Christmas 2019

Working relationships New department heads Celebrating achievers Incisive thinking... decisive action

CONTENTS P3 Promotions P5 Knotty problem P7www.mccormicks-solicitors.com Survivor Diaries P4 Sparkling event P6 Awards launched P 2 Tel: 01423 530630 WWW.MCCORMICKS-SOLICITORS.COM P 3 Iain has advised businesses of sectors a range across including technology, manufacturing, financial services, recruitment, transport and logistics and health and social care. His appointment that Senior ensures Associate Sara Morgan will be focus on able to regulatory matters for in relation professionals to disciplinary matters, with a particular emphasis on registered pharmacists. Peter Senior Partner said: “James McCormick offer and Iain both expertise and extensive experience in their we are disciplines and delighted to welcome them to the practice.” author James author James Patterson, and the UCI World Championships Cycling which received media coverage the world,across despite unseasonably wet weather which challengespresented for the competitors, spectators and for the operation. clear-up As we to go print, we do not yet know the of the result December General Election and if and when willBrexit go ahead. It is hard that now to believe to bewe expected all in 2019! resolved the outcome,Whatever colleagues and Imy merryvery a you wish Christmas and a happy, and successfulhealthy New Year! OBE Peter McCormick In addition, I haveIn addition, been toappointed expert panelsthree within the organisation: Professional Commercial; and Discipline Football; and Integrity. won again have We for our work praise in the leading guides to the legal on which youprofession, in about more can read we had athis issue, and 27ththe fantastic night at Achievers Young in November, Awards again featured in these pages. On the wider scale, Harrogate hosted the Show, Yorkshire Great attracting thanmore 130,000 people, the always-impressive Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival which thepresented for OutstandingAward toContribution 300-million-selling directors and boardroom directors disputes, Employment for unfair claims Tribunal dismissal,or wrongful discrimination and whistleblowing. He has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating contracts andof employment service agreements, advising on grievance and disciplinary matters and the termination of providingemployment, advice on TUPE and employment aspects of corporate and property transactions. He works with Commercial PhilipLitigation Partner Edmondson to advise on the implementation and ofenforcement and covenants restrictive confidentiality obligations.

Peter McCormickPeter New Head of Employment Iain JenkinsIain talking about.” Jenkins has joined Iain ofthe practice as Head Law. Employment He brings expertise in of contentious all areas and non-contentious matters,employment including settlement andagreements negotiated exits, industry sector that has industry sector the per cent in 30 grown and is anyears few last important part of the and job market economy district. and in Harrogate I havefront, Sport the On been to thereappointed national sports dispute the resolution body, (UK)Sport Resolutions Panels of Arbitrators and Mediators for a further term. three-year The appointment means to will continue that I Chair arbitrations.

New McCormicks Partner McCormicks New Towler James The firm’s Corporate and The firm’s department Commercial the recently won praise in published UK Legal the leading guide 500, the legal profession, to quote a client aswhich saying: “McCormicks’ approachprofessional and subject knowledge clients reassurancegives what it isthat it knows the qualification ofthe qualification Brian Nuttneylawyer to the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme (CLAS), further strengthening our Crime Peter team headed by Minnikin. Duty Solicitors people whorepresent a solicitordo not have legalbut require at both representation, inthe police station and court. The Head of our Family team, StephenPartner Hopwood is currently of serving as President District LawHarrogate iswhich Society (HDLS) from of lawyers made up the district across and brings together the legal community to campaign toon issues important the public, such as access to justice, court funding and modernisation of laws. anIt also represents

Christmas and New Year greetings and New Year Christmas We recently appointed recently We of a new Head andCorporate Partner Commercial, whoJames Towler, will you of many have now met, and a new Head of Employment, Jenkins, who willIain out and about inbe his home town of meeting evenHarrogate of you. more reflected have We hard Jackson’s Tiffany work with Head of Property Commercial by Heather Roberts Training her a awarding Tiffany Contract. also assists in Property inwork and Litigation of side the property Trusts some Estates and work. third a now have We Duty Solicitor who can appear for those facing Magistrates’ Court followingproceedings It is fair to say it has been another tremendous year, both for the firm for both theand widercommunity. has been it another tremendous say year, fairIt is to

