We are inviting children aged 4 to 11 years to get creative with colouring to enter our 2025 Christmas competition.

The colouring sheet for this year’s competition can be downloaded here and features Warwick and Kenilworth Castles – the route of the annual Two Castles Run, which we are proud long-term sponsors of.

The colouring sheet is based on hand-drawn illustrations by Lichfield-based artist Jackie Roberts, who has created Christmas card designs for Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Warwick and Stratford upon Avon. Her designs are available to buy at www.love2dream.co.uk

The competition is open for entries until Friday 12^th December.

Prizes

Foundation/reception class, Years 1 and 2 – A £20 shopping voucher for the winning entry and a £50 book voucher for their school.

Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 – a £20 shopping voucher for the winning entry and a £50 book voucher for their school.

To enter the competition:

• Colour in the festive Two Castles scene
• Fill in the form
• Return it by post, email dmb@blytheliggins.co.uk or drop it off at Blythe Liggins Solicitors (FAO Donna Bothamley), Edmund House, Rugby Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 6EL by Friday 12^th December 2025

Competition winners will be contacted after 15th December.

Good luck everyone!

Full terms and conditions

By entering the competition, you agree that the completed colouring sheet being submitted can be used by Blythe Liggins on the company website and social media pages, and to be displayed at Blythe Liggins’ offices.

The judges’ decision is final. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for any cash alternatives in whole or in part.

The competition is open children aged 4 to 11 (except employees and families of the Promoter and its affiliate companies, agencies and anyone professionally connected with the promotion).

The competition closes on Friday 12^th December 2025.

Two winners will be chosen – one in Key Stage One and one in Key Stage Two.

In each category, the winner will receive a £20 shopping voucher, and their school will receive a £50 book voucher.

Winners will be informed after 15th December.

 

 

Six months qualifying period for Unfair Dismissal

The Government has announced the scrapping of the proposed Day One right to claim unfair dismissal, as set out in the Employment Rights Bill.

After discussions with trade unions and business representatives, the Government has decided that it will reduce the current two years’ continuous service eligibility requirement to claim ordinary unfair dismissal, to six months. There will still be Day One protection for most claims for dismissals on automatically unfair grounds (eg whistleblowing, amongst other grounds) as is currently the case.

A six-month qualifying period to make a claim for unfair dismissal, is going to be much simpler for employers and employees to navigate than the original Day One right proposal which had been accompanied by the ability to dismiss fairly in an “initial” period of employment, by following a “light touch” procedure.

A six-month qualifying period should give employers more comfort to recruit staff but will inevitably mean that employers will need to be much more focussed on ensuring that the new recruit is right for the job, in the early months of employment. Currently, employers have a buffer of the two-year qualifying period, before unfair dismissal rights accrue which can mean that employers do not always make timely decisions about an employee’s suitability for the role.

Compensation cap for unfair dismissal to be lifted

A further change is that the compensation cap for unfair dismissal will be lifted. Currently the compensatory award for unfair dismissal is one year’s gross pay or £118,223, whichever is lower (the cap does not apply to some automatically unfair dismissal claims).

It is not yet clear whether this change will mean removing the one year’s gross pay cap or the upper cap of £118,223 although it seems likely that the cap of £118,223 will remain. No doubt, clarification will be provided by the Government, in due course.

The change to unfair dismissal rights had been expected to take effect in 2027 but this now may happen as early as 2026. We await clarity on this from the Government.

The above does not constitute legal advice.

If you would like to discuss any employment matter contact, please Julia Woodhouse at 01926 831231 or jhw@blytheliggins.co.uk.

Julia is an Employment Solicitor based in Leamington Spa and advises clients across Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth, Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton, Atherstone and further afield.

 

 

What is a Settlement Agreement?

A Settlement Agreement is an agreement used to settle employment claims which you may have against your employer. It will usually involve the termination of your employment and a financial package will be offered to you, in return for the settlement of your claims.

The Agreement will set out details about the settlement of claims, any termination date of employment, confirmation of any notice pay and compensation, amongst other payments.

Usually, there will also be other clauses in the Agreement, such as:

• neither party will make derogatory comments about the other
• both parties will keep confidential the existence of the Agreement and its terms and
• your employer will promise to provide an agreed reference for you

Do you need to take independent legal advice?

If you are offered a Settlement Agreement which you are interested in signing, you will need to take independent legal advice on its terms.

Normally, your employer will pay a contribution towards your legal costs for this advice.

If you come to us for advice, we will advise you about whether you have been offered a reasonable settlement package, taking into account the value of your claims and entitlements. In some circumstances, we may be able to get a better deal for you, by negotiating with your employer, on your behalf.

Can you ask your employer to offer you a Settlement Agreement?

