Alasdair Smith who is leading the investigation said “In most cases, the party managing the accident claim, typically a non-fault insurer or intermediary, is not the party liable to pay the costs of the claim. There is insufficient incentive for insurers to keep costs down even though they are themselves on the receiving end of the problem.”

Worryingly, the investigation also found that “too many” repairs to vehicles were below the required standard following an accident. It was also concluded that the relationship between price comparison websites and insurers can reduce competition because some deals, known as price-parity contracts mean they have to offer the same rates on all comparison websites.

David Bott, Senior Partner at Bott & Co said “Insurers had mixed responses to the report, with James Dalton from the Association of British Insurers believing there are ‘fundamental flaws’ in the report. He said “The commission’s findings are largely based on an inspection report which contains fundamental flaws and is based on an analysis representing 0.001% of the 1 to 2 million vehicles insurers repair each year.”

The ABI did commend some of the recommendations made in the report, however, such as making the driver’s own insurer responsible for providing post-accident repairs. The report also recommended the capping of vehicle hire and repair costs, as well as prohibiting ‘wide’ parity clauses on price comparison websites. Mr Dalton added: “Today’s possible remedies are a further step along the road to getting a market that enables insurers to deliver fully for consumers.”

The post Drivers Footing Bill For Unnecessary Claims Costs From Insurers Says Competition Commission appeared first on Bott & Co.

Some cases showed poor practise from firms who either didn’t properly explain the agreements or even tried to go back on the terms of the agreement which left clients with large bills.

Bott & Co have welcomed the clamping down on rogue firms, who fail to look after their clients, but have urged the LeO not to ban the term because a minority have abused it.

”To eliminate the phrase from the vocabulary of legitimate and ethical law firms because of the behaviour of a minority would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” David Bott

David Bott, Senior Partner at Bott & Co said: “There should be no problems using the term no-win no-fee to describe a service that has no charge if a case is unsuccessful and the client has kept to the terms of the no-win no-fee agreement. To eliminate the phrase from the vocabulary of legitimate and ethical law firms because of the behaviour of a minority would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”

The Law Society has agreed with the ombudsman’s comments that solicitors need to be clear on the terms of the agreement and that no win, no fee and commended the work no win, no fee solicitors do. Law Society President, Nicholas Fluck said: “No win, no fee solicitors are bringing justice to the masses for people denied legal aid. Solicitors working on conditional fee agreements take on significant risk with these often complex cases.”

Further Reading

How To Claim Personal Injury Compensation

The post Injured Victims Would Be Losers If No Win No Fee Ended appeared first on Bott & Co.

As the effects of the EU Gender Directive began to fully kick in, young male drivers aged 17 – 20 saw their premiums fall by 24%. Female drivers still enjoy lower average premiums with a £61 difference compared to males.

There could, however, be price rises on the horizon with males seeing their premium costs actually increase by 0.9% on average in the final quarter of 2013.

Gemma Stanbury, head of Motor at Confused.com believes this could be a sign of things to come: “These falling prices are welcome news for motorists; however the latest car insurance price index highlights that price rises could be on the horizon with some males already experiencing price hikes in the last quarter.”

”The concern is that this is just a temporary measure from insurers following their lobbying against whiplash claims.” Paul Hinchliffe, Managing Partner

Solicitors have expressed concern that the price decrease could actually have been a short term measure. With the LASPO reforms reducing the legal costs personal injury solicitors can claim from road traffic accident injuries, insurers promised lower car insurance premiums as a result.

Paul Hinchliffe, Managing Partner at Bott & Co said: “It’s good news for the consumer that car insurance prices have fallen, but the concern is that this is just a temporary measure from insurers following their lobbying against whiplash claims. If premiums return to the high rates seen in 2011, motorists will have lost out twice. My other concern is that we have seen a reduction of 60% in legal fees law firms can be awarded for personal injury cases, and you have to be asking if 12.5% is a big enough premium reduction to reflect this.”

Further Reading

How To Claim Whiplash Compensation

The post UK Car Insurance Premiums Drop by 12.5% appeared first on Bott & Co.

Flight delay and personal injury solicitors Bott & Co have launched a recruitment drive to expand their workforce by 15% to deliver on their post LASPO strategic objectives.

The Company, founded in 2001 and based in Wilmslow, Cheshire, is on the hunt for 10 new recruits to add to the team. The majority of those roles are not those traditionally associated with a legal firm.

Bott & Co are recruiting for four positions in the Communications team, two posts in the Client First Response (CFR) team, two roles for developers into the IT team and two RTA portal Fee Earners. The recruits will take the total size of the firm to 80 with a target turnover for the year of £7.5m.

Details of the roles are available here

The recruitment of an additional 15% of the staff is remarkable given the current state of the sector. In a 2013 survey of 300 Managing Partners of NW personal injury firms, O’Connors found that one in 10 expected their profitability to drop by 80%, while a fifth of firms were considering closing down altogether as a result of changes in the legal sector. Those changes which came into effect in 2013 represented the biggest overhaul in the Civil Law in England and Wales for over 100 years.

In response to the LASPO changes the firm launched a flight delay compensation service in February 2013 which has gone from strength to strength. The flight delay service was recognised by the Law Society at the 2013 awards, with the firm winning the Business Development and Innovation award.

”…Our strategic objective has been to generate 100% of our clients through our own in-house marketing. This plan has been showing real results and the growth in our IT team, Comms team and CFR is to build further on this success.” Paul Hinchliffe, Managing Partner

The Aviation team won Modern Law’s Team of the Year in 2013, and in March 2014, the company picked up Small Law Firm of the Year at the Manchester Law Society awards.

Bott & Co have recovered over £1.3 million in flight compensation for over 3,300 passengers in the department’s first 12 months. The firm has exclusive access in the UK to flight intelligence database through their partners EUclaim and together both firms have built a technology-led consumer legal offering to passengers.

A claim letter is available for free to passengers who are minded to try to recover flight delay compensation themselves.