James Towler takes James Towler of as Head over our Corporate and Commercial Department. James advises companies, LLPs and partnerships, on both corporate and matters.commercial instructionsRegular include buying and selling businesses and companies, restructuring companies and groups, joint ventures, andshareholder partnership agreements. for a broad He has acted range of both domestic and international clients including motor retailers, national estate agents, racecourse operators, publishers,manufacturers, online service providers, retailers and farmers. New department heads We are delighted to welcome a new Partner a new the practice. to welcome to delighted are We Solicitors across the departments have won praise from clients in the newly-published UK Legal 500 and Chambers UK, the leading guides to the legal profession, with descriptions including thorough, accessible, strength and sensitivity, expertise and efficiency.

Departmental Peter McCormick Philip Edmondson praise by guides

Senior Partner Peter McCormick OBE and Consultant Neil Goodrum are both listed in the UK Legal 500’s “Hall of Fame”: Peter for his work in Sport and Neil for Mediators. Peter is also listed in the elite “Leading Lawyers” list for his work in Sport. Partner Philip Edmondson is singled out as a “Next Generation” lawyer for his work in Sport. The firm is praised for its expertise and service in the editorial covering a number Peter MinnikinMcCormick PeterStephen McCormick Hopwood of different legal disciplines, including Dispute Resolution, Agriculture and Estates, IT and Telecoms and Intellectual Property. team offers the full construction disputes, Solicitors at the firm have won 41 individual recommendations, while the firm as range of services debt recovery issues, a whole is recommended for 18 areas of law, namely: Corporate and Commercial; to clients, advising professional negligence EU and Competition; Crime: Fraud; Crime: General; Dispute Resolution/ on matters relating matters and contentious Commercial Litigation; Agriculture and Estates; Charities and Not-For-Profit; to asset transfers, probate work. Beyond Contentious Trusts and Probate; Family; Private Client: Personal Tax, Trusts and property issues, the sports sector, the Probate; Commercial Property; Property Litigation; IT and Telecoms; Intellectual sponsorship agreements, group is growing its Property; and Sport; along with London rankings for Dispute Resolution: procurement and digital sector expertise Mediators; Professional Discipline and Sport. commercial litigation. with several new client It has again led the way for Harrogate and North Yorkshire-based practices as Practice head Peter wins. Philip Edmondson the only Harrogate practice recommended in eight areas of law, namely EU and McCormick continues leads the department Competition, Crime (Fraud), Crime (General), Contentious Trusts and Probate, to act as a trustee alongside senior partner Sport, Dispute Resolution: Mediators, Professional Discipline and Sport (London). for many charities, Peter McCormick. including the Football “McCormicks provides The practice is also ranked by Chambers for its work in Agriculture and Rural Foundation, which excellent advice and the Matters, Crime and Sport. receives millions of outcome is delivered Peter McCormick said: “The testimonials from our clients and peers reflect our pounds of funding from by consummate strength across a range of disciplines and we are, naturally, delighted.” the Premier League, the professionals.” Football Association UK Legal 500 and the Government Commercial property to deliver community voluntary registration McCormicks covers projects at grassroots What the Guides Say and diversification. Also both commercial and level. “A friendly and represents clients in residential property Agriculture and Charity Law Association. approachable team who disputes. Key specialism work and acts for Estates and Rural ”Peter McCormick is are very effective at in work involving a range of clients Affairs approachable and very providing a legal service shooting estates. A including owner McCormicks’ agriculture efficient and always gets for the layperson.” client remarks that “it is occupiers, organisations, and rural affairs team back to you.” “Elaine “Peter McCormick a well-run law practice,” private individuals, has a well-established Lightfoot is a very instills confidence - he adding: “I do not use charities, developers roster of clients in efficient solicitor and is comfortable dealing any other lawyers as and portfolio investors. Yorkshire, advising on a deals with whatever you with anything we ask those at McCormicks The team is headed by number of substantial put her way easily and him to respond to.” are excellent.” Peter Heather Roberts, who estates. The firm successfully.” UK Legal 500 McCormick has advises on the full range prides itself on its UK Legal 500 significant experience in Commercial litigation of commercial property commercial approach, Well-regarded agricultural and estate Harrogate-based deals, advising high and aims