One of the region’s biggest digital marketing events will hit Harrogate this autumn, as hundreds of industry professionals come together for a lively day of discussion, exhibition and networking. 

The event, which is sponsored by York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub and Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison, and is free for delegates to attend, will also feature 25 trade stands for local companies in the industry, such as social media agencies, web designers, content writers, videographers and photographers.

The full day conference will take place on Thursday, September 28 at Pavilions of Harrogate, the indoor event venue at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

Andrew Raby, manager of York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, said: 

“More businesses approach the Growth Hub for fully funded support on the topic of digital marketing and skills than almost any other, so this promises to be a great event to showcase an array of creative talent from our region, and the ways in which that talent can help businesses to thrive and grow.

“We look forward to hearing from businesses, meeting delegates, and sharing more about the free support we provide.”

Richard Coulthard, Director and Head of Corporate at sponsor Ison Harrison said: 

“At Ison Harrison we’re delighted to sponsor this year’s conference, aligning ourselves with a vibrant digital marketing community in the North Yorkshire region.

“We’re a forward-thinking law firm that appreciates innovation and change – something that is embraced in the creative industry. Digital marketing agencies are often at the forefront of driving transformative change in the business landscape, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and creative thinking to help organisations reach their audiences effectively.

“Being involved in an event that explores these new ways of helping businesses achieve their goals, and celebrating the successes of local businesses is something we’re delighted about.

“We act for many Agencies in the creative industry, so we hope to see many familiar faces at the event – along with new ones! Having recently opened a new branch in Harrogate, we hope to see some of our neighbours at the event in September.”

The Digital Marketing Conference, organised by the Stray Ferret, will feature talks from industry experts, including keynote, and a Q&A session hosted by the Stray Ferret’s owner, former BBC Yorkshire boss Tamsin O’Brien. 

Emma Harris, commercial manager at the Stray Ferret, said: 

“This event is long overdue. We haven’t really seen anything like it before in our part of the North, and yet some of the best companies in the sector are based up here.

“For anyone involved in digital marketing in our area, this is a must attend event. It will be the autumn highlight of the business calendar, so mark it in your diary and make sure you don’t miss out.”

Find out more:

To find out more about speaking opportunities or to book an exhibition stand, contact Megan Grant at The Stray Ferret on 01423 276224 or by email at megan@thestrayferret.co.uk.

A solicitor has been struck off for a year after failing to protect a vulnerable client from a conman who bought his Harrogate home.

Anthony Gale was employed by Ison Harrison solicitors when he acted for both the buyer and the seller of a property on St George’s Road.

The solicitor had a long-standing professional relationship with the buyer, Sukhdev Singh, who acquired the property by telling the seller he had paid off the outstanding mortgage of just under £120,000. However, there was no evidence of any mortgage having existed or any money having been paid for the home, the tribunal heard.

Singh acquired the home through a company he had set up, before renting it back to the vulnerable man, who had no tenancy agreement to protect him. Singh was jailed earlier this year for four counts of fraud, all relating to the same property and its former owner.

A hearing of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last month found the seller, known as Client A, was autistic and had an estimated mental age of 12 years and four months. Mr Gale said he did not realise this when he was dealing with the sale.

A report from the tribunal, published last week, said:

“The admitted misconduct represented a grave departure [from] the ‘complete integrity, probity and trustworthiness’ expected of a solicitor.

“The harm Mr Gale caused to the solicitors’ profession was extensive. The harm caused both to those directly involved and to the profession was eminently foreseeable.”

The three members of the tribunal panel said Mr Gale’s misconduct was “deliberate, calculated and repeated”, and led to a vulnerable client being taken advantage of in the transaction, which took place in 2016.

Mr Gale also faced an allegation that, in 2020 when he was employed by Lofthouse & Co, he acted without authorisation in another property sale and signed a contract without instruction.

Read more:

• Accountant jailed for conning Harrogate man out of his home
• Former Harrogate nurse struck off over 19 misconduct charges

The hearing last month heard that he had been before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal before, in 2018, relating to allegations about his conduct on five other conveyancing matters, between 2005 and 2014. While he denied all five charges, the tribunal found the majority of them proved and he was ordered to pay a fine of £10,000 and costs of £28,291.

He also had sanctions imposed on his practice, including preventing him from being the sole practitioner or owner of a law firm.

The report from last month’s hearing into the latest allegations said:

“Mr Gale’s repeated misconduct demonstrated his complete lack of insight into and understanding of his failings.

