Court resolves dispute between partners in restaurant business
October 19th 2020The High Court has settled a dispute between two partners who had worked together for many years in a restaurant business. Tariq Mahmood Malik and Mahboob Hussain Junior had opened a restaurant known as the “Nawaab” in 2003. They were equal joint owners of the property in which it was situated and equal joint shareholders in the company through which it was run (the Stockport Road company). In 2006 they…
SMEs to act now to prepare for Brexit
October 14th 2020Many SMEs are unaware that there are some key things they need to do before the end of the year to ensure they can continue to trade from 1st January 2021. The UK left the EU on Friday 31st January. There is now a transition period until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU negotiate additional arrangements. From 1st January 2021 there are some significant implications for all…
Possession hearings return but renters to get more support
October 14th 2020Landlords can now bring possession proceedings again, but the government has also announced new measures to give tenants extra protection over the winter, especially at Christmas. Natalie Tatton Solicitor provides an update. The government has changed the law to increase notice periods to 6 months meaning renters now served notice can stay in their homes over winter, with time to find alternative support or accommodation. The only exceptions to this are the most…
Government bans business evictions until the end of the year
October 12th 2020The government has extended its ban on landlords evicting businesses until the end of the year. The move is in response to the continuing COVID-19 crisis. Stephanie Johnson Associate Solicitor provides an update. Ministers say that where companies can pay their rent, they should do so, as this support is aimed at those businesses struggling the most during the pandemic. It’s hoped it will enable them to remain in their…
Employment tribunal capacity to be increased due to Covid-19
October 7th 2020The government is introducing a series of changes to increase the flexibility and capacity of the employment tribunal system during the Covid-19 pandemic. Joanne Stronach Director and Head of Employment & HR provides an update. The new measures will also allow tribunals to deal with increasing caseloads, following the abolition of employment tribunal fees in July 2017. It means there will be more remote hearings so tribunals can hear more…
Leading legal firm trio receive prestigious accolade
October 2nd 2020A TRIO of expert lawyers from a leading law firm which operates across Cumbria and Northumberland have been highlighted for praise in UK professional rankings. Three members of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ Agriculture and Estates team have received the accolade from the Legal 500 which analyses the capabilities of law firms across the world. Cartmell Shepherd’s director and head of agriculture Jonathan Carroll and director Mark Jackson have both been highlighted…
Temporary protections against business insolvency extended
October 1st 2020The government is extending the temporary measures it introduced to protect businesses from insolvency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mark Aspin Director & Head of Dispute Resolution provides an update. The measures are contained in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act and were due to expire on 30th September 2020. They will now continue until the end of the year and in some cases, into next year. They include: companies and…
What Do the Latest Measures from Rishi mean for your Business? What is the outlook for SMEs?
September 28th 2020We are experiencing probably the toughest year most of us have known in our business lives. Thankfully, there has been support available to help us through the crisis. On 24th September Rishi announced further measures of support including: a new job support scheme; an extension to the self-employment income support scheme; an extension to the repayment period for bounce back loans; the extension of the 5% VAT rate for the…
SMEs and the Winter Economy Plan – the UK200Group Verdict
September 25th 2020As Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors are proud members of the UK200Group we are able to share with you the following comments from several members of the UK200Group on the Winter Economy Plan: SMEs and the Winter Economy Plan – the UK200Group Verdict The UK200Group is the UK’s leading professional services group of independent quality assured chartered accountancy and law firms. The aim of the UK200Group is to help members help their clients. They…
Employer must honour settlement agreement despite breach
September 24th 2020An employer must honour payments set out in a settlement agreement with an employee even though he breached a confidentiality clause. By Claire Davies Director That was the decision of the High Court in a case involving Duchy Farm Kennels Ltd and Graham William Steels. Mr Steels had brought claims against Duchy in the Employment Tribunal. A settlement agreement was negotiated in which Duchy agreed to pay Steels £15,000 by…