New measures to help small businesses tackle late payments
November 8th 2023The Government has announced a new set of measures to help small businesses tackle the issue of late payments. Carly Davies, our Debt Control Manager provides an update. The measures will be included in the upcoming Prompt Payment & Cash Flow Review and are designed to improve delivery and enforcement of policies, enabling more small businesses to get paid on time. Late payment of invoices and long payment terms are key issues…
Contract limits supplier’s liability in multi-million-pound dispute
November 1st 2023A clause imposed a single liability cap for all claims arising out of a multi-million-pound contract; it did not include multiple caps with a separate limit applying to each claim. Rob Winder Senior Associate Chartered Legal Executive in our Dispute Resolution team reports on this recent case. That was the decision of the Technology & Construction Court in a dispute involving Drax Energy Solutions Ltd v Wipro Ltd. Wipro provided…
Employer failed to make reasonable adjustments for disabled worker
October 23rd 2023The Employment Tribunal has ruled that an employer discriminated against a disabled worker by failing to make reasonable adjustments for him. Jennifer Cafferky Solicitor in our employment team, reports on this recent case. The case involved Mr R Poniatowski who worked as a quality control technologist for Wealmoor Limited between 2017 and 2020. In May 2019, he was signed off because of back pain and depression. He was absent for nine…
New law gives workers more control over working patterns
October 12th 2023A new law is set to give millions of workers more control over their working hours and employment patterns. Joanne Stronach Director and Head of Employment & HR provides an update. The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill, which received the Royal Assent in September, is designed to help people on atypical contracts – including those on zero hours contracts. It introduces a right for workers to request a more predictable…
Company fails to stop former employees setting up rival business
September 14th 2023A waste management company has failed to get a court injunction preventing former employees from allegedly copying its business model and setting up as a rival. Mark Aspin Director and Head of Dispute Resolution reports on this recent case. The case involved Waste Managed Ltd. It made allegations of unlawful means conspiracy, misuse of confidential information, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty against former employees who had set up a rival…
Director wins dispute over £2.3m loan to his company
August 17th 2023A director has won a dispute with his company that he was entitled to immediate payment of a £2.3m loan. Selina Gonzalez Solicitor in our dispute resolution team reports on this recent case. The case involved Malik and Henley Homes Plc. Henley accepted that the money was owing to Malik on a company loan account but claimed that it was not repayable on demand, but by oral agreement between Malik and two other…
WH Smith, M&S and Argos named for not paying staff minimum wage
July 25th 2023High Street retail giants WH Smith, M&S and Argos are among more than 200 employers named by the government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage. Joanne Stronach Director and Head of Employment & HR provides an update. The 202 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers almost £5 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving around 63,000 workers…
Surge in number of landlords issuing section 21 notices
July 14th 2023There has been a surge in the number of renters seeking assistance with no-fault evictions, suggesting that landlords are rushing to move people out before new legislation comes into effect. Laura Murphy, Paralegal in our Dispute Resolution team provides an update. According to Citizens Advice, nearly 2,000 individuals sought help with section 21 evictions in May, the highest number recorded in a single month and a 25% increase since May…
Debt collection methods to ensure your business gets paid
July 6th 2023Debt collection and credit control can be a challenge for any business. Yet failure to deal swiftly and effectively with debtors can threaten your viability and put your future and the future of your employees at risk. Carly Davies, our Debt Control Manager, reports. Here are some of the key approaches to ensuring prompt payment. Negotiation This is the obvious first step. It requires frank communication with the debtor to discuss the…
Technologist was victimised in ‘naming and shaming’ by manager
June 29th 2023A technologist has won his victimisation claim after being ‘named and shamed’ by his line manager without a proper investigation. Jennifer Cafferky Solicitor in our employment team, reports on this recent case. The case involved Mr N Chowdhury, who had been a senior critical care technologist at Barts Health NHS Trust since 2001. In 2021, Chowdhury was involved in a confrontation with a colleague, Mr Patelca, who complained that Chowdhury had…
