News Archives

The Times’ Best Law Firms 2023

Posted on 3 November 202230 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Tees Law has been named for the first time in the prestigious ‘The Times Best Law Firms’.

Now in its fifth year, the list recognises the most highly regarded law firms as recommended by legal professionals. Statista, an international market research firm, conducted surveys among thousands of lawyers and used their responses to identify the leading 250 law firms in England & Wales, and the top 40 in Scotland.

Tees was commended for the Private Client- Inheritance and Succession Planning work.

Group Managing Partner Ashton Hunt said “Our inclusion in The Times list acknowledges our expertise and market-leading client experience. Our significant talent across our firm and a consistent commitment to excellence allows us to provide the best possible service to our clients.”

You can see the full list here (Best Law Firms 2023 in cooperation with Statista | The Times)

Tees announce Total Arts project as their first Better Future Fund grant recipient

Posted on 2 November 202230 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

The Tees Better Future Fund was setup in May 2022 to offer grants up to £5,000 for projects that support learning and education and promoting good health and well-being in Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.

We have now completed the first round of applications and we are very pleased to announce that one of the first two community projects to receive a Tees Better Future Fund Grant is the Total Arts project at The Cambridge Junction.

Cambridge Junction is a registered Charity whose objectives include: promoting, maintaining, improving and advancing the education of the public (in particular younger people in Cambridge) in the appreciation of and participation in the arts; and relieving poverty, sickness and distress among young people.

Cambridge Junction’s Total Arts programme has been running for 12 years and focuses on providing creative learning opportunities to young disabled people. It provides opportunities for 13- 25-year-old’s with a range of physical and learning disabilities to develop their skills at their performing arts groups. Participants can explore their passions for the arts, learn new skills and make films. As their confidence has grown some are now ready to take on leadership roles and share their skills with the next generation of disabled young people. Total Arts ‘graduates’ are excellent role models, exemplifying how young people with complex needs can grow their skills and play a valuable role in sharing their expertise.

A £5,000 grant from the Better Future Fund will fund an expansion of the Total Arts programme so that ‘graduate’ trainers work alongside an art producer and a filmmaker to work with young people from Castle SEN School (on Courtney Way) and the new autism specialist Cavendish School (in Impington). It will also enable both the Castle SEN school and the Cavendish specialist school pupils to attend a professional arts venue and performance, experiencing the magic of live theatre.

The project will start with attendance at The Nutcracker, Cambridge Junction’s inclusive Christmas show, created by Moxie Brawl’s company of disabled and non-disabled artists. This will be followed by a tailored workshop and film making sessions in the Spring. The workshops will include some skills building around basic story-telling skills, devising and scripting scenes and shooting and creating a film. The films created will be celebrated next summer at the Total Arts Film Festival.

The support from the Better Future Fund will allow for inter-generational skills development for both the Total Arts ‘graduates’ as they become trainers, as well as the pupils from these schools. The trainers receive paid work and experience and the pupils are helped to imagine how they might develop their interests in a realistic and meaningful way.

Janine Collier, Co-Head of Tees’ Social Responsibility, said, “the Cambridge Junction is a charity embedded within our community just like Tees. I love the vision that the Junction has for the extension of the Total Arts programme – it is inter-generational and sustainable, creating opportunities for young people with complex needs to build skills, increase in conference and improve mental health and well-being as they explore their passion for creative arts. We look forward to partnering with the Junction over the forthcoming months, to hearing the lived experience of the participants and to seeing lives changed”.

Caroline Andrews reflects after speaking at AEPOCS conference

Posted on 1 November 202230 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Caroline Andrews, a Fertility Law Solicitor, was invited by the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society (AEPCOS) to speak on behalf of Verity, a national charity for PCOS, at their annual conference in California, USA. She attended in her role as a volunteer trustee.

At the conference, Caroline emphasised the importance of providing comprehensive support to patients with fertility-affecting conditions. Beyond medical interventions, she highlighted the need for emotional and legal support in an increasingly complex world.

Reflecting on her experience, Caroline noted the stark differences between Fertility Law in the USA and in England and Wales. She shared her insights on fertility treatment and surrogacy practices across these jurisdictions.

