New plans to protect businesses against late payments
November 17th 2020The government is considering new powers to give businesses more protection against late payments of invoices. Carly Davies Debt Recovery Manager provides an update. Figures provided by Pay UK show that £23.4 billion worth of late invoices are owed to small firms across Britain, impacting on their cash flow and ultimate survival. Small Business Minister Paul Scully has announced a new set of proposals to ensure these firms are paid…
The third edition of our Agricultural Newsletter is now live
November 16th 2020“Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter. It’s been an odd year! Despite it all, our property and agricultural teams are busier than ever and we welcome our newly-qualified Emma Blamire to the team of solicitors. Tim Cartmell gave me some advice at that stage of my career – “keep learning until you die,” which was both characteristic and spot on. The icing to the cake is that both…
Brexit impact on your workforce
November 12th 2020Joanne Stronach Director and Head of Employment & HR shares some useful information in a post Brexit world. Brexit will impact on your workforce in a number of ways, including: From January 2021 there will be a new immigration regime EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who wish to live and work in the UK Recognition of qualifications Travel (visa requirements, passport rules) Existing employees of UK companies who are EU nationals will need…
Emma joins the farming team
November 9th 2020For newly qualified solicitor Emma Blamire, living and working in Cumbria is the best of all worlds. Having grown up on a farm just outside Carlisle, she loves the outdoor life and is now combining that with her chosen career in law. Emma, 24, qualified as a solicitor in September and is now part of Cartmell Shepherd’s Agriculture and Estates team, one of the leading agricultural law departments in the…
Brexit and Contracts
November 5th 2020Sam Lyon Head of Corporate & Commercial shares another useful tip in a post Brexit world. Some of the terms in existing contracts may no longer be relevant post-Brexit or may raise legal or practical questions in the future. If your contracts – e.g. terms of business, sale of goods, employment contracts – make reference to the UK being a member state of the EU or rely on EU regulation, then…
Key questions for family business owners to consider to help run their companies
November 3rd 2020Key questions to consider to help run your business from Sam Lyon Head of Corporate and Commercial. Conflicts in family businesses can be considerable and, unlike other businesses, there is usually even more than just the commercial success of the business at stake. Thinking about things in advance, particularly some of the most vulnerable and sensitive areas, can allow family businesses to plan ahead and reduce the risk of issues…
Court lifts injunction preventing employee working at new firm
October 29th 2020The High Court has lifted an interim injunction restraining an employee from working at another company, Claire Davies Director reports. The case involved Peltrade Ltd, a distributor of energy-producing wood pellets. In March 2018 it had employed Mr Dean Scanlan to trade in premium and industrial quality pellets, but he had worked primarily in the premium pellet sector. His contract of employment contained several post-termination restrictive covenants restraining him from…
Brexit and IP – How can you protect your intellectual property?
October 28th 2020Sam Lyon Head of Corporate & Commercial shares another useful tip in a post Brexit world. You insure your property and have contracts with suppliers and customers for the sale and purchase of goods but what are you doing to protect your ideas, services and products? Assets that cannot be seen – including design rights, patents, trademarks and copyrights – have immense value to businesses and can be protected. They…
Firm’s commitment to agricultural sector rewarded with highest accolade
October 28th 2020A LEADING legal firm has been recognised for its commitment to the local farming community. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, which operates across Cumbria and Northumberland, has been ranked among the best in the country for its expertise and knowledge of the agricultural sector. Its Agriculture and Estates department was placed in the top tier of legal firms nationally for the first time by the Chambers UK Guide, which ranks lawyers and…
Data Protection and GDPR in a post Brexit World
October 22nd 2020Joanne Stronach Director and Head of Employment & HR provides an some important information. After the Brexit transition period ends on 31st December 2020, the EU GDPR will no longer be law in the UK. However, as the UK government intends to write the GDPR into UK law, from all practical perspectives, GDPR will continue to apply. This means UK organisations and individuals that process or transfer the personal data…
