Articles
Articles of association, a short guide
Using a company to run a business is often the most advantageous structure to use when compared to the sole trader and partnership models. It can provide tax benefits, help protect shareholders and directors from liability and offer a flexible format for...
Increase in probate fees to begin in April 2019
The Government announced in 2018 plans to introduce a new six-band probate fee structure which is set to replace the existing flat fee of £215 (or £155 when paid through a solicitor) to take effect in April 2019. Probate fees are payable when the executors of an...
Court of Appeal uphold Employment Tribunal decision that Uber drivers are workers.
In our article on “Risks associated with employing workers within the Gig economy” written in August 2018 reference was made to the case of Uber BV and others v Aslam and others and its effect on the classification of individuals as being self-employed or being...
Equine Industry Issues
The Equine industry is an area of numerous different relationships, for example between an employer/employee/working pupil/groom or a yard owner/horse owner or a seller/purchaser. Accordingly, there are stringent laws that apply in such different circumstances. The...
Risks associated with employing workers within the “Gig economy”
What is the “gig economy”? The term “gig economy” predominantly refers to areas of the employment market with the defining characteristic of offering short-term contracts/freelance work in place of more permanent jobs. Depending on the perspective of the onlooker this...
GDPR
What is GDPR? The General Data Protection Regulations replace the Data Protection Act 1998 on the 25th May 2018. GDPR gives people more control over how organisations use their data and consequently imposes a burden on all organisations who control and process data....
Care required when purchasing a horse
Horses are classified as goods and when it comes to selling and purchasing them (when horses can range in price from thousands to hundreds of thousands and more), care must be taken in accurate advertisement and also asking the right questions when buying. It may seem...
ECJ clarifies workers’ rights to untaken holiday pay
The European Court of Justice has sided with a worker and his right to be compensated for untaken annual leave. The case of King v The Sash Window Workshop Limited and another C-214/16 clarified that in circumstances where an employer has refused to recognise a...
Investment Association signifies disapproval over ‘virtual AGMs’
Since August 2009, Companies in the UK have been able to hold virtual meetings as a result of the amendment of section 360A of the Companies Act 2006, as inserted by the Shareholder Rights Regulations 2009. It provides for the fully-electronic holding of meetings with...
Government gives green light to introduction of fully digital conveyancing
The Government has announced its intention to modify the Land Registration Rules 2003 in order to facilitate the introduction of fully digital conveyancing. The Land Registry consulted on the possible changes back in 2017, including the use of digital documents with...
Stamp Duty Land Tax – Scrapped for first-time buyers
Chancellor, Phillip Hammond, announced on the 22nd November that stamp duty is to be abolished for first-time buyers on properties up to £300,000 with immediate effect. The cut will permanently raise the price at which a property becomes liable for stamp duty to...
SUPREME COURT QUASHES THE EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL AND EMPLOYMENT APPEAL TRIBUNAL FEES ORDER 2013
The Supreme Court ruled on the 26th July 2017 that the Government's employment tribunal fees are "illegal" and preventing people access to justice. The Supreme Court did not rule against the fees themselves, rather that they should be set at a level that everyone...
Legal Services
Recent Posts
The Litigation Process
This article sets out a general overview of the litigation process in England and Wales under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), including steps to be taken before a claim is commenced. It does not cover every possible stage of the process, but highlights those which...
Asset protection Trusts
Can I protect my assets during my lifetime? We are all keen to protect our assets for our loved ones, during our lifetime AND after our death. We want to do the best for our spouse/partner and children. However, there are many questions that need addressing before the...
What is the residence nil rate band?
And how will it affect me and my loved ones? Inheritance tax (IHT) is charged on your death at the rate of 40% based on the value of your assets. Everyone benefits from something called “the nil rate band”. This means that at the moment a 40% tax rate applies if your...
What’s happening to the UK High Streets?
Store closures, services moving online and retailers losing business. What challenges do companies face on the UK high street in 2019? Businesses in various consumer facing sectors are facing uncertain times and economic hardship. Last week saw the...
Archive
Recent Articles
Is it time to review your Will?
6 life events that should trigger a review of your Will. No matter how old you are, an up-to date, professionally prepared Will is extremely important. A Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes can be fulfilled, as a Will clarifies what happens to your assets...
Passing off
Deliberate Confusion in respect of Goods or Services provided? Passing Off is commonly defined as “nobody has the right to represent his goods [or services] as the goods [or services] of somebody else”. It is often encountered in matters relating to title, name or...
Buying and selling your home, a step by step guide
The conveyancing process can be daunting, particularly if you are a first time buyer or if it has been a while since you last moved home. We have created the below step by step guide based on a freehold sale and purchase. Finding a Solicitor When you are close to...
The section 1 statement – changes due in April 2020
Under section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 employers are required to provide employees with a written statement of certain terms of their employment. Certain information must be provided to the employee in a single document (the principal statement)....
Articles of association, a short guide
Using a company to run a business is often the most advantageous structure to use when compared to the sole trader and partnership models. It can provide tax benefits, help protect shareholders and directors from liability and offer a flexible format for...
Increase in probate fees to begin in April 2019
The Government announced in 2018 plans to introduce a new six-band probate fee structure which is set to replace the existing flat fee of £215 (or £155 when paid through a solicitor) to take effect in April 2019. Probate fees are payable when the executors of an...
Court of Appeal uphold Employment Tribunal decision that Uber drivers are workers.
In our article on “Risks associated with employing workers within the Gig economy” written in August 2018 reference was made to the case of Uber BV and others v Aslam and others and its effect on the classification of individuals as being self-employed or being...
Equine Industry Issues
The Equine industry is an area of numerous different relationships, for example between an employer/employee/working pupil/groom or a yard owner/horse owner or a seller/purchaser. Accordingly, there are stringent laws that apply in such different circumstances. The...
Archive