The Partners at Susan Howarth and Co Solicitors Ltd believe that the Community and Social Responsibility is based on our consideration of the impact our business has on the environment, the welfare of individuals and the community.
We acknowledge our obligation to consider the wider interests of our clients, employees and the community in which we function.
Environment
The Firm recognises its duty to minimise our impact on the local, national and global environment and we will encourage our employees and those we do business with to do likewise.
The Firm will aim to:
- To Source materials from suppliers/contractors of environmentally sound and sustainable resources;
- Reduce the quantity of waste to a minimum and recycle material wherever possible; and
- Offer employees a safe, hygienic and so far as possible, an attractive working environment.
- Where appropriate, staff are encouraged not to print documents or to print documents double sided
- To minimise our use of electricity by ensuring all electrical equipment is turned off when not in use.
Well-being of our Staff
By operating an open door policy and with regular consultation staff meetings we aim to provide a nurturing environment for all members of staff within which any concerns or suggestions can be freely raised.
We operate a flexible and parent friendly staffing policy, with many of our staff having primary parental responsibility and working part time and/or flexible hours.
Support for Charities
Susan Howarth and Co has provided support to a number of charities over the years.
For example:
- We support Will Aid week annually.
- Staff have completed sponsored walks to raise funds for St Luke’s Hospice.
- Sang Carols in Northwich Town Centre to raise funds for charity.
Our chosen charities for this year is Cheshire Without Abuse.
Since 2014 we have donated in excess of £750-00 of dormant funds to Cancer Research. Dormant funds are unclaimed client monies left in the firms possession. Before donating these funds, we work hard to try to find clients so that we can return their money including searching the internet and attempting to trace clients at the last known addresses. After all avenues are exhausted, we make an application to the Solicitors Regulation Authority to release the money to charity.
Support for Careers events in school
We have supported and taken part in 5 careers events in the last 12 months at Mid Cheshire College, Sir John Deans, Hartford High School and the County High School of Leftwich.
We have also sponsored both the annual lower and upper 6th Law Awards at Sir John Deans, we have sponsored an individual musically gifted student at the Grange School in putting on a musical evening.
Free Legal Clinics
We operate legal advice clinics on a Tuesday and Thursday, 8am – 9am and 5pm – 6pm, providing free initial advice on a first come first served basis to the local community.
We offer a free clinic for the elderly every Wednesday, 12-2pm, again providing free legal advice to the elderly in the community.
We offer a pro bono clinic to the CAB in Northwich each Thursday morning by prior appointment.
The Firm holds a Family Franchise with the Legal Services Commission enabling efficient delivery to those eligible for public funding.
Involvements in the Local Community
Many of our members of staff are involved in other organisations within the local community on a voluntary basis, for example:
The Family Team provide advice to Cheshire Without Abuse.
Jane Williamson is Chairman of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal and Mental Health Tribunal. She has recently been appointed Tribunal Judge for the Society Security Tribunal.
Ray Melia lectures in law at a Liverpool College.