to helps agricultural practice matters. “If you have firm McCormicks street retailers and retail its clients create and based in Harrogate, a problem, he gets it is recognised for its schemes acting for both manage new income providing clients with sorted,” according to representation of sports tenants and landlords. flows by assisting in full rural property and impressed interviewees. sector clients, which She has also worked the diversification of tax planning services. Chambers UK includes participants with major developers, their property. Peter Acts for a number of and regulators. The team public bodies and McCormick heads the large landed estates Charities and not-for- has experience handling occupiers to design, fund practice, which is active on a wide range of profit a range of contentious and deliver regeneration within the Agricultural matters including McCormicks’ charity matters including schemes. P4 Law Association and the acquisition, disposal, and not-for-profit contractual claims, UK Legal 500 EU and competition thorough, can explain is particularly well- McCormicks leverages legal concepts in an regarded for football- its sports expertise accessible way, avoiding related work and is to advise high-profile legal terminology, and instructed by leading clients in the sector on provides answers within clubs and leagues in competition issues, most a short time frame.” the UK and abroad. notably The Premier UK Legal 500 Senior partner Peter League. The team is led McCormick heads up by Philip Edmondson, IT and telecoms the practice and has who handles both McCormicks attracts a reputation as one of contentious and non- instructions from the pre-eminent sports contentious matters. IT and telecoms lawyers in the UK. Philip Elaine Lightfoot Heather Roberts Senior partner Peter sector companies Edmondson and Heather McCormick also takes and clients (largely in Roberts are other names a lead role on much the sport, media and to note and handle a of the firm’s most entertainment sectors) range of litigation and significant work. that are investing in commercial property UK Legal 500 technology. issues respectively, UK Legal 500 while senior associate Family Personal tax, trusts Sara Morgan focuses McCormicks fields on employment specialists in finance, and probate McCormicks continues law matters.”Peter domestic abuse and McCormick has children law matters, to advise trustees, settlors, beneficiaries, unparalleled experience and prides itself on the both as a litigator and early settlement of attorneys and deputies PeterCarol McCormickHancock PeterSara Morgan McCormick as a football ‘insider’.” in relation to planning cases by its effective “Peter McCormick and administration of negotiators. Newly has extremely astute estates and court of Contentious trusts professional approach promoted partner and judgment and strategic protection matters. The and probate and subject knowledge group head Stephen skills.” firm has a longstanding McCormicks’ private gives clients reassurance Hopwood is highly UK Legal 500 relationship with client offering that it knows what it is regarded in the region the Premier League, Yorkshire practice encompasses wealth talking about.” and associate Carol for which it provides providing expertise disputes, which are UK Legal 500 Hancock is an expert in advice on trust in a range of matters dealt with under children and domestic Crime: Fraud structures intended including contentious the leadership of abuse cases. “The team Peter Minnikin heads up to protect young and and non-contentious commercial litigation at McCormicks has a the criminal department wide range and depth of wealthy players. Peter football work, head Philip Edmondson. at McCormicks after expertise in family law. McCormick and Elaine continuing to be a Yorkshire families, taking over the role It is both committed Lightfoot are the key principal adviser to businesspeople and from Geoffrey Rogers and thorough in the lawyers in the practice. the Premier League as organisations turn to in 2019. Minnikin’s approach it takes to UK Legal 500 well as being involved the firm for advice on practice covers money each and every case.” in grassroots football the Inheritance Act, laundering and ponzi “Carol Hancock has Property litigation development. Advises attempts to overturn frauds, while Rogers a particular strength McCormicks handles the on a broad range wills on the grounds focuses on complex and sensitivity in full range of contentious of corporate and of capacity and duress commercial and white- representing victims of real estate work with commercial issues, and disputes between collar fraud work. UK domestic abuse, which particular knowledge including sponsorship, executors and trustees. Legal 500 is reinforced by the work of commercial landlord governance issues and The firm also advises she undertakes with and tenant work; the insolvency. Additional Crime: General on cases with cross domestic abuse agencies group also leverages recent activity in McCormicks represents jurisdictional elements, in the local