News

News

 

Excellent Reviews for David Head and Louise Taft’s popular talk on Employment Law: Redundancy for Law Works (28 October 2011)

 

David Head and Louise Taft, senior Employment Solicitors with Duncan Lewis and leading members of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, had given a talk on Redundancy back in May 2011 that was so popular Law Works asked them to come back and deliver another session and received excellent reviews.

 

 

Duncan Lewis listed in the Legal 500 2011 Directory (27 September 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis has been listed in the 2011 Legal 500 in four categories. The firm was listed as a Legal 500 law firm for Family in the 2010 Legal 500 and have now managed to show their strengths by being listed in 3 other sections of the Legal 500.

 

 

Ex-Partner and Solicitor’s return to Duncan Lewis (5 September 2011)

 

With over 400 employees, Duncan Lewis expects some level of staff turnover. It is reassuring to know that Duncan Lewis are doing something right as we are proud to welcome back former Duncan Lewis employees back to the firm.

 

 

Rise within the ranks sees new Practice Manager at Duncan Lewis (5 September 2011)

 

The Board of Director at Duncan Lewis has great pleasure in announcing the appointment a new Practice Manager

 

 

Duncan Lewis donates £1,000 to the Refugee Youth Project (31 August 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis donated £1,000 to the chosen charity, Refugee Youth Project to assist them in the fantastic work that they do.

 

 

Immigration Accreditation (17 August 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis are pleased to announce and congratulate the following individuals for achieving their Level 2, Immigration Accreditation

 

 

Duncan Lewis summer intake totals 23 Trainee Solicitors (11 July 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis Solicitors are proud to announce the appointment of an additional 23 trainee solicitors in its recent summer intake.

 

 

Duncan Lewis awarded Disability Symbol User Accreditation for another 12 months (27 June 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis is pleased to announce the outcome of our most recent annual audit by the Job Centre Plus has resulted in the the firm being awarded the Disability Symbol accreditation for a further 12 months.

 

 

Duncan Lewis raise almost £2,000 for Cancer Research in Race for Life (26 June 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis raise almost £2,000 for Cancer Research with a team of ladies running in the Race for Life at Hyde Park in rainy conditons.

 

 

Duncan Lewis raise over £4,000 for the Brisith Heart Foundation (19 June 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis had a team of over 20 riders for the second year running to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation. They beat last yeays fundraising effort and managed to raise over £4,000 for the chairty.

 

 

Duncan Lewis opens new office in South West London (13 June 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis has opened a new office in Tooting Broadway on Monday 13th June 2011. Duncan Lewis has relocated from their office in Clapham Junction (which is due to be redeveloped) to Tooting to maintain the firms presence in the South West of London.

 

 

Mental Health Solicitor at Duncan Lewis shortlisted for LALY Mental Health Award (25 May 2011)

 

Kate Luscombe of Duncan Lewis has been shortlisted for the 2011 LALY Mental Health Lawyer of the Year award.

 

 

Duncan Lewis raise £750 for London Legal Support Trust (16 May 2011)

 

The walk was led by the Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls and the Attorney General. Duncan Lewis raised £750 for the London Legal Support Trust

 

 

Duncan Lewis donate £750 to the Laila Salehzehi Charitable Foundation (2 May 2011)

 

The Laila Salehzehi Charitable Foundation (LSCF) was set up in 2008 by the family and friends of the late Laila Salehzehi. Duncan Lewis donated £750 to the LSCF.

 

 

Family Mediation - The Journey (18 April 2011)

 

Mediation is now at the forefront of family law in England and Wales. In February 2011, Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly announced that before making an application to court couples must first attend a meeting with a mediator to learn about mediation.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Congratulates Immigration team for Achieving Level 2 Immigration Accreditation (12 April 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis has an extensive team of immigration workers, consisting of immigration solicitors and specialists to provide help in a variety of different languages.

Duncan Lewis congratulates members of the immigration team for their efforts and hard work to achieve their Level 2 IAAS accreditation.

 

 

Duncan Lewis dress down day raises over £1,500 for the Japan Earthquake/Pacific Tsunami (8 April 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis holds dress down days regularly to raise money for charity. This month Duncan Lewis Charity Committee chose to raise money for the victims of the Japan Earthquake.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Press Release: Court of Appeal to reconsider the principles applicable to awarding costs in the Administrative Court (21 March 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis were today granted permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal against decisions refusing to award costs to the Claimants in the High Court in a test case.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Bake off raises money for Spinal Charity (11 March 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis Bake off raises over £200 and a further £1,000 was donated by Duncan Lewis' charity committee.

