Press Release

Pengillys Welcomes Tracey Parsons to Family Law Department

Blackmore Vale Magazine - December 2009

Pengillys Solicitors and Mediators is pleased to welcome solicitor Tracey Parsons who has recently joined their Family Law Department in Dorchester.  Tracey is a qualified family Mediator and has worked as a solicitor specialising in Family Law for nearly 20 years.  Working in London, Tracey moved to Dorset in 2000, where she has developed strong local connections.

Her experience and dedication has led Tracey to expertise in all aspects of family law, particularly matrimonial finances involving businesses, pensions, overseas assets and inheritances.  She also advises on disputes between cohabitees and the drawing up of pre-marital and pre-cohabitation agreements.

Tracey acts for parents in disputes over the arrangements for children includingresidence and contact and has particular experience in dealing with child abduction and situations where one parent wants to live overseas with the children.  ther areas of expertise include applications for domestic injunctions and Legal Aid cases.

Tim Guppy, Principal, based at Pengillys office in Poundbury, Dorchester, welcomes Tracey.  "We have a high level of expertise in Family Law and Family Law Mediation and Tracey's appointment is a key part of our continuing development of our Poundbury office", he said.

Double Celebrations at Pengillys

Office Manager, Geoff Hodges, 56, from Weymouth has recently celebrated an impressive 40 years continuous employment at Pengillys Solicitors, Weymouth and Dorchester.

"I joined the firm at 16 as a trainee legal executive but decided that, although the law interested me, my skills lay in management and was made office manager in 1978," said Geoff.  "We have a remarkably low turnover of personnel.  I was at Pengillys for 38 years before becoming the longest-serving member of staff - we all have a very strong working relationship," he added.

The newest member of staff is trainee solicitor Matthew Rimmer, 22.  Matt, born and bred in Dorchester and former Thomas Hardye School pupil, qualified at Aberystwyth University and Bristol.  He applied to Pengillys as a volunteer to enhance his experience and CV.  He impressed the Principals so much that they offered him a coverted two-year training contract...after just 40 days with the firm!

"Matthew is an extremely personable, able trainee and we think he has a bright future" said Tim Guppy, Principal.

Avoid elderly 'snatch' by state - make a health and welfare LPA

In April 2009, great-grandmother Betty Figg was snatched by social workers against the wishes of her daughter, her former carer.  Social workers arrived with police and a battering ram to remove the 86-year-old woman suffering from dementia from her daughter's house.  The media quickly spread pictures and video footage of Betty being taken from the house in her wheelchair with a towel thrown over her head.

It seems social services did not agree with Betty's daughter that it was in Betty's best interests to be cared for by her daughter in a specially converted room, in he daughter's home.

Could this happen to you and your family?

There is a way that it can be avoided; by giving a health and welfare lasting power of attorney to a family member, social services are prevented from making care decisions.  Without this document, social services can make decisions on behalf of a vulnerable person, if they think they lack mental capacity and believe it is in their best interests.  They do not have to follow what the family want and cannot be liable for their decisions.

At Pengillys, we have Solicitors who are members of Solicitors for the Elderly, who are encouraging all older people to plan ahead and make a health and welfare lasting power of attorney.  'It is an important document and sensible to get advice about the choices you have.  What happened to Mrs Figg may never happen to you, but if it does, you and your family will be glad you made the power of attorney'.

Dorset Echo July 2008

WESSEX CONSOLIDATE POSITION

The Wessex Cricket School is pleased to announce, for the fifth consecutive year, the continued sponsorship from Dorchester and Weymouth based Solicitors and Mediators, Pengillys.  Principals from the firm attended the Wessex Cricket School Match at Charlton Down recently to hand over the playing shirts for the coming year.  Wessex Director of Cricket, Simon Talbot explains "Pengillys' support over the past five years has been absolutely outstanding, not just through their provision of playing shirts, but their continued support and encouragement in helping young cricketers in the region as well.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, the 2008 competition season continues to see all the Wessex teams in fine form in every age group entered in the Somerset based Mid-Wessex League.  Good weather has seen the "Warriors" string together a series of victories that places them top of each the U16 leagues, second place in both the U12 and U10 competitions.  Added to this sees both the older age groups reaching the Semi-Final stages of the Mid-Wessex Knock-Out cups as well.

Blackmore Vale Magazine April 2008

KEEPING AHEAD OF THE LAW

Swann Personnel, in conjunction with Pengillys Solicitors of Weymouth & Dorchester, ran a seminar for their clients entitled "Discrimination in the Workplace".  Graham Whitehouse of Pengillys gave an informative talk on the various types of discrimination that employers must be careful to avoid.  He then went on to update the audience with the latest pieces of employment legislation which came into effect on 6th April 2008.  The seminar was a great success and both companies are keen to run more in the future for both clients and prospective clients.  They would welcome any suggestions for potential topics.

Dorset Echo November 2007

EMPLOYMENT LAW LATEST FROM PENGILLYS

Pengillys Solicitors and Mediators or Dorchester and Weymouth are delighted to welcome Graham Whitehouse to head up their Employment Law Team.

Tim Guppy, Litigation Principal, confirmed that Graham has extensive experience of dealing with a wide range of complex issues affecting both employers and employees.  Graham has a particular interest in negotiating termination agreements on behalf of senior employees and companies.

Graham, 42, has previously worked in both private and public sectors including Human Resources for the Ministry of Defence.  He is happy to advise businesses and individual clients.  He intends to divide his time between tribunal and civil litigation, having built a reputation as a robust and persuasive advocate.

'Having lived in the south west for over 20 years I am aware of the thriving business community.  The opportunity of working with so many innovative and dynamic businesses is very exciting', said Graham.

Pengillys has introduced an emergency employment issues helpline, available out of office hours, aimed at employers and staff.  For further information please contact Graham Whitehouse on 01305 768888 or grw@pengillys.co.uk or visit www.pengillys.co.uk

Dorset Echo March 2007

CRICKETERS BOWLED OVER BY SPONSOR

Young cricketers celebrated a major sponsorship when a Principal from a law firm dropped into one of their training sessions.

Tim Guppy, from Pengillys Solicitors and Mediators, announced his company would be backing the Dorchester-based Wessex Cricket School Academy for the third year running.  Academy players will be sporting Pengillys' logo on their shirts for the coming season.

Academy director Simon Talbot said: "We can't thank Tim and his colleagues enough.  Their generosity this year and over previous years is very much appreciated."

Mr Guppy added: "This is exactly the sort of locally-based organisation our firm wants to be associated with.  There is nothing better than seeing young people get on in the sporting world.  We are delighted to be involved."