The firm’s objectives for 2014 are to develop their consumer legal offering and to continue to adapt to the radical changes and cuts in the PI industry through LASPO and working hard to continue to provide convenient, cost effective and accessible legal services to consumers on a no win no fee basis.

Paul Hinchliffe, Managing Partner of Bott & Co, said: “We have elected to invest in developing further our marketing through our communications activity by strengthening the team with the key recruits of a Social Media manager and PR officer together with a comms officer and more admin support. Essential to optimising that activity is adding to our first rate client first response team

“The IT recruits will help us deliver on pipeline projects more quickly so we can fulfil our goal of offering the best client service experience out there.

“Having taken work from bulk providers before the referral fee ban our strategic objective has been to generate 100% of our clients through our own in-house marketing. This plan has been showing real results and the growth in our IT team, Comms team and CFR is to build further on this success.”

The post Bott & Co Launch Recruitment Drive to Deliver Post LASPO Strategic Objectives appeared first on Bott & Co.

The 10-strong team will cycle to the 6700ft summit to raise money for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.

David’s Mont Ventoux training began in March 2014. Since then, he has cycled over 1000 miles, in all weather conditions, on some of most challenging road routes, ascents and descents in the Peak District and Cornwall.

If you add up the total number of ascents in his training log, David has climbed a very impressive 70,200ft over 20 training sessions – over twice the height of Mount Everest (29,035ft).

On 26 May, David completed the Polkadot Challenge, cycling a 100 mile route through three counties; Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire on tough and challenging roads with an overall elevation of 10,436ft.
Commenting on the Polkadot Challenge, David said; “We had some appalling conditions on the day; it was raining, windy and incredibly cold. The first 10 miles felt totally morale-busting. At the 50 mile stop I felt like hypothermia was kicking in and the finish line was looking doubtful.”

David completed the 100 mile route in nine hours and ultimately declared his experience as a “complete morale-booster” despite feeling like he’d spent seven of the nine hours trying to stay warm.

David took up cycling a little over a year ago in March 2013 having decided to hang up his running shoes. He says he finds the whole cycling experience very inspiring; “cycling crosses all generations and it’s something everybody can do and something I can look forward to doing until I am a craggy old man.”

Four months into his intense and high-mileage training, David says the most enjoyable part of cycling is the sense of achievement and the “super aspirated” feeling he gets after a long cycle ride.

Of vital importance to David is the matter of safety. Reflecting on his hours of training, David says he fully understands the urge to go very fast on the downhill, especially having worked so hard on the climb. His advice for every cyclist; amateur or professional, is look ahead, see the dangers and ride on the basis that you haven’t been seen.

More from David Bott in two weeks’ time as he prepares to take the Mont Ventoux Challenge.

The post David Bott Prepares for Mont Ventoux Cycle Challenge appeared first on Bott & Co.

Before David headed away we caught up with him and asked him a few questions.

Tell us about your trip this week and what it involves?

I’m really looking forward to the whole experience. I fly out on Wednesday but there is little time to relax as we’ll be straight on our bikes that very day.

Thursday and Friday is pretty much the same and we are booked to fly back on Saturday.

Overall we’ll be cycling about 300km while out there and going up some very challenging hills.

The pressure is on straight away and we will be cycling around Mont Ventoux and going up Mont Ventoux from the Bedoin side on the Friday.

There are 3 ways up Mont Ventoux and the Bedoin side is the hard side and the one used in the Tour de France.

It’s certainly exciting but we do realise how tough it is going to be.

How much training and preparation have you had to do?

I started training properly in March because the weather was pretty poor prior to that. When I sat down and worked out exactly what I had done I think it was something like 1,246miles on the bike and 86,826 feet climbed. Will it be enough to see me through? I hope so, but we will find out soon enough.

What has made you want to take this challenge on?

I bought a bike in March 2013 and was inspired to get one by the members of Bott Cycle Team. I thoroughly enjoyed it and decided that this challenge would be a good way to raise money for charity as well as having a goal to aim for and to keep me training and fit away from work.

Who are you cycling with?

Other solicitors (Irwin Mitchell, Michael Halsall, Garwyns), medical agency Premex, Insurers Aviva, Brokers BGL group and Consumer Marketing National Accident Helpline. There is 10 of us and all together and it is organised by Premex.

What charities are you hoping to help?

The two charities I am cycling on behalf of are the Spinal Injuries Association and Cancer Research. If you can, please donate.

The post David Bott To Cycle Part of Tour de France Route For Charity appeared first on Bott & Co.

Preparing for my challenge

I tried to go out as often as possible, bearing in mind that I have to hold down a job and keep two girls (11 and 8 years old) and my wife happy, or at least not actively hostile!

I had done “Spin Classes” over winter but I am really not very sure that they did much benefit other than a psychological one. So my official training started in March of this year.

I tried to get in as many hills as possible so The Brickworks, the Cat and Fiddle, Goyt Valley, Kettleshulme and Wizard Hill were the places I mainly went to.

Prior to the event the most challenging ride was the Polkadot Challenge in May which was 97miles, with 10,300 feet climbed and took place in sideways rain.

I did as much as I could but whether it was enough was always the concern.

My statistics over the course of March to June were as follows:

The Mont Ventoux Challenge

The Challenge was organised by the Premex Group and more specifically by Chris Wheatley.

The idea was to go up Mont Ventoux twice in two days – once from Sault (the “easy” way) and once from Bedoin (the hard way- and the way used often in the Tour de France). The start of each of the two routes is completely different but the last 5km is the same whichever of these ways you go.

Both days involved about 110km (67 miles) of riding, so we could enjoy the countryside to and from the climb.

Thursday 26th June

Mont Ventoux from Sault – the easier way

On this route the climb to the top of Mont Ventoux starts at Sault and involved 26km of climbing with varying gradients.

There was 21km of riding at 5% or lower followed by 5km at 8% with a kick of 10% just at the end.

The 21km through the forest at 5% was genuinely enjoyable. My natural “one paced – diesel engine” was quite well suited to the climb. Although I must say that the 5km at the end were considerably less enjoyable but I was happy with how I had climbed and equally happy that I had not pulled a muscle or got a cramp.