In most cases, it is the employer who makes an offer of a Settlement Agreement. However, if you were prepared to leave your job and you thought that you had potential employment claims, you could ask your employer about the possibility of an Agreement; alternatively, we can approach your employer, on your behalf.

What are the benefits of signing a Settlement Agreement?

Some of the benefits of a Settlement Agreement are that:

• you can get a written assurance about what will be said in a reference about you
• you achieve a predictable outcome, compared to bringing Employment Tribunal proceedings; and
• it is normally much quicker, cheaper and less stressful than making a claim in the Employment Tribunal.

Concluding a Settlement Agreement allows you to draw a line under any dispute and move forward in your career.

If you need any help, please give Julia Woodhouse a call on 01926 831231 or email her at jhw@blytheliggins.co.uk.

The above does not provide you with advice.

 

 

 

Blythe Liggins were absolutely delighted to partner with British Blind Sport as they celebrated their 50th anniversary this year.

 

Since 1975, the charity (which is based in Leamington Spa) has been at the forefront of making sport accessible for blind and partially sighted people across the UK.

As part of their anniversary celebrations, the charity hosted a special Celebration Dinner and Awards Evening on 6th November 2025 at the Mallory Court Hotel. The event brought together key figures from the disability sport, charity and business sectors for an evening of reflection and recognition.

Blythe Liggins sponsored the Future Leader Award which was presented to Shoaib Nazir. Shoaib’s leadership journey began when he was appointed captain of the Lancashire Lions Development Cricket Team in 2022, before progressing to the role of vice-captain of the first team in 2025.

More recently, Shoaib has undertaken his coaching qualifications and he played a key role in establishing the Greater Manchester Gladiators Blind Baseball Team, which he now manages. The team went on to win the Primary Club 2025 League, an achievement that reflects his initiative, vision, and ability to inspire others.

Shoaib’s individual accolades are equally impressive. He was recognised by Goalball UK as Player of the Day in his first tournament, and for the past two seasons has been named Best Blind Player Nationally under Blind Cricket England and Wales.

Claire Kirwan, Partner and Head of the Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Department, attended the event and was delighted to meet Shoaib, commenting “Through his dedication, enthusiasm, and leadership, Shoaib has become a role model for younger members and the wider community, making him a truly deserving candidate for the Future Leaders Award.”

Claire added that Blythe Liggins were delighted to be part of such a worthy event, supporting a local charity that makes an incredible difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people across the UK.

CAPTION: Shoaib Nazir receiving his award from Claire Kirwan

 

 

 

Harry Potter star David Bradley has shown his support for a local theatre group by becoming its new celebrity patron and paying a visit to rehearsals for its fundraising festive show.

The actor, who played Argus Filch in the film series, visited the first rehearsal of Raise the Roof theatre company’s upcoming Christmas production to meet the cast.

Raise the Roof was founded in memory of 11-year-old Annabel Greenhalgh from Warwick Gates, who died suddenly in October 2022. It has raised more than £10,000 to date for Birmingham Children’s Hospital in Annabel’s memory.

David joined rehearsals for Raise The Roof’s show, A Christmas with Carol, to share stories and advice with the cast, who are all from the Warwick area.

As well as his role in Harry Potter, David is a veteran of the big and small screen, and appeared in Game of Thrones and Hot Fuzz. He is also an alumnus of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Amelia Fewtrill Webster, CEO of Raise the Roof, said: “It was wonderful to welcome David to our rehearsal for A Christmas with Carol. We appreciate him taking the time to join us and offer his wisdom.

“Having someone as talented and respected as David supporting our company fills us with pride and motivation. His generosity keeps Annabel’s memory alive and strengthens our mission to fundraise for Birmingham Children’s Hospital through the joy of performance.”

A Christmas with Carol is a musical inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, reimagined with music, laughter, and festive cheer, and will be performed at the Bridge House Theatre, Warwick.

Tickets are on sale now for the three performances – an evening show on Friday 28th November and a matinee and evening performance on Saturday 29th November.

The show is being supported by sponsorship from Leamington Spa-based Blythe Liggins Solicitors, which has sponsored Raise The Roof’s previous two Christmas shows.

Donna Bothamley, partner at Blythe Liggins, said: “We are proud to have been sponsoring Raise the Roof since its first show and to watch it grow over those three years. It is great to see an esteemed actor like David Bradley offering them his support.

“Booking tickets for a Christmas show is a great way to start making festive plans, so we’d encourage people to snap up their tickets for A Christmas with Carol and help raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

For more information and to book tickets for A Christmas with Carol, visit www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk/show/a-christmas-with-carol/

CAPTION

• Harry Potter star David Bradley with members of Raise the Roof theatre company at rehearsals for their show, A Christmas with Carol

Julia Woodhouse, Employment Solicitor in Leamington Spa, considers the Employment Rights Bill, including unfair dismissal changes

What is the current position on the Bill?

