We have now achieved accreditation for Cyber Essentials Plus

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Adams Harrison is delighted to have achieved accreditation for Cyber Essentials Plus, after having held the Cyber Essentials accreditation for a number of years.

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus are both UK government-backed cybersecurity certifications, but Cyber Essentials Plus adds an extra layer of assurance through a technical audit.

In essence, Cyber Essentials Plus provides a more rigorous validation of our cybersecurity posture by confirming that the controls are effectively working, not just documented.

Adams Harrison are committed to implementing measures to further improve our cyber security and protect personal data and client money.

Adams Harrison – renewed membership of the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS)

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We are delighted to have renewed our membership to the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) for another 12 months. CQS is a recognised quality standard for SRA regulated firms in residential conveyancing. Each year we must demonstrate that we are able to offer residential conveyancing advice of the level expected by clients, lenders and the wider residential conveyancing community. We are proud to have held the CQS accreditation since 2011.

Adams Harrison invited to celebrate 150 years of PEM at St John’s College, Cambridge

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Roslyn Sweeney was delighted to be invited to attend PEM’s 150th anniversary event on Thursday 18th July at St John’s College, Cambridge.

Adams Harrison have worked with PEM (Peters Elworthy & Moore Accountants, Business and Tax Advisers) for many years. It was a perfect day to enjoy the beautiful grounds of St John’s College and the river Cam.

Thanks from Haverhill Scout and Guide Building Committee

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We were delighted to receive this message of thanks from the Haverhill Scout and Guide Building Committee for donating towards their building fund. Adams Harrison work closely with our communities in Saffron Walden, Haverhill and Sawston and are keen to support local initiatives for betterment within those communities.

We would like to thank you for the very generous donation of £1000 you have made to the Haverhill Scout and Guide HQ building fund, via HaverSports. We have now received the money. This money is greatly appreciated and will be used to improve the facilities and benefit all the local groups that access the site.

Thank you also for all the support you have provided HaverSport in the past, that has enabled fundraising. All of this contributed to the building project and has enabled us to build the amazing new building we now have. This has made a massive difference to the Scouts and Guides in Haverhill as well as other community groups.

With very best wishes,
Abi

On behalf of the Haverhill Scout and Guide building committee.

 

Employment Rights Bill – Roadmap Unveiled

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On 1st July 2025, the UK Government published a roadmap to reform employment law through the Employment Rights Bill. They set out a phased plan from later this year through to 2027 to deliver “the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation”.

The roadmap introduces over 30 individual reforms, split across key implementation dates. Employers, HR professionals and employees need to understand how these changes could affect their rights, responsibilities and workplace practices. Some of the biggest changes, in particular, the day one right to claim unfair dismissal, will not come into force now until 2027.

What is changing and when?

• After the bill is passed (expected 2025) there will be an immediate repeal of the Strikes Act 2023 and the majority of the Trade Union Act 2016. Protections against dismissal for taking industrial action will also come into force.

• In April 2026 the collective redundancy protection, day one paternity leave rights and unpaid parental leave will be implemented. New whistleblowing protections, changes to statutory sick pay and the establishment of the fair work agency are also planned.

• In October 2026 fire and rehire will no longer be permitted and new rights and protections for trade union representatives will come in. Employers will need to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment and they will have a new obligation to prevent third party harassment.

• The remaining changes will likely come in 2027, including the day one right to protection from unfair dismissal, improving access to flexible working, further harassment protection and ending exploitative zero-hour contracts.

The roadmap is designed to give businesses time to prepare, however, clear comprehensive guidance will be produced to help organisations navigate the change. Employers will need to ensure that contracts and policies are reviewed ahead of each implementation phase and enhance internal processes around flexible working, redundancy, sick pay and parental leave. Employers must ensure compliance with new obligations and prepare for greater tribunal exposure.

Follow along with us for more updates on the Employment Rights Bill and contact our Employment Team for tailored advice on how the changes will affect you.

For all employment law advice and representation contact us at [email protected]

Sarah Bruce celebrates 30 years working for Adams Harrison

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The partners of Adams Harrison were thrilled to celebrate with Sarah Bruce her 30 year work anniversary.

Sarah works in the Wills, Trusts & Probate Department and is mainly based in our Haverhill office.

She was presented with a bouquet of flowers this morning by Jennifer Carpenter, Managing Partner.

Employment Rights Bill Update Seminar

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Jennifer Carpenter ran an Employment Rights Bill Update seminar in 1st July which informed delegates about the upcoming Employment Rights Bill.

A delegate said

“A really good overview of the up and coming Employment Rights Bill… Clear content explained in a simplified manner.”

The delegate found the seminar extremely helpful and would like to attend future events.

If you would like to know about future events please send an email to Briony Dodson at [email protected]

Cabinet Office Accreditation For Customer Service Excellence

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Adams Harrison first attained the *Cabinet Office issued quality mark for Customer Service Excellence (CSE) in May 2021. We are extremely proud of this achievement as it reinforces, and attests to our commitment to provide the best service levels to our clients.

To retain the accreditation we must undergo an annual assessment. This includes checking files for consistent standards of excellent service and interviewing staff to ensure the CSE ethos is embraced by all, from the most senior to the most junior people within our business. The assessor doesn’t just take our word for this. He also contacts clients who have recently concluded business with us.

We are delighted to announce that we have recently completed our 2025 assessment and are re-accredited for CSE for a further 12 months.

The Assessor said:

“It remains very clear from both documentary and interview evidence that Adams Harrison put CSE at the heart of everything that they do. It is fully supported by the entire Management Team, and is an integral part of the Firm’s culture that they are all required to both sign up, and are measured against. In the assessor’s very wide experience of the legal sector, this level of commitment continues to be exceptional practice.”

 

*Further information about the CSE quality mark can be found here: https://www.customerserviceexcellence.uk.com/

Lexcel 2025: We Are Excellent!

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We have recently had our annual maintenance visit from a Law Society assessor who confirmed that after a rigorous assessment we fully meet Version 6.1 of the Lexcel standard.

Lexcel stands for Legal Excellence. It is a Law Society kitemark to recognise law firms that demonstrate excellence in client care, compliance, and practice management. Holding this accreditation signifies that as a firm we adhere to high standards in these areas. It means if you choose to use Adams Harrison as your solicitor you can be sure of receiving a consistent, high-quality service. We have been found to operate efficiently and ethically.

The assessment process involves interviews with our Practice Manager, Managing Partner and a cross section of all staff as selected by the assessor. Files are subject to an audit for compliance and there is a review of all policies and procedures.

Absolutely no non-compliances were identified during the audit.

We received specific positive praise for the following areas of good practice:-

  • That we place very significant emphasis on levels of client care that we provide as evidenced from interviews with staff and the documentary evidence collected during the audit.
  • Evidence of very high standards of development and training of staff
  • Our Community and Social Responsibility Policy and for the work that we do in the local community.
  • The monitoring and safeguarding or the mental health of our staff
  • High standards of coaching, mentoring and support to our staff
  • Comprehensive information provided to staff about management and operations.
  • That we hold the Cyber Essential standard
  • The significant training we provide to staff around Cyber crime and associated issues
  • Our process and systems are extremely well embedded into the operations and culture of the firm
  • Extremely clear understanding from all lawyers on all aspects of risk as a result of highly effective and well implemented processes
  • File audit evidence shows very high levels of compliance have been achieved

We were told by the assessor we are an extremely well run and extremely well managed firm.