“The tribunal held serious concerns as to the risk of repetition in the future given Mr Gale’s demonstrable propensity to ignore red flags in conveyancing transactions, and his inherent inability to identify and heed warning signs of fraud or exploitation.”

‘Blind spot’

The tribunal heard that while the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which brought the application to have him struck off, had been investigating Mr Gale, he had denied all the allegations against him.

However, he admitted them shortly before the hearing, in August this year. The tribunal report said:

“It was plain to the tribunal that Mr Gale had a complete blind spot with regard to the obligations to ‘know your client’, the risks of fraud in conveyancing transactions, management of conflicts of interest, and the obligations attendant upon accepting instructions from vulnerable clients.

“The previous sanction imposed in 2018 had not rectified Mr Gale’s ineptitude in those respects, and had not protected either the public or the reputation of the profession from repeated harm.”

Mr Gale was ordered to pay costs of £12,000 and was suspended from practising for a year.

After that date, he will face restrictions on his work including being barred from running his own business, being a partner in a business, or taking on a role where he is responsible for legal practice or finance and administration.

He is also prevented from holding clients’ money and being a signatory on a client account.

In order to work as a solicitor, he will have to seek approval from the SRA, and will have to complete further training in four areas of practice, including working with vulnerable clients and understanding the risks of fraud.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

More than 1,000 people attended a business conference in Harrogate yesterday.

Brand Yorkshire held its 12th annual business conference at Pavilions of Harrogate at the Great Yorkshire Showground. Nearly 60 businesses had stalls at the event.

Staff from companies all over the country networked at the event, which attracted many local firms.

Georgina Pogge-von Strandmann, solicitor and branch manager at Ison Harrison in Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret:

“The event has been great to attend. We’re here to explain all of the services we can offer at our new Harrogate branch as a full-service law firm. We’ve spoken to a lot of people, everyone is really friendly.”

Sally Bendtson, who owns Limelight HR, said:

“It’s been really good so far, there is a nice mixture of people we know and people we haven’t worked with yet. Last year we just had a stand but this year we’ve got a stand and I’m doing a talk.”

Brand Yorkshire has been holding business events for more than a decade. They are run by Richard and Mona Norman.

Ms Norman told the Stray Ferret:

“People are still wanting to meet people face to face, especially in Harrogate. We have more than a thousand booked to attend.

“What is music to my ears is when the stand holders come to me, even when the day hasn’t finished yet, to say they are already getting business from the event.”

Boroughbridge chamber holds networking event

The Crown Hotel

Boroughbridge Chamber of Trade is to stage business networking event on Tuesday next week.

The event will also feature a presentation from Kevin Charity, the new chief executive of The Coaching Inn Group, which recently bought the town’s Crown Hotel.

Coaching Inns took over the historic 37-bedroom hotel in February after its parent company, RedCat Pub Company, purchased the building from Best Western for an undisclosed fee. It is investing about £450,000 in refurbishing the site.

The event takes place at the Crown Hotel from 5.30pm to 7pm. Non-chamber members are welcome.

This article is sponsored by Ison Harrison Solicitors.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can help give you and your family peace of mind should anything happen to your health later in life.

Ison Harrison Solicitors in Harrogate provides expert advice on how to set one up and is offering 20% on all LPAs for a limited time.

What Is A Lasting Power of Attorney & Why Do You Need One?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint one or more people whom you trust, together or separately, to act on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so yourself.

One of the biggest motivators for organising an LPA is the possibility of losing mental and physical capacity later in life. With around 900,000 people currently living with dementia in the UK – and an expected increase to 1.6 million by 2040 – it’s important to put plans in place early on so your best interests are looked after by someone you trust.

If you do not have an LPA, it may be that an application has to be made to the courts for a deputy to be appointed and this is a complex, costly and time-consuming process.

What types of LPA are there?

There are 2 types of LPA:

• Health & Welfare
• Property & Financial Affairs

It is often advisable to set up a health and welfare LPA and a property and financial affairs LPA at the same time, as this ensures both elements are taken care of and gives you peace of mind for the future.

Once an LPA has been executed, it will last indefinitely.

What are the benefits of making an LPA?

Most importantly, you will be taking a prudent step towards safeguarding against future problems for your loved ones whilst also ensuring you have put plans in place for your future whilst you are of sound mind and health. None of us know what the future holds, and just like making a will is important, so too is making a Lasting Power of Attorney, yet the latter is often overlooked.

How long does the process take?

