New rules to ensure large firms pay promptly come into effect
October 21st 2019New rules that mean large companies could lose lucrative government business if they don’t pay their suppliers on time have now come into force. The rules, effective from 1 September, mean companies must pay 95% of their invoices within 60 days or run the risk of losing out on major government contracts. This will be particularly beneficial for small businesses, which are an important part of the supply chain. The…
The second edition of our Agricultural News is now live …
October 15th 2019“Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter. We live in ‘interesting times’, and our job as lawyers is to guide you through them and to help you avoid the pitfalls along the way. Please excuse me for giving a huge congratulations to our whole team, including the unsung support staff, on having their skills and service recognised nationally – more on that below. I hope you will find that…
Manager unfairly dismissed after ‘seriously flawed’ investigation
October 14th 2019By Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR A council manager who was unfairly dismissed has been awarded £100,618 compensation and reinstated in his job. Mr J Thornhill had worked at Camden Borough Council for 37 years. In 2017, the council was ordered to pay compensation over the mishandling of the tendering process for a contract to provide street lighting. It was Thornhill’s job to assess the requirements in the…
Help to Buy scheme is not delivering expected value, say MPs
October 9th 2019By Elizabeth Crouch Head of Residential Conveyancing The value of the government’s Help to Buy scheme has been called into question by MPs on the Public Accounts Committee. They say much of the money invested could have been better spent elsewhere. The Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme was introduced in April 2013 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (the Department) to address a fall in property…
Rise in probate fees on hold after recent turmoil in parliament
October 2nd 2019By Sian Rae Solicitor The proposed increase in probate fees has been put on hold due to the recent turmoil in parliament. It’s not clear if or when the increases will take effect. Currently there is a flat fee of £215, or £155 if a solicitor is involved. The government had planned to introduce a banded system that caps the fee at 0.5% of the value of the estate, up…
Pub manager was sexually harassed by ‘jovial’ co-worker
September 30th 2019by Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR A pub manager has won a sexual harassment claim after a senior co-worker engaged in ‘poor taste humour’. The Employment Tribunal judge said the case showed that a person’s dignity can be violated even when there is no ‘malicious intent’ on the part of the perpetrator. Ms J Prewett had worked for Greene King for 23 years. She was manager of the Big…
NHS director ‘was not discriminated against’ over religious beliefs
September 23rd 2019by Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR An NHS director who was suspended after he made controversial comments based on his religious beliefs has failed with his discrimination claim. Richard Page was a non-executive director of an NHS and social care trust, and held a position as a lay magistrate in the family court. He was a practising Christian and had strong views against same-sex couples being suitable adoptive parents.…
Airport not liable for employee’s ‘racist’ social media post
September 16th 2019by Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR A security officer at Heathrow airport was unable to hold his employers liable for a racially offensive image he was subjected to on his colleague’s social media account. Mr O Forbes said he suffered harassment, victimisation and discrimination after fellow security officer Deborah Stevens posted to her personal Facebook page a picture of a ‘golliwog’ with the caption: “Let’s see how far…
Manager unfairly dismissed after locking customer in bank
September 12th 2019by Claire Davies Director A diabetic bank manager was discriminated against after being dismissed following an incident that saw him lock a customer in the branch. Mr B Kuppala was employed by HBOS for 14 years and worked his way up to manager of its Oxford Street Halifax branch. However, due to his diabetes, he made numerous security errors including leaving the keys to the branch in the doors and…
Warning to employers as number of disabled people in work rises
September 9th 2019By Carol Fish Director and Head of Serious & Catastrophic Injury Department The government has warned employers that disabled people should not be considered a burden or prevented from enjoying fulfilling careers. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show that a record number of people have been supported by the Access to Work scheme, with 36,240 having received the grant in the last 12 months. Government…