 

 

Kate Luscombe represents AH in the case of AH v WLMHT to achieve landmark ruling (9 March 2011)

 

A patient in Broadmoor Hospital who has spent more than two decades alongside some of Britain's most dangerous criminals has won the right to have a review into his detention heard in public.

 

 

Duncan Lewis donates £1,000 to the Shaw Trust (25 February 2011)

 

The Shaw Trust is an organisation that helps those who are at a social disadvantage to obtain full time employment. Duncan Lewis supported this charity by making a donation of £1,000.

 

 

Rhea Edes attains her Mental Health Panel Membership (15 February 2011)

 

Rhea Edes has just attained her Mental Health Panel Membership. Rhea undertook her training contract at Duncan Lewis and qualified as a solicitor in May 2008.

 

 

Duncan Lewis raises £3,000 for Redbridge Single Homelessness Project at Annual Office Party (14 February 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis held their annual office party at the Queens Tower Room at Imperial College London. The firm hosted the event for 300 guests who enjoyed a champagne filled reception and a three course sit down dinner and dance.

 

 

Success in the ECtHR (2 February 2011)

 

Duncan Lewis’s application to the European Court of Human Rights for an injunction preventing the removal of our client ‘VG’ to Jamaica has today been granted.

 

 

Duncan Lewis to have a winter trainee intake (3 December 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis has maintained a constant commitment to support career progression within the firm, assisting with the formal training of new legal professionals within the legal aid world environment. This is under pinned by Gold IIP, Lexcel accreditation and a number of legal aid franchises.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Trainee offered Solicitors roles in Public Law team, Shepherds Bush Branch (26 November 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis is committed to providing training and has shown in the past that there are career progression opportunities at the firm. Sonia Lenegan recently completed her training contract at Duncan Lewis and has since been offered a solicitor role in the Public Law team at Duncan Lewis' Shepherds Bush branch.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Indian Dual Qualifiers pass QLTT (25 November 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis offered a select number of Indian solicitors to participate in their Dual Qualifying scheme. The Dual Qualifier program is the first program of its kind and is aimed at Indian Solicitors who want to gain experience with a reputed London firm and go on to qualify as a solicitor in the UK.

 

 

Duncan Lewis receive positive feedback from annual monitoring visit from Lexcel (25 November 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis has had a successful annual monitoring visit from Lexcel. The annual visit checks the firm’s compliance on many levels including; structure and policies, financial management, people management, supervision and risk management, client care and file and case management.

 

 

Two more qualify as Crime Duty Solicitors at Duncan Lewis (11 November 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis is happy announce that Crime Solicitor Andre Crump and Duncan Roberts, both based at Duncan Lewis Hackney Branch have recently become Crime Duty Solicitors.

 

 

Court slams Home Office attempt to stifle justice (11 November 2010)

 

Ms Pengayo was studying with Leave in the United Kingdom. She enrolled upon a course at an approved college in accordance with Home Office Guidelines. Later however the college was removed from the register because it had been found to be issuing some bogus qualifications.

 

 

Duncan Lewis: successful in trainee audit (5 November 2010)

 

On November 1st 2010, Duncan Lewis had a training contract monitoring visit from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The visit proved very positive – Duncan Lewis was complimented on the current arrangements. It was noted that there was no forthcoming suggestion on how these could be improved.

 

 

Detention Centre contracts outcome from the Legal Services Commission (3 November 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis has been awarded contracts for onsite surgery rotas and in immigration services for fast track scheme rotas at many immigration removal centres. Duncan Lewis has one of the largest immigration departments in the UK.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Peer Review results (2 November 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis’ Mental Health department have achieved a peer review rating of 2. This result is exemplary of Duncan Lewis Mental Health department as many of our solicitors are accredited as Mental Health panel members.

 

 

Where will the legal aid lawyers of the future come from? (2 November 2010)

 

Adam Makepeace, Practice Director at Duncan Lewis comments on Catherine Baksi's blog "Where will the legal aid lawyers of the future come from?"

 

 

Duncan Lewis donates £800 to the Asian women’s resource centre (29 October 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis Director Jitender Birah presented a cheque for £800 to the Director of Asian Women’s Resource Centre on behalf of Duncan Lewis. The Asian Women's Resouce Centre were extremely pleased to received this amount particularly given they had recently been told their funding was being cut from the government and they were desperately trying to raise funds to continue this vital service.

