Business Law

Bereaved parents will be entitled to 2 weeks’ statutory leave under new measures being introduced by the government. The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Regulations, which will be known as Jack’s Law in memory of Jack Herd whose mother Lucy campaigned tirelessly on the issue, will implement a statutory right to a minimum of 2 weeks’ leave for employed parents if they lose a child under the age of 18.…

Company directors should be held responsible for late payment of invoices, according to a survey of supply chain managers. The research, carried out by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, found that seven out of 10 respondents believed there should be independent oversight and stronger penalties to prevent businesses abusing their suppliers. The survey also found that British businesses are being weighed down by a chronic culture of long…

Employers may need to update their diversity policies to include ethical veganism after an employment tribunal held that it was capable of being a protected belief under the Equality Act. The case, which attracted widespread publicity, involved Jordi Casamitjana, who was dismissed from his job with the campaign group, the League Against Cruel Sports. Mr Casamitjana brought a claim of unfair dismissal, saying that he was sacked because of his…

A director has been ordered to compensate creditors after purchasing a property from his insolvent company in a cut-price deal. The case provided a landmark ruling on the extent to which a director’s duties remain in place after their business is placed in administration. The issue arose after System Building Services Group Ltd went into liquidation. While still a director, Brian Michie, bought from the company a property at what…

Employers are being urged to draw up comprehensive policies to protect their employees from  workplace harassment. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) says the policies should cover everything from physical intimidation to office banter and jokes. Commission chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath has written an open letter to employers reminding them that “their employees must come to work knowing they will be safe and protected from discrimination, victimisation and harassment…

The government has reinforced its commitment to protecting tenants in the private rental sector by awarding councils a total of £4 million to crack down on criminal landlords and letting agents. The new funding will be shared by more than 100 councils across England, enabling them to take enforcement action against offenders and advise tenants of their housing rights. If the measures prove successful, it’s likely that similar grants will…

A Royal Mail employee has won her case of unfair dismissal in a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. Ms Kamaljeet Jhuti joined the Marketreach unit of Royal Mail in October 2013 on a trial basis as a media specialist. She quickly raised concerns about potential regulatory breaches in the processes. She made the comments under the company’s whistle blower policy, in which her comments were…

Businesses across different sectors are urging the new government to end late payment practices that are crippling many small companies. They say the existing Prompt Payment Code isn’t working and fear a surge in company insolvencies if no action is taken. David Frise, CEO of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), said repeated failures by previous governments to deal with late payment culture meant company failures were almost inevitable. He…

CARLISLE Airport was the setting as Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ expanded 12-strong business team met to plan how they can best support companies to expand their horizons in 2020. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ business team now includes three corporate lawyers, six commercial property lawyers, and three in its commercial employment team, delivering advice to businesses of all sizes across Cumbria, Northumberland and beyond. With commercial lawyers with a wealth of experience available…

The restaurant chain Bella Italia has lost a dispute about terminating a commercial lease. The property in question was a new development of retail premises on a site owned by two groups of trustees. In November 2014, Bella signed the agreement for lease, with the trustees as the named freeholder and landlord. The other parties to the agreement were the developer and a company which guaranteed Bella’s obligations under the…