Before it becomes law, the Bill and amendments to it, have been passing between the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Despite amendments proposed by the Lords, the Commons voted to retain most of the Government’s original proposals, including one of the most significant: the right to make a claim for unfair dismissal, from day one of employment. This article concentrates on that change only.

Day one right to claim unfair dismissal

Under current law, there is a two year qualifying period before employees can claim ordinary unfair dismissal (although there are exceptions for certain automatically unfair dismissals e.g.  whistleblowing).

The Lords had made an amendment to the proposed Day One right in the Bill so that an employee could only make a claim for unfair dismissal if they had six months’ service; however    this was rejected by the Commons. It seems likely that the Day One right will become law, as originally proposed.

We will need to see the detail of the Day One right, in due course. It is expected that employers will still be able to fairly dismiss employees during an “initial” period of employment. However, employers will need to follow a “light touch” procedure, notice to terminate will need to be  given in the initial period and the termination date will need to be no later than three months after the end of the initial period. The duration of the initial period has not yet been decided upon but the Government’s preference is that it is 9 months long.

Unlike dismissals for say misconduct or poor performance, it seems that dismissals for redundancy and for “Some Other Substantial Reason” (SOSR) relating to the employer, will not have the benefit of the initial period and light touch procedure. Therefore, for employers seeking to dismiss for redundancy or for SOSR relating to the employer, it is likely that they will need to follow full and fair (not light touch) procedures with all employees, from the outset of employment.

The Day One right to claim unfair dismissal is expected to take effect in 2027.

Employment Rights Bill roadmap

The Government has published its roadmap for implementing the Employment Rights Bill.  At pages 9 to 10 of the roadmap, the initial timeline which has been set out by the Government, indicates when the numerous measures are likely to take effect.

Most of the significant changes will take effect in 2026 and 2027.

The above does not constitute legal advice.

If you would like to discuss any employment matter contact, please Julia Woodhouse at 01926 831231 or jhw@blytheliggins.co.uk.

Julia is an Employment Solicitor based in Leamington Spa and advises clients across Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth, Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton, Atherstone and further afield.

 

 

A solicitor who joined a Warwickshire law firm straight from college has been promoted to a partner in the business.

Lois Harrison started work at Blythe Liggins Solicitors in Leamington Spa at the age of 18, working as an administrative assistant opening files in the conveyancing department

In 2008, she became legal secretary to Claire Kirwan, partner and head of personal injury and medical negligence at the firm, and began to work her way through her legal training in her spare time, alongside her full-time job.

Lois, who lives in Rugby, qualified as a legal executive, but aspired to become a fully-qualified solicitor.

She continued studying for the Graduate Diploma in Law followed by the Legal Practice Course alongside her role at Blythe Liggins, achieving a first-class law degree.

Lois said: “It is a huge honour to become a partner. My route to becoming a qualified solicitor is far from the norm and it shows that you do not have to follow the traditional route to become a partner. It is something which I am very proud of.”

Lois joined the personal injury and medical negligence team at Blythe Liggins very early in her career and said this area of law meant she was able to support people at a low point in their lives.

She said: “In this area of law you are dealing with complex litigation but it is also such a human and emotional field. You are helping people to pick up the pieces and fighting for the justice they deserve. It is incredibly rewarding.”

Lois has experienced difficult times herself – her three-year-old daughter Elsa suffered from a rare genetic mutation which created profound disabilities, and her life ended far too soon, in the summer of 2023. Despite this, Lois managed to continue working and progressing in her career.

Lois is now a Trustee of Zoe’s Place, the hospice in Coventry where Elsa received respite care. She is also the secretary for WPH Charitable Trust, a medical charity which provides grants to people in Coventry and Warwickshire for support such as equipment, home adaptations and wheelchairs.

Claire Kirwan said the partners at Blythe Liggins were delighted to welcome Lois to the partnership. She said: “Lois has been in my team for almost 17 years and she’s a first-class solicitor, with a formidable work ethic and a great business mind.

“She has all the qualities we would look for in a new partner and her promotion is richly deserved.”

CAPTION:

• Lois Harrison (centre) with David Lester, senior partner, and Claire Kirwan, partner and head of personal injury and medical negligence, at Blythe Liggins Solicitors in Leamington Spa

Thousands of runners turned out on Sunday (8^th June) to take on one of Warwickshire’s most popular 10km runs, following a route between Warwick and Kenilworth Castles.

Around 4,000 runners took part in the fully-booked Two Castles Run, with well-wishers turning out to cheer them on along the route. The run started at Warwick Castle and headed cross-country through Leek Wootton, ending at Kenilworth Castle.

