WE ARE HIRING

Are you interested in being part of a modern and progressive law firm? We currently have some exciting opportunities for support staff here at Awdry Bailey & Douglas.

An enjoyable and supportive working environment is the platform upon which everything else is built. We believe that excellent client service and long term business success can only be achieved by creating a great place to work - and that is what we are offering.

We are seeking an experienced Receptionist to join our Marlborough team and a part time Legal Secretary to join our Litigation team in Devizes.

Receptionist, Marlborough

Salary - Competitive

Office - Marlborough

Start Date - ASAP

Contract - Full Time

Responsible to - The Practice Manager.

Experience - Similar experience will be a distinct advantage.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated and relish the opportunity to take on responsibility working closely with the Partners & Practice Manager.

Litigation Legal Secretary, Devizes

Salary - Competitive

Office - Devizes

Start Date - TBC

Contract – Permanent Part Time (Mon – Fri 9am – 1pm)

Responsible to - The Partners of the firm and the Head of Litigation.

Experience - Applicants must have secretarial experience and be computer literate with Microsoft Office programs. Previous legal experience would be a distinct advantage but is not essential.

To find out more or to apply, please contact Practice Manager David Turley by email at david.turley@awdrys.co.uk or call 01380 722311. Click here for further details about careers at ABD.

Attitude and character are the most important things.  We value knowledge and experience and of course they play a central role in providing great client service but your overall approach to life, work and the ability to build strong business relationships with clients and colleagues will really determine how successful you are.  That's why positive, helpful, enthusiastic people do well here and it's certainly the right environment for you if you have a wider view of life.

Core Value Awards | second quarter 2019

Awdry Bailey & Douglas are delighted to announce the winners of the firms second quarterly Core Value Awards. 

With 32 nominations in total, the Management Team had yet again a challenge on their hands to pick three members of staff this quarter.  However, there were three clear winners who have each received a trophy and a £50.00 gift voucher. They were (in no particular order):-

Rebecca Davis

Kathy Todd

Nicola Hunt

Presentations were made at our various offices last week and all three winners were recognised as having demonstrated the core values of ABD and have done so consistently throughout their time with us.

Here we share a number of the nomination testimonials and comments from other members of staff that formed a part of the nominations for Rebecca, Kathy and Nicola;

Rebecca Davis

Above: Rebecca and Head of Conveyancing Ronna Turley
Below: Rebecca and the Management Team

• Becky regularly goes beyond the call of duty.  
• She takes great pride in her work and is an immensely integral part of the team here in Chippenham. 
• Always willing to go above and beyond to assist, has a “can do” attitude and undertakes all tasks with a smile.
• At all times a great influence on the office and an asset to the firm. 
• Firstly, her singing!!
• She is so helpful and I never worry about asking as I know she won’t mind and will do her best to assist if I have queries or problems.  It doesn’t matter if she is really busy, she will still help.

Kathy Todd

Above: Kathy and Partner Tim Hotchkiss
Below: Rebecca and the Management Team

• Kathy’s work ethic is incredibly strong and her productivity levels are second to none.  
• She is instrumental in ensuring that that Commercial Department in Marlborough runs effectively, both in terms of output and in the assistance she gives everyone else in the team.
• Her organisational skills are very good and if she perceives a problem (for example with IT) she is proactive in being the person to resolve it. 
• Her work ethic really is unparalleled.  
• Her attention to detail is absolutely superb and she works incredibly well under what can often be intense pressure.
• She is one of the most productive, proactive and efficient secretaries that I have ever come across and is always willing to assist others.   

Nicola Hunt

Above: Nicola and Head of Conveyancing Ronna Turley
Below: Rebecca and the Management Team

• She takes on the additional role of file retrieval which adds to her workload yet she still has a smile on her face. 
• She recently led a team representing ABD in the local Christmas tree competition at the church. 
• Nicola is always on hand to organise any team building lunches and the like and organised secret santa this year as well.
• Nicola is positive, friendly and always on hand to help anyone, from fee earners to reception.
• Nicola continuously demonstrates total commitment to the firm and her colleagues.

We are very fortunate at ABD to have such a fantastic group of people working for us and we are grateful for all of the hard work, dedication and commitment from everyone here. It is the people in the firm that have made it a success and long may that continue.

Chippenham Business Awards 2019 | Finalists announced

After the huge success of the last two years, Awdry Bailey & Douglas are proud to once again be returning as the title sponsors of the Chippenham Business Awards 2019. 

Taking place on Thursday 21st February, the largest B2B event in Chippenham will celebrate the achievements of businesses in and around Chippenham as well as raise the profile of Chippenham as a place of thriving independent and global business.

The 12 judges met last week, and after much deliberation decided upon the finalists in each category. We look forward to bringing the business community of Chippenham together to celebrate our local talented individuals and businesses.