area.” the firm’s strength in shooting, advising clients locally and as well as handling more UK Legal 500 the sports arena to act shoot proprietors modest family cases nationally across all for clients in the sector on regulatory and for local clients which areas of crime, with Intellectual property on property disputes. employment matters. require rapid settlement particular expertise Known particularly Philip Edmondson leads A source notes: “The at proportionate costs. in regulatory matters for its sport, media the group and Heather firm’s main strengths UK Legal 500 and road traffic cases. and entertainment Roberts specialises in are its commercial and Peter Minnikin took sectors expertise, the retail work; Roberts’ pragmatic nature, its Corporate and over as practice head intellectual property expertise also includes attention to detail, commercial from Geoffrey Rogers practice at McCormicks development-related and the first-rate McCormicks is in early 2019 and is assists clients with issues, shooting advice it gives to its frequently instructed experienced in serious the protection and rights work and lease clients.” The “iconic” by a range of high- drug offences, while monetisation of their IP mandates. Peter McCormick is net-worth individuals, Rogers focuses on fraud rights. The group also UK Legal 500 an “industry grandee” local SMEs and large work. “McCormicks has acts for several clients known throughout the corporates, particularly a very strong practice in the retail sector and Sport market for his expertise in the sport, hospitality for dealing with serious is increasingly being McCormicks has in football regulatory and leisure sectors. crime, in particular instructed by start- impressive sport sector matters and dispute Peter McCormick has financial fraud and ups. Name partner expertise and an resolution. According to significant sports sector heavy drug cases.” Peter McCormick enviable client roster market commentators, expertise. “McCormicks’ “Peter Minnikin is a very is a key name to spanning several sports he is “brilliant corporate team is very industrious and well- note, particularly for including football, technically, articulate friendly and responsive. organised solicitor.” sports sector work. cricket and professional and unflappable.” “McCormicks’ UK Legal 500 “McCormicks is very cycling; the group Chambers UK P 5 P 6 WWW.MCCORMICKS-SOLICITORS.COM Seven young starsatawards Josh Warrington sponsored by RuddingPark Personality ofthe Year up of winnerswas: The line full Nabarro,our Special with Award.”supporters, Simon commitment ofonethese marked the we and whom have been with usalmostsince the beginning, many of guests, and our sponsors support ofour year andnone of this would bepossible without the main “These fundraiserofthe also our areAwards children and families inneedLeeds. Katie Mountain doing someamazing work with people aftershe was paralysed inanaccident, to message tootheryoung safety roadspreading the some amazingstories,ranging from Lauren Doherty said: “It was a very specialevening where we heard McCormickthe Peter OBE, of Awards,The Chairman in Yorkshire.people has nowraisedmore than £1.3m to support young the Yorkshireby which YoungFoundation Achievers The Awards, sponsored by McCormicks, are organised Boyne. ten, Archie the ring with three goldmedals to hisnameagedjust title went to anotherLeedsladmakinghismarkin while the guests, 400 Youngsteralmost ofthe Year Personalityup totake theof Yearin front titleof Undefeated Leedsboxer Josh Warrington stepped this year when he took on Kid Galahad. he took on this yearwhen year when he beat Carl Frampton andagainin June May 2018.Heretained the title in October the same when hebeatLee Selby to win his first IBFbeltin Elland Road was also the venue for hisnextbig title, title. featherweight International the WBC British andEuropean titles in2014.2015sawhim win Commonwealthand the titlethe following year He took his first English featherweightin2012, the ring walks. Jones and Jermaine Beckford, have appeared on his of former players, including LucasRadebe, Vinnie He is well knownasaLeeds United fan andanumber Yorkshire, with his first fightatElland Roadin2010. Many of his professional boutshave taken placein roundbelt totakefor the thefourthtime. World Championship, ending the fight in thesecond Sofiane Takoucht to retain theIBF Featherweight His latestcamejustamonthago when hebeat 30 todate. wins outof 30 boxing,with Josh hashadaremarkable career inprofessional Centenary Pavilion. Centenary November in determination and at 27th the Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards United’s at Leeds Seven young to people help who make Yorkshire place abetter were recognised for talent their of Leeds from Martin Gerrard of Barclays of Gerrard Martin from Award Arts the in Achievement the receives Watt Daisy McAllister Nabarro of Nabarro Simon from Award his receives Boyne Archie Year the of Youngster McCormick Peter and Park Rudding of Mackaness Simon from Award his receives Warrington Josh Year the of Personality

