A flat can be considered a home in multiple occupation (HMO) even if it is only part of a larger building with floors used for other purposes. That was the decision of the High Court in a case involving a two-storey flat situated above a restaurant. The local authority said it needed to be licensed
The government has announced plans to tighten the regulations covering mergers between companies operating in sensitive areas that could affect national security. The changes are targeted at firms that design or manufacture military and dual use products, and parts of the advanced technology sector. Currently in these areas, the government can only intervene in mergers
Deliveroo has won a dispute over whether its cyclists should be classed as workers or self-employed after inserting a ‘substitution’ clause into their contracts. The issue arose after the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) claimed union recognition for Deliveroo cyclists in Camden in London. For the claim to succeed, the union had to
“”An employer that does not allow a worker to exercise his right to annual leave must bear the consequences.” So said the ECJ in its ruling yesterday, 29 November 2017, in King v Sash Window Workshop Ltd. Mr King – a commission-based salesman did not receive holiday pay for 13 years. He argued he could
A “director” includes any person occupying the position of director no matter what they are called. This definition appears in both the Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986. It is clear then that the reality of any given situation is crucial in determining whether an individual is a director and that you cannot escape
The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is set to become enforceable from the 25 of May 2018. The GDPR creates a wider definition of personal data than the Data Protection Act. It covers all organisations in the public, private and non-profit sector and applies throughout the EU and beyond, even if the business itself
Unlike say for a consumer, the buyer of shares or assets be warned; the law provides no statutory or common law protection as to the nature and extent of the assets or liabilities you are acquiring. It is therefore usual for the buyer to negotiate certain forms of contractual protection into the purchase agreement for
A police officer who claimed she failed a fitness test because a thyroid condition caused her to gain weight has lost her discrimination claim. Rebecca Tiffin was a detective constable with Surrey Police. It was a requirement that officers passed an Annual Fitness Assessment involving interval running known as a bleep test. Ms Tiffin failed
Landlords will be obliged to join an ombudsman redress scheme as part of government efforts to give tenants greater protection. The new measures were unveiled by the Communities Secretary Sajid Javid. He said the government will also oblige letting agents to be registered so they are subjected to proper professional oversight. The new system will
Contracts should always specify the precise details of the terms and conditions relating to payments, duties, timescale etc. However, sometimes the courts can rule that a term is implied in an agreement even though it hasn’t been put in writing, as happened in a recent case involving the sale of land. The seller gave a