So, without further ado, here are your 2019 finalists:

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

City Dressing

Fab-Bricks Ltd

South West Business Finance

BEST PLACE TO WORK

Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited

Nimble Care

Pillow May Ltd

GREEN AWARD

Aaron & Jonathon Bewley Funeral Directors

Digiprint Nettl Chippenham

SMARTech energy Ltd

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Emma Benson, MJ Church (Plant) Ltd

George Fenne, Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited

Hannah Knight, Hughes and Hughes Estate Agents Ltd

CHARITABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Chippenham & District Constitutional Club

J Sheppard And Son Ltd

Waste Not Want Not

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

Avagio ITS Ltd

Nimble Care

The Reel Cinema Astoria

HOSPITALITY OR FOOD AND DRINK BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 

Jolly’s Irish Cafe

Ninjō Noodle Bar

Three Crowns

INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Aaron & Jonathon Bewley Funeral Directors

Fab-Bricks Ltd

The Squeeky Cleaners

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The winner of this award will be announced during the awards ceremony

CHIPPENHAM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The winner of this award is a “winners winner” – an entrant whose entry stood out to the judges as an excellent example of business in the Chippenham area

For more information about ABD, or if you require any legal advice, please contact Tom Paget at our Chippenham office on 01249 478333 or by email tom.paget@awdrys.co.uk

For more information about our services please visit our website www.awdrys.co.uk

More information on the Chippenham Business Awards please visit the following website http://chippenhambusinessawards.co.uk/

IS EQUITY RELEASE A GOOD WAY TO FUND THE COST OF LONG TERM CARE?

• We asked Andrew Douglas, Partner at Awdry Bailey & Douglas Solicitors who specialises in elderly care, for his views on this issue.

 • What is Equity Release?  It is a financial arrangement whereby financial providers allow homeowners over the age of 55 to turn capital in their homes into tax free cash to either buy an income or provide a lump sum for the purpose of funding long term care costs or to spend in whatever other way they wish.

• How is the equity in your home turned into cash? The provider agrees to provide a capital sum in return for you entering into either a lifetime mortgage or selling to them all or part of your property subject to you having the right to live in the property for life or as long as you need.

• Is Equity Release an expensive option?  Yes, it is sometimes called the option of last resort.  That said it is an option which is now considered to be more mainstream. Lifetime mortgages often start at 4-5%. If your property is sold to the provider it is often for less than the market value.  There are then arrangement fees plus legal and valuation fees.

• Should you seek specialist advice?  Yes, always use an advisor who has a specialist Equity Release qualification.  Also make sure both the advisor and the provider are members of the Equity Release Council and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority.

• Is Equity Release the only way of funding long term care fees? No, always remember to claim your age related DWP benefits, see whether the state will help if your other capital savings are less than £23,250 or you maybe entitled to NHS Continuing Health Care.  You can ask your family to help out. In other words do not rush into an Equity Release arrangement until you fully understand the product and are aware of all other options.

• To know more and for a free appointment to find out answers to the questions that need answering  email Andrew Douglas or his  team on ajd@awdrys.co.uk or call on 0800 072 8636.   Alternatively visit www.abdcare.co.uk
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WHEN IN A CARE HOME IS IT POSSIBLE TO DEFER PAYING FOR YOUR ELDERLY CARE HOME FEES?

• We asked Andrew Douglas, Partner at Awdry Bailey & Douglas Solicitors who specialises in elderly care, for his views on this issue.

• Surely you cannot defer payment of fees when in a care home?  Surprising though it may sound it is a fact that if after a financial assessment by the local authority it is the case that a person is unable to pay all their care home fees from their income and other assets (which must fall under the upper capital limit of £23,250) other than through the sale of their home then in those circumstances a local authority must offer them a deferred payments agreement.

• Is there an authority for what you say? Yes, sections 34-36 of the Care act 2014 and The Care and Support (Deferred Payment) Regulations 2014. This is a must requirement by a local authority provided they can obtain a first registered charge against a person’s title to their property or another form of adequate authority. If adequate security cannot be provided then in those circumstances a local authority cannot enter into a deferred payments agreement

• What can be deferred? The amount agreed for care costs plus the local authority’s administration charges and interest.

• How much can be deferred? There is an upper limit which can be deferred and which is 90% of the equity value of the property.  From this value is deducted the lower capital limit which every person is allowed to keep namely £14,250. When the deferred payments reach 50% of the equity the local authority should revalue.

• Is interest charged? Yes at the prevailing market gilt rate plus 0.15%. Interest is charged on a compound basis meaning that the charge is rendered on the loan outstanding and accumulated interest.

• When is the loan repayable? It is repayable on the sale or disposal of the property or 90 days after the date of death of the person concerned. Additionally the person concerned can terminate the arrangement at any time.

• To know more and for a free appointment to find out answers to the questions that need answering  email Andrew Douglas or his  team on ajd@awdrys.co.uk or call us on 0800 072 8636.  Alternatively visit our website www.abdcare.co.uk

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