Landlords beware (again!) - new deposit rules now in force

Posted on: 10/05/2012 - Commercial Litigation   |   Residential Conveyancing

The government has now acted to give this law its teeth back. From 6th April 2012, by the Localism Act 2011 the law has been considerably tightened up.

Landlords must comply with new tenancy deposit rules

Posted on: 04/05/2012 - Commercial Litigation   |   Residential Conveyancing

Landlords need to ensure they comply with tougher new tenancy deposit rules which came into effect on 6th April.

If they fail to do so, they could face fines and find it harder to evict tenants.

Bankruptcy: untaken pensions can be used to pay creditors

Posted on: 04/05/2012 - Debt Collection Services

People declared bankrupt may have to use some of their untaken pensions to pay their debts, following a High Court ruling.

Agreement to agree did not amount to a binding contract

Posted on: 04/05/2012 - Corporate Commercial

It is not unusual for people to sign agreements without being fully aware of how legally binding the document actually is and how much protection it gives them.

Director and shareholder in contempt of court after selling assets

Posted on: 04/05/2012 - Corporate Commercial

A director and a shareholder were held to be in contempt of court after selling company assets.

Changes to employment tribunals come into effect

Posted on: 04/05/2012 - Employment

Changes to employment tribunals designed to save businesses £50m a year and make it easier for them to take on staff have now come into effect.

Most middle managers are 'unaware of Bribery Act'

Posted on: 04/05/2012 - Commercial Litigation

Three out of four middle managers in UK businesses are unaware of the Bribery Act, according to research by the fraud investigation specialists Ernst & Young.

Supreme Court provides ruling on compulsory retirement age

Posted on: 04/05/2012 - Employment

The Supreme Court has ruled that an employer can operate a compulsory retirement age if it is “founded on legitimate social policy aims”.

Agency fined for getting information about tenant illegally

Posted on: 04/05/2012 - Commercial Litigation

A letting agency has been fined for illegally obtaining information about tenants while chasing up rent arrears.

News Release - Machins Solicitors LLP have merged with Sumner & Tabor

Posted on: 01/05/2012 - Machins News

Steve Smith, Managing Partner of Machins Solicitors LLP is pleased to announce their expansion as a result of the merger with Sumner & Tabor of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

Transfer of Undertaking Protection Employment Law Update

Posted on: 04/04/2012 - Machins News

To book your place or obtain more information please contact marketing@machins.co.uk by Wednesday 11 April 2012.

Manager dismissed quickly to avoid huge pay-out loses age claim

Posted on: 03/04/2012 - Employment

A manager whose redundancy was rushed through before his 50th birthday to avoid giving him up to £1m in pension benefits has lost his claim of age discrimination.

Developer must repay deposits after contract breach

Posted on: 03/04/2012 - Commercial Litigation

A developer of a block of flats has been ordered to return deposits to purchasers because the building was not completed on time.

TUPE transfer 'amounted to unfair dismissal of bus drivers'

Posted on: 03/04/2012 - Commercial Litigation   |   Employment

Five bus drivers have won a claim of unfair dismissal after a change of employer meant they would have to spend up to two hours a day extra getting to their new depot.

Number of businesses in financial distress up 24%

Posted on: 03/04/2012 - Debt Collection Services

The number of businesses facing critical levels of financial distress was 24% higher in the last quarter of 2011 than in same period in 2010.

The perils of break clauses for commercial tenants

Posted on: 03/04/2012 - Commercial Property

Break clauses are a good way for businesses to hedge their bets when moving into new premises.

Taking on a long or medium term lease offers them stability if their business thrives, while the break clause gives them the option to pull out after a certain period if things don’t go as well as expected.

Businesses are asked for their views on workplace dismissal rules

Posted on: 03/04/2012 - Employment

The Government is asking businesses to express their views and concerns about workplace dismissal rules.

Court awards joint ownership in copyright dispute

Posted on: 03/04/2012 - Corporate Commercial

When commissioning creative work it’s important to establish in advance who owns the copyright.

Minimum wage increases by 11p but youth rates frozen

Posted on: 03/04/2012 - Employment   |   Employment

The national minimum wage for workers over the age of 21 is to increase by 11p to £6.19 an hour.

