah blah ...and will be presented by Julie Donaldson of Voxpopular
The date:
22nd June
The venue:
Stressholme Golf Club, Snipe Lane, Darlington, DL2 2SA
The time:
8:45am for 9:25am

The topic:
Making the most of Media Opportunities and Overcoming the Fear of a Live Interview

Julie will speak about how she started in business even though she never considered herself a business woman! She will provide some hints, tips and an insider’s view about making the most of media opportunities.
About Julie:
Julie has been a radio broadcaster for over 20 years, working in both community radio and for the BBC. In that time Julie has helped many people overcome the fear of a live studio/microphone/interview. By boosting confidence Julie has encouraged people to enjoy the experience resulting in entertaining interviews and budding radio contributors.

Through Voxpopular Julie regularly contributes to content on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5Live. Julie also works with local writers in Tees Valley to produce radio dramas. She is continually developing working partnerships to find new ways to share her skills and knowledge.

Timing

8:45 – 9:25am Registration and informal networking

9:25 – 10.10am Introduction and Networking game

10.10– 10.40am Julie Donaldson - Voxpopular

10.40 – 10.45am Business Card draw and Charity raffle

10.45 - 11.00am Opportunity for further networking

If you are interested please register asap as places are limited.

The cost is minimal – £5 for members and £10 for non members.

Refreshments will also be available..

http://www.assistladiesnetworking.co.uk/

Dying Intestate is Simply, Not Good!

Dying intestate (without a will) is not good for your family's/loved one's health and sanity!

70% of people die without leaving a will.

To be blunt. If you have are run over by a bus and you have not made a will - where does that leave your family?

They could be left in a nightmare situation, which could take months, even years (in complicated cases) to sort out.

Andrew Way, Partner at Latimer Hinks explains why the Majority of People Risk Leaving Uncertainty Behind

Can I also point you to this blog written about similar problems Wills and Modern Relationships

direct.gov explains What to do if there is no will at all

Whatever the situation it is always advisable to speak to a lawyer.

Law Careers Chat with Nicola Neilson of Latimer Hinks Solicitors

Nicola Neilson will take part in a live Q & A. Guardian Online's webchat tomorrow 1-4pm will focus on a career in law.

Nicola is a Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors, one of the North East of England’s longest established law firms. A property law specialist, Nicola is one of the youngest people to have been elected to the Presidency of the Tees Valley Law Society and is only the third woman in its 136 year history to hold the post.

Nicola is well placed to answer those tricky questions from students!

Guardian Online Web Chat 1-4pm

More Fundraising for the Evolution Challenge

The Latimer Hinks team are at it again! This time the fundraiser is in the form of a quiz. We're hoping to attract teams from the Darlington area to take part.

The ticket price is £6 and includes pie and peas!
The venue is Blackwell Rugby Club.
The date - Friday 10th June

There will be a raffle and prizes will be given to the winning teams
Any funds raised via the Evolution Challenge will benefit St Teresa’s Hospice, Zoe’s Place  and Hartlepool Hospice.

If you feel you have the relevant skills/knowledge to take part in the quiz simply email at@latimerhinks.co.uk.
If you'd like to donate prizes for the raffle we'd be very grateful - again simply email at@latimerhinks.co.uk

Raising Money for Charity - The Vantis Challenge

This is the second year that Latimer Hinks is supporting the Vantis Corporate Challenge now named the Evolution Corporate Challenge (asVantis has had a name change).
The challenge is to generate as much money as possible from £50. All the monies raised, including the original £50, will then be donated equally to three local charities; St Teresa’s of Darlington, Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool & District Hospice.

So far, we've had a Dress Down Day, a Decorated Egg competition (Dennis the Menace won - well deserved) and we're also having a "Bake Off" - very enjoyable. Cakes are baked, sold and judged.

Hopefully we'll raise a decent amount to help out these deserving charities!

Primogeniture - a thing of the past?

Primogeniture was the custom of land inheritance whereby the entire estate passes to the eldest son. In the past this method of estate planning was accepted as the "norm" but now times are changing!

Andrew Way of Latimer Hinks Solcitiors comments... Female Inheritance Breaks out of the Downton Abbey Age

For a more detailed explanation please visit Primogentiure - life in Elizabethan England.

