Lees Lloyd Whitley wins international contract

Merseyside law firm Lees Lloyd Whitley are celebrating this week having won the contract to provide legal advice to Wirral-based specialist hose manufacturers, Dantec Limited.

Dantec is one of the UK’s most innovative manufacturers of composite hose in the world, exporting products to over 40 countries. Major companies worldwide, including those from safety critical industries like chemicals, oil and gas rely on Dantec hoses for the transfer of hazardous materials.

Lees Lloyd Whitley have won the contract to provide corporate and commercial legal services including advising on the structure and future direction of the business.

Dantec started out in 1969 as a gasket cutting business supplying the petrochemical industry in Ellesmere Port. By 1977 growing demand for reliable hoses led to the firm setting up a manufacturing facility in Moreton on the Wirral.

Now the £4 million turnover business employs 50 people and supplies fuel giants like BP, Shell and Exxon Mobil as well as tanker operators such as Exel Logistics, Wincanton and Sutton and Son.

Head of Lees Lloyd Whitley’s Commercial Department, Tim Polding, comments: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been appointed as Dantec’s legal advisors. Amidst all the doom and gloom, that surrounds most of the UK’s manufacturing industry, Dantec are perhaps one of Merseyside’s greatest success stories and we’re delighted to be associated with a leading local business which operates as a global servicing company while having strong roots in this area.”

It was only Whiplash!!

A 37-year-old music teacher who suffered two road accidents through no fault of her own has been awarded £279,281.00 compensation for whiplash.

It is believed to be one of the highest ever payments for injuries of this type according to Merseyside law firm Lees Lloyd Whitley who advised the woman.

Jo-Ann Cameron of Lees Lloyd Whitley led the case, assisted by Simon Earlam of Exchange Chambers. Jo-Ann comments: “Our client has been through an unbelievable run of bad luck, which has resulted in her losing her career and her passion in life. People may say it was only whiplash, but at Lees Lloyd Whitley we will go down every avenue to ensure that every client receives the compensation to which they are entitled to as this case proves.

“Music was her life, but she is no longer able to carry her musical instruments, and has had to give up her job as a teacher and her role as an orchestral conductor.”

The woman had been involved in accidents in March 1997 and October 2000 when the vehicle she was in was struck from behind. She suffered whiplash on both occasions but had fully recovered by January 2001 when she had her third accident. The fourth accident took place just weeks later in March 2001.

Experts agreed that her ability to recover from the later accidents was lessened by the previous accidents. Her injuries included damage to the soft tissue to the spine and psychological effects.

Three orthopaedic experts were called on throughout the case, but could not agree on how long the injury would continue to impede her life. Loss of earnings past and future and pension provisions up to the age of 65, along with special damages for up to five years for medical aftercare for chiropractic treatment were included in the award.

Lee Benson, head of the road traffic accident team at Lees Lloyd Whitley comments: “We would like to congratulate Jo-Ann on winning this case. She has worked tirelessly for over four years to get the right compensation for her client. In a time when there is so much in the press about a compensation culture and vexatious litigators, there are many genuine cases out there and people who need sound legal advice.”

LEMAS 2005 Runner Up

Merseyside law firm Lees Lloyd Whitley have scooped second place at the annual Legal Marketing Awards (LEMAS) for their marketing campaign to develop its sports business advisory practice.
The LEMAS were launched in 2003 by In Brief to recognise the efforts of marketers throughout the UK. The Law Society’s Law Management Section Award was open to firms with 20 or less partners and rewarded superior marketing initiatives from the past calendar year.

Alongside the overall development of the sports business advisory practice, Lees Lloyd Whitley’s campaign objective was to build on the commitment to cricket at all levels, which has been long established within the firm and following their appointment as legal partner with the Professional Cricketers’ Association in January.

By using its budget effectively, the firm were able to develop a beneficial commercial relationship with local and business communities, which in turn helped to increase the awareness of cricket and encourage involvement by players and spectators of all ages.

The success of the campaign has been shown by other sports organisations approaching Lees Lloyd Whitley to discuss similar partnerships and the firm has also been able to offer its clients opportunities to support the game both locally and nationally.

Lees Lloyd Whitley’s marketing director, Claire Mottershead, comments: “I am proud and delighted that the firm has been awarded second place amongst such great competition. This achievement demonstrates the firm’s innovative approach to developing our sports business advisory practice by combining both commercial and community interests. Our success over the last 12 months has helped to raise the firm’s profile substantially.”