Coronavirus and Mortgage Payment Holidays
March 26th 2020As Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors are members of the UK200Group we are able to share with you the following information on Coronavirus and Mortgage Payment Holidays which has been brought to our attention by Ann Bibby, Vice Chair of the UK200Group Tax Panel and Partner, Ellacotts. She has received the below from Andrew Green, Caboodle Financial Services Ltd. We hope you will find this beneficial and we will continue to keep…
Summary of the UK Government’s policy on ‘Furlough’ and the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme
March 24th 2020As Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors are members of the UK200Group we are able to share with you the latest advice on ‘Furlough’ from Helen Spencer FCIPD, Managing Partner Whittingham Riddell. We hope you will find this beneficial and we will continue to keep you informed of any useful advice during this difficult time. Q: What does the word ‘furlough’ mean? Furlough generally means a temporary leave of absence from work. This…
MPs call for root and branch reforms to cut inheritance tax
March 19th 2020A group of MPs have called for root and branch reforms of the inheritance tax system, including a cut in the standard rate from 40% to 10%. They also want to scrap most of the current tax reliefs, including the seven-year rule that allows you to pass on wealth without any tax implications. Instead, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Inheritance and Intergenerational Fairness wants a new annual allowance of £30,000…
Shaming low paying employers to continue following review
March 12th 2020The Government is to step up its naming and shaming of employers who fail to pay their workers the National Minimum or Living Wage. Meanwhile, it will increase support for employers to help them comply with low pay legislation. It says the changes, which follow a review of the process, will see naming rounds occur more often to enhance the effectiveness of the deterrent. Ministers have also increased the threshold…
Amazon granted non-disclosure injunction against former employee
February 28th 2020Amazon has been granted an injunction ordering a former employee to comply with the terms of his employment contract regarding the non-disclosure and non-use of confidential documents. The employee, Mr Tejan-Kella, had been an area manager for Amazon. He got into a dispute with the company and issued a claim in the Employment Tribunal. He was then dismissed on the basis that he had no right to work in the…
How cohabitants can protect their finances if their relationship breaks down
February 27th 2020Cohabiting couples don’t have the same legal rights as married couples, which can cause major problems if their relationship breaks down. Many cohabitants think ahead and draw up a living together agreement that sets out in advance how their assets should be shared if they separate. This can help prevent confusion that often leads to bitter disputes. Couples without such agreements may have to start from scratch to assess who…
Employers ‘need strong policies against workplace harassment’
February 13th 2020Employers 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…
Woman ordered to pay rent after partner died without a Will
February 3rd 2020A woman has been ordered to pay rent for the time she spent living in the house she shared with her partner after he died without a Will. The partner had been married in the 1980s and had two children. He later began a relationship with the woman involved in this case. They had similar incomes and bought a house together in 1989 with a joint mortgage. They had a…
Government to provide cheaper homes and end leasehold abuses
January 30th 2020The government has pledged to provide more affordable homes and to clamp down on leasehold abuses on newbuild properties. The measures were announced in the Queen’s Speech at the start of the new parliament. The new First Home scheme will be designed to make homes available at a discount for local first-time buyers. Councils will be able to use housing developers’ contributions to discount homes by 30% for people who…
Where would your Estate go without having a Will?
January 29th 2020The UK Government are changing the rules which govern where your estate goes if you die without having a Will (i.e. die intestate) leaving a spouse or civil partner and children. Currently, under the intestacy rules, if you die without having a Will and have no children, your spouse or civil partner will inherit all of your estate. If you have children, your spouse or civil partner will be entitled…