The Daily Mirror also comments No Excuse for Clinging on to Outdated Primogeniture Rules

For further information on inheritance and estate planning please contact our team at Latimer Hinks, we'd be more than happy to help!

The Team
Andrew Way
Anne Elliott
Elizabeth Armstrong
Natalie Walker
Helen Booth
Gillian Perkins
Nadine Sweeney
Victoria Moremon
Kelly McLoughlin
Daniel Williams
Julie Porter

ASSIST - Ladies Networking Event - Managing your Brand in the Social Media Age

ASSIST is a networking group for ladies in the Tees Valley area. The aim of the group is to "help each other" in the world of business and all it entails!


At each event we hold a networking game to "break the ice" this is then followed by a presentation.

Our next event is entitled "Lights, Camera,  Action..." and will be presented by Emma Hignett & David Laud of i2i Business Solutions.

The date:
11th May 2011
The venue:
Springboard Business Centre, Ellerbeck Way, Stokesley Business Park, Stokesley, TS9 5JZ
The time:
8:45am for 9:25am
The topic:
Managing you personal and business brand in the social media age.

In this social media age, now more than ever it is vital that management have media training.

Increasingly websites are 'alive' with podcasts and vidcasts. Management are required to become the face of the company in front of the camera - a task that very few people feel comfortable with!
David and Emma will give an introduction to media training sharing a few hints and tips which can increase your confidence, improve your performance and make filming the company vidcasts far more enjoyable! They will also touch upon dealing with negative publicity.

Timing

8:45 – 9:25am: Registration and informal networking
9:25 – 10.10am: Introduction and Networking game
10.10– 10.40am: Emma & David – i2i Business Solutions
10.40 – 10.45am: Business Card draw and Charity raffle
10.45 - 11.00am: Opportunity for further networking

If you are interested please register asap as places are limited.
The cost is minimal – £5 for members and £10 for non members.
Once you have been allocated a place simply bring along payment on the day.

Refreshments will also be available..

Local Enterprise Partnership Question Time

Are you involved with a business in the Darlington and surrounding area?

If so you may wish to attend a question time event to find out more about the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and what it will mean to your business.

Further details

Succession Planning

Check out our advertorial in BQ Magazine - go to page 17

BQ Magazine

We also have a fact sheet on the same subject - Succeeding at Succession

Amazing how much information we can publicise through social media

Mobile Phones and Presentations Don't Mix..or do they...

A couple of years ago Nick Poole of Latimer Hinks presentated a talk on New Employment Legistation to an audience of around 30.

Nick normally requests that attendees "turn off their mobiles" so that there is no interruption to the presentation. On this occasion he forgot. Halfway through the presentation a jarring mobile phone jingle was heard -Bat out of Hell i think it was!

The phone owner then proceeded to take the call - he was seated in the centre of the room! All other attendees looked on, stunned at what was happening. The guy was around 50 years old so his blatant disregard for the speaker or the audience could not be blamed on immaturity. The phone was eventually escorted from the room by another partner of Latimer Hinks.

Now, scroll forward to the present. I have attended presentations where the audience were asked to "leave mobiles on - we wouldn't want you missing that all important sales call!"

I agree that mobiles should be kept active but silent. The mobile phone is now basically a hand held PA to us - they have demands, deadlines, alarms to remind you that they are there to look after you and your business!

So when your mobile vibrates with an urgent phone call, take it - but make sure you leave the room as you do!!

If we move on to social media, live video streaming, twitter interaction - then we;re opening up another can of worms!!

Take a look at this article from Connectegrity - How Social Media is Changing Business Etiquette

Interesting stuff, but i think i must be "old school" as i consider the use of texting, tweeting etc during a presentation to be bad manners and extremely rude.

Why Use Social Media?

wikipedia states that "Social media is the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogue" Translation - getting to know people/businesses online and building relationships and sharing information.

Social media gives you the opportunity to promote your business branding, provides exposure through networking and enables you to build relationships and trust. It can also provide much needed feedback.

Feedback could be used from a customer service perspective. Latimer Hinks have used feedback from online surveys to provide answers to "burning questions."

