The Irwin Mitchell Podcast

Speaking out about bullying, particularly when you work for a large organisation like the Armed Forces, can be very frightening. And, if following the correct process doesn’t solve the problem, it can be hard to know where to turn. Our client, Chris, spoke to our military solicitor and podcast host Carol Purang to share his lived experience of bullying and harassment in the military. They’re joined by Chris’s therapist, Jo Rogers from JTR Hypnotherapy and Dr Vicky Aldridge from our charity partner, Combat Stress.Together they discussed:The impact that bullying and harassment has on those who experience it.The importance of keeping a record of your experience if you are being bullied or harassed.Where you can access support, particularly if it feels like there’s no one you can turn to within the organisation you work for.How society can play a part in reducing the shame and stigma felt by those being bullied.If you’ve been impacted by bullying and harassment in the military, or in your place of work, our expert solicitors are here to support you every step of the way. Further support and resources are available from our charity partner, Combat Stress.

Our host, Lewis Quarmby speaks to Royal Air Force veteran, Carl Austin-Behan, about his lived experience of the ban on LGBT personnel in the armed forces. They were joined by Peter Gibson, Chief Executive of Fighting With Pride, and Sarah Jones from our employee network IM Equal. On 12 December 2024, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme made recognition payments available to those who served in the Armed Forces between 27 July 1967 and 11 January 2000 and were affected by the ban. The deadline for applications is 12 December 2026. If you don’t apply in time you’ll lose your right to a payment under the scheme. Together our guests discussed:The impact of the LGBT ban and the support that’s available to those who were affected by it.Whether the Financial Recognition Scheme goes far enough.The potential pitfalls of making an application under the scheme and the importance of seeking legal advice.Where to get support to make an application, including support for elderly claimants and those who lack capacity.Drawing on their personal experiences, they shared touching stories and lots of useful information to help those seeking to apply for a recognition payment. The discussion contains references to themes that some individuals may find distressing. If you were impacted by the ban, our expert Military team is here to help you navigate the Financial Recognition Scheme. Further support and resources are available from the LGBT+ Veterans charity, Fighting With Pride.

Finding love is an exciting journey – but one that often comes with questions and complexities. You might be shifting your focus from career to searching for the one. You might be just looking for companionship. Or you might be divorced or widowed and looking to take that leap of faith and find love again.Regardless of your circumstances, it's critical to ensure your personal and financial safety as you get to know your new spouse. Our latest podcast brings together experts from the legal and dating industries to support you every step of the way. Join Family Law partner and host Zahra Pabani, as she sits down with special guest Rachel MacLynn of exclusive matchmaking agency MacLynn International and Irwin Mitchell colleagues Phillip Rhodes and Yousafa Hazara.

A lack of resources for local planning authorities, supply chain issues, and a rise in land values has crippled the development and planning sector.This has resulted in the lowest level of planning applications and completions in a decade.But with the government determined to get Britain building again – including its pledge to chase down the 1.5 million shortfall in new homes – it’s also an exciting time for the sector.   Join legal experts Claire Petricca-Riding, Nicola Gooch and Pamela Chesterman as they look back over developments from the last 12 months and outline key priorities for 2025.

In this second episode of our new podcast series, our experts are back on the couch with advice on how to embrace life after divorce. This time, they’re tackling one of the greatest concerns for anyone going through a separation: finances.It’s a subject that raises so many questions: what if your former partner isn’t being truthful about their finances? How do you make sure children are secure? But there’s a number of options to help you find an arrangement that works for your family, and appreciate the opportunities that come with your new financial freedom. Host Zahra Pabani is joined by family law partner Fran Hipperson; Irwin Mitchell’s Head of Family Law, Clare Wiseman; and Head of Chambers at 29 Bedford Row, Nicholas Allen KC. They discuss:The options available to help you reach a settlementWhat to do if further issues arise once an agreement has been reachedThe benefits of using a lawyer to settle your finances, and how they can support you through the processWhat the court process looks like, and why people may choose to use this route.

One of the toughest realisations that comes with a divorce is that you’re not going to be able to see your children every day. New routines can be challenging, but co-operation and communication can make the adjustment much easier for your family, creating a long-term foundation of trust and security.Host Zahra Pabani is joined by family law partner and mediator Phillip Rhodes; former leading BBC journalist and now family mediator Joanna Gosling; and finally, coach and founder of The Co-Parent Way Marcie Shaoul. They discuss: The key elements of a successful co-parenting plan How to navigate differences in parenting styleEnsuring children feel loved and secure during a divorceThe support available to help parents reach an agreement.

Paralympic-gold-medallist, Hannah Cockroft, hosts the first video edition of the Irwin Mitchell podcast. She’s joined by gold-medal-sprinter, James Ellington, and aspiring para-athletes, our clients, Ben Lukowski and Richard Davies. The athletes share their passion for sport and the role it’s played in their lives. Wanting to encourage listeners at the beginning of their own sporting journeys, and those facing similar challenges, they discuss:Their journeys from aspiring to professional athletes and the milestones they’ve achieved along the way.The different places they’ve found support and what it means to them. The mental and physical benefits of sport, particularly for those with disabilities. Their ambitions as they look forward to the next steps in their careers. Plus, find out what advice each athlete would give to someone exploring the opportunities in sport for the first time.