Part-way through I stopped and paid my respects at the Tommy Simpson memorial and just took in the view, which was amazing.

The long descent to Malaucene was a joy (even for such a timid descender as me) and the club sandwich at Malaucene was a sheer delight.

Photo: David Bott at the Tommy Simpson Memorial

Friday 27th June

Mont Ventoux from Bedoin – the hard way

Friday’s climb saw us start our ascent at Bedoin for 22km of climbing with gradients of 5% for the first 6km followed by 11km at 10% or above. The final 5km had a gradient of 8% with a kick of 10% at the end.

I was quite wary of the climb, especially as the hard bit of the previous day was the easy bit of this climb.

Luckily Stuart Hall (a super fit 58 year old ex pro cyclist and the tour organiser) stayed with me all the way up so he could provide advice on when to get out of my seat, how to choose gears better and to breath deeper. So myself, Stuart and three more formed a little pack and hit the Mont.

Photo: (L-R) Donald Fowler (Premex) and David Bott

The word that comes up most when describing the forest section is relentless and it totally is. It is hard to do the forest section from Bedoin justice – there’s 11km of 10% gradient with little gnarly bits which are closer to 15% gradient.

I only asked Stuart once “how much farther in the forest?”, and he said about 1km. It was more like 4km but it turns out that 1km is his standard answer! Keeping a rhythm and just concentrating on being in the moment was all I focussed on.

When we got out of the forest I had not taken in much fluids and I was getting quite light headed and a bit cold. It was 30ᵒC at the bottom of the Mont but only about 8ᵒC nearer the top, plus you/I sweat a fair bit after 11km of riding at 10% so getting cold is more of a problem than you would think. Luckily the support wagon was waiting with water and flap jacks so after a pit stop we were off again.

A few kilometres on we paid our respects at the Tommy Simpson Memorial and I left a BuyaBike bottle as a memorial.

1km of 10% gradient later we were all at the top: Elated, tired and cold but very proud of our achievement.

Photo: (L-R) Stephen Hare (Aviva), David Bott, Andrew Simcott (Michael Halsall Solicitors), and Chris Wheatley (Premex)

After that it was time for the superb descent into Malaucene where we celebrated with another club sandwich.

I must admit that the ride back to the Hotel was a struggle. Everyone had put everything into getting up the Mont and there wasn’t much left to give, so much so that when one of our group had a puncture the rest of us cheered as it meant a few minutes respite.

Upon return to the hotel I celebrated with 1 beer, 1 diaralyte, 2 paracetamol, 2 ibuprofen, 1 protein drink, 1 shower and a lie down. I am told this is what all the champions have!

What next?

So now it is over, I am very glad to have done it. I’m really proud to have completed the challenge without a hitch and am looking forward to the next one. I just need to decide what that will be …

Challenge Dave

If your business has an upcoming event or you have an idea for a charity challenge for David Bott then get in touch!

The post Bott & His Bike: David Takes On The Mont Ventoux Challenge 2014 appeared first on Bott & Co.

61% of motorists didn’t know they were breaking the law when texting whilst stationary but with the engine running. And 53% of drivers believed it was safe to use a mobile phone while stuck in traffic or stopped at traffic lights. Both have been illegal since 2003 when laws were introduced around the use of handheld mobile devices.

The RAC said the findings revealed a “frightening level of ignorance about the law” relating to mobile phone use.

RAC technical director David Bizley said: “They [drivers] forget, for example, that when concentrating on their phone, a cyclist may pull up beside or just ahead of them and they may pull away, totally unaware of the cyclist’s presence.”

Comments from the Head of Roads’ Policing in England and Wales, Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, indicate she shares this concern: “I’m increasingly concerned because young people are absolutely glued to their mobile technology.”

If drivers do not know and adhere to the laws which are in place, there is a greater risk of accidents between motorists and cyclists

The survey shows worrying signs for other road users and cyclists in particular, according to Paul Hinchliffe, Managing Partner at Bott & Co, who points out there has been a 200% increase in cyclists on our roads in recent years.

If drivers do not know and adhere to the laws which are in place, there is a greater risk of accidents between motorists and cyclists.

He said: “At Bott & Co we’ve noticed an increase in cycle accident claims recently and this survey might hold some of the answers as to why.

“There are more and more of us cycling on the roads than ever before. There’s now around two million cyclists each week out there, competing with motor vehicles for the same space.

“The RAC findings are very real concern for us. The members of our very own Bott Cycle Team cover thousands of miles each week preparing for semi-professional events. We’ve also got record numbers of staff participating in staff events, myself included.”

Further Reading

Guide To Claiming For A Bicycle Accident

The post British Drivers Ignore The Red Light When It Comes To Mobile Phone Laws appeared first on Bott & Co.

Team Bott set off at 8.30am from a wet and windy Old Trafford football stadium, cycling through Leigh, Wigan, Preston and then into Blackpool. The Bott & Co cycle team met at 7.00am in Wigan, riding from there to meet the staff cyclists at Old Trafford and then did the ride through to Blackpool. The cycle team also rode back from Blackpool to Wigan, riding between 120 and 132 miles in total.

For some staff, it was far from an easy ride, with tough weather conditions and other cyclists slowing down the pace. Laura Curbishley came off her bike when a cyclist in front came to a sudden stop. She fell down a hill but managed to get herself up and back onto the bike, finishing the journey around 3.15pm.

Ollie Baddeley completed the cycle on a 50-year-old brakeless bike, bought by his grandfather at a summer fair for a pound.

When the cyclists reached Lytham St Annes the rain had calmed down, however due to strong winds they were hit by sand blowing in their faces.

Bott & Co had a support vehicle driven by staff members Abby Jackson and Kath Whittingham, neither of whom had ever driven such a big vehicle before, let alone through masses of cyclists. The support vehicles were diverted at the first stop, meaning they didn’t meet the cyclists till the second stop three miles down the line at the cycle shop. Both drivers supplied the cyclists with lots of refreshments and moral support.

