Ed Fletcher in Forward Magazine
The August edition of forward magazine is focusing on Family Matters and addresses the impact of a spinal cord injury on family members. A number of professionals have written about the importance of family support in recovery and the alternative ways of securing the necessary support if you don’t have family around you.
Landmark Case for Rescuers
Fletchers Solicitors represented Mr David Tolley in a Landmark case which was heard over two days before High Court Judge Mr Justice Hickinbottom at Chester Crown Court on the 10th/11th May 2010.
Mr Tolley sustained life changing injuries in November 2006 in a Road Traffic Accident which occurred in November 2006 on the M53 motorway.
On the day of the accident the weather was squally and an isolated hailstorm had occurred at approximately 7.15am on the morning of the accident. Mr Tolley was travelling southbound on the M53 when a vehicle overtook him and lost control spinning just in front of Mr Tolley’s own vehicle. Mr Tolley stopped his vehicle to assist this driver and to ensure that he was uninjured. Once Mr Tolley had ensured the driver was not injured he then noticed a lone female sitting in her car in the outside/fast lane of the northbound carriageway of the M53. Eye witness said that she appeared to be frozen.
Mr Tolley realised that she was in immediate danger and with the assistance of the driver who had just lost control of his vehicle they both went to the aid of the stranded female
Mr Tolley climbed over the central reservation and assisted the stranded driver from her car and handed her to the safety of his co rescuer. It was at this point Mr Tolley realised the stranded vehicle which was protruding onto the fast lane of the northbound carriageway had to be moved to ensure there was no further accident or carnage on the northbound side. Mr Tolley was in the process of entering the vehicle when it was hit in quick succession by a car and a transit van as a result Mr Tolley was catapulted along the northbound carriageway sustaining life changing injuries.
Liability for the accident was disputed between the three Co Defendants, the Co Defendants believed Mr Tolley was contributory negligent in his actions by trying to move the stranded vehicle to safety. The Co Defendants believed Mr Tolley was foolhardy and believed he was 1/3rd to 25% responsible for his injuries as a result of his actions.
Fletchers Solicitors, based on the expert and eye witness evidence, were not prepared to accept any contributory negligence on behalf of Mr Tolley, his actions were commended as heroic by many of the witnesses.
The case was listed for a two day trial at Chester Crown Court before the High Court Judge Mr Justice Hickinbottom on the 10th and 11th May 2010. Mr Justice Hickinbottom heard all of the evidence and gave his judgment on the second day of the trial.
In Mr Justice Hickinbottom's Judgment he commented on Mr Tolley’s actions were actions of exceptional bravery and he was not foolhardy and Mr Tolley was brave and his actions were commendable in assisting a fellow motorist, Mr Justice Hickinbottom dismissed the Co Defendants arguments that Mr Tolley was contributory negligent in his actions.
Mr Tolley was represented by Mr Bill Braithwaite QC (Exchange Chambers) and Mr Jeremy Greenfield (Harrington Street Chambers), Mr Edward Fletcher and Mrs. Julia Eyton. If you have comments or wish to discuss any aspects of this article then please do not hesitate to contact Fletchers Solicitors.
Ed Fletcher Delivers Sarrie the Camel
15 Feb 2010 - 09:35
Ed Fletcher, Director delivered Sarrie the camel and the match ball to the centre of Wembley today for the Saracens v Worcester Warriors match on Saturday in front of more than 40,000 fans.
Saracens were 25-20 winners eventually in a epic premiership battle.
Neil de Kock's second half try completed a great comeback from the home side and it was another great family day out at the world famous stadium.
No-one will forget the entrance by Sarrie The Camel.
Leading barrister speaks out at Law Society dinner
Nov 20 2009 by Kathryn Carr, Southport Visiter
A LEADING barrister has spoken out about the challenges facing young lawyers today.
Gerard McDermott, QC, outlined the difficulties that can be encountered by young people starting out in the profession in a speech to members of the Southport and Ormskirk Law Society at their annual dinner last week.
Over 170 guests gathered in the Waterfront Suite at Southport’s Floral Hall for the event, which gives local solicitors the chance to meet up and socialise together.
And the points raised by the guest speaker struck a chord with many members.
President of the Law Society, Ed Fletcher, of Fletchers Solicitors said: “Gerard McDermott spoke about an issue that is really important to us all as a society.
“Over the last 18 months we have been very keen to provide support – from both a financial and a mentoring perspective – to young lawyers and legal executives.
“At the moment I think the system is rather flawed, in that almost every university offers a law degree option, and lots of unis offer legal practice courses, which is what solicitors do after the law degree. But unfortunately the training institutions are saturating the market with trained graduates, and there just aren’t enough jobs for them. Supply has outstripped demand.”
Despite these hurdles, Ed remains optimistic about the future for young lawyers.
He added: “Hopefully, things will improve in the next five or 10 years. But in the meantime we feel it’s very important to try, as a society, to provide young solicitors with the support they need, to try and keep them focussed, positive and upbeat for the good times that will follow.”
Gail Peterson, of Peterson Solicitors on Lord Street, said: “It is very difficult for young lawyers. It’s very tough out there, even for people who have years of experience .
“The recession is really affecting accountants and lawyers. I don’t think students are being fully prepared when they apply to study law; they should understand that at the moment there are less training contracts available than there are students graduating from university.”
The evening was particularly special for Gail, who has been arranging the Law Society dinners for the past 20 years, as it was to be her final year as organiser.
She said: “I am sad that it’s my last year organising it, as I have got to meet a lot of people I wouldn’t necessarily have met.”
Gail, who was one of the society’s only two female presidents five years ago, says the Law Society black tie dinners are an important part of the calendar for lawyers working in the Southport and Ormskirk areas.
She explained: “The main point of it is that it’s the only time we all get together socially.
“The annual dinner is an opportunity for society members to mingle; they can bring a guest, and get dressed up. It’s a very enjoyable social event.”
Fletchers Solicitors Serious Injury Client Makes National News
Michael Barclay, and his sister Mary, agreed to support the MIBs Stay Insured campaign. Injured after being hit by an uninsured driver whilst on his moped, Michael Braclay was represented by the award winning Fletchers Solicitors Serious Injury Team. View Micheals story here: