No-deal brexit and family law
April 9th 2019By Laura Ousby Solicitor Family law may not immediately spring to mind when considering the impact of Brexit. Most of the news coverage focuses on the value of the pound, businesses, the NHS, interest rates and house prices. A no-deal Brexit will, however, affect the current family legal system as we know it. The government have made a number of provisions affecting family law that are expected to come into force…
Asda loses appeal over equal pay for women workers
April 4th 2019Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR explains. The Court of Appeal has upheld a tribunal ruling that female workers in Asda stores were employed under terms and conditions that were comparable to men working in the company’s distribution depots. It’s an important decision as it could allow thousands of women working for major retailers and numerous other businesses to bring equal pay claims. Asda has 630 retail stores and…
Homeowner awarded £500,000 after architect fails to deliver ‘wow factor’
April 1st 2019A City banker has successfully sued his architect after a home cinema designed to float above an indoor swimming pool failed to deliver a “wow factor”. Philip Freeborn was a successful banker and owned a luxurious home. He hired architect Daniel Marca to redesign his pool-house. They agreed on a cinema screen that would appear in a glass box on legs above the pool. However, the end result was not…
Key points to consider when negotiating your divorce settlement
March 27th 2019When negotiating a divorce financial settlement, both the sides should be realistic of their monetary demands. One of the major tasks a couple face when they divorce is to decide on a fair financial settlement: how much should each partner get once their joint matrimonial assets are divided up? Negotiating a divorce financial settlement The courts will always try to ensure that both partners are treated fairly and will insist…
Businesses learn from world champions M-Sport
March 22nd 2019BUSINESS leaders from companies large and small were revved up when they attended a special event at the headquarters of World Rally Champions M-Sport. Experts shared best practice across a number of fields before delegates were given a tour of the company’s impressive headquarters. The event was the latest in a collaborative series organised by leading Cumbrian legal firm Cartmell Shepherd. They partnered with insurance broker Jelf, as both companies…
Joanne Stronach considers recent case; 88-year-old becomes oldest person to win age discrimination claim
March 15th 2019Joanne Stronach Head of Employment & HR considers the case of E Jolly, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. An 88-year-old woman who was dismissed from her job with the NHS has become the oldest person in the UK to win an age discrimination claim. Eileen Jolly told the Employment Tribunal that she felt “humiliated and degraded” by the way she was treated by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. Mrs…
New law caps tenancy deposits and regulates letting fees
March 11th 2019By Laura Bright Solicitor The Tenant Fees Act that caps tenancy deposits and protects against unfair practices has now received the Royal Assent and passes into law. The government introduced the new regulations because it believes that unexpected letting fees and high deposits can make properties harder for people to afford and are often not clearly explained upfront – leaving many prospective tenants unaware of the true costs of renting…
Court corrects costly tax error in family’s trust fund
March 8th 2019By Claire Wilson Associate Solicitor The High Court has allowed a family to correct an error in a trust fund that would have had costly tax implications. The case arose out of financial arrangements outlined in the will of a man who died in 2015. He bequeathed £4.2m to be held on trust for the benefit of his widow and his children, with a class of discretionary beneficiaries comprising of…
Probate fee increase
March 6th 2019By Laura Wilson Following the death of an individual, in some circumstances it is necessary for the Personal Representatives (the people responsible for dealing with the Estate) to apply to the Court for a document known as a Grant of Probate (GoP) to allow them to obtain the deceased’s assets. Currently, the Court fee for obtaining the GoP is set at £155 if applying through a Solicitor or £215 for…
Sheep worrying is against the law!
February 28th 2019Lambing season is a joyous, if tiring, time for many sheep farmers. It is the product of a long hard year of work. However with the NFU Mutual reporting that the increasing numbers of livestock attacks is costing the agriculture sector an estimated £1.2 million, it is important that farmers know the rights that they have to receive compensation. With 60% of dog walkers admitting to letting their dog roam off…