Bott & Co’s Credit Hire Team Leader Dan Boon was the first Bott participant to cross the finishing line in Blackpool’s south promenade at 2:15pm. Dan described this as being “a little by accident as I was looking for Dave [Bott] who I thought was ahead of me. Turns out he had stopped for coffee so I passed him.

The majority of the team crossed the finishing line at approximately 3:00pm with the Bott Cycle Team then cycling back to Wigan.

Senior Partner at Bott & Co, David Bott commented: “It was great to see such a good turnout by the Bott and Co employees and the Bott Cycle team. There was a real spread of abilities so for some of the group it was a real challenge. But everyone pitched in and got on with it. A special mention has to go to the support team who provided much needed food and drink at crucial parts of the ride.”

Andy Wright from the Bott Cycle Team commented on the event and gave his thoughts on how he felt team members did: “Overall, the ride went very well. All of the people who did it last year had obviously done some preparation and training as they found it much easier and we pushed them a lot less. The girls in the van did a fantastic job considering the size of the thing and the fact that they hadn’t driven anything like it before.”

Elizabeth Wright, from the SIA said on hearing about the event: “Spinal Injuries Association is delighted that once again Bott and Co have supported us by taking part in the Manchester to Blackpool cycle ride. This is the second year that they have undertaken the challenge and they have raised a further £1700.00. We really value their support as this enables SIA to continue to provide our vital services to help rebuilding lives after injury.”

You can still donate to these two worthy causes and to give our Bott & Co cyclists a pat on the back by clicking this link.

The post Bott & Co Cycle For Charity appeared first on Bott & Co.

In the Excellence in Client Service category Bott & Co will go up against the likes of Aequitas Legal Solicitors Ltd, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, Brethertons Solicitors LLP, Browne Jacobson, Emsleys Solicitors, Fodens Solicitors Limited, Gill Akaster LLP, Makin Dixon Solicitors and Morgan Cole LLP.

Bott & Co has also been shortlisted in the Excellence in Marketing and Communications category alongside Emsleys Solicitors, Gorvins Solicitors, Pepperells Solicitors, QualitySolicitors Organisation Ltd, Roythornes Solicitors, Setfords Solicitors and Schillings.

David Bott, Senior Partner of Bott & Co has been shortlisted for the Law Society Gazette Legal Personality of the Year, alongside some great names including Cordella Bart-Stewart of Black Solicitors Network, Dean Parnell of Sydney Mitchell LLP, Elisabeth Jones of Welsh Assembly, James Thornton of ClientEarth and Laura Devine of Laura Devine Solicitors.

The finalists have been selected by a panel of senior industry experts and include an array of talent throughout the profession in England and Wales, from small local practices and in-house teams to large City firms.

““To be shortlisted for one category is superb but to be recognised by your peers in three categories is absolutely amazing.” David Bott, Senior Partner

As one of the largest personal injury specialists in the UK and the first law firm in the country to specialise in delayed flight compensation claims, Bott & Co are delighted to have been nominated for the awards which are one of the most prestigious events on the legal calendar.

David Bott, Senior Partner of Bott & Co said: “To be shortlisted for one category is superb but to be recognised by your peers in three categories is absolutely amazing. Specifically to be recognised for excellence in Client Service and Marketing/Communications is a fantastic pat on the back for the whole firm and an acknowledgment of all the time and effort we put into making our clients glad that they chose us. As for my individual nomination, I am genuinely grateful to be considered and humbly thank the Law Society for shortlisting me.”

The winners will be announced on Thursday 9 October at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge, London in a ceremony hosted by BBC News presenter Mishal Husain. With stunning riverside views and fine dining it’s sure to be a night to remember.

The post Bott & Co Shortlisted For Three Categories At The Law Society Awards appeared first on Bott & Co.

The Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has announced the fees for medical reports as part of personal injury claims, will be cut from up to £700 to just £180.

According to Mr Grayling the change is to be enforced along with a number of new measures to overturn the UK`s growing “compensation culture” and drive out dishonest whiplash claims.

The plan aims to bring down the total amount being paid out unnecessarily by insurance companies on fraudulent claims and enabling them to pass on savings to their customers.

While the idea of driving out dishonest customers may seem like a step in the right direction, the impact to justice this plan entails is actually impeding access to justice for genuine victims who are in the overwhelming majority.

The plans will affect a claimants’ ability to get what they are entitled to and hinder their chances of getting the legal representation they deserve when going through an unfamiliar and complicated process.

“Medical experts are honourable and professional men and women. How it was decided that cutting the fees would reduce the amount of claims or drive out fraud is beyond me.” David Bott, Senior Partner

David Bott, Senior Partner at Bott & Co said: “Medical experts are honourable and professional men and women. How it was decided that cutting the fees would reduce the amount of claims or drive out fraud is beyond me. This should be seen for what it is – cost cutting, pure and simple”.

Mr Grayling said “We are determined to have an improved, robust system for medical evidence – so genuine claims can still be settled but fraud is driven out of the market.”

Paul Hinchliffe, Managing Partner at Bott & Co has said: “These changes arise from this government cosying up to the insurers and generally doing their bidding. Insurers should stop making pre-medical offers to settle cases. We have seen a reduction in pre-medical offers but insurers are still making them to our clients in about 5-10% of cases. Needless to say we always advise our clients to reject them”.

The post Access To Justice Impeded As Whiplash Fees Slashed appeared first on Bott & Co.

IT use the latest reporting technologies to ensure that everything runs smoothly and any necessary downtime happens out of office hours so that you – our clients – can always get hold of us when you need us.  We grabbed 5 minutes with IT Manager Susan Luya.

Who’s the best team tea maker and why?

The right cup of tea at the right time can make all the difference to the team’s enthusiasm for the task at hand. But when the chips are down and the pressure is on, getting a brew round wrong can cause more than a ripple of discontent!

Brewing up for all nine team members (and remembering everyone’s very specific requirements!) is no mean feat. Baylis is praised for each tea he makes so he definitely stands out as the best by far – but some would argue his award-winning teas are too few and far between!

The IT team are so fussy about the quality of our tea that we even buy our own stash of a certain brand of tea. We keep it hidden in the cupboard along with our “absolutely necessary” biscuit stash.

