Rogers and Norton
Solicitors
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JUNE 2007 Taken from the Eastern Daily Press
Milestone anniversary for Rogers and Norton
Solicitors Rogers and Norton celebrated its 25th Anniversary on Saturday with a Grand Charity Ball to mark the occasion. Over 420 staff, clients and friends attended and helped to raise much-needed funds for The Clare School. Rogers and Norton has grown over the last 25 years to a 75-strong firm. Starting life in a small office on Elm Hill, the film quickly outgrew its premises and moved to offices in London Street . This also soon became too small for the expanding practice, which led to the acquisition of further offices in Woburn House. The next move was to The Old Chapel in 1991. The Old Chapel in Willow Lane is an unusual choice of office. Built in 1829 as a Roman Catholic church, it was converted to a school in 1896 and to offices in 1990. It now forms the head office of Rogers and Norton, which also has a branch office on Fifers Lane in Hellesdon. At the time of the move to The Old Chapel, it was unusual for solicitors in Norwich to occupy an open-plan layout, but it is something Rogers and Norton has used to benefit communication and develop a team approach to dealing with matters. Practice manager Graham Knights confirmed that this approach has improved communication, which in turn has helped the firm provide a better service to its clients. The partners at Rogers and Norton believe that much has changed in terms of the expectations and needs of clients and therefore the services that Solicitors offer. The days when one solicitor would handle every aspect of a client's work and, in a lot of cases, work for an entire family, are all but gone. Instead, the successful firm must provide teams of solicitors with individual specialities that enable them to provide a bespoke service, Managing partner Richard Etheridge said: "Solicitors are needed more often now. People move more frequently, are generally wealthier and therefore need wills, they get divorced more often and, with the concept of a 'job for life' becoming less common, there are more employment issues to consider. Clients also choose their solicitors according to the transaction they require, and at Rogers and Norton we can offer specialised services that clients today need." That's not to say that the idea of a family law firm has completely disappeared. Following the merger of the Crotch Partnership with Rogers and Norton in 2000, Andrew Crotch - the former proprietor of the Crotch Partnership - joined the firm as consultant, bringing his team and many of his clients with him. A great number of these clients continue to use Rogers and Norton today, showing that loyalty can still be found and embraced in today's modern world if the service levels are high. Mr Etheridge believes that Rogers and Norton is constantly progressing and growing, in particular in providing services to the local business community. The firm is keen to grow organically and aims to recruit top-quality personnel who can offer clients specialist advice on a range of issues. Two new arrivals to the team show that Rogers and Norton is constantly on the look out for solicitors who can add something extra to the business. Philip Rogers was one of the founders of Rogers and Norton, but left tile firm in 1994 to pursue a career as a barrister and latterly to become a District Judge. His son Paul followed his father's footsteps into law and has been working as a solicitor with other local firms for the last eight years until recently joining Rogers and Norton in the commercial property team. Tom Lawrence, a probate and trusts lawyer with another local firm will also be joining the team at the beginning of July. The firm is very proud of its Norfolk roots, with most of the partners coming from this area. This community feel is something that benefits Rogers and Norton and its clients alike. The firm likes to give something back to the community and has, over the years supported several organisations and charities, most recently raising in excess of £15,000 for a much needed new kitchen at The Clare School Life School Department through its 25th Anniversary Ball. Rogers and Norton is determined to follow the same forward-thinking approach for the next 25 years. "We are not looking for expansion just for tile sake of getting bigger," said Mr Etheridge. "Instead, we want to see Rogers and Norton achieve quality growth in terms of its staff and service to clients. The Old Chapel is a great building, which allows us to work in a unique environment and offer a service that we think is not only first Class but, in true Norfolk fashion, just a bit different."
June 2007
View Pictures from the Rogers and Norton Charity Ball here - http://www.yourshoot.com/find.php
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January 2007
NHS to recover costs of treating employees injured at work
With effect from today the NHS Injury Cost Recovery Scheme comes into force in respect of injuries at work. This scheme provides the NHS with the ability to recover costs from employers, usually via their insurance companies, for treating patients in cases relating to accidents at work where the NHS has provided treatment, and compensation is paid.