Daisy Watt Archie Boyne sponsored by Nabarro McAllister Youngster ofthe Year sponsored by Barclays the Arts in Achievement moves up the weight classifications. He isnowkeen to keep his titles ashe the Five Nations title, aged five. won aseries of titles, includinghis first, Boyne”,Barbarian has theyoungster Fighting under the name“Archie The World Championships inItaly. nine, winning three goldmedalsat the time he was ten –andachieved itaged world championin Thai boxing by the being himself thetarget of set Archie auction of the painting, together with painting, together auction of the far more than justapretty picture. The Her extraordinary talent meantit was Research UK. for Cancer appointments for cancerpatients,and medical provides transportto which Support, and Firefly Cancer Awareness Doncaster-basedraises fundsfor which them and donate it to the Equinox Ball She decided to paintapicture for the disease when she was justsix. grandparents were diagnosed with money for cancercharitiesafterher raise Daisy,wanted to aged ten, ofDoncaster , ten, of Leeds , ten,of

WWW.MCCORMICKS-SOLICITORS.COM P 7 her professional sporting life saw her professional Australia in her begin as a cricketer fast pace bowler. was a she where to in 2018 She emigrated Rugby despite not having played and, set her sights League since junior level, on a new career. the of member was an integral She Leeds squad that won the 2018 the League Leaders Cup and Challenge Super Women’s the 2018 Shield in which she missed League, a season in for the line one game, crossed just 65 goals as tries and registered seven first choice kicker. team’s the She was Captain this year appointed and, at the end of the season was Woman Telegraph the 2019 named as of Steel at the Super Awards. League of Leeds Lizzie Jones presents the Achievement in Education Award on behalf of Positive Solutions Tax to Taylor Hogan Danika Priim and Sophie Robinson of Leeds Rhinos accept the Achievement in SportEddie Award Gray on on behalf behalf of Courtney of Leeds United Hill from Rhinos Women captained Leeds Rhinos Courtney successful season, in a hugely Women culminating in them becoming the Super League Women’s Betfred champions for the first time. Born Australia for the in but qualifying works and because she lives Award Courtney led the team Yorkshire, in to the domestic double, also taking Cup, Challenge Women’s the Coral the the scrum half scored which in winning try. Despite her talent on the rugby pitch, Achievement Achievement in Sport by sponsored Leeds United Club Football Courtney Hill Courtney