Who do you have to hide the biscuits from?

There’s no chance of hiding biscuits in our team – we all notice almost instantly if the offerings are mysteriously depleted. We all have our own favourites and make sure we stock up when they’re ‘On offer’ at the supermarket. But the humble ‘Digestive’ has to be singled out as a necessary, ever available basic. No-one ever wants a Digestive until about a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon when a project may have gotten a little boring and some comfort food is desperately needed.

On dress down Friday, who is the best and worst dressed and why?

Hmmm, this is a controversial question. Most worrying is when a couple of us come in wearing nearly identical clothing – great minds think alike and all that! Abby always brings a dash of sparkle and colour to the office … but that’s not just on dress down days.

If you were to have a team song, what would it be?

I take it back what I said about the last question, this is even more controversial! I need to confer with the whole team on this one. After a lot of debate, we settled on “Help!” by the Beatles………Go figure!

If you were all stranded on a desert island, who would be the hunter-gatherer and why?

Definitely Robo! Without a doubt! He already has a desk collection of twigs, conkers, stones and other interesting finds from his lunchtime walks. Plus his ability to find a bargain at Waitrose is like none other! A true hunter-gatherer!

The post 5 Minutes with… The IT Crowd appeared first on Bott & Co.

Receptionist Libby Duncan is raising money for two charities that are very close to her heart: MacMillan, and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

Libby took part in a 10K mud run on Sunday 2nd November called The Wolf Run and she is now preparing for her next set of challenges, which are the Manchester half marathon in March 2015 and the Manchester full marathon in April 2015.

Libby is also taking part in a skydive in July 2015 and a 54-mile trek in summer 2015.

Alongside these challenges Libby is also organizing a summer charity ball, bake sales, and generally working hard to raise awareness of lung cancer in young people and non-smokers.

She explained: “The whole event is called Laura’s Legacy which was set up in memory of one of my best friends, Laura, who we sadly lost to lung cancer in May this year. She admitted herself to hospital after being poorly for a long time, two weeks later she was diagnosed and three weeks later she died. Doctors hadn’t considered testing for lung cancer when she first became ill.

“MacMillan and the Roy Castle did so much for Laura and her family in her short battle with cancer and that’s why we are doing our bit for these fantastic charities.”

Joanna Watts of Macmillan Cancer support said: “By 2030, it’s thought that there will be four million people living with cancer. Macmillan needs to raise more money than ever before so we can reach more people affected by cancer and provide them with the services they need. Without the support of people like Libby who push themselves to the extremes, we wouldn’t be able to do that. She really is an inspiration and we can’t thank her enough for being part of our team.”

Paul Hinchliffe, Senior Partner of Bott & Co said: “What a wonderful thing to do! Libby has taken on a huge challenge, for two great causes.”

If you would like to sponsor Libby and donate to this worthy cause, you can visit her just giving page by clicking on this link:

www.justgiving.com/Libby-Duncan1

The post Libby’s Challenge appeared first on Bott & Co.

What has been your professional highlight of 2014?

By far the highlight of 2014 has to be in October, when the Supreme Court dismissed the applications to Appeal the Court of Appeal rulings on behalf of Jet2 and Thomson Airlines. Bott & Co had represented Mr Huzar and Mr Dawson against the airlines at the Court of Appeal and won in both cases.

The Supreme Court then agreed with Bott & Co and with the Court of Appeal. The notice from the Supreme Court was only half a page long but represented two years of endeavour and work to get to that point. Equally as important, it’s always nice to win.

What has been your personal highlight of 2014?

Attending my wife’s PhD ceremony. She had worked for four years on her doctorate. It was approved in April and the ceremony was in December. I was very proud to see her in her robes and hat, and to see the pride that my two girls had in her. It really was a heart-warming day.

What motivates you in your job role?

I always want to show the world how good Bott & Co is so I try and tell the world what great things we do and what superb people we have at every given opportunity. I want the world to know us as that really good and really innovative law firm. Equally I’d like the world to talk that way about our staff. I personally believe that most people want to be known as being good at what they do and so I do all that I can to make that the case for Bott & Co.

What is your business motto?

On a purely business note it’s important to remember that “It’s easy to be quick and wrong or slow and right.” The trick is to be quick and right! On a more personal note, I think it’s really important to try to switch off when you leave work. You’re working for the benefit of your family so give them the time and mental energy that they deserve.

With whom would you most like to have a coffee?

David Bowie – without a doubt!

How do you relax outside of work?

I do get a bit sports-obsessed and I’ve found myself becoming a bit of a cycling bore of late. But aside from sport then spending time with the family is always a good way to unwind.
What are you looking forward to in 2015?

Taking some time out for family holidays – and I’ve also signed myself up to cycle an alpine stage of the Tour de France so that promises to be a memorable experience!

What differentiates Bott & Co from other Law firms offering the same services?

I tend to think that most law firms who do what we do are pretty beige. I hope that via our personality, our commitment and our systems, we have a bit more colour than the others.

Have you made any new year’s resolutions, if so, what are they?

I’ve decided to keep my resolutions simple in 2015 and try to stick to “Drink less! Cycle more, and live more in the moment.

What is your greatest achievement outside of work?

This is an easy one! It has to be my ongoing delight of being with my wife since 1989 and having two amazing girls.

Do you think small law firms still have a place with the advent of so many large law firms?

The short answer is yes. But I don’t think they will look like “old style” law firms. They will have to be innovative and truly superb at what they do to remain profitable.

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CFRT as we call them, provide a rapid response to enquiries and take on new personal injury, holiday sickness and flight delay claims over the phone, by email and over webchat.

We took 5 minutes with the team to find out what makes them tick.

What is your biggest accomplishment as a team?

Last year we won the Modern Law Award for ‘Best Client Care Initiative’ and we were Highly Commended for the Law Society’s ‘Excellence in Client Service’award. The team has grown so much in the past year and it really was an honour to be recognised for all the hard work that we’ve put in.

What’s your biggest challenge right now?