Caroline’s perspective on fertility law differences

“It was fascinating to observe how fertility treatment and surrogacy laws differ in the USA compared to here.

In some US states, anti-abortion laws have led to embryos being granted ‘personhood rights.’ This legal shift has significant implications for IVF procedures. In contrast, England and Wales are governed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which provides clear regulations on the storage and use of embryos. Hearing firsthand from American women about the impact of Roe v Wade’s repeal was deeply moving.

In July this year, an amendment to the HFEA Act 2008 extended the storage period for embryos, sperm, and eggs to 55 years, subject to the consent of both parties every ten years. Cases in England have debated what constitutes valid consent, particularly when one party passes away. A notable contrast is the USA, where legal disputes like the high-profile case of Sofia Vergara and her ex-partner have brought these issues to light. With more people considering the freezing of eggs, sperm, or embryos, understanding both the medical and legal implications is essential.

Some US states have introduced laws requiring medical insurance to cover certain fertility treatments, helping mitigate the significant costs involved. Meanwhile, in England, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) released a report in September 2022, highlighting compliance issues in fertility clinics and concerns about unexpected additional costs. This report is a valuable resource for anyone considering fertility treatment.

Surrogacy law: An international perspective

Regarding surrogacy, the legal framework in England and Wales is often viewed as outdated. The surrogate remains the legal parent until a parental order is granted post-birth. Although the Law Commission has proposed changes to modernise surrogacy law, implementation remains a distant prospect. As a result, some individuals pursue international surrogacy, but they must be cautious about the varying legal restrictions across US states and in England.

A final thought

As a patient representative in my spare time, I’m acutely aware of the emotional, physical, and financial toll of fertility treatment. However, as a family lawyer, I believe it’s equally important for people to consider the legal implications of their choices. How these laws will evolve remains to be seen.”

Stay tuned for a video link to Caroline’s full presentation.

NFU confirms appointment of its legal panel firms in East Anglia

Posted on 10 October 202230 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

The NFU has confirmed the outcome of its 2022 review of legal panel firms, with two firms reappointed to the panel in East Anglia.

Tees and HCR Hewitsons have been reappointed after a review that assessed the firms’ legal services, engagement with the organisation and its members, as well as feedback from NFU members and staff.

NFU director of policy Andrew Clark said: “The legal panel is an important feature of the NFU’s legal services offering to our members and I am delighted to confirm the reappointments.

“The NFU’s panel firms are committed to supporting NFU members and have clearly strengthened their agricultural and rural teams over the past few years. Their broad expertise is highly valued by our in-house legal team and NFU members.”

Tees has been reappointed to help members farming in Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk. Partner Caroline Metcalf said: “We are pleased to have been selected to be on the NFU legal panel again. Being selected really demonstrates Tees’ depth of legal knowledge and expertise in agricultural and rural issues.”

The firms appointed to the legal panel offer a comprehensive legal service encompassing all areas of law relevant to farming and growing, including succession planning, diversification, renewable energy, dispute resolution, planning, probate, family and conveyancing. In the latest financial year, the panel offered a total discount of over £500,000 to NFU members.

NFU legal board chair Nick Hamer said: “The aftermath of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic created several challenges for farming and growing businesses”

“We are entering a period of transition for the industry and this undoubtedly puts the legal panel in high demand, providing expert advice to NFU members on a wide range of legal matters.”

BBC News – Peterborough City Hospital: Ex-doctor warned over treatment withdrawal

Posted on 28 August 202230 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Dr Andrew Gregg worked at Peterborough City Hospital, where 41-year-old Simon Scott died in January 2016. A misconduct panel found Dr Gregg “failed to adequately consult with any clinical colleagues regarding [the] decision to withdraw active treatment”.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Scott’s family, Tim Deeming from Tees Law said: “They are incredibly disappointed by the outcome and hope that the coroner’s inquest in due course will be a full, frank and fearless investigation into all of the circumstances.”

Read the full article; Peterborough City Hospital: Ex-doctor warned over treatment withdrawal.

BBC News – Cheltenham: Baby death prompts change in hospital’s guidelines

Posted on 24 May 202230 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

A hospital’s guidelines for referring mums-to-be for specialist maternity help have been changed after the death of a baby at a midwife-run NHS centre.