For our most recent online survey we wanted to know if businesses had noticed an increase in debtor days.

The social media sites used were:

• LinkedIn groups as well as asking members of LinkedIn in "answers".
• Twitter
• Facebook

I'll let you know which site was most successful in generating completed surveys. We will of course "pay back" those who have responded as all results will be collated and a press release generated from the information we receive. 

Some tips on social networking
1) Don't ask for favours
2) Build a rapport, get involved in discussions
3) Your home page may not be the best link to share with someone whilst networking. Consider linking to a more relevant page on your site
Correctly done, social media can grow your online business faster than any other means. Social media also saves money, however there is a time element to successful social networking that sould be considered.

For interest, I came across this article about the use of social media in emergencies.

Fundraising via a Fake Wedding

One of our ladies - Gillian Ibbotson is a Trustee for Darlington Town Mission and was recently invited to attend a "Fake Wedding" in order to raise funds for the mission.

Gillian organised a table with guests from Latimer Hinks. The dress code was obviously, wedding attire. This provided the perfect opportunity to have a second wearing out of a wedding outfit! Having had at least three ladies from Latimer Hinks married in a year there was no shortage of volunteers.

Guests were asked to take along a "gift" for the bride and groom, The gifts were then auctioned later in the evening.

There was a "Father of the Bride" speech (no Best Man speech), a disco and plenty of refreshments on hand. All in all it was a very enjoyable evening - the money raised on the evening amounted to £2000.

So, well done Darlington Town Mission for taking on something a little bit different!

ASSIST Ladies Networking - Fraud and e-Crime, Feb 9th 2011

ASSIST is a networking group for ladies in the Tees Valley area. The aim of the group is to "help each other" in the world of business and all it entails!

At each event we hold a networking game to "break the ice" this is then follwoed by a presentation.

For our first event of 2011 we have Mike Forster of Cleveland Police.

Mike’s presentation topic is “Fraud and e-Crime” and will cover internet fraud and businesses. Mike hopes to inject some fresh perspective and in turn provoke questions. He will provide an overview of the work that the Economic Crime Team carry out.

I must admit I’m really looking forward to what will certainly be an interesting presentation.

Timing

8:45 – 9:25am Registration and informal networking

9:25 – 10.10am Introduction and Networking game

10.10– 10.40am Mike Forster – Cleveland Police

10.40 – 10.45am Business Card draw and Charity raffle

10.45 - 11.00am Opportunity for further networking


The cost is minimal – £5 for members and £10 for non members

For further details please check out our website http://www.assistladiesnetworking.co.uk/

Wills & Modern Relationships

Everyone should have a well written. A will ensures that your wishes are carried out. No will at all means that you die intestate. In these cases laws that govern the way in which your estate should be distributed come into effect. These laws do not take into consideration modern family relationships.

A solution to the problems posed by modern families can be overcome with good advice from experienced solicitors.

Andrew Way of Latimer Hinks Solicitors explains why you should choose a solicitor rather than a will writer to draft your will.

Growth in Contested Wills Could Mean Heartache for Families

This week the BBC2 documentary "Can't Take It With You" aired. A very interesting programme dealing with the problems of modern family relationships and distribution of assets.

Anne Elliott of Latimer Hinks comments on the programme in her blog "Can't Take It With You"

Further information
STEP - Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners -
STEP members (TEPs) provide expert advice on how to comply with the often complex law and tax rules surrounding trusts, estates and inheritance.


Anne Elliott and Andrew Way are full professional members

SFE - Solicitors for the Elderly -
Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) is an independent, national organisation of lawyers, such as solicitors, barristers, and legal executives who are committed to providing the highest quality of legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers.

Many of our Private Client Team are members of SFE. Andrew is also Executive Director and Secretary of SFE

Pre-nuptial Contracts - Legally Binding??

Multi-million pound divorce cases could become a thing of the past under government proposals to make prenuptial contracts legally binding.

Judith Middleton, family lawyer at Latimer Hinks Solicitors goes into the proposals further

Consultation Could Make Pre-Nups Legally Binding


Further reading
Law Commission Consultation Paper on Pre-nuptial Agreements