The nominations have been made, shortlists announced and the date is drawing near for the biggest event in Portsmouth’s corporate calendar, The News Business Excellence Awards, where Versiona Law will be announcing the ‘Overall Business of the Year 2017’.

As the go-to firm for both residential and commercial property matters in the city, Verisona Law is looking forward to the Portsmouth Property Association’s Annual Charity Dinner for which it is the main sponsor.

Companies which use short-term contracts and freelancers instead of full-time employees are reeling from shock news that could jeopardise the UK’s growing ‘Gig Economy’.

This month, the Institute of Fiscal Studies published a report showing that the wealth of those over the age of 80 increased by 45% between 2003 and 2013, leaving experts to predict that number of people paying inheritance tax will rise sharply.

Families who have discovered over the course of Christmas festivities that ageing relatives and loved ones are starting to struggle, are being invited to a free event to find out more about support that is available.

Barchester Healthcare is partnering with local specialists in finance, property and law, as well as the Seniors Advice Agency and Alzheimer’s Society, to host an event at the company’s spectacular new residential care home, The Fernes, in Fareham which will offer expert advice and guidance in planning for the future.

‘We receive a lot of enquiries straight after Christmas about concerns families have for loved ones they have visited over the holiday,’ explains Hayley Beeching, Senior Associate at Verisona Law who belongs to Solicitors for the Elderly and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and will be attending the event.

‘It is inevitable that if people move away and have busy lives, time can pass between visiting relatives and any deterioration in their ability to look after themselves is much more noticeable and, in some cases, even shocking.’

‘We wanted to provide the opportunity for people to do something to set their minds at rest during the holidays and visiting relatives are likely to still be in the area. People should feel welcome to simply drop in for an informal chat about their concerns.’

‘Care Solutions at the Fernes’ will take place on Wednesday 28th December between 10.00am and 4.00pm at The Fernes Care Home, 6 Samuel Mortimer Close, Fareham PO15 5NZ. For more information, contact General Manager Catherine Bezer on 01329 443600 or email marieke.meijer@barchester.com

Portsmouth’s leading legal practice Verisona Law has announced new appointments to both commercial and private client areas of the firm.

Head of the abuse team at Verisona Law and specialist Solicitor, Charles Derham, recently featured in the Portsmouth News in light of the revelations that have rocked the Football world.

The Wills, Trusts & Probate Team at Verisona Law is delighted to have received confirmation that it raised £365 in aid of The Rowans Hospice during the organisation’s ‘Make-a-Will Fortnight’ earlier in the year.

A specialist team of lawyers in Portsmouth’s most dynamic commercial practice is celebrating recognition of its achievements in the listings of one of the legal profession’s most prestigious industry guides.

The Insolvency & Business Turnaround Team at Verisona Law is taking great pride in being featured in the latest edition of the annual Chambers Guide for its work in matters of contentious and personal insolvency, directors' disqualification and assisting businesses in financial trouble.

The guide, which offers in-depth analysis of the legal market across 50 cities and counties throughout the UK and compares firms within regions, noted the team’s exceptional feedback and testimonials from clients including Grant Thornton, BDO, and Portland, and recent high profile achievements such as successfully defending the directors of a failed company against a claim brought against them by liquidators for £1.1 million.

‘This is the first time the team has been listed in the Chambers Guide, which is a sign of how far we’ve come in the last twelve months,’ says Director Nick Oliver who leads a team of four directors, five qualified lawyers and support staff. ‘Everyone has worked extremely hard on some very complex cases which has not only paid off with successful negotiations and court proceedings, but helped build our reputation and attract interest from new clients.’

Nick himself has retained his personal entry in the guide, being described as ‘a seasoned practitioner with very good technical knowledge of insolvency legislation’ and ‘knowledgeable and meticulous.’

His father, David Oliver, a consultant at Verisona Law and recent winner of the Johnston Press Southern Business Awards’ Regional Lifetime Achievement of the Year, also remains listed the region’s sole ‘Senior Statesman’ in the insolvency profession, cited as ‘immensely experienced and trusted by those who know him’ and ‘is the go-to person on the south coast.’

‘The Insolvency and Business Turnaround Team has proved itself to be an ever-growing force to be reckoned with,’ says Chairman and Head of Commercial at Verisona Law, Michael Dyer. ‘We are very proud to have such a dynamic group of professionals at the firm and that their success has led to the firm’s recognition in the guide.’

It was a night that saw businesses from across the South Coast gather to congratulate and listen to the achievements of one of the region’s most prolific and successful lawyers, David Oliver.