Margot Frances Bowtell was born 14 May 2020 at a unit in Cheltenham but died of a brain injury at three days old.

A report by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) found there was a failure to update mother Laura Harvey’s risk assessment after a bleed.

Solicitor Sarah Stocker of Tees Law said: “The midwives failed to follow national, and the hospital’s own, guidelines on multiple occasions during Laura’s labour.”

Read the full article; Cheltenham: Baby death prompts change in hospital’s guidelines.

Tees Better Future Fund

Posted on 18 May 202230 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

At Tees, we are committed to supporting our local communities and building a better future. The creation of the Tees Better Future Fund reflects our long-standing heritage and dedication to lifelong learning, as well as our passion for connecting people and communities across generations. Our roots run deep in the local area, with our partners and employees proudly supporting numerous charities, clubs, schools, and community projects over the years.

About the Fund

The Tees Better Future Fund offers grants of up to £5,000 for projects that focus on:

Promoting Learning and Education
Promoting Good Health and Wellbeing

We welcome applications for initiatives that nurture talent, promote social mobility, and create opportunities for people to thrive. Projects that aim to increase knowledge, improve mental health, build skills, and raise confidence are encouraged. By supporting learning and education, we can work together to improve the life chances of the younger generation.

Promoting Learning and Education

We are passionate about supporting projects that empower individuals through education. If your initiative is designed to develop talent, broaden opportunities, or foster personal and professional growth, we would love to hear from you.

Promoting Good Health and Wellbeing

We are particularly interested in projects that improve access to sports and physical activities for children, young people, and families. Encouraging active lifestyles helps to enhance both physical and mental health, reduce isolation, and foster community connections. We also welcome applications for initiatives supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Our Key Priorities

Supporting young people
Assisting children and families
Promoting education and learning
Enhancing mental and physical health through sports
Encouraging talent development and growth
Creating new opportunities and improving access

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for a grant, please visit the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (CCF) webpage: Tees Better Future Fund.

Application Deadlines: 1st February and 1st August.

Support the Fund

If you would like to contribute to the Tees Better Future Fund and help us provide grants for future projects, please visit our JustGiving page. Your support will make a meaningful difference in our community.

Together, we can build a brighter future for all.

NHS Litigation Reform: Tees Law submits evidence

Posted on 9 November 202130 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

In September 2021 the Government’s Health & Social Care Committee launched a new inquiry to examine the case for the reform of NHS litigation.

Our Tier 1 Medical Negligence team represents patients who have suffered avoidable harm as a result of medical accidents. The team, led by Executive Partner Janine Collier, has extensive lived experience of NHS Litigation and is passionate about improving patient safety and giving clients a voice.

Janine and her team have put forward their evidence to the inquiry as they have significant concerns and wish to ensure that patients who have suffered avoidable harm whilst under the care of the NHS are appropriately represented, their voices heard and that access to justice is not compromised.

A need to focus on culture, not costs

The NHS is the largest employer in the UK and one of the largest employers in the world. The cost of NHS litigation must be seen in this context.

Over the past four years, total payments and administration costs under NHS Resolution clinical schemes have remained steady at between roughly 1.5% and 1.6% of the total NHS budget. This is a very low percentage compared to other organisations, where indemnity costs range from 1% to 15%, with almost all over 2%.

The main way to reduce cost – both human and financial – is to reduce avoidable harm.

There is evidence of a “defensive culture”, “dysfunctional teams” and “safety lessons not learned” across the NHS and until this is addressed, lessons will not be learned, change will not be implemented, errors will continue to be not just made, but repeated. The H&SC Committee’s own report into Maternity Safety published in July identifies a culture of blame within NHS Trusts.

Our medical negligence team’s view is that it is morally unacceptable to look to introduce any kind of legal reform which impedes access to justice or appropriate compensation for those who have been injured at the hands of the NHS through no fault of their own. This includes, but is not limited to, a possible introduction of fixed recoverable costs, which would have a disproportionate effect on the most vulnerable in our society.