Factsheet: Your Rights when it comes to Door to Door Sales

Posted on: 22/03/2012 - Commercial Litigation

Factsheet: Frequently asked Debt Collection Questions

Posted on: 22/03/2012 - Debt Collection Services

What's in a name?

Posted on: 15/03/2012 - Debt Collection Services

'Make sure you know who your debtor is, or you could end up in court!'

Factsheet: Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006

Posted on: 15/03/2012 - Employment

Incorrect redundancy procedure leads to unfair dismissal claim

Posted on: 29/02/2012 - Employment

The economic downturn has obliged many businesses to make some of their employees redundant.

Do you need to take a stand over late payments?

Posted on: 29/02/2012 - Debt Collection Services

Late payment of invoices has become so serious that the Government has set up a working group to help tackle the problem.

Delay proves costly for company seeking damages

Posted on: 29/02/2012 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

Timing can be crucial when taking legal action, as one company recently found to its cost.

Insurers get injunction against rival firm set up by employees

Posted on: 29/02/2012 - Employment   |   Employment

An insurance company has been awarded damages and granted an injunction against a group of employees who left to set up a rival business.

More 'reluctant landlords' entering the housing rental market

Posted on: 29/02/2012 - Residential Conveyancing

The number of homes coming on to the rental market because their owners cannot sell them is increasing, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

Government widens its search for land to build new homes

Posted on: 29/02/2012 - Commercial Property

The Government says it’s ahead of schedule in identifying publicly owned land that can be used to build new homes.

HSE revises its guidance for employers on home working

Posted on: 29/02/2012 - Employment

The Health and Safety Executive has revised its guidance for employers with staff who work from home.

Be prepared for Bank of Mum and Dad debt call

Posted on: 07/02/2012 - Residential Conveyancing

Home-buyers who turn to the “bank of mum and dad” and increasingly the bank of grandparents to buy their home to prepare for the all eventualities, as generous family members tighten their belts.

Stamp Duty Holiday to End

Posted on: 07/02/2012 - Residential Conveyancing

With the stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers buying properties under £250,000 due to end on March 24, there could be a rush to buy amongst first time buyers.

Would you like to set up your own business?

Posted on: 02/02/2012 - Corporate Commercial

The Government has joined forces with private enterprise to encourage budding entrepreneurs to set up new businesses.

More landlords taking action against tenants in arrears

Posted on: 02/02/2012 - Commercial Litigation   |   Commercial Property

Court orders to evict tenants rose by 11% in 2011 as landlords took a firmer stance against late payers.

Does your business need a 'pre-nup' agreement?

Posted on: 02/02/2012 - Corporate Commercial

Businesses can suffer irreparable damage when directors disagree over company policy.

Sales manager breached his duty when setting up rival company

Posted on: 02/02/2012 - Commercial Litigation

A sales manager has been found liable for breaches of contract and duty to his employer after setting up a rival business.

PM wants to 'kill off health and safety culture'

Posted on: 02/02/2012 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to “kill off the health and safety culture” which he says has become “an albatross around the neck of British businesses”.

Failure to pay interest invalidated break clause notice

Posted on: 02/02/2012 - Commercial Litigation   |   Commercial Property

A court has ruled that a commercial tenant’s break clause notice was invalid because it had not paid the interest that had accrued as a result of late payments.

Business leaders say employment law moratorium is ineffective

Posted on: 02/02/2012 - Employment

Business leaders have criticised the Government’s much publicised moratorium on employment law saying that it has done virtually nothing to reduce the regulatory burden.

Employees will have to pay to bring tribunal claims

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Employment

Employees wanting to bring tribunal claims will have to pay fees ranging from £150 to £1,750 under new proposals announced by the Government.

Local authorities lose appeal over planning permission for HMOs

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

Three councils have lost their appeal for a judicial review of the Coalition Government’s decision to scrap the need for planning permission when converting single dwellings into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Developers must pay extra after selling land cheap

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Commercial Property

A development firm must pay more than it bargained for to a local authority after selling on land at below market price to a group company.

Don't overlook new tax relief for property investors

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

Investors buying properties consisting of two or more flats could be spending far more than necessary if they don’t take advantage of a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief introduced in the Finance Act 2011.