Typically, it can take up to 12 weeks to register an LPA. It is always advisable to get legal advice before proceeding with the process.

Ison Harrison Solicitors specialise in wills, probate and lasting power of attorneys.

Wills & Probate expert at Ison Harrison, Rebecca Austin, said:

“Few people realise that due to increasingly complex data protection legislation, no one else is usually allowed to deal with your assets and other matters, so making a Lasting Power of Attorney helps to protect you for the future.”

Save 20% on Lasting Powers of Attorney

During the month of May, Ison Harrison Solicitors is running a limited-time offer of 20% off all LPAs.

The firm has a branch at 6A Albert Street, Harrogate, HG1 1JG.

To take advantage of this offer, please email Rebecca.austin@isonharrison.co.uk or call 01943 889 084.

This post is sponsored by Ison Harrison Solicitors

After many years of campaigning and discussion by solicitors such as Ison Harrison, ‘no-fault divorce’ is going to stop the law putting divorcing couples up against one another. From April 2022, no-fault divorce is being introduced into English law as a means of legally separating two spouses.

How does the no-fault divorce differ from the current divorce process?

Currently, the person applying for a divorce can only do so on the grounds that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. To do that they must be able to show evidence of at least one of the five key facts:

• Adultery – that the other spouse has committed adultery and they find it intolerable to live with them.
• Unreasonable behaviour – that the other spouse has behaved in such a way that the petitioner can no longer reasonably be expected to live with them.
• Desertion – that the other spouse has deserted the petitioner for a minimum of two years.
• Separation: two years – that the two parties have lived separately for a continuous period of two years and both parties agree to the divorce.
• Separation: five years – that the two parties have lived separately for a continuous period of five years and one or both parties agree to the divorce.

A no-fault divorce removes the need to rely on these five facts and hopes to provide an easier route to a more amicable separation. Therefore, a couple can apply for a divorce without apportioning blame.

Shaun Hulme, partner at Ison Harrison, said:

“At present couples often find themselves relying upon trivial issues simply as a means to meet and surmount the legal test. Thinking of reasons can be quite hurtful to both parties.”

How does a no-fault divorce process work?

• One or both parties can make an application to the Court for a ‘Divorce Order’
• Within that application must be a statement to confirm that the marriage has irretrievably broken down
• There is then a minimum period of 20 weeks from the date of this application to the next stage of the divorce process. This is known as the ‘period of reflection’, designed to give couples time and space to consider their actions and whether they still wish to proceed
• Prior to a ‘Conditional Order’ (formerly known as the Decree Nisi) being issued, one or both of the parties must re-confirm that they still wish to separate
• Currently, there is a minimum period of six weeks and one day between the Decree Nisi (Conditional Order) and the Decree Absolute (Final Order) being issued, and this will remain in place.

What are the benefits expected from the no-fault divorce?

While there is a perception that divorce can be messy, antagonistic and bitter, many couples separate on amicable terms and certainly wish to maintain a positive relationship on the basis that their marriage simply ran its course on natural grounds. In such cases, the mood is sad and reflective, and couples mainly wish to divide assets and make arrangements for children in the most cordial way. This can happen, but increasingly it has been felt within the legal sector that having to apportion blame can create bad feeling and finger-pointing, where there isn’t necessarily any blame on either party. In other words, evidence of one of the ‘five facts’ can be hard to find, and these conditions have become outdated as ‘cover-all’ terms.

Ison Harrison Solicitors strongly support the long-overdue introduction of the no-fault divorce, and with vast experience of dealing with separating couples, we are confident the move will reduce the scope for disagreement.

To find out more about our expert family law services, visit www.isonharrison.co.uk/no-fault-divorce/ or call our Harrogate branch on 01423 228 111.

This article is sponsored by Ison Harrison Solicitors.

As life starts to get back to normal, for some, covid has uncovered irretrievable cracks in their relationship. Now might therefore be the time to make the first tentative steps towards separation and divorce.

Ison Harrison Solicitors in Harrogate provide advice on what to do next to make the transition as amicable as possible.

Where To Begin

If you feel that the only outcome for you and your partner is to divorce, the process can seem really daunting. You may be thinking; where do I start, how long will it take and how much will it cost?

The biggest step for most people is the first one, engaging a family solicitor. To do this you have to accept that the marriage is over and have the motivation to do something about it. This is no easy task and can often lead people to stay in unhappy relationships.