Have you got a plan in place for your pension? Are you confident it will look after you and your family once you finish working?  In this podcast, Zahra Pabani is joined by partners Rose Macfarlane and Phillip Rhodes, and Edward Tomlinson, Head of Financial Planning at Irwin Mitchell. They explain the different options available for your pension and share their best tips for maximising your cash for the future.They discuss:How to plan realistically while the economy remains uncertainHow to deal with pensions in the event of a divorceWhy it’s important to consider your pension as part of your estate planningThe new government’s approach to pensions, and how you can respond to itWhy legal advice is so important when it comes to planning for your pension.

Finding the best education setting to meet your child’s needs can make a big difference to their future outcomes. But what happens when your child has special educational needs, and you don’t agree with the local authority about where they should go to school? Our public law and human rights specialist, Lauren Haines, is joined by our client Craig Dunn in our latest podcast. Craig is a single parent and full-time carer to his 18-year-old daughter Ruby, who has complex learning needs and relies on support to keep her safe and assist with her personal care. Craig shares his lived experience of Ruby’s transition into a residential education setting for the first time, as they discuss:The need for legal support and how we helped him secure the right provision for Ruby.Ruby’s transition to post-19 residential provision.Tips and advice for others in a similar position, and/or starting their own journey. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Captivate.FM. Further information and resources are available on our website.

Whether you’ve moved into a leadership role or to a completely different industry, career changes can be challenging and rewarding at the same time.  In our latest podcast, partner Zahra Pabani is joined by recently retired High Court Judge Sir Nicholas Francis; Lesley Spencer, Business and Executive coach; and our newly appointed Head of Family Law, Clare Wiseman. They share their stories of career progression and provide top tips on how you can manage your next steps.  They discuss:How to develop the skills needed to reach the next level of your careerHow the conversation around work/life balance has developed in recent yearsThe challenges of leadership and how to manage themWhere to find motivation and inspiration for your career. 

The recent general election saw a landslide victory for the Labour Party – and with it, a whole raft of reforms to planning policy. The new chancellor, Rachel Reeves, wasted no time in introducing Labour’s plans for the next couple of months. But how quickly can they be achieved?Head of the Planning and Environment Claire Petricca-Riding is joined by partner Nicola Gooch and Thea Osmund-Smith, Deputy Head of Planning and Environment at No. 5 Barrister’s Chambers. They discuss:The timeline for bills progressing through the House of LordsThe main challenges the new government faces while implementing these policiesHow the government can win over the local communities their plans will affectThe changes business owners should prepare forThe future of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.

To mark Armed Forces Day, our military injury partner and former Army Lawyer, Andrew Buckham, hosted a special edition of the Irwin Mitchell Podcast.We were pleased to welcome a panel of specialists, including James Cameron of Mission Motorsport, Rob Kelly from Bootnecks in2 Business, and Tony Radford of The Royal Marines Charity. They shared insights and advice on the challenges faced by veterans and the 14,000 service members* who leave the Armed Forces each year, covering:• The issues people face when transitioning to civilian life, and the impact on their families• The availability of support networks• Veteran strengths as employees• Retention of veteran employees and workplace education.Drawing on their personal experiences, they shared touching stories and humorous anecdotes.If you need expert legal and financial advice after an injury sustained in the Armed Forces, our team is here to help. Further support and resources for serving personnel and veterans are available at Mission Motorsport, Bootnecks in2 Business, and The Royal Marines Charity. *Career Transition Partnership website referenced at 5:52 by Andrew Buckham.

Dementia is prevalent and the number of people living with dementia is projected to reach 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. Consequently, knowing what to do and who you can turn to, when supporting someone living with dementia, is vital now more than ever.Our host and Lifestyle & Estate Planning expert, Stewart Stretton-Hill, is joined by a panel of guests including Alison Hesketh, Nicola Hawkins and Vicky Lambert. Alison is a Senior Life Specialist and founder of Timefinders - a company which bridges the gap between the legal and financial professions and the care sector. Nicola Hawkins specialises in helping elderly and vulnerable clients with legal issues related to mental capacity, and Vicky Lambert is our in-house coach and counsellor. Together they discuss:• The issues facing family members when supporting someone living with a dementia diagnosis• Steps individuals can take to prepare themselves and their families for a time when they may lack their mental capacity• How to address the practical and emotional issues arising when an individual may not understand or accept their diagnosis• The legal framework and documentation available to enable decisions to be taken for an individual who lacks their mental incapacity• How to sensitively provide practical, care and holistic support to the individual who is likely to be particularly vulnerable.

