Chris Hellings, sponsored by Pardoes had a great year with some top results in the BTRDA Rally Championship.

Stepping up from last year, with a new car, the Ti Motorsport built MG finally came together with just a few hours to spare before the first event of the season - the Wydedean Rally, Monmouthshire. The event weekend coincided with the ‘cold snap' in February 09 and conditions were more like ‘Rally Sweden' and very different to anything normally experienced in the UK. However, despite the extraordinary slippery stages, and an unfamiliar car that needed a few set up tweaks, the team was very pleased to come home mid way down the class in 6th giving a positive start to the championships.

The next rally saw Chris take second place, a first Rally First podium finish as well as top Somerset Crew.

Unfortunately, wet and slippery conditions and technical car faults didn't prove for a great start at the Plains Rally, Mid Wales, the third rally in the championship. However, Chris showed he has definitely got the pace to complete setting his first Rally First fastest stage time through the infamous Mick Jones' Timber Yard.

Pushing through the stages and Chris currently 6th in the championship, the next round took Chris back to Mid Wales and the Epynt ranges (used as part of Wales Rally GB) for the Quinton Rally. The stages are renowned for being fast and flowing, which suited the car perfectly. Chris held 3rd for the majority of the day but got pipped by 1 second on the last stage to drop to 4th in Rally First, however, finishing 9th 1400 overall, this was Chris's best overall result to date.

Finally, moving onto the Woodpecker, despite fierce competition, Chris held up third position and developing a reasonable buffer to the rest of the field was hopeful for 2nd place in the final stage. However, engine problems towards the end of the stage brought an end to the day, season and championship.

All in all it a proved a great year with some top results and with a bit more time in the car and set up refinements, Chris has proved that he has got the pace to complete at a national level.

Pardoes have proudly supported Chris Hellings since 2007, Chris competing in the Peugeot 205 Challenge in 2008 progressing to the BTDRA in 2009.

Guy Eskell, specialist in Clinical Negligence work and member of the Law Society's Clinical Negligence panel issued judicial review proceedings against Plymouth City Council on behalf of, and as litigation friend for, the Claimant who because of his injuries, lacks capacity to litigate on his own behalf.

The Claimant, a disabled road accident victim was just nine when he was struck down by a private ambulance. As a result he was left paraplegic and dependant on constant care. Eleven years after the accident he was awarded £1,139,000 compensation payout for his injuries. Part of the award was applied in buying, adapting and equipping a suitable home for the Claimant, with the balance being invested. The Claimant had no other capital and no income save for the state benefits to which he was entitled, amounting to approximately £180.00 per week, and the income from the invested fund, approximately £26,000 per annum, gross.

The Claimant claimed he was being unlawfully charged for his care by Plymouth City Council, their stance being that his income from that award - about £700,000 of it remains invested in the Court of Protection - should be taken into account when assessing his entitlement to free non-residential care. The total charge for day services which the authority provided the Claimant in the instant case normally amounted to approximately £163 per week.

The issue of charging the Claimant for his non-residential care was not in dispute, but Mr Guy Eskell argued the Council had "blindly applied" guidelines and "unlawfully fettered" its own discretion over whether or not the Claimant should be made to contribute towards his care.

The challenge was dismissed by Mr Justice Holman who said the Council had explained that due to the "considerable budgetary pressures" posed by the city's ageing population its policy is to charge for care services "where it is permitted to do so... in order to maximise the services that can be provided".

During the hearing, the Judge was told that the Council was now in the process of reviewing its policy on whether damages awards should be taken into account for care charging purposes.

Although the High Court dismissed the accident victim's appeal, it was still a great achievement to successfully pursue this case all the way to the High Court for a Judicial Review.

For full details, please see the Law Report [2009] ALL ER (D) 122 (Dec) and Judgment [2009] EWHC 3279 (Admin)

Summary also available here

Pardoes are delighted to be sponsoring the annual CIPD West of England Branch Conference and Exhibition on Wednesday 6th January 2010. The theme of the conference is ‘Survival of the Fittest' and is designed to help you deal with the challenges you face in your profession. It will be an opportunity to hear the latest news from local national HR suppliers, plus a great opportunity to network with your local colleagues.

As well as sponsoring the conference, Pardoes will be sending along a team of employment law experts, who will be offering a Clinic on the day. You can book a half-hour consultation with either of our solicitors, and appointments can be made either in advance of the conference or on the day.

Sean McDonough is an Employment Law specialist and heads up the Firm's Employment and HR Department and Business Seminars Group. He has significant experience of dealing with varied contentious and non-contentious cases and work on behalf of senior executives and employees within PLCs, NHS Trusts, Charities, Further Education Colleges and SMEs. Sean also provides in house training for clients. He is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Sarah Driscoll is a solicitor and works within our Employment & HR department. She assists both employers and employees. For employers her work includes preparation and audit of employment contracts, policies and procedures. Sarah also advises on all aspects of the employment relationship, to protect employers against the risk of claims and offering strategic advice and support should a dispute arise. For employees, Sarah provides advice on rights associated, for example, with dismissal and discrimination.
Also attending from Pardoes will be Andy Bevins, who is our Business Development Manager. Andy will be on hand to answer any broader questions regarding the Firm and the broad range of services we have to offer.
There will be four speakers attending on the day;

Dr. Graeme Codrington (FPSA) will be presenting "Mind the Gap: understanding different generations";
Debbie Wilkes will be presenting "Leadership and Power in HR";

Gerwyn Davies will be presenting "Anticipating future trends in the UK job Market"; and

Professor Patrick W. Jordan will be presenting "The psychology of Success - How to Thrive in good times and bad"

Also exhibiting will be People Management Magazine, Upgrading Stand - to enable you to get the best support and advice, Free Massage provided by Angel Complementary & Beauty Therapies and Graphology Jane Shaw Cunningham will be providing free readings.

To arrange to see either Sean McDonough or Sarah Driscoll at the Conference, please contact Sarah-Jane Myers on 01935 382680 or email her at sarah.myers@pardoes.co.uk