When a letter can amount to a written contract

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Corporate Commercial

A firm of architects has won a dispute over fees after the High Court ruled that a letter it had sent to its client did amount to a written contract.

OFT updates its guidance on debt collection

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Debt Collection Services

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has updated its Debt Collection Guidance, which sets out the standards required of any business involved in recovering consumer credit debts.

Regulators to treat businesses as 'customers' not culprits

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Corporate Commercial

The Government wants businesses to be treated as customers rather than culprits when it comes to the enforcement of regulations and has put forward a number of proposals in response to its recent Transforming Regulatory Enforcement consultation, which set out how the Government wanted a more mature and open relationship with businesses in relation to regulations.

There will be a full scale review of UK regulatory bodies and one of the key moves could be to cut the number of inspections for compliant firms. 

Government plans to modernise UK copyright laws

Posted on: 04/01/2012 - Corporate Commercial

The Government has outlined plans to modernise UK copyright laws to encourage business growth and development.

Playing Background Music in the Workplace

Posted on: 09/12/2011 - Corporate Commercial

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act provides that playing music on CD, radio on television at work is an infringement copyright. 

Failure to notify under the Data Protection Act could prove costly

Posted on: 09/12/2011 - Corporate Commercial

All businesses which process personal data in an automated form (most commonly by inputting data onto a computer system) are obliged to notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) that they are data controllers, unless they fall into one of the exemptions under the legislation. 

Employment law reforms aim to ease burden on businesses

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Employment

The Government is planning radical changes to employment law to provide a fairer balance between reducing costs to business at the same time as protecting the rights of employees.

Directors disqualified after failing to keep company records

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Commercial Litigation

Two directors of a car dealership have been disqualified for eight years after failing to keep adequate records for their company, which was experiencing trading difficulties.

Could you make a profit pursuing late payers?

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Debt Collection Services

If handled properly, firms can turn credit control into a profit making operation by recovering unpaid money in a way that earns more than enough to cover the cost of pursuing bad payers. 

Common sense should apply when interpreting business contracts

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Corporate Commercial

Business “common sense” should be applied when interpreting and applying commercial contracts, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Hotel retains right of way over neighbour's service road

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Commercial Litigation

The original owner of the hotel had been granted a licence in 1973 to use the road to provide access for coaches and commercial vehicles. That licence was personal to the original owner and ceased to have effect when new owners acquired the hotel in 1980.

Bankruptcy and debt relief orders don't 'rule out possession orders'

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Commercial Litigation

The fact that a tenant has become bankrupt or obtained a debt relief order does not mean that they cannot have a possession order made against them on the grounds of rent arrears.

£400m and mortgage indemnity scheme to boost home building

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Residential Conveyancing

Ministers have announced plans to boost the construction industry and help people to buy a new home.

The two key measures are a £400m ‘GetBritainBuilding’ fund and a scheme in which the Government will provide indemnity for mortgages of up to 95% of the value of new houses.

Government calls time on unfair practices that restrict pubs

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

The Government has announced a number of reforms to end unfair practices which it says have been holding back Britain’s pubs.

Ministers say the strengthened code will abolish the enforcement of upward-only rent reviews and force pub companies to be transparent with their lessees on issues such as charges for dilapidation repairs and income from gaming machines. 

Machins Business Forum

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Machins News

There’s no such thing as a free lunch - but we can provide a free breakfast, together with an opportunity for you to network with other business owners operating in the area.

Following the success of the initial Machins Business Forum, we are pleased to announce that we will be running the second of our new business forums at Putteridge Bury Conference Centre on 22nd February 2012.

Machins new staff

Posted on: 01/12/2011 - Machins News

We are pleased to announce that Nigel Gibson-Birch has recently joined our Private Client Team from the long established firm of Williams & Company where he built up a strong client base.

Business Women and Their Brands

Posted on: 08/11/2011 - Commercial Litigation

Generally, women in the work place are image conscious and like to ensure that they are perceived in a professional manner. Their individual brand is important and brand and reputation is something which has value both as an individual and in terms of your business and product brand.

The Bribery Act 2010

Posted on: 08/11/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

All businesses and individuals now need to be aware of new bribery legislation which came into force on 1st July 2011.

Company counts the cost of mistake when drawing up deeds

Posted on: 02/11/2011 - Corporate Commercial

When drawing up deeds it is vital to meet all the legal requirements – otherwise the document could prove invalid and cost you thousands of pounds, as one firm found recently.

Demand for rented accommodation is outstripping supply

Posted on: 02/11/2011

There are now so many tenants looking for rented accommodation that the private rental sector (PRS) may soon be unable to meet demand, according to new research.

Businesses need customers to protect a trading name

Posted on: 02/11/2011 - Residential Conveyancing

The High Court has made it clear that having a business reputation is not enough to justify the protection of a trading name – the business must also be able to show that it has customers in the UK.

Changes to unfair dismissal rules 'could save businesses £6m'

Posted on: 02/11/2011 - Commercial Litigation

The Government has confirmed that it is making changes to the unfair dismissal rules in an attempt to encourage employers to take on more staff.

Surge in data security breaches by private companies

Posted on: 02/11/2011 - Corporate Commercial

The number of data security breaches by private companies has risen by 58% over the last year, according to figures released by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

New proposals to allow more firms to avoid audits

Posted on: 02/11/2011 - Corporate Commercial

The Government has put forward proposals to allow more small firms to avoid the need to submit audited accounts – saving businesses in the UK an estimated £206m a year.

Employment claims from part-time workers treble in a year

Posted on: 02/11/2011 - Employment

The number of employment tribunal claims from part-time workers has surged over the last two years.

Stonemasons prosecuted after appearing on television

Posted on: 02/11/2011 - Commercial Litigation

A stonemasonry business which was featured on television has been prosecuted after a viewer raised concerns about staff being exposed to dangerous dust.

Surveyors must pay £18m after giving negligent advice

Posted on: 05/10/2011 - Commercial Litigation

A firm of surveyors must pay £18m in compensation after giving negligent advice to clients involved in a major property deal.

Buy to let landlords acquiring more properties

Posted on: 05/10/2011 - Commercial Property

The renewed interest in buy to let properties is spreading from London to other areas throughout the UK, according to new research.

Bankruptcy petition threshold could rise to £3,000

Posted on: 05/10/2011 - Debt Collection Services

Debtors may soon have to owe £3,000 or more before creditors can petition for bankruptcy. The current level is £750.

Changes to regulations covering agency workers take effect

Posted on: 05/10/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

The changes to the regulations covering agency workers have now come into effect.

Directors must pay after failing to keep company records

Posted on: 05/10/2011 - Commercial Litigation

The importance of keeping accurate written records of directors’ dealings and activities was highlighted in a recent case before the Court of Appeal.

Employer not at fault for street light injury to child

Posted on: 05/10/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

The need for employers to have the correct legal and training procedures in place was shown in a recent case in which a child was injured as she walked under a street light. 

Licensing Act comes under scrutiny from the red tape challenge

Posted on: 05/10/2011 - Licensing

The Licensing Act is the latest set of regulations to come under the scrutiny of the Government’s “red tape challenge”.

New National Minimum Wage rates come into effect

Posted on: 05/10/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

The new National Minimum Wage rates have now come into effect.

Director breached his duty when using borrowed equipment

Posted on: 31/08/2011 - Corporate Commercial

The Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling that a director breached his fiduciary duty when he made personal use of some equipment that had been loaned to his company.

When TUPE does not apply

Posted on: 31/08/2011 - Employment

When a business is transferred from one owner to another, the rights of employees are protected by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE).

Accountant must pay for enticing away former clients

Posted on: 31/08/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

When buying a business it’s important to ensure that the seller doesn’t try to entice away clients or customers once the sale goes through.

When shareholders fall out and refuse to meet...

Posted on: 31/08/2011 - Commercial Litigation

Relationships between shareholders in small companies are often tense, but what happens if they refuse allow meetings to take place that could determine the future of the business?

Landlords still being hit by unfair terms from letting agents

Posted on: 31/08/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has warned that consumer landlords are still being presented with potentially unfair terms in contracts with some letting agents.

Overall employment tribunal figures fall but age claims increase

Posted on: 31/08/2011 - Employment

The overall number of employment cases being brought to tribunals has fallen by 8%, but the number of age related claims has continued to rise.

