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Added Value from the Courts
We have in the past been critical of faults in the court system and the drive towards ever increasing fees, so it is only fair that we also give credit where credit is due.
Continue ReadingCautious welcome from Creditors for new Insolvency Rules
The process of replacing the Insolvency Rules 1986 and 28 subsequent amendments has necessarily involved difficult balancing exercises between the interests of numerous stakeholders, but the general consensus among creditors is that The Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 (SI 2016/1024) (“IR 2016”) which came into force on 6 April 2017 are likely to significantly improve the insolvency process for most creditors.
Continue ReadingNew Guidance on Schools Leasing
The FLA has joined forces with the Department for Education (DfE) and the National Association of School Business Management (NASBM) in producing a new document “Leasing Guidance for Schools”.
This document replaces the previous FLA publication from 2011 – ‘Tips for Successful Leasing in Schools’.
Continue ReadingNew Money Laundering Regulations
The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 came into force on 26 June 2017. The new Regulations implement the Fourth EU Money Laundering Directive (“MLD4”) and entirely replace the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, and their provisions are markedly more comprehensive.
Continue ReadingPre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims
Following an extensive consultation process since 2009 the final version of the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims as dictated by the Ministry of Justice will come into force on 1 October 2017.
Continue ReadingWill I get my costs back now?
In February we shared this article which discussed recovering costs lost in legal disputes.
Lord Justice Jackson has now published his review of civil litigation costs.
A regime of “fixed recoverable costs” had been expected for all civil claims up to £250,000 in value, with a table setting out how much the winner could recover from the loser towards their costs. This would have had a major impact on the economics of resolving disputes in court.
In fact the recommendations are somewhat diluted and more flexible. He has proposed the following.
Continue ReadingEmployment Tribunal Fees Are Unlawful
In one of the most important legal decisions in recent years in the employment field, the Supreme Court has allowed the appeal of UNISON in its challenge to the introduction of employment tribunal fees.
Continue ReadingBermans announce highest turnover in firms’ history with revenues of over £5m
North West law firm Bermans has announced record financial results for the third consecutive year with the firm reporting an increase in turnover from £5.14M to £5.3M for the financial year ending 30th June 2017.
Continue ReadingSickies – A Thing Of the Past?
If you’re a fan of the Peter Kay show, Car Share, you’ll have seen the perfect sickie in the making. John’s car share buddy, Kayleigh, calls into work. She feigns a stomach bug with great aplomb, while John looks on. It’s all part of her plan to lure John, who happens to be the assistant manager in the store where they both work, to the safari park for the day.
Continue ReadingFailure to call appeal officer wasn’t fatal
Elmore v The Governors of Darland High School
In most unfair dismissal cases, an employer will put its dismissing officer and its appeal officer in the witness box. It makes sense to give the tribunal a full account of what happened at each stage and why. But this case shows that a fair dismissal may be found even where the appeal officer does not give evidence.
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