 

The annual run is organised by the Kenilworth Runners in conjunction with Kenilworth Rotary and Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club. This year, it was sponsored for the 20^th year by supporters Blythe Liggins Solicitors.

Richard Clarke, race director from the Kenilworth Runners, said: “We’d like to thank our 4,000 runners for being part of the big day and also thank everyone who came out to cheer them along.

“The runners gave it their all and the support from people along the route spurred them all on to keep going.”

Callum Hanlon (Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club) was the first male runner past the finishing line for the fourth year in a row, with Andy Lawrence in second place and Rhys Doherty in third.

Frankie Gibbs secured first place among the female runners, with Kelly Edwards in second place and Natasha White in third.

Sponsors Blythe Liggins also fielded a squad of runners and provided water station helpers.

Donna Bothamley, partner at Blythe Liggins, said: ““There’s always a great atmosphere along the route and at the finish line at Kenilworth Castle, and our team were giving out water to runners as they crossed the finish line.

“It was wonderful to be able to congratulate them all as they completed the run and to see everyone turn out to take part and to support the runners.”

Caption: Some of the team from headline sponsors Blythe Liggins Solicitors who took part in the run

Thousands of runners have signed up to take part in this year’s Two Castles Run, resulting in the popular event being fully booked for the second year running.

A total of 4,000 runners have signed up for the run, which will take place on Sunday, June 8. The event starts at Warwick Castle and follows a 10km route through the countryside, ending at Kenilworth Castle.

Last year marked 40 years of the run and was the first time the event had been fully booked since the pandemic.

All of the places for the 2025 event were snapped up within just a month, and runners who missed out on a place are being invited to join the waiting list.

The event is organised by the Kenilworth Runners in conjunction with Kenilworth Rotary and Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club, and is being sponsored once again by Leamington Spa solicitors Blythe Liggins.

Donna Bothamley, partner at Blythe Liggins Solicitors, said: “There was a great community spirit at last year’s run, and we’re delighted that this year’s event will be fully booked once again.

“We look forward to cheering on the runners as they take on the route between Warwick and Kenilworth castles, raising funds for a range of worthy charities in the process.”

Richard Clarke, race director from the Kenilworth Runners, said: “Last year’s Two Castles Run had a fantastic atmosphere, being our first to be fully booked since the pandemic, so it’s wonderful news that this year the event will once again be at full capacity.

“Over the next couple of months, we will be working on all of the planning and organisation that makes the event possible, and we look forward to welcoming our 4,000 runners on the day.”

To learn more about the Two Castles Run, visit www.twocastlesrun.org.uk.

For more information on Blythe Liggins, call 01926 831231 or visit www.blytheliggins.co.uk.

CAPTION: The Blythe Liggins team after taking part in the 2024 Two Castles Run. The popular event is fully booked for 2025 and will take place on Sunday, June 8.

A waterways business has made a splash by making improvements at a Staffordshire marina which it bought last year.

The Rothen Group – owned by husband and wife Ian and Charlotte Rothen – acquired Fazeley Marina, near Tamworth, in August.

The company’s main business is carrying out maintenance work across the canal network and, since acquiring the marina, it has been busy carrying out extensive works to improve it.

Works have included bolstering facilities for the use of those mooring their boats there, as well as improvements on the waterway itself.

Charlotte said: “We already owned Mancetter marina near Atherstone, where the company is based, and were looking to add a second marina in a strategic location to our portfolio.

“Fazeley Marina is on the junction of the Birmingham and Fazeley canals, so was ideal. We invested a lot in Mancetter marina, and our plan was always to do the same at Fazeley.”

The Rothen Group’s canal maintenance work across the canal network includes tasks such as piling, dredging the waterways and maintaining canal banks, towpaths, steps, bridges and more.

The company held the contract to maintain Fazeley Marina when it belonged to its previous owners, so it was well positioned to continue making the necessary improvements after acquiring it.

Charlotte said: “Fazeley Marina has 70 berths, good car parking and services such as toilets and showers, and we’ve added washing and drying facilities to the services provided. Boat owners either use the marina to store their boats, ready to take them out, or to live on them for short periods, so good facilities are important.

“We worked on the jetties to make them good as a quick fix, as they were falling apart, and we’ve made various improvements on the waterway itself. Our aim will be to undertake full jetty replacement over the summer months to give a long-lasting solution.”

The Rothen Group worked with Leamington Spa-based Blythe Liggins Solicitors to secure the deal to acquire Fazeley Marina. Charlotte said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Blythe Liggins, and the company has worked with us as we have grown.

“Nick Watts from Blythe Liggins worked with us to secure our first marina, so it was great to have him on board to help with the acquisition of our second.”