of Adel, of Adel, Leeds Katie Mountainis presented with the Achievement in Management and Enterprise Award by Caroline Murphy of The Whaler Katie began her career as a primary school teacher as a primary school Katie began her career the seen her become have years two the last but UK. the of a community nursery in director youngest Community Sunshine the She set up and runs was she year, first the and, in Nursery in Harehills She actually 15 children. with attracting tasked business plan three-year her attracted 58, reaching goal year. first in the to babies from aged for children The nursery caters the local families in well as supporting and, as five for 20 students child care also provides community, other languages at of for speakers learning English own staff her She has recruited College. City Leeds valuable which has proved the local community, from where and spoken 15 languages are where in a setting and asylum seekers. refugees are the children of many further in the nursery still to expand Katie has plans places andto 70 capacity coming months, increasing outdoor play. with more along a sensory area introducing Katie Mountain prints of it, raised a massive £25,000, more than a £25,000, more of it, raised a massive prints aim. Daisy’s was which vehicle for a Firefly wheel to raise on work has gone then, Daisy’s Since flowers and of Her paintings far. £50,000 so nearly people to represent daffodils, used include nature being designs are and her fighting cancer, who are first Her of jewellery. incorporated into a range for card you thank painting has also been used as a bequests Cancer UK. by Research in Management and Enterprise Achievement Whaler Group The Wetherby sponsored by Seven young stars at awards at stars young Seven P 8 WWW.MCCORMICKS-SOLICITORS.COM to agroup of ten children, and this led on to other schoolsand organisations in this hasbecomeher focus. In2016she visited her first primaryschool,speaking Lauren wanted to spread the road safetymessage to children of allagesand traffic, washit by a vanandisnowcompletely paralysed. home afteranight out with friends, shecrossed aroad without checking for When Lauren was 20she was involved inalife-changingroad accident. Walking Lauren Doherty sponsored by McCormicks Solicitors Unsung Hero Taylor Hogan sponsored by Positive Tax Solutions Achievement inEducation the fundraising committeeandspeaksatawareness events. young peoplein their engagement with educationand the arts. She alsosits on She isnowa valued MAP Charity ambassadorand frequently visits to inspire more UniversityLeeds College. Centre, Taylor hasnever looked backsinceandisnowstudyingFilm Screen Mediaat time inher young life. outlet for hercreativeness and talent, becomingengagedineducation for the first Leeds, which works with young peopleatrisk of beingexcluded, andshe found an But amajormoment of changecame when she was introduced to MAP Charity in mainstream educationandmoving schoolseight times. Taylor experienceda difficult childhood which resulted inherstruggling Stephen Hopwood of McCormicks presents the Unsung Hero Award to Lauren Doherty Lauren to Award Hero Unsung the presents McCormicks of Hopwood Stephen Paul Petrov, Carol Hancock, Elaine Lightfoot, Sean Wilson Sean Lightfoot, Elaine Hancock, Carol Petrov, Paul ... andsome of great peoplejoiningus on the evening were ... ofLeeds of Knaresborough of Simon Nabarro sponsored by Walshby Taylorsponsored Special Award the Community.in work RoadSafety Commendation from North Yorkshire Police for her autumn when shereceived a Chief Constable’s The importance of her work was recognised this passengers. Live Campaign and and their for young drivers including the policeand fire services, on theirLearn She isalso working with agroup of organisations, children and young adultsacross the region. the area. She hasnowspoken to more than 3,000 recognise Simon’s contribution with this Award.”with Simon’srecognise contribution are delightedto we supporters overand theyears “We have beenluckyenough to have some fantastic the Yearthe Youngsteraward. of dinner andmarked that achievement by sponsoring celebrated his25thanniversary of taking a table at the Awards and the Foundation over the last25 years. He has proved to beabrilliantambassador for both the Awards Chairman Peter McCormick said:“Simon young peoplein the region. gone the extramile to helpraise funds to support the Yorkshireof have Youngwho AchieversAwards The Special Award ismade to friends andsupporters Kathryn McCormick, Jez Carter and Mary Taylor Mary and Carter Jez McCormick, Kathryn Taylor Walsh of Taylor Mary from Award Special the receives Nabarro Simon ofLeeds WWW.MCCORMICKS-SOLICITORS.COM P 9 Andrew, Harry and Karen Phillips Hayley Tognetti, Elizabeth Tognetti-Shaw, Rob Shaw Rob Elizabeth Tognetti-Shaw, Tognetti, Hayley Louise and Iain Jenkins and Will Bates Richard Stroud, Denise Stroud, Nirmal Singh, Harmesh Singh, Manjo Joshi and Bhavna Joshi Ron Miller, Claire & Chris Hassell Chris & Claire Miller, Ron Richard Stroud, Az Jacobs and members of the Yorkshire Regiment Nick Manners, Robert and Nick Dyson Nick and Robert Manners, Nick Sir Thomas Ingilby, Lady Ingilby, Kathryn Apanowicz, and Bayliss Tom QC Caroline Murphy, Elizabeth McCarthy, Marie Dickinson and Emily Thomas Mike Ash, Sandra Doherty, Chris Mackenzie, Sara Robinson, Helen Ash, Katie, Emma, Angie Mountain, Chris Gill Lizzie Jones and Nick Whitehill Archie Boyne meets Josh Warrington Katie Holmes, Sue Watson, Nicola Connelly, Tracey Lazenby, Mandy Baylis, Jade Iwanuschak, Maria Dawson

