In Focus with Graham Mitchell

Focus on…

2022

through the lens of Graham Mitchell

After 2 years living with Covid, 2022 saw life getting back to cautious normality. It was so good seeing the town’s events re-emerging, and to be out there photographing them. Oswestry loves to celebrate, and we did it in style again this year. So, I felt that in this Christmas issue we should look back at a few highlights. And look forward to 2023.

Lanyon Bowdler shortlisted for two national awards

Oswestry law fi rm Lanyon Bowdler has been shortlisted in two categories at the national Personal Injury Awards. The awards, now in their 15th year, recognise the excellence of law fi rms and individuals across the personal injury and medical negligence sectors, with 21 awards being presented on the night.

Lanyon Bowdler has been named as a fi nalist in the Clinical Negligence Team of the Year category and Beth Heath, a partner and head of Lanyon Bowdler’s clinical negligence team, is a fi nalist in the Clinical Negligence Lawyer of the Year category. Brian Evans, managing partner, at Lanyon Bowdler said, “We are delighted to be shortlisted in two categories at the Personal Injury Awards - the country’s leading awards in the personal injury and clinical negligence sectors.

“It recognises our position as one of the top legal fi rms and is a particularly pleasing achievement because the judging process is always extremely thorough. Being shortlisted also demonstrates how our lawyers regularly go above and beyond supporting clients during extremely diffi cult periods of their lives.

“Our clinical negligence team, which has an enviable reputation within the industry, works tirelessly on behalf of our clients and fully deserves to be recognised on the national stage with this shortlisting.

“And it’s only right that Beth, the leader of the team and one of the fi nest lawyers in the country in her fi eld, should also be recognised in this way.

“The award judges look for team collaboration and coordination leading to the best possible outcomes and wins for clients, and a heightened understanding of, and demonstrable commitment to, the needs of catastrophically injured clients and their families.

“Catastrophic injuries are life-changing; they include devastating brain injuries, amputations and spinal cord injuries. Achieving the maximum level of compensation is vital to ensure day-to-day needs are met both now and particularly in the future.”

Beth’s shortlisting was a result of a written submission which outlined the commitment she has to her clients and her passion to achieve successful outcomes.

The judges form an independent panel of experts chosen for their expertise, experience and positions within the fi eld of personal injury.

Beth Heath

Our People, Your Team

Here to Help

We can hold meetings via telephone and video, we are also able to offer face-to-face appointments. Please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Legal services including:

• Agriculture • Business Law • Family Law • Clinical Negligence • Court of Protection • Disputes • Education • Employment Law • Motoring & Crime • Personal Injury • Property • Wills, Trusts & Probate

Contact us:

39 - 41 Church Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2SZ

01691 652241 info@lblaw.co.uk www.lblaw.co.uk

5 surprising facts about pensions

By Paula Hurford, Wealth Management Consultant at Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management

1.People prefer doing the chores

A recent survey* by ABI found that 48% of adults did not check on their retirement savings in the last year but spent at least 30 minutes per week on household chores! Taking the time to understand your pension provision can be a huge relief. 2. A different kind of gift

Whether already retired or not, if you have surplus income, you can help your loved ones by paying into a pension on their behalf. There are restrictions on contribution amounts, but this could be a huge help to those who cannot afford to save themselves. 3. What a relief

Non tax-payers, including those who are not earning and children are eligible for tax relief of 20% on pension contributions, even though they do not pay tax! The maximum level of tax relief is currently £720 per year. Tax relief is a bonus from the government for saving for your future. 4. The oldies may not be the goldies

Some types of older pensions could have limited options on how you can draw your benefi ts, which may not be the most tax effi cient route for you. Always speak to an adviser to understand any potentially valuable benefi ts these pensions may have though before deciding on any course of action.

5. Helping from the ‘other side’

Pension savings do not count towards the value of your estate upon death for inheritance tax purposes, so it may be appropriate to consider this in the grand legacy plan. It is important to ensure that you have named who you wish to receive any pension benefi ts. Next time you go to grab that duster, why not dig out the old pension paperwork instead? If you would like any help with any aspect of fi nancial planning, please get in touch for a no obligation chat.

The value of an investment with St James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief is dependent upon individual circumstances.

*ABI 07/10/2022: Pension Attention campaign urges people to ditch a chore to do some pension admin.

We believe in connections. We help you plan in the present for the future, where you and your loved ones come first.  Bespoke financial advice around: PROTECTION PLANNING INVESTMENT PLANNING RETIREMENT PLANNING TAX

We can come to you!

Arrange a meeting at a time and place convenient for you  01978 311611|  paula.hurford@sjpp.co.uk  www.hadlowedwards.co.uk

Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The 'St. James's Place Partnership' and the titles 'Partner' and 'Partner Practice' are marketing terms used to describe St. James's Place representatives.