Every single person who calls us is different, so our biggest challenge is probably making sure that each caller understands that they can trust Bott & Co to treat them with professionalism, proficiency and respect throughout their journey. We’re the first ones a person will speak to when they come to us for help, so ensuring that every client is given peace of mind as soon as possible is a challenge we always work hard to rise to.

If you were to have a team song, what would it be?

It’s got to be “I’ll be there” by the Jackson Five – or at least we will be there for 90 hours per week!

What are the strangest claims you have ever received?

We like to think that there’s no such thing as strange claims, just unusual ones that we can’t help clients with. One that springs to mind is the caller who got in touch, wanting to make a claim against his mobile phone provider because he said was suffering from a severe headache after receiving his phone bill that month.

If you could have three celebrities join your team for a day, who would they be and why?

After much discussion we’ve managed to narrow it down to…
1. Stephen Fry – for his vast knowledge and entertainment value
2. David Beckham – legendary and can share some great inspirational football stories
3. Lady Gaga – to bring a touch of creativity and glamour

If you could change your team name, what would you change it to and why?

The A Team – just because we are!

Name a superpower each member of the team would have and why?

Ribia – Invisibility so she can do whatever she wants.
Laura – Time travel so she can skip straight to Fridays.
Paul – Invincibility as nothing can defeat him.
Sophie – Flying so she can go anywhere she wants.
Ann – Mind reading so she can foresee potential danger and combat it.
Saqab – Super memory so he can absorb all information.
Devika – Seeing into future so she can win the lottery.
Akdus – Midas touch so that everything he touches turns to gold.

Does anyone on the team have any strange food habits?

There’s no such thing as strange food habit. When it comes to food, anything goes in this team!

If your team was a dish, what would it be and why?

I think we’d be a Knickerbocker Glory, full of yummy allsorts like jelly, ice cream, and fruit. There’s something for everyone.

If you were to be an Olympic team, what sport would you compete in and why?

We’d be the 4 x 400 Relay Team because, like working in CFRT, it requires stamina, discipline, endurance, strength and, more importantly, calls for the ultimate team work so as not to drop the baton.

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Like many of you with flight delay claims, Kim’s case was originally put on hold by the courts until we had the outcome of the Huzar V Jet2 case. Bott & Co took Mr Huzar’s case all the way to the Supreme Court and the airline eventually paid out the compensation he was due.

Mr Huzar’s victory meant the hold on Kim’s case was lifted and, understandably, she thought she would receive her compensation soon. However, Jet2 then applied to put yet another hold on her case, this time until we have the decision in a Dutch case (van der Lans V KLM), which could take several years.

Kim’s case against Jet2 was chosen as a test case, meaning its outcome stands to affect up to 10,000 other Bott & Co clients across a number of different airlines.

We caught up with Kim to find out more about her experience of the airline’s stalling tactics in paying her the compensation she is rightfully owed.

1. So we’ll start from the beginning: Tell us about where you were flying from, where you were flying to and why you were going there.

I was flying with a friend from Manchester to Malaga in March 2012, on my way to see my daughter’s band Bobby & Jemima play at a private party in Marbella. The plane was due to take off in the afternoon but we ended up departing several hours late, arriving in the early hours of the morning. Even by Spanish standards it was too late to party by the time we got there!

2. How and when did you find out about the delay?

We boarded the plane as normal but then we sat on the tarmac for several hours. They said the delay was due to a technical problem that they were trying to fix. It was very hot on board but they couldn’t turn the air conditioning on because the engines had to be kept off whilst they repaired the fault. We weren’t given any refreshments, not even water, and we just kept hoping that we’d take off soon.

Eventually we were asked to disembark and make our way back into the airport. We then had to sit in the airport for a few more hours and wait whilst a replacement plane was flown to Manchester that would then take us over to Spain.

3. What happened at the airport during the delay?

After about six hours we were given vouchers for food but by this time it was late and the vouchers were only valid for outlets that had closed, so the vouchers weren’t much use! There was only one place open and it ran out of food due to demand. We were also given a letter stating we could choose not to travel and have a fare refund or take the next available flight. Cancelling our holiday was not an option and the next available flight was the one we were waiting for!

In the end, with the two hour check in time, we were waiting in the airport for around nine hours.

4. How did the delay affect your trip?

Waiting around for hours in the airport was boring and tiresome. We also incurred extra costs but for me, what I was most upset about was that I had missed my daughter’s performance with her band. We’d been lucky enough to be invited to the party and she was expecting me to be there to support them. It really was a shame and we were very disappointed.

5. How did you find out about flight compensation?

I didn’t realise I might be entitled to compensation until about 18 months after the flight. I’d seen quite a bit in the media about flight compensation so I wrote to the airline giving them details of my delay and stating that I would like to make a claim.

6. How did the airline respond?

They replied a couple of weeks later saying that they weren’t able to consider my claim because the delay happened more than two years ago. I knew that you had six years in which to make a claim for compensation, not two, and in fact my claim was made after 18 months.

I wrote to the airline again pointing this out and confirming that I still wanted to pursue my claim. This time their response stated that the time limit was not the reason they wouldn’t consider my claim but that as the delay had been caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’ compensation was not payable.

I replied asking for more details about the exact technical fault as I believed that unless a delay was caused by events outside of the airline’s control, technical failures or maintenance issues were not an extraordinary circumstance.

Their reply stated that they maintained their position on the time limit and that the delay on my flight was caused by a Flap Slat fault, which they firmly believed to be an extraordinary circumstance. Therefore no compensation was payable.

7. When did you decide to use a solicitor’s to help you with your claim?

It was apparent in all the correspondence with the airline that they had no intention in honouring my claim. I did some research online to see if other people had had a similar experience. I read on some forums that people were using Bott & Co to handle their claims, as they were a firm that specialised in flight delay compensation.

I didn’t have the time, energy or experience to continue pursuing things myself so I contacted Bott & Co Solicitors. That was in September 2013 and the team have been handling my case ever since.

8. What would your advice be to others in the same situation?

I would advise people to keep on fighting for what is rightfully theirs and if they believe they are entitled to compensation to not be afraid of challenging the airline. Even if the airline states the claim doesn’t qualify don’t be fobbed off and if necessary, consult a solicitor for representation.

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As a Graduate Member of the Institute of Legal Executives, Sanita – who is currently studying Law further – now oversees her own team dealing with both litigated and non-litigated matters. We catch up with Sanita to find out more about what makes her tick.

Where did your initial interest in Law come from?

Well, in my primary school years I initially wanted to be a firewoman. This then progressed into wanting to be a policewoman in my early secondary school years. By the time I had matured and it came to choosing my options at college I was a keen watcher of Ally McBeal and thought all the lawyers looked great! I decided the former two options would mess with my hair and nails so vanity prevailed and from then on I was pretty set on being a lawyer. I suppose I always wanted to help people in one form or another.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

That’s easy: Seeing people get their lives back on track.

If I think of some fairly nasty injuries I have dealt with, it can be disheartening to see what the client is going though.

Although you fully sympathise, you are not living their life and dealing with what they are dealing with. Some people become severely depressed as a result of their injuries and I’ve seen other people who’ve had to make complete career changes because they previously had quite a physical job they’re no longer able to do. Imagine having to start all over again!

When you’re speaking to this person for so long and going through the whole journey with them it is really satisfying to see them back on their feet at the end. I have had clients who I have been sorry to say goodbye to once their case has been concluded.

What problems do you come up against on a daily basis and how do you resolve these?

A lot of the time any problems which occur are as a result of lack of communication, whether this be communication with a defendant representative or communication with a client. In these situations the best thing to do is just listen.

How did you find the process of studying whilst working?

I would say that I’ve found studying whilst working at Bott & Co to be a very smooth process, particularly as it has been fully funded by the company. The people I worked with in the early days were very encouraging and there was never a shortage of volunteers to explain an assessment question I was struggling with.

No-one is off limits and there have been many occasions where I have sat with the partner at the firm to assist with a certain legal concept. There is very much a family feel and it felt like I was simply asking my big brother or sister for advice. It’s nice to be on the other side of that equation now and to be able to pass on the knowledge which I myself benefited from.

There is actually a Bott Academy these days which was set up with the sole purpose of assisting those who want to study and progress and advising on options and study leave. There is very much a ‘the sky is the limit’ mentality which I think is great and is one of the reasons why I love working at Bott & Co.

In your spare time, how do you like to wind down?

It is a little known fact that I am actually a keen writer of poetry and also love a good book, I read for at least 30 minutes every day just before bedtime.

I also love attending the gym for stress relief and love red wine for relaxing. Plus there’s nothing that a good dance can’t cure.

If you had a super power what would it be and why?

I would definitely opt for the power to stop time. There are some days when problems can come up unexpectedly at the last minute, for example if new evidence is adduced at a late stage. Of course, the main priority is to do the best for your client whilst submitting what is required well within time. There have been days when it might have helped to stop for a minute, have some chocolate and put my feet up to catch my breath before starting all over again. I think that’s pretty universal isn’t it?

If you were Queen for the day what law would you pass and why?

I would ban business voicemails. I always feel a little silly speaking to a machine and inevitably tend to mess it up. You can’t build a rapport with a computer; give me a person to speak to any day.

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

Caution: This product is prone to spontaneous fits of laughter. Do not mix with alcohol.

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He joined Bott & Co on 15th May 2014, so he is on the cusp of celebrating one year with the firm. Prior to the start of a career in law, Tristan attended The Manchester Grammar School before gaining a BA (hons) degree in philosophy from the University of Durham.

We catch up with Tristan to find out more about him and why he was recently named as ‘The Happiest Person in Legal’.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is achieving positive results for my clients while managing and supervising a team of fee earners and administrative assistants in my new role as a Team Leader. I enjoy coming into work and facing a new challenge every day.

How do you feel about being named ‘The Happiest Person in Legal’ by Douglas Scott?

I was both surprised and delighted to receive the title of ‘Happiest Person in Legal’ from Douglas Scott but I guess it is testimony to how welcoming Bott & Co have been since I joined in May 2014 and the level of job satisfaction I feel on a daily basis.

What challengers have you faced along your journey to where you are now in the legal industry?

The main challenge I faced at the start of my legal career was having to justify to potential employers why I decided not to study law at university. I studied Philosophy and then converted to law having completed my degree. The reason I did this was to broaden my horizons and essentially set me apart from many of my peers who would have only completed a single law degree. Having two degrees has definitely made me a more employable prospect.

What is your biggest motivation?

My biggest motivation is my family. I have two boys (4 years old and 7 months old) and there is no better feeling than coming home after a hard day’s work to play with my boys and watch them grow.

How did you get into the legal industry?

I began my legal career in earnest as a temp at Keoghs LLP covering a file handler who was on maternity leave but my potential was realised quickly and within 2 weeks I was offered a permanent position. Within 12 months I was offered a training contract and I have never looked back.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

My wife and I have two beautiful boys and have been happily married for nearly 8 years – I cannot think of any professional achievement which would supersede that but it was an immensely proud moment when I qualified as a Solicitor back in March 2013.

We’ve heard you’re a good cook, what’s your signature dish?

My mum was born in Lahore, Pakistan and she has passed down many of her family’s traditional cooking techniques and dishes which I have adapted to my own taste. I guess my signature dish would be my own version of tandoori chicken tikka which combines my own modern ‘fusion’ ingredients combined with ingredients based on an old family recipe.

What celebrity would you cook your signature dish for and why?

I would cook my dish for the BBC’s Masterchef programme because they very rarely have people on the programme who excel at cooking dishes from the Indian sub-continent.

What are your interests outside of work?

As well as cooking, I enjoy spending time with my family and travelling. I also like to find time to watch my favourite football team, Manchester United. I have supported the reds all my life and have a season ticket but I am definitely a general football fan also, keeping up to date with the developments from other leagues across Europe as well as in England.

What would you be if you weren’t a Solicitor?