Tim Lamper, Jo Watson, Judy Thompson, Kathryn Davenport Jess, Helen and Dennis Mayho, Duncan Wood

Molly Birch brought along her Support Dog, Chess, to explain how he improves her life. Lauren Doherty and friends

Julia Sambrook, Abbey Maclure, James Ryan, Emma Ryan, Steph Daley, Simon Nabarro, Neil Cowburn, Mark Murphy, Paul Ibbotson Laura and James Collins

P 10 Ray and Rachel Wells The Barclays team with Arts winner Daisy Watt Should personal relationships between colleagues be acceptable? Head of Employment Iain Jenkins looks at how businesses can tackle what can be a tricky issue. Working relationships

Your local McDonald’s of interest. Whilst may not be the most perhaps more common romantic establishment in the US, policies on particularly if you are relationships at work are desperate for food at implemented by some three in the morning, UK companies. Such but behind the scenes policies will be brought things might be different to the attention of and indeed right at the employees and applied top of the management across the board, usually tree as illustrated when without fear or favour McDonald’s recently as was the case with fired its chief executive, Mr Easterbrook who Steve Easterbrook, after was accredited with a a relationship with an significant increase in employee. It was a the value of McDonald’s consensual relationship as a business. but apparently Mr Easterbrook had Policies are not “violated company implemented just policy” and shown to cover clandestine “poor judgement”. relationships but any disclosure (to HR) this was a consensual Mr Easterbrook’s “personal relationship” allegations of sexual requirements where a relationship but employment was (for example, people misconduct. Quite personal relationship there has been much terminated because who are married or rightly these have been might involve employees reported concern about the relationship was a are living together) criticised and legislation in a direct reporting line. employees entering breach of McDonald’s where the personal should be introduced There would usually into settlement business conduct relationship may be or to constrain companies also be a reminder that agreements with standards policy which become problematic who might be anxious the company will not complex confidentiality Mr Easterbrook had because it impacts to brush things under tolerate discrimination provisions where signed. negatively on colleagues the carpet at whatever or business efficiency. or harassment. there may have been cost. In general terms, it said These relationships Reporting to HR may that situations should can be particularly be a dampener on any be avoided which could problematic where the budding romance. Senior Associate Iain Jenkins is Head negatively impact on people involved work Whilst an eyebrow the work environment of Employment at McCormicks. within a team or one is might be raised at the and as part of this, those subordinate to the other need for these policies, employees with direct Iain has received recruitment, transport in the management statistics do show that or indirect reporting recommendations and logistics and structure. Some of the many people enter lines were prohibited in the leading health and social care. perceived risks are a into relationships with from entering into a independent Guides lack of transparency in workplace colleagues relationship. Those who to the profession, workplace matters, risk and that this can cause were in or planning to The Legal 500 and to confidentiality, bias issues. enter into a romantic Chambers UK. and general adverse relationship that may impacts on the way a With the Me Too Iain advises on all violate the policy team might work. These movement, and areas of contentious were to advise HR or a are but a few. other developments, and non-contentious director, according to companies are keen employment matters the policy. A policy would usually to be seen not only to and has advised contain rules and have a policy but also McDonald’s and businesses across guidance on how to enforce it at all levels other companies who a range of sectors those in a personal as was the case with Mr implement such rules including technology, relationship should Easterbrook. The terms are clearly concerned manufacturing, New Head of Employment of his departure have Iain Jenkins about potential conflicts conduct themselves financial services, in the workplace and been well publicised and P 11 WWW.MCCORMICKS-SOLICITORS.COM The ever-popular McCormicks Quiz took place in October, with eight teams battling for the title. Quiz time Concentrating hard on their answer