 

 

New Crime Practice Manager, Ian Powell to join Duncan Lewis in January 2011 (22 October 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Powell to join us as the Crime Practice Manager at Duncan Lewis from 4 January 2011.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Charity Committee progress; a year on (20 October 2010)

 

Over a year has passed since Duncan Lewis Charity Committee has been set up and over £20,000 in total has been raised for various charities as nominated by employees of Duncan Lewis.

 

 

Legal aid budget too easy a sacrificial victim in government spending review. Access to justice for 2 million vulnerable people now under threat (20 October 2010)

 

As Britain's biggest provider of legal aid services, Duncan Lewis is shocked at today’s announced cuts in the legal aid budget which fared worse than many other departments. Despite the fact that over 2 million vulnerable people depend on legal aid for access to justice, the Minister of Justice Kenneth Clark MP has clearly been unable able to put their case sufficiently strongly during the comprehensive public spending review.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Department expands (16 October 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis has recently recruited 14 Mental Health consultant freelance solicitors to make their Mental Health freelance team reach 18.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Trainees offered Solicitors roles in Housing Team, Hackney Branch (14 October 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis is committed to providing training and has shown in the past that there are career progression opportunities at the firm. Mandeep Sahota did her training contract at Duncan Lewis and has just been offered a permanent role in the Housing team in Hackney, where she will be supervised by Housing Partner S K Sivapunniyam.

 

 

Six Crime freelance consultants join Duncan Lewis from AP Law (13 October 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis is happy to welcome six crime freelance consultants to Duncan Lewis who have all joined us from AP Law.

 

 

Family and Child Care team expands at Duncan Lewis (12 October 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis are pleased to announce that their Child Care and Family team in Shepherds Bush has expanded.

 

 

Duncan Lewis brings a test case for damages claims (12 October 2010)

 

Now thousands more stand to benefit as Duncan Lewis are acting in a test case that will establish the basis upon which damages should be awarded to those wrongfully excluded from the employment market, which will be heard on 26th October.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Comments On High Court Ruling In Legal Services Commission Case (30 September 2010)

 

Whilst the High Court has found in favour of the Law Society, the decision only adds to the general climate of uncertainty in the legal aid system. Duncan Lewis believes the system needs the government to safeguard its future, not court cases.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Congratulates Trio for Achieving Level 3 Immigration Accreditation (30 September 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis has an extensive team of immigration workers, consisting of immigration solicitors and specialists to provide help in a variety of different languages. All of our immigration team; solicitors, trainee solicitors and caseworkers will have completed their Law Society’s Immigration & Asylum Accreditation Scheme (IAAS), which is mandatory to perform immigration related work for legal aid clients.

 

 

Immigration department increases with 4 more level 2 immigration caseworkers joining Duncan Lewis (27 September 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis is proud to announce the growth of their immigration department with the addition of six more level 2 immigration accredited solicitors.

 

 

Duncan Lewis successful in Family Peer review audit (27 September 2010)

 

Every law firm gets reviewed regularly to make sure that they are maintaining a set standard. Duncan Lewis’ Family department were peer reviewed in September 2010. Outcome of the audit was level 2 competency plus.

 

 

Duncan Lewis nominated for Law society awards excellence in equality and diversity (17 September 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis has been nominated for excellence in equality and diversity. Duncan Lewis represents the society around us by including a variety of characteristics, which contribute to make each of us unique. Two thirds of our workforce defines themselves as other than white, we speak 41 different languages and six

 

 

Duncan Lewis raises money for children after the floods in Pakistan (10 September 2010)

 

On Friday 10th September Duncan Lewis took part in a dress down day to raise money for the children’s appeal with Unicef after the Pakistan flood.

 

 

Duncan Lewis raise £600 for Children's Appeal - Pakistan Floods (10 September 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis held a dress down day on Friday 10th September to raise money for the children’s appeal with Unicef after the Pakistan flood. Almost £600 was raised for the children’s appeal.

 

 

In limbo, with no end in sight - Naim Rahman comments on the recent case law entitling 45,000 people the right to work (5 August 2010)

 

‘ZO’ was a lone, vulnerable, young single female who had suffered truly terrible treatment in her home country of Somalia. Refused asylum on an initial application, she submitted a second claim based on previously unavailable evidence. This claim, once considered, was highly likely to result in a grant of leave to remain in the UK.

