Simon Bladen
Partner, Sheffield
Simon is the partner responsible for looking after the firm’s legal and charitable clients in particular, although he also holds a general practice portfolio. He trained and qualified at Hawsons before becoming a manager and subsequently a partner at the firm. He has a wealth of experience within the legal and charitable sectors and is also a non-executive director for the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.
Despite the fact Simon supports Tottenham Hotspur he is actually a keen footballer and, when he’s not playing, he enjoys keeping fit in the gym. He has a son and a young daughter who both keep him occupied most evenings.
Simon’s recent articles
Investment in Lawtech almost triples in two years to £62m
Research conducted by Thomson Reuters and Legal Geek have found that in the past two years investment in the UK’s legal technology sector has nearly tripled as start-ups receive £61m in 2018. So far this year UK lawtech start-ups have received £62m, whereas in 2017...
Solicitors regulation authority raises concern about firms’ approach to anti-money laundering
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is going to be contacting thousands of firms in the coming weeks to ask them about the money laundering measures they have in place to combat the issue. The SRA will be conducting checks on 7,000 firms as there are fears that many...
The Solicitors Regulation Authority prepares for tech regulation
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is looking into who and what should be regulated as they look into playing a more active role in the legal technology industry. As more and more firms are bringing technology and innovation into the legal sector the SRA have...
new anti-money laundering regulations set to hit many charities
It has been reported that a large number of charities could face administrative bureaucracy from the government as they bring in new anti-money laundering regulations. The Fifth Money Laundering Directive could force all registered charities to sign up with the...
Criminal Defense Touting
The SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) remain concerned over the reluctance by some to report criminal defence touting. Only one formal complaint has been made to the SRA about a solicitor touting in this area. The code of conduct states that solicitors are banned...
Charity tax improvements might unlock more people giving to charity
According to a new report from the Charity Tax Commission led by the former chairman of the Inland Revenue (Sir Nicholas Montagu), tax reliefs offered to UK charities are in urgent need of an overhaul. The new proposal aims to ensure that charities increase their...
Charities warned to prepare for no-deal Brexit
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) are urging the new minister for civil society to make sure charities are not ignored and receive the funding they need to prepare for a no-deal Brexit. After the recent decision to prorogue parliament was made at...
Charities Aid Foundation gave £646m to charities in 2018/19
Charities Aid Foundation gave a record £646m to charities in 2018/19 The latest figures show that the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) gave £141m more to charities than last year, a 25% increase from 2017/18. Donations in the American Donor fund increased by 23% to...
Britains legal industry brace for a no deal Brexit
Britain’s legal Industry brace for a no deal Brexit The UK is currently the second largest provider of legal services in the world and number one in Europe. But if a no deal Brexit goes ahead the future could be a lot less certain for Britain’s legal industry....
Hawsons Partners complete a-26 mile hike for charity
On the 27th July 2019 Hawsons partners David Owens, Paul Wormald, Scott Sanderson, Pete Wilmer and Craig Burton all took part in a 26-mile hike in the Peak District raising over £1,700 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan Cancer Support is a service that helps...
SRA Anti-Money Laundering Review
A recent review conducted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) found that, in the SRA’s views, a significant amount of law firms are not doing enough to prevent money laundering. The review of 59 practices did not highlight any evidence of actual money...
Charity Trustees Time Off for Duties Bill
The Charity Trustees (Time Off for Duties) Bill 2017-2019 was introduced to parliament in March. This bill will allow charity trustees to take reasonable time off from their jobs to carry out the duties required of being a charity trustee. Under the existing law,...
Tax Rates 2019/2020
We have summarised the key rates and allowances which are fundamental to our business and personal lives. We are sure that you will find them a useful point of reference and have set out below a few examples of how they can be used. Personal tax rates As the UK...
Spring Statement 2019
Amidst all the Brexit debates, the Chancellor Philip Hammond presented his second Spring Statement on Wednesday 13 March 2019. In his speech the Chancellor provided an update on the economy and responded to the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts. In addition...
Changes to the SRA handbook
The SRA is introducing a new handbook which includes the new code of conduct that will come into effect at some point in 2019, although the exact date still remains unconfirmed. In 2011, the launch of the SRA handbook welcomed some changes that altered the legal...