Partner Stephen with Equinox Financial Hopwood proved a Planning taking first testing quizmaster, place and Harrogate with sporting, history Town having to settle for and general knowledge second for the second rounds among those year running. testing the participants. Organiser Solicitor Emily Steed said: “We were delighted to welcome teams from Harrogate Town AFC, Sedulo, SMR Architects, Barclays, St Paul’s Chambers, Shaw and Jagger Architects, S+SA Architects and Equinox Financial Planning and thank the West Park Hotel in Harrogate who were great hosts.” The quiz came down to a nail-biting tie break, Quizmaster Stephen Hopwood The winning team from Equinox Financial Planning

• • Insolvency and • Employment • Insolvency and OUR Bankruptcy • Family & Bankruptcy EXPERTISE • Intellectual Property Matrimonial • Intellectual Property • Partnership and • Children • Media and  McCormicks offers the Company Law Entertainment • • Matrimonial full portfolio of legal Charities & • Regulatory and Community • Insolvency & • Mediation and services to all forms of Disciplinary Arbitration • Bankruptcy organisation including Charities • Crime • Mediation & • Regulatory and businesses, charities • Not For Profit • General Crime Arbitration Disciplinary and sporting bodies, • Corporate & • Corporate Crime, • Property • Reputation together with private Commercial Fraud and Risk • Agriculture and Management individuals. The firm • Acquisitions and • Dispute Resolution Estates • Sponsorship offers expertise in all Disposals and Litigation • Commercial Property • Sport areas of corporate • Banking and Finance • Commercial Disputes • • Tax, Trusts, Wills & and commercial work • Commercial • Mediation and Development and Estates whilst maintaining a Agreements Arbitration Regeneration • Agriculture & Estates commitment to the • Competition and • Partner/Shareholder • Residential Property personal client in EU Law Disputes • Sport, Media & • Care of the Elderly areas such as rural • Corporate Crime, • Property and Entertainment • Tax and Trusts property, tax, trusts, Fraud and Risk Construction • Employment Disputes probate, family • IT and Data • Reputation • IT and Data • Trust and Tax Planning matters and crime. Protection Management Protection • Wills and Probate

McCORMICKS SOLICITORS Wharfedale House, 35-37 East Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5LQ. T: 01423 530630 F: 01423 530709 [email protected] www.mccormicks-solicitors.com PARTNERS: Peter McCormick OBE • Stephen Hopwood • Peter Minnikin Philip Edmondson • Elaine Lightfoot • Heather Roberts • James Towler P8