Supermarkets and dairy processors fined for co-ordinating prices

Posted on: 31/08/2011 - Commercial Litigation

Four supermarkets and five dairy processors have been fined a total of £49.51m for co-ordinating prices.

Correction to misleading guidance in Notes for Leaseholders

Posted on: 31/08/2011 - Commercial Litigation

The Government has clarified when forfeiture action can and cannot be taken for non-payment of rent and other charges.

Court ruling will impact on buy to let landlords

Posted on: 09/08/2011 - Commercial Property

Many buy to let landlords buying a new property rely on the valuation carried out by the surveyor acting on behalf of the mortgage lender.

Contract terms means English company must apply Indian law

Posted on: 09/08/2011 - Corporate Commercial

Companies entering into contracts with businesses abroad need to take care over the small print if they want any future disputes to be settled under UK law.

Businesses failing to protect themselves against late payers

Posted on: 09/08/2011 - Debt Collection Services

Many businesses are failing to take simple steps that could protect them against late payers, according to research by the Institute of Credit Management (ICM).

Huge rise in number of home-based businesses

Posted on: 09/08/2011 - Corporate Commercial

The number of businesses operating from people’s homes has increased dramatically over the last year.

EU to create streamlined European patent

Posted on: 09/08/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

There is to be a new Unitary Patent providing protection across 25 countries in the European Union.

Right to request time for training will not extend to SME staff

Posted on: 09/08/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

The right to request time off for training will not be extended to SME employees for at least four years.

Landlords and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Posted on: 09/08/2011 - Commercial Property

The Court of Appeal has ruled that a landlord did not have to decorate a disabled tenant’s flat so that he could fully “enjoy” the property.

Director held personally liable for discriminatory dismissal

Posted on: 09/08/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

A company director has been held personally liable for the discriminatory dismissal of a pregnant employee.

Company director found guilty of wrongful trading

Posted on: 18/07/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

A director has been found guilty of wrongful trading after taking money for services his company could not provide.

Breaking point - when are vacant premises really vacant?

Posted on: 18/07/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Commercial Property

A commercial tenant failed to exercise a break clause correctly because it was still carrying out repairs to the leased premises after the day it should have given up vacant possession.

Red Tape challenge puts spotlight on Equality Act

Posted on: 18/07/2011 - Employment

The Government’s Red Tape challenge website has put the spotlight on the Equality Act which came into effect last year.

Government to release enough land for 100,000 new homes

Posted on: 18/07/2011 - Residential Conveyancing

The Government plans to release enough public land to build 100,000 new homes.

Surge in number of firms facing critical difficulties

Posted on: 18/07/2011 - Debt Collection Services

There’s been a large increase in the number of firms facing critical difficulties, according to new research.

New law will 'help SMEs protect patent and design rights'

Posted on: 18/07/2011 - Corporate Commercial

A new law has come into effect which should make it easier and less daunting for small and medium sized businesses to protect their patent and design rights.

Failure to consult properly costs landlord £270,000

Posted on: 18/07/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Commercial Property

A corporate landlord has been left with a bill of £270,000 after failing to consult properly with tenants.

Security firm did not discriminate against Muslim employee

Posted on: 18/07/2011 - Employment

A tribunal has held that a company did not discriminate against a Muslim security guard when it refused to allow him time off to attend Friday lunchtime prayers at a local mosque.

Company's mistake turns redundancies into unfair dismissals

Posted on: 02/06/2011 - Employment

Businesses need to ensure they follow the correct procedures when making redundancies.

Be careful about who you allow to sign your contracts

Posted on: 02/06/2011 - Corporate Commercial

A recent case in the High Court has highlighted the need for firms to keep a tight control on who signs contracts on their behalf.

Number of businesses grows despite economic downturn

Posted on: 02/06/2011 - Corporate Commercial

The number of businesses in the UK has been growing despite the economic downturn.

Tenancy deposit protection "still misunderstood by landlords"

Posted on: 02/06/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

It is now four years since tenancy deposit protection schemes were introduced yet some people still don’t realise they are a legal requirement, according to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).

Company must repay £200,000 after breaching contract

Posted on: 02/06/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

A company must repay £200,000 after failing to carry out work to a high enough standard on a property it was selling.

