Businesses urged to address veganism in diversity policies
February 20th 2020Employers 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…
Director ordered to compensate creditors for cut price deal
February 17th 2020A 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 ‘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…
Councils to get £4m to tackle rogue landlords and letting agents
February 11th 2020The 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…
Cartmell Shepherd’s judging day with the Family Business Network
February 7th 2020Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors are proud partners of the Family Business Network who are here to champion family businesses across the North West, recognising their achievements and celebrating their successes. Following our commitment to the previous Family Business Award Ceremonies we were asked to take part in the judging of the People’s Choice Award for the North West Family Business Awards. The People’s Choice Award is a nomination only category and…
My apprenticeship with Cartmell Shepherd
February 4th 2020As it is National Apprenticeship Week I thought it would be helpful for anyone looking to start an apprenticeship to share my experiences so far in completing the Solicitor Apprenticeship with Cartmell Shepherd and BPP Law School. The Solicitor Apprenticeship was introduced in 2016 as a new route into law and very recently marked a successful 3 years of the scheme, I am a part of the 3rd cohort of…
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…
When court action becomes necessary in divorce cases
January 27th 2020Court action is generally considered to be a last resort in divorce cases. It’s much better to reach an amicable agreement over how you should divide the marital assets and reach a financial settlement. If that proves difficult, your solicitor is likely to suggest that you try mediation, arbitration or collaborative law services to overcome any problems. Sometimes, however, court action becomes unavoidable. This could be for several reasons. For…