In our latest podcast we're talking family disputes and the divorce process. Whether you're halfway through, figuring out your finances, or coming to the end of the process, you want to surround yourself with a team that can support you.Family law expert Zahra Pabani, is joined Rhiannon Ford, a Divorce Consultant and Coach, John Cunliffe from our financial planning team and family law partner, Marie Kilgallen to discuss why it's important to take the right advice.They discuss:The support available during and after a financial settlementThe role of a divorce coachSupport available after proceedingsTaking financial advice before divorce.

How people lose their limbs can make a big difference to the availability of rehabilitation services, but according to our panel, one aspect that always seems to be under resourced is mental health. Studies show that 30-40% of amputees suffer mental health difficulties following surgery yet support with mental health is not provided as standard. Charities can be a valuable resource in helping people rediscover who they are and what they can do after surgery.Our host and serious injury expert, Richard Biggs, is joined by Emma Joy-Staines from Steel Bones and Josephine Bridges from Positive Bones. They share their lived experience of amputation and working with amputees, as they discuss:• The challenges people face after amputation• The difference between private rehabilitation provision and the services available through the NHS• Positive and negative developments in amputee provision over recent years and their thoughts on future provision• The availability of charity support and the reasons why amputees turn to them for advice.Find out what our panel would change if they could wave a magic wand to improve services for all those affected. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Captivate.FM. Further information and resources are available at our website or at Steel Bones and Positive Bones.

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to divorce, and each separation will take a different path, but how do you decide the best approach to take?When a marriage comes to an end, every choice can feel overwhelming, particularly if children are involved. Whether it's mediation or court, knowing the options that are available to you from the outset can avoid additional cost and time, and ultimately provide better outcomes.Coming together to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each are Zahra Pabani, Clare Wiseman and Claire Filer, Partners in our family law team, and Laura Heaton, Barrister from 29 Bedford Row Chambers. In the podcast they discuss:Navigating the international implications of the divorce processThe increase in alternative dispute resolution methodsThe options available to separating couplesBenefits of court vs mediation cases.

In the run up to Valentine's Day, Family law expert Zahra Pabani is joined by a panel of guests to talk everything love, marriage and money. Along with Marie Kilgallen from our family law team, Zahra also welcomes Rachel Maclynn, Founder and CEO of matchmaking agency the Vida Consultancy, and Sophie Foxton, a wedding planner from Gorcott Hall in Warwickshire.They discuss:How the matchmaking process works, especially in later lifeKeeping yourself financially secure in relationshipsStarting the conversation for pre- and post-nuptial agreements.

To mark World Cancer Day, our International Serious Injury partner Cheryl Palmer-Hughes explores what happened at Camp LeJeune between 1953 and 1987 and the recent changes in legislation that now allow for claims to be brought.She’s joined by Andrew Buckham, our military injury partner, Mike Doyle, partner at US law firm Doyle Dennis LLP, and Joe House, a veteran who was based at the training facility. Together they discuss: • The toxic water contamination• The link to cancer and other serious illnesses• The impact on those stationed there• How changes in US legislation made it possible for those affected to make a claim• How legal support could help you or someone you know.Joe also gives a personal insight into his family’s experience at Camp LeJeune and how it’s sadly changed their life. He’s wants to share his story and encourage others to seek answers. Supporting the Armed Forces and VeteransBritish service personnel and civilian workers were exposed to contaminated water at the camp between 1953 and 1987. This increased their risks of developing cancer or other serious illnesses. The deadline to submit a claim is 10 August 2024. We’re here to help you make a claim for any illnesses caused by your time at Camp LeJeune. Visit our website to find out more.

Our client Lindsey Dawson always wanted to have children. But failure to correctly interpret her smear test result, leading to her developing cervical cancer, meant she had to make difficult decisions about her fertility before she had time to fully process the reality of her situation. After a legal investigation into her care, Lindsey and her husband Kieron are exploring surrogacy. Lindsey joined her solicitor and our medical negligence expert Rebecca Brown on the podcast to talk about her journey through cervical cancer and her hopes of starting a family.They were accompanied by Shine Cancer Support’s Tatum De Roeck and consultant gynaecologist Nick Raine-Fenning. Together they discussed: Available treatment options The cost of treatment and the importance of legal supportAlternatives to surrogacySupport available for those diagnosed with cancer and their families.You can read more about Lindsey's journey in our Imagine magazine.

Join our financial planning experts Edward Tomlinson, Head of the Financial Planning team, and Lewis Giaramita, Head of Investments, as they provide an insight into the past 12 months in the investment markets, and what this means for the next year.The information given and opinions expressed are subject to change and should not be interpreted as investment advice. All data is sourced by IM Asset Management Limited unless otherwise stated. All financial and wealth management services are provided by IM Asset Management Limited. This commentary is intended for advisers and experienced investors only.Performance is based on net total return, income and capital appreciation over this period. Cumulative returns show the rolling performance of each time period and include the compounding effects of the returns from one time period on the next, whereas discrete performance shows the returns for each time period separately. Prices are calculated NAV to NAV. Past performance is not a guide to the future and it may not be repeated. Source: Bloomberg and where stated.