Business Law

The High Court has ruled that a telephone conversation between the managing directors of two companies amounted to a binding agreement and had to honoured. Sam Lyon Head of Corporate & Commercial reports on this recent case. The case involved Mansion Place Ltd v Fox Industrial Services Ltd. Mansion had engaged Fox to refurbish and extend student accommodation. There were delays in the performance of the works. Fox said they were…

A mother who was dismissed during her maternity leave while the ownership of her company changed hands has won her discrimination claim. Jennifer Cafferky Solicitor in our employment team reports on this recent case Mrs Rodin worked for HR company DMS1 and went on maternity leave in June 2017. During her absence, the company underwent a change in ownership, with Dhillons Management Services taking over, although this company was also…

The High Court has rejected a claim that a firm of accountants failed in their duty of care and should be held liable for a client’s failed investment. David Tew, Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. The client, Mr Knights, sought damages from Townsend Harrison Ltd for losses he suffered after the firm introduced him to three tax schemes and an investment opportunity. Townsend was not authorised by the Financial…

A leading law firm has appointed a new specialist employment solicitor to further increase the breadth and quality of support for its growing number of business clients. Jennifer Cafferky, who has worked in employment law for 15 years, joins Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors from national law firm Setfords Solicitors and has previously worked for Cumbria Law Centre as a senior solicitor. She will work alongside Joanne Stronach, who leads the Employment…

A veterinary assistant was unfairly dismissed after she challenged her employer’s view that the coronavirus pandemic had been ‘hyped up’. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment and HR reports on this recent case. The case involved Charlotte Rendina who worked at Royston Veterinary Centre from January to March 2020. She was dismissed by her employer, Dr White, due to her ‘poor performance’. However, the Employment Tribunal heard that the timing coincided with…

“We might all be forgiven for feeling a bit under the weather: farmers have a lot of change to cope with, and we all have the ongoing ‘stuff’. So when there’s some good news, we should celebrate it – having our Agriculture team ranked in the top band by both main legal reviews; expanding the team with two bright, young Cumbrian lawyers; Katherine Pretswell-Walker joining the Board of Directors. That’s really good…

Nearly half of all businesses have a positive outlook for the future, according to research from Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors. The legal firm, which carried out the research in conjunction with the UK200Group, a collaborative of the country’s leading professional services companies of which Cartmell Shepherd is a member, revealed that 48 per cent of the businesses surveyed across the UK were positive about the future, and only 16 per cent…

Two directors did not breach their legal duties when they paid themselves a total of £1.2m from their failing company. Sam Lyon Head of Corporate & Commercial reports on this recent case. That was the decision of the High Court in a case involving, Brookmann Home Ltd (In Liquidation). The company had been formed as a vehicle to purchase a textile business. Most of the purchase price was raised from money…

Every employee is to be given the right to request flexible working – regardless of time served – under Government plans to modernise working practices. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment and HR provides an update. There will also be a day one right to one-week’s unpaid leave for carers balancing a job with caring responsibilities. Ministers say the changes will make for more productive businesses, whilst accommodating both staff and…

Employers in the hospitality sector could face tribunal claims if they are found top be withholding tips from workers, under new regulations being introduced by the government. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment and HR provides an update. The move is set to help around 2 million people working in one of the 190,000 businesses across the hospitality, leisure and services sectors, where tipping is commonplace and can make up a large…