For many years the NHS have been able to recoup the cost of treating victims of road traffic accidents from the insurer of the party at fault under a scheme administered by the Compensation Recovery Unit.
Under the NHS Injury Cost Recovery Scheme, with effect from today employers of employees injured at work, who receive treatment on the NHS and successfully pursue compensation claims, will be required to reimburse in addition to the client’s damages the cost of the treatment on the NHS.
This liability will more likely than not be paid by the employer’s insurers. However, given that it is estimated that the cost of treating those injured other than in road traffic accidents is estimated in the region of £170-£190 million, there is concern that the new legislation may lead to an increase in employer liability premiums.
Under this scheme the insurer of the employer will be liable to compensate up to a maximum of £37,100 in treatment costs which can include the treatment in hospital following the injury and follow up appointments.
The scheme will be administered by the Compensation Recovery Unit in the same way that it currently administers the liability for treatment costs in relation to road traffic accidents.
If you require any further information please feel free to contact Mark Hambling on 01603 675637 or email mbh@rogers-norton.co.uk.
Libel win against local Press
Rogers & Norton recently concluded a libel claim brought by our client and former Breckland District Council Leader Cliff Jordan against the Eastern Daily Press. We were also able to dispose of a related complaint made against him by a member of the public to the Standards Board for England. This is the body which adjudicates on complaints (including recently against London Mayor Ken Livingstone) for alleged breaches of local authorities’ Codes of Conduct. Councillor Jordan has kindly agreed that we could publish these details on our website.
Both matters were triggered by EDP and Dereham and Fakenham Times reports of the outcome of Councillor Jordan’s appeal against a Department of Work and Pensions decision. This was about the effect of his District Council Allowances for work as Breckland Leader on his entitlement to disability benefits.
Councillor Jordan’s appeal was only partially successful, but to the extent that he failed, the Tribunal expressly found that there had been nothing fraudulent involved. The EDP nevertheless gave extensive coverage to the matter as if it were a case of benefit fraud.
Partner John Cadywould agreed to pursue a libel claim under a Conditional Fee Agreement, meaning that Rogers & Norton would be paid only if we succeeded in the claim and were able to recover the costs from the EDP.
The EDP initially denied liability, but later published a fulsome and prominent retraction and apology in both newspapers concerned. It has also made a substantial payment to Councillor Jordan by way of libel damages and the EDP is responsible for payment of all of the proper legal costs of the libel claim.
The EDP’s misreporting had in turn triggered a complaint to the Standards Board about apparently “fraudulent” behaviour by a Councillor but we were also able to use the EDP’s apology as part of our case to the Standards Board which resulted in the dismissal of that complaint.
Although it is impossible to undo all of the damage caused by a libel, we are delighted that the combination of an unprecedented apology by the newspaper concerned, the payment of substantial libel damages free of any costs deduction, and the dismissal of the complaint to the Standards Board have comfortably achieved all that Councillor Jordan asked of us when we took this matter on.
We are finally delighted that the substantial restoration of Councillor Jordan’s public reputation has recently been recognised by his recent appointment as Chairman of the Mid Norfolk Conservative Association.
For further information in connection with our libel and commercial disputes practice and the possible use of Conditional Fee Agreements in these areas please contact John Cadywould.
June 2006
Rogers & Norton are delighted to announce that they have agreed to become a Business Partner of VisitNorwich Ltd.
VisitNorwich Ltd is the new destination management organisation for the Norwich area. Its aim is to grow the visitor economy and build the profile and reputation of Norwich as a destination. The organisation is a private/public sector partnership and is a membership organisation representing the interests of a broad range of businesses across the visitor economy.
VisitNorwich is responsible for not only marketing the destination but it also manages the Norwich Tourism Information Centre, the Norwich & Norwich Conference Bureau and the Norwich City Centre Management Partnership.
Commenting on the Business Partnership Mark Hambling, Partner, said:
“Rogers & Norton are a firm which has grown in the city of Norwich and we feel it is very important to support the local economy and build the reputation of this fine city. We hope that we will be developing a long term relationship with VisitNorwich, their members and friends.”
More information can be found on VisitNorwich at www.visitnorwich.co.uk.