Employees to be given day one right to request flexible working
November 2nd 2021Every 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…
Covenant prevents couple building new house in their garden
October 28th 2021A couple have been prevented from building a new home in their garden because of a covenant dating back 60 years. Stephanie Johnson Senior Associate Solicitor reports on this recent case. Covenants are promises or conditions often inserted into title deeds that affect or limit how a property can be used. They are legally binding on whoever later buys the property unless overturned by a court. The couple in this case…
Employers who withhold tips from workers could face tribunal claims
October 27th 2021Employers 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…
Landlord cannot demand payment of service charges out of time
October 25th 2021A landlord could not get round the requirement to make a “demand for payment of the service charge” within the 18-month time limit specified in law. Natalie Tatton Solicitor reports on this recent case. That was the ruling of the Court of Appeal in a case involving a landlord that held the head lease of the residential parts of a large mixed-use development. Several residential flats in the building were let…
Law firm receives top ranking for work in agricultural sector
October 22nd 2021The agricultural team at a leading law firm has been named among the best in the country. Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ Agriculture and Estates department has been recognised for its expertise and knowledge of the farming sector in a national legal guide, which ranks lawyers and law firms throughout the UK. The Chambers UK Guide 2022 placed the team in the top tier of legal firms for the second year in…
Rise in probate fees ‘must be matched by better service’
October 21st 2021The Law Society has told the government that a rise in probate fees should be matched by improvements to the service. Ingrid Fraser Solicitor in our Wills, Probate and Inheritance team provides an update. The current fees are £155 for professional users and £215 for non-professional users. These would change to one single probate fee of £273 for all applications under proposals put forward by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).…
Director awarded £30,000 after role downgraded during maternity
October 20th 2021A marketing director was discriminated against when she was dismissed for refusing to accept a reduced role and a £20,000 pay cut while she was on maternity leave. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment and HR reports on this recent case. The case involved Mrs S Shipp, who had worked at City Sprint UK for 10 years from 2010-2020. She became pregnant in 2019 and was asked by the director of operations…
Covid testing company granted injunction against employee
October 18th 2021A company that provides Covid testing equipment has been granted an injunction to prevent a former employee from working for a rival business for a period specified in a restrictive covenant. Mark Aspin Head of Dispute Resolution reports on this recent case. The case involved Source Bioscience UK Ltd, part of a group of companies that provide laboratory services to clients in the pharmaceutical industry, the NHS and private healthcare providers. The…
Solicitor lands dream job after fitting seven years of studies around raising three children
October 15th 2021When Selina Gonzalez became pregnant at the age of 17, her aspirations of becoming a solicitor were put on ice. But a determined Selina, now 38, didn’t give up on her dreams and has juggled seven years of studying law with raising three children to realise her ambition of being admitted to the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales. Landing her dream job working as a Dispute Resolution solicitor…
Teachers’ redundancy dismissal without appeal ruled unfair
October 14th 2021Two teachers have won their claim of unfair dismissal after they were denied the right of appeal against being made redundant. Joanne Stronach Head of Employment and HR reports on this recent case. The teachers had been employed by the local authority to work at a community secondary school (School 1). Due to a reorganisation of education provision, the local authority decided to close School 1 and replace it with a…