 

 

Duncan Lewis wins right to work for 45,000 people (30 July 2010)

 

An estimated 45,000 will be entitled to work in the UK as a result of the Supreme Court ruling in “ZO” – in a case brought by Duncan Lewis solicitors.

Delays in the time it takes for the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to process asylum claims causes hardship to thousands. These hardships were exacerbated by the inability to find lawful work during the time spent waiting for a decision.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Sports Day and Picnic raises over £500 for Young Minds (28 July 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis Charity and Social Committee joined forces to hold the first Duncan Lewis sports day/picnic. Overall over £500 was raised for Young Minds.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Immigration Service set to expand across London (6 July 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis’ Immigration Department is set to expand across all six of their offices. More than 120 immigration solicitors, trainees and caseworkers make up the current Duncan Lewis immigration team to cover three of their offices; Hackney, Harrow and Shepherds Bush.

 

 

GET LEGAL ADVICE ON THE WEEKEND (1 July 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis opens surgery doors on Saturdays

The UK's leading Legal Aid practice Duncan Lewis has extended its Drop-in Service and is now opening its doors of their Hackney branch to the public on Saturdays.

 

 

DL awarded Crime contract in Shepherds Bush-Baljit and Sioban will set up a core dept there in July 2010 (1 July 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis’ ever growing Crime department is set to expand further. The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has awarded a Crime contract for their office in Shepherd Bush.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Family Department to Provide a Family Mediation Service (28 June 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis’ Family Department is set to expand the provision of its service further, having been awarded a Family Mediation contract, due to start in October 2010.

 

 

Race For Life - Almost £1,000 raised for Cancer Reseach (27 June 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis Ladies run 5 Km for the Race for life in Richmond Park. They raised almost £1,000 for Cancer Research.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Statement (22 June 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis sympathises with the unfortunate circumstances in which the RMJ have found themselves

 

 

Duncan Lewis participate in London to Brighton bike ride raising almost £4,000 for BHF (20 June 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis sent out a team of 23 to cycle 54 miles from London to Brighton on June 20th 2010. The race started at Clapham Common and the team were full of energy and raring to go. The team included Duncan Lewis’ CEO, Shany Gupta, and Practice director Adam Makepeace.

 

 

Duncan Lewis has a Personal Injury Department (14 June 2010)

 

If you’ve had an accident, you may be due compensation. Injuries may occur as a result of accidents such as on the road, or when visiting someone at their home or place or work. Our new Personal Injury Department may be able to get you compensation.

 

 

Naim Rahman wins SAL Young Lawyer of the Year 2010 (12 May 2010)

 

Who says hard work and determination don’t pay off? Naim and colleagues attended the Society of Asian Lawyers 15th Annual Ball at the Mariott Grosvenor Square. The night was well attended and an enjoyable night was had by all. Naim who joined the firm in 2003 qualified as a solicitor in June 2006 was presented with the award for Young Lawyer of the Year 2010 by the Vice President of the Law Society of England and Wales, Linda Lee, and the Chairman of the Society of Asian Lawyers, Sundeep Bhatia. He is currently a Partner and Joint Head of the Public Law department, based at the Hackney office.

 

 

DUNCAN LEWIS SOLICITOR NOMINATED FOR PRESTIGIOUS MENTAL HEALTH AWARD (4 May 2010)

 

Andrea Spyrou of Duncan Lewis has been shortlisted for the 2010 Mental Health Lawyer of the Year award.

 

 

Duncan Lewis Charity Committee hold another successful event raising £1,440.70 for FRU (16 April 2010)

 

In total the bake off successfully fed the hungry herds of Duncan Lewis and managed to raise £1,440.70 for FRU.

 

 

Child Care Team Expansion: Phuong Truong Joins Duncan Lewis (12 April 2010)

 

Phuong qualified as a solicitor in December 2000 and has specialised in all areas of family law since, including divorce, financial disputes, cohabitation, S14 TOLATA and all private law children matters, contact, residence.

 

 

Crime Duty Solicitor Stacey McAdam joins Duncan Lewis (6 April 2010)

 

Stacey qualified as a Solicitor in 2004 and joined Duncan Lewis in April 2010 specialising in Criminal Law.

She has gained Police Station Advisor Accreditation as well as the Magistrates Court Duty Accreditation and joins Duncan Lewis as a Qualified Duty Solicitor.