The full version of our evidence to the inquiry can be viewed here. The outcome of the inquiry is expected in 2022.

Government debate: Funding for research into Fertility-related conditions

Posted on 12 October 202130 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

A debate is due to take place in Parliament on 1st November 2021 in response to a public petition to increase funding for research into Endometriosis and PCOS. The petition is calling for ‘more funding to enable new, extensive and thorough research into female health issues’.

Tees’ Family Law and Fertility expert Caroline Andrews is involved in the provision of information for MPs in order to assist the debate, and has been highlighting the long-term physical and emotional impact on women along with the resulting fertility issues that can occur.

A volunteer trustee of Verity the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) charity, it is Caroline’s view that the strong public response to the petition underlines the chronic underfunding of womens’ health conditions that has taken place in the UK over a number of years.

Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis can have a wide-ranging impact on a woman’s life not just on her health, but also on her employment attendance and recourse to fertility treatment. PCOS is a leading issue for women undertaking fertility treatment and the process can be time-consuming and complex with financial and legal issues to contend with at an already difficult time.

If you are affected by one of these conditions and are looking to undergo fertility treatment, you can read Caroline’s article which outlines the important legal considerations and how we can help.

Tees Law appoints new Senior Partner

Posted on 7 October 202130 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Tees Law, a leading regional law firm with offices across Cambridgeshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Catherine Mowat as its new Senior Partner. Catherine becomes the firm’s eighth Senior Partner in its 108-year history and the first woman to hold the position. She succeeds David Redfern, who will continue as a Consultant and Non-Executive Chairman of Trust Tees Ltd and Tees Financial Ltd.

A career of dedication and growth

A dedicated member of the Tees family since 1998, Catherine began her career as a trainee in the Bishop’s Stortford office. During her training contract, she had the opportunity to work alongside former Senior Partners Rodney Stock in Commercial Property and Richard Tee in Private Client. It was within the Private Client department that Catherine found her passion, which has shaped her career ever since.

After qualifying as a solicitor in 2000, Catherine became a Partner in 2007. Her career progressed swiftly, and from 2005 to 2008, she balanced a demanding caseload while earning an MBA in Legal Practice. In 2009, she transitioned to the Cambridge office, becoming Head of Office the following year, leading the team for four years.

Expertise in private client law

With over 20 years of experience in Private Client law, Catherine specializes in complex estate administration and succession planning. Her expertise spans wills, powers of attorney, and succession planning for rural clients and high-net-worth individuals. She has also developed significant experience in high-value professional deputyships, often acting as a professional deputy, executor, trustee, and attorney. Under her leadership, the Private Client team in Cambridge has grown substantially, achieving a seven-figure turnover.

Leadership and contributions

In addition to her leadership in Cambridge, Catherine has served as a Director on the firm’s main board, Trust Tees Plc, since 2018. She also contributes to the management of the Private Client department across Tees’ six offices and is a key member of the Cambridge office leadership team.

Life beyond the office

Outside of work, Catherine lives near Saffron Walden. She has a passion for music, singing in local choirs, and serving as a trustee for several charities.

A vision for the future

Reflecting on her appointment, Catherine shared, “It is an enormous privilege and an exciting challenge to take on this responsibility. Tees has grown and evolved over the years, but our core values of empathy, clear communication, and collaboration remain unchanged. As Senior Partner, I aim to uphold these values and ensure they continue to guide everything we do.”

She added, “In a rapidly changing world, agility and adaptability are key. The pandemic underscored our ability to embrace new technologies and hybrid working practices. Moving forward, we must remain open to opportunities and use challenges as a catalyst for growth.”

A fond farewell and exciting future

Ashton Hunt, Group Managing Director at Tees, expressed gratitude for David Redfern’s leadership. “David’s unwavering dedication over his 38-year career has been instrumental in making Tees the successful firm it is today. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and are pleased that he will remain involved as a Consultant and Non-Executive Chairman.”

Ashton continued, “Catherine’s extensive experience and dedication make her an excellent choice for Senior Partner. I have no doubt she will lead Tees to even greater success. We are excited for the future under her leadership.”

Tees Law looks forward to the next chapter, guided by Catherine’s commitment to excellence and innovation.