Read our latest articles, news briefs and legal updates across all our different services.
The European Union has agreed a one-stop patent system that will make it cheaper and easier for businesses to protect their ideas and designs. At present, applications to the European Patent Office have to be validated in individual member countries creating extra expense in translations and administration. Under the new system, only one application is
It has been announced that awards for unfair dismissal are to be limited to one year’s salary. However, the overall cap will remain at £72,300. Employment relations minister Jo Swinson said the change would be introduced in an amendment to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, which is currently going through parliament. Ms Swinson said:
A landlord has won his appeal against the level of penalties imposed on him for operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The case arose after six tenants sought Rent Repayment Orders (RRO) after discovering their HMO was not licensed. The tribunal made an order in their favour for the repayment of all the
A warning has been issued to Britain’s top companies by a Governmnet Minister that they will be named and shamed if they fail to sign up to the Prompt Payment Code. The code, which was drawn up by the Institute of Credit Management, has been in operation for four years. Its signatories commit to paying
The danger of tick box valuations was highlighted in a recent professional negligence case involving a firm of property surveyors. The court outlined what should happen when issues arose during valuations that could not be fully explained using automated systems. The case involved a firm called E.Surv Ltd which had been commissioned by an American
The Government has announced new proposals to make it easier for consumers and small firms to take action against unfair business practices. The new measures were announced by the Competition Minister Jo Swinson who said: “Actions like price-fixing or imposing unfair trading terms can really harm businesses, particularly small businesses, and restrict their ability to
An estate agents firm has been fined nearly £12,000 for failing to comply with anti-money laundering regulations. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) took action against the Leicester-based IPS Estate Agents Ltd after it breached a number of the requirements of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007. The OFT said the failings related to verifying the
New permitted development rights to allow offices to be converted into homes without the need for planning permission have been introduced. The move is designed to provide much needed new homes, regenerate town centres and provide a boost for the construction industry. The permitted development right will be in place for three years. Local authorities
The court heard that Utopia Tableware Ltd had registered and unregistered design rights over its Aspen range of glasses, which were characterised by being tall and having a narrow waist towards the centre. The glasses were used by some major brewing companies. Utopia objected when another manufacturer started producing glasses which were very similar in
Redundancy regulations are being modified in a move designed to help both businesses and employees. The main change is to reduce the minimum period before large scale redundancies can take place from 90 days to 45 days. This affects redundancy programmes involving more than 100 employees. The Government will also legislate to make clear that