 

 

Pro Bono Committee (25 March 2010)

 

Duncan Lewis is proud to be able to deliver a high standard of legal advice across a wide range of areas whilst conducting its business in a socially responsible manner. Our day to day practice highlights to us the growing severity of the unmet legal needs of the disadvantaged in the communities we serve, and we are responding to it.

 

 

Child Care Team Expansion: Melita Johnson Joins Duncan Lewis (1 March 2010)

 

Melita joined Duncan Lewis Solicitors in March 2010. She is a senior Child Care Solicitor based at the New Cross Gate office.

 

 

Dress Down Day - £1,470.00 raised for Richard House Hospice (24 February 2010)

 

Richard House is a purpose built children's hospice in east London. It was registered as a charity in 1996 and was London’s first Children’s Hospice. On the 24th February 2010 Ilana Hutton and Jitender Birah attended Richard House Hospice and met with Alex and Ali and proudly presented them with a cheque for the sum of £1,470.00 on behalf of Duncan Lewis.

 

 

Crime Duty Solicitor Siobhan Knight joins Duncan Lewis (25 January 2010)

 

Siobhan joined Duncan Lewis in January 2010 and is a Criminal Solicitor based at the Clapham Junction office.

 

 

Duncan Lewis raise £1,954 for Haiti and staff Re-branding party (22 January 2010)

 

The Launch Party saw a large turnout of Duncan Lewis staff, who also brought along with them very generous donations and together we raised £1,954 for the Haiti victims of the earthquake through Unicef which included our CEO, Shany Gupta donating the equivalent of whatever was raised.

 

 

Child Care Team Expansion: Georgina Suman Joins Duncan Lewis (1 January 2010)

 

Georgina qualified as a Solicitor in 2004 and joined Duncan Lewis in January 2010, specialising in Family Law. She is a member of the Law Society Family Law Accreditation Panel.

 

 

£1,400 raised for Action for Children in Duncan Lewis Bake Off (18 December 2009)

 

Laila Bhunnoo and Dounia Arstim visited the offices of Action for Children in Hackney and proudly presented them with a cheque, for the sum of £1,400. Action for Children were chosen as the recipients of Duncan Lewis’ ‘Bake Off’ that was held on the 13th November 2009, to raise as much as possible for Action for Children.

 

 

£1,406 raised for Re-Think at Duncan Lewis Charity football tournament (14 October 2009)

 

£1,406.95 was raised amongst Duncan Lewis employess on Wednesday 14th October 2009 at the first inter-branch football competition.

 

 

Dress Down Day (14 October 2009)

 

Hope is such a simple word but is not so easy delivered. As we entered through the glass doors into an open plan reception it is clear this is not a normal doctor’s surgery. Small paper doves hang from the ceiling, and the waiting room opens out into a peaceful garden. For those who have suffered abuse and torture, having been detained, processed, and released into modest NASS accommodation or are sleeping on someone’s floor, this could very well be the first place they have been to which feels safe.

 

 

London Covered (1 September 2009)

 

In September 2009 Duncan Lewis will open its 6th office. The office “New Cross Gate” office is based near New Cross station in an area which has a significant unmet need for legal aid advice.

 

 

Charity Committee gets off to a flying start (1 August 2009)

 

Duncan Lewis has established a Charity Committee with a mandate to coordinate and develop all the charitable work undertaken by the company. The committee has its own budget of £1,000 per month .......

 

 

Duncan Lewis raise over £2,000 in the Race for Life for Cancer Research (19 July 2009)

 

Duncan Lewis employees raise over £2,000 for Cancer Research by participating in the Race for Life in Hyde Park.

 

 

Duncan Lewis has been awarded a founder membership of QualitySolicitors.com (1 April 2009)

 

Leading local firm, Duncan Lewis & Co Solicitors, has been awarded a founder membership of an exclusive nationwide alliance of high quality solicitor firms, .....

 

 

Disability Symbol Agreement (19 September 2008)

 

On 19 September 2008, the firm sent a delegation to attend a function hosted by Jobcentre Plus at Stratford Town Hall. .....

 

 

Duncan Lewis acquires White Ryland solicitors! (1 September 2008)

 

Duncan Lewis has completed its first acquisition. Up until now the growth of Duncan Lewis has been organic .....

 

 

Duncan Lewis expands Dalston office (1 September 2008)

 

Duncan Lewis has undergone further expansion in the vicinity of its largest office on Kingsland High Street in Hackney. .....