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Construction

Proposed changes to the construction adjudication process are contained in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill. The Bill has now passed from the House of Lords to the House of Commons, where the second reading is scheduled for Monday 1 June 2009.

Employment Tribunals

Over two thirds of solicitors questioned in recent research conducted by the Law Society, indicated that they favoured the removal of the current £25,000 limit for breach of contract claims in employment tribunals.

Commercial Litigation Costs

A preliminary report on the subject of litigation costs has been published by Lord Justice Jackson. This report forms the first phase of an ongoing review which has now reached its consultation stages.

Internet Libels

A recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights (Times Newspapers Limited (nos 1 and 2) –v- the UK) has upheld the one year limitation period for internet libels and refused to hold that it is prima facie a breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Where articles are published and accessed online, there is in effect a separate publication on each occasion the article is accessed. This results in the limitation period for online publication being effectively extended indefinitely. The judgment, however, included comment that a significant lapse of time before libel proceedings are brought may well disproportionately interfere with press freedom under article 10.

4100 Park Approach
Thorpe Park, Leeds, United Kingdom
LS15 8GB

Tel: (+44)(0)113 3970359
Fax: (+44)(0)113 3970450
admin@lowrysolicitors.co.uk

About Us


Lowry & Co. has been founded as a result of a need for a different model of law firm. In particular, the requirement is for a law firm that combines market leading standards of ability and client care with charging rates lower than conventional law firms. Technology can now remove the need for expensive and large offices (why should clients have to pay for that!) and there is also no need for large teams of support staff. Lowry & Co. provides lawyers who are second to none, at rates that are lower than, or equal to, the rates that most newly qualified lawyers charge in other commercial law firms. How can we do this? The answer is in our use of technology. Clients are provided, on request, with their own password protected and encrypted (256 bit) web page for each matter, allowing (amongst other things) secure communication, collaboration on documentation, notification of key diary dates and payment of fees via a range of methods. In this way clients can access the majority of documents and correspondence regarding their file, wherever they may be. Lowry & Co can even provide multiple user access at no extra cost, in order that selected colleagues in the client organisation can also access the same information. When the web page is updated it can be notified to clients on their handheld device or by email if required. Many of the more routine aspects of legal process are provided to clients free of charge in the form of flowcharts and information sheets (why should clients be asked to pay for their lawyer to give them information that can be reproduced for every matter the lawyer works on!). If we can do anything to make things easier for clients then clients are encouraged to ask. If a less technologically driven solution is preferred, then that is not a problem, as we are completely flexible in providing a solution based upon our client's needs. Our use of technology also allows us to create a firm that is a considerable improvement environmentally when compared to a conventional law firm. Our office support comes in the form of virtual office facilities at Icon Business Centres. Their Centre at 4100 Park Approach, Thorpe Park, Leeds is the greenest serviced office building in the UK. It has been awarded a BREEAM rating of 87.55%, their highest in the UK. It is a landmark development at the forefront of what is possible in commercially viable, sustainable building technology. We have access to substantial meeting and seminar facilities on-site, whenever required, although if you would prefer web meetings then we would certainly encourage that as it saves you time and money and is better for the environment. We are only interested in engaging lawyers of considerable experience and commercial acumen to work with our firm nationally, because the bottom line is that clients need not only successful solutions but also commercial results. Clients can trust us to provide the market leading advice and skills they require, but at a cost which is fair to both the client and to us. Any solicitor would advise that the difference between instructing an expert in a given field, or a solicitor who is either inexperienced, or relatively junior, could amount to a difference in wasted fees of several thousand pounds or more. The firm was founded in 2009 by Shaun Lowry to address all those areas of legal practice that clients found to be outdated. Shaun: is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales admitted in January 1999 and with over 20 years experience of legal practice overall is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution at the University of Central Lancashire and formerly a Senior Lecturer in Law at Leeds Metropolitan University is an Associate Lecturer in Law at the Open University is an Accredited Mediator with the ADR Group is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators holds a Master of Science degree in Construction Law and Arbitration is experienced in all forms of dispute resolution and project work with values from a few hundred pounds to £45m and beyond and also has significant general commercial and property litigation experience (including contractual disputes and advice, boundary disputes, rights of light disputes and party walls procedures).