The government is making it easier for developers to convert agricultural buildings into family homes. Currently developers are permitted to create a maximum of three homes from agricultural buildings on farmland. This is set to rise to five. It’s part of the government’s plan to meet local housing needs more efficiently. The new measures will
The Court of Appeal has provided useful guidance on when an employee can claim constructive unfair dismissal based on a “final straw” event following a series of related grievances. The issue arose in the case of Harpreet Kaur who worked for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. There was an altercation between Ms Kaur and another
A meat company has been granted an injunction preventing a former employee misusing its confidential information about customers and product prices. The court heard that the company supplied fresh meat to commercial catering customers. One of its employees resigned after working as a sales executive for two-and-a-half years. During his employment, he had direct contact
The developers of an app for smartphones have won an injunction preventing Google from withdrawing or suspending services until a dispute can be settled at a full court hearing. The case involved a company called Unlockd Media Technology Ltd, which developed an app delivering advertisements for the Android smartphone operating system. The app was available
The High Court recently handed down judgment in Dobson v Griffey [2018] EWHC 1117 (Ch). Mr Griffey and Ms Dobson were a couple whose relationship began in 2004. In February 2007, Mr Griffey bought a farm in his sole name with the mortgage also in his sole name. The couple then lived in the farm
Cohabitees are usually unmarried couples that live together, and the number of couples choosing to cohabit either before marriage or as an alternative to marriage in England and Wales has increased considerably over recent years. Despite the increasing popularity, many couples who choose to cohabit are unaware of the possible risks involved and rely on
Bitcoin is a digital currency created in 2009 which can be used to buy or sell items from individuals and companies that accept Bitcoin as payment, but does not exist as a physical currency. Bitcoin does not have a central bank and is not linked or regulated by any state. Despite its erratic nature, the
The Supreme Court has recently made an important ruling clarifying the way in which contracts may be varied. In Rock Advertising Ltd v MWB Business Exchange Centres Ltd [2018] UKSC 24, the Supreme Court considered whether a contract with a ‘No Oral Modification’ clause could be varied other than in accordance with that clause. The
The government is to give local authorities the power to double council tax on homes that are left empty for long periods. It’s hoped the move will bring more properties back into use and ease the pressure on the housing market. The new legislation will allow councils to charge double the rate of Council Tax
A wife has been told that her husband’s earning capacity should not be part of a financial settlement after they divorce. The court held that it was not a matrimonial asset to which the general sharing principle applied. The ruling could mark a significant change in the way courts regard divorce settlements. The case involved