I would definitely have gone into politics and run for Prime Minister with a bit of luck as I believe that I have workable solutions for many of the issues facing the country and diplomacy is definitely one of my greatest facets as everyone who knows me would verify.

The post 5 Minutes With …Tristan Sands appeared first on Bott & Co.

• Holiday sickness compensation experts say passengers could be entitled to more compensation than the cruise firm is offering
• Passengers aboard Fred Olsen’s cruise ship to the Norwegian Fjords could be entitled to between £737 and £3,190
• Holiday makers aboard UK run cruise ships are protected by ‘The Athens Convention 1974’
• Holiday sickness lawyers urge passengers aboard the ship to gather as much evidence as they can in order to secure the correct amount of compensation

Hundreds of passengers aboard a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords faced holiday hell this week, after they were struck down by the debilitating sickness bug Gastroenteritis. The eight day cruise had to be cut short when hundreds of holiday makers fell ill with severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

According to the Daily Mail, cruise firm Fred Olsen is attempting to organise ‘partial compensation’ for affected passengers, offering ‘a refund representative of one day’s cost of the cruise’ and a 50% off voucher for another cruise with the firm.

But holiday sickness lawyer Andrew Peters of Bott & Co Solicitors says that passengers would be ill-advised to deal with the cruise firm directly when it comes to claiming compensation.

Lawyer Andrew Peters said: “I would recommend that those unfortunate passengers who became ill avoid dealing directly with the ship owners.

“They would be well advised to seek independent legal advice to ensure that they are properly compensated for what must have been an awful experience for them.

“From what I can tell from the information we have from the media, these passengers could be entitled to significantly more than the cruise firm is offering.

“Passengers should avoid accepting compensation directly from the tour operator, because it means they won’t be able to claim the full compensation they are entitled to at a later date”

Passengers who suffer from the symptoms of Gastroenteritis including; stomach pain, cramps and diarrhoea, could be entitled to between £737 and £3,190 in holiday sickness compensation. Depending of the severity of the symptoms, passengers could be entitled to significantly more.

According to ‘The Athens Convention 1974’ passengers can claim cash compensation when they fall ill due to a holiday provider showing lack of reasonable care and skill in the supply of their holiday.

In order to be able to claim for holiday sickness, the illness must have been caused by the hotel or tour operator. Because of this, it is normally easier to claim for sickness on package holidays to all-inclusive destinations and aboard cruise ships.

Bott & Co Solicitors urge passengers aboard the Fred Olsen cruise ship keep as much of the following as possible, in order to secure the maximum compensation they are entitled to:

• 1. Any records of reporting the illness to the tour operator directly via phone or email
• 2. Records of medical treatment received (if any)
• 3. Photographs of anything that could support the claim
• 4. A note of the contact details of anyone else aboard the ship who has suffered similar symptoms or injuries
• 5. Receipts for any out of pocket expenses incurred as a result illness or injury such as missed excursions or medication purchased
• 6. Any prescriptions / packets of medication prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist

For more information on how you can claim, read Bott & Co’s Holiday and Travel Claims Guide or call our holiday sickness experts on 01625 415 850 for free, impartial advice.

The post Holiday Sickness Lawyers Warn Passengers Aboard Gastroenteritis Cruise To Seek Legal Advice appeared first on Bott & Co.

• Holiday sickness compensation experts say passengers could be entitled to more compensation than the cruise firm is offering
• Passengers aboard Fred Olsen’s cruise ship to the Norwegian Fjords could be entitled to between £737 and £3,190
• Holiday makers aboard UK run cruise ships are protected by ‘The Athens Convention 1974’
• Holiday sickness lawyers urge passengers aboard the ship to gather as much evidence as they can in order to secure the correct amount of compensation

Hundreds of passengers aboard a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords faced holiday hell this week, after they were struck down by the debilitating sickness bug Gastroenteritis. The eight day cruise had to be cut short when hundreds of holiday makers fell ill with severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

According to the Daily Mail, cruise firm Fred Olsen is attempting to organise ‘partial compensation’ for affected passengers, offering ‘a refund representative of one day’s cost of the cruise’ and a 50% off voucher for another cruise with the firm.

But holiday sickness lawyer Andrew Peters of Bott & Co Solicitors says that passengers would be ill-advised to deal with the cruise firm directly when it comes to claiming compensation.

Lawyer Andrew Peters said: “I would recommend that those unfortunate passengers who became ill avoid dealing directly with the ship owners.

“They would be well advised to seek independent legal advice to ensure that they are properly compensated for what must have been an awful experience for them.

“From what I can tell from the information we have from the media, these passengers could be entitled to significantly more than the cruise firm is offering.

“Passengers should avoid accepting compensation directly from the tour operator, because it means they won’t be able to claim the full compensation they are entitled to at a later date”

Passengers who suffer from the symptoms of Gastroenteritis including; stomach pain, cramps and diarrhoea, could be entitled to between £737 and £3,190 in holiday sickness compensation. Depending of the severity of the symptoms, passengers could be entitled to significantly more.

According to ‘The Athens Convention 1974’ passengers can claim cash compensation when they fall ill due to a holiday provider showing lack of reasonable care and skill in the supply of their holiday.

In order to be able to claim for holiday sickness, the illness must have been caused by the hotel or tour operator. Because of this, it is normally easier to claim for sickness on package holidays to all-inclusive destinations and aboard cruise ships.

Bott & Co Solicitors urge passengers aboard the Fred Olsen cruise ship keep as much of the following as possible, in order to secure the maximum compensation they are entitled to:

• 1. Any records of reporting the illness to the tour operator directly via phone or email
• 2. Records of medical treatment received (if any)
• 3. Photographs of anything that could support the claim
• 4. A note of the contact details of anyone else aboard the ship who has suffered similar symptoms or injuries
• 5. Receipts for any out of pocket expenses incurred as a result illness or injury such as missed excursions or medication purchased
• 6. Any prescriptions / packets of medication prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist

For more information on how you can claim, read Bott & Co’s Holiday and Travel Claims Guide or call our holiday sickness experts on 01625 415 850 for free, impartial advice.

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