Struggling businesses could be "pushed over the edge"

Posted on: 02/06/2011 - Debt Collection Services

Struggling businesses could be ‘pushed over the edge’

Businesses now need consumer's consent to use cookies

Posted on: 02/06/2011 - Corporate Commercial

A new regulation requiring businesses to get permission from consumers before placing cookies on their computers has now come into force.

Tribunal service expects rise in employment claims

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

Employment claims look set to continue rising, according to an official report by the Tribunal Service.

Penalties imposed on construction firms 'were too harsh'

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Commercial Litigation

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled that penalties imposed on construction firms for using cover pricing were too harsh and should be reduced.

Break clause notice became valid once 'accepted' by email

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Commercial Property

A property management company effectively validated a break clause notice by accepting it as an email – even though the lease required more formal notification.

Business failures decreasing but personal insolvencies still high

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Debt Collection Services

The number of companies going out of business in England and Wales fell dramatically last year, according to figures from the Insolvency Service

Anti-competition clause 'too restrictive to be enforced'

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Commercial Property   |   Corporate Commercial

Great care is needed when drawing up restrictive covenants; if they are not tight enough they may not be effective, but if they are too restrictive the courts may not enforce them.

Energy performance certificates needed for holiday lets

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

Landlords who rent out a holiday home on a regular basis will soon need an Energy Performance Certificate or risk facing a fine.

Small firms 'will still struggle with burden of EU red tape'

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Corporate Commercial   |   Employment

The moratorium on new employment laws for small firms has now come into effect but business groups say that EU regulations will remain a major burden.

Tesco fined for risking staff safety

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Corporate Commercial

Tesco has been fined £48,000 for risking the safety of some of its staff.

Officer tried to sell company using misleading income figures

Posted on: 31/05/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

Buying and selling businesses can be fraught with difficulties as highlighted in a recent case before the High Court.

LLP had no power to expel one of its partners

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

The High Court has ruled that a limited liability partnership had no right to expel one of its partners because there was no binding agreement giving it the necessary powers.

Government decides against extending Time to Train regulations

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Employment

The Government has shelved plans to extend the Time to Train regulations to smaller firms.

Businesses fear rising debts and falling profits

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Debt Collection Services

New research has revealed that businesses are becoming increasingly worried about the twin problems of rising debts and falling profits.

Recession sparks rise in landlord and tenant disputes

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Commercial Property

The recession has sparked a surge in the number of disputes between landlords and business tenants, according to new research.

Volunteers are not protected by anti-discrimination law

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

Unpaid volunteers are not ‘employees’ as far as anti-discrimination law is concerned and so they do not have the same protection as paid workers.

Compensation limits for employment claims increase by 4.6%

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

The maximum limits for redundancy payments and awards for various employment rights cases have risen in line with the annual index-linked formula.

Widespread welcome for reforms to Debt Relief Orders

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Debt Collection Services

Charities and the insolvency industry have welcomed proposals to reform Debt Relief Orders (DRO).

Directors of doomed development project guilty of wrongful trading

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

The directors of a development company have been found guilty of wrongful trading after continuing with a project long after they should have known it was bound to fail.

Additional paternity leave rights for fathers comes into effect

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

New rights providing additional paternity leave and pay for fathers have now come into effect.

New measures to reduce burden of red tape for businesses

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Commercial Property

The Government has announced new measures to reduce the burden of red tape for businesses.

New approach to positive action on recruitment takes effect

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Employment   |   Employment

Employers now have new rights to take positive action when looking at candidates for recruitment and promotion.

Director banned from revealing information about his former company

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Corporate Commercial

A director has been banned from revealing confidential information that could damage his former company.

New credit directive gives more protection to consumers

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Commercial Litigation   |   Residential Conveyancing

The new EU Consumer Credit Directive has now come into force giving more protection and power to consumers.

Business website owners warned about new EU cookie law

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Corporate Commercial

Firms that use websites to promote their business are being urged not to fall foul of new EU legislation relating to consumer privacy.

Private rented sector 'to continue expanding into 2012'

Posted on: 14/04/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

The demand for rental property will continue to outstrip supply until at least next year, according to research by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

Localism Bill could 'cause chaos' in the property market

Posted on: 30/03/2011 - Commercial Property   |   Residential Conveyancing

The Localism Bill could cause uncertainty and chaos in the property market, according to the Law Society.