Shaun Hulme who is a partner and family solicitor at the Harrogate branch, said:

“I am all too aware of the difficulties faced by those who are separating and facing a future they did not necessarily expect for themselves.

My role as a family solicitor is to help my client navigate this difficult and unexpected future not only for themselves but for their family.”

What to expect from a divorce case

Divorce is never something someone can plan for. It is often a decision that has taken careful consideration and comes with varying emotions such as heartbreak, upset and stress.

To think of a life without your partner may be hard to imagine but solicitors at Ison Harrison, like Shaun, are already thinking of the end goal before you’ve even got there:

“Whilst clients are at the very outset of the case, often with heightened emotions making difficult decisions even harder, I am already at the end point planning the case backwards to get them on the road to independent living.

“I help them to look forward to a future albeit one they had not planned.”

Often during proceedings, it can get heated between couples with each person determined to have the last word. Shaun Hulme makes sure to help his clients navigate this tricky part. He said:

“I advise all of my clients to avoid the need to have ‘the last word’ and move forward. This is particularly true with children. At the end of the process people want to look back and know that they have acted in the best interest of their children.”

Ultimately, Shaun said his main aims throughout a divorce case is to meet his clients expectations whilst managing them, to build trust and to ensure they feel supported throughout.

Top tips for reducing stress and getting the best outcome

Ison Harrison solicitors have provided some advice on what to remember as you work through the process:

• Start as you mean to go on – try and stay as calm and focused as possible rather than letting resentment guide you
• Be open and honest – hiding information only results in increased costs and animosity
• Be respectful – if you are feeling hurt it can be difficult to be respectful, however if you make things difficult for your ex-partner they of course will be less likely to cooperate
• Put the children first –  the welfare of your children should be the first thing you consider when making decisions. Children are often most affected by family breakdowns and will remember a bad experience for the rest of their life
• Consider what you want in the long term and the short term – to ensure that you walk away with a result that works for you both now and in the future

For a 30 minute free initial discussion about the steps involved in the divorce process, contact Ison Harrison Solicitors, Harrogate on 0113 284 5000 or email us on harrogate@isonharrison.co.uk

To download a copy of our Roadmap to Divorce document which takes you through all of the stages in the process, click here.

Pictured above are Jonathan Wearing, Manager Partner (second left) with the Harrogate team outside the Ison Harrison branch at 6a Albert Street.

This article is sponsored by Ison Harrison.

Ison Harrison Solicitors, who recently opened a new branch on Albert Street, have announced a special incentive scheme for new clients to help support the town’s local businesses.

Each of the first 100 clients at the branch will receive a £20 discount voucher to spend at one of six local Harrogate businesses. The businesses taking part in the scheme are gift shop Sophie Likes, book shop Imagined Things, Porters Clothing, Helen James Flowers, gift and accessories shop Bijouled and Thug Sandwich Company.

Ison Harrison has been established for over 43 years and has a head office based in Leeds city centre. With a growing network of 16 branches across Yorkshire, the new office in Harrogate is the second in North Yorkshire, following the opening of the York branch in 2018. The firm employs over 220 staff across the region and offers a full range of legal services for both private clients and businesses.

Ison Harrison Harrogate branch manager, Georgina Pogge-von-Strandmann, specialises in property law and is supported by a dedicated team of experts including family law partner Shaun Hulme and property solicitor James Pascoe.

Georgina said:

“Opening our new Harrogate branch is a great opportunity for us to support some great local businesses and say thank you to our first 100 clients by providing vouchers for them to spend at these fantastic independent shops.”

Branch manager Georgina Pogge-von Strandmann and conveyancing solicitor James Pascoe with Andy Shuttleworth, Managing Director and Shop Floor Manager of Porters Clothing

Andy Shuttleworth Managing Director and Shop Floor Manager of Porters Clothing, added:

“We are delighted to be taking part in Ison Harrison’s voucher scheme. We are also really pleased to see that a recognised Yorkshire law firm is opening in the town centre and offering their support by joining forces with independent businesses such as ours.”

Georgina and James with Debbie Phillips, Deputy Manager of book shop, Imagined Things

Debbie Phillips of Imagined Things, commented:

“It’s such a lovely idea for Ison Harrison to partner with local Independent shops in this way. We wish them all the best on their opening!”

To receive a £20 discount voucher and be one of the first 100 clients at Ison Harrison in Harrogate, simply pop in to their branch at 6A Albert Street, or call 01423 228 111.

To find out more about Ison Harrison in Harrogate, visit www.isonharrison.co.uk/branches/harrogate