European Court confirms subsidiaries cannot “have their cake and eat it”
The decision of the European Court in LitSpecMet [1] has confirmed our long-held view and the Opinion of the Advocate General in that case. This is that where a parent contracting […]
What is a bedroom?
A new Tribunal decision was published in December 2017 that found that a local authority must assess whether a bedroom can physically fit the number of expected children to sleep in it as a bedroom.
Rents 2015 – 2016
Although we are still waiting for the publication of the new Regulatory Framework from the HCA, at the end of last year the HCA did publish its ‘Guideline rent limit […]
Challenging Mental Capacity
Facts of the case – The County Court Mr Werrett, the tenant and Defendant in possession proceedings, had suffered brain damage as a child. In January 2014 Mr Werrett admitted […]
Can I apply our sickness absence policy to an employee whose sickness absence is due to their disability?
The facts An employee with 35 years’ service has been absent for 62 days due to post-viral fatigue. Following her return to work she is found to be suffering from […]
Court fee increases – urgent news
The details are: In possession claims, the issue fee increases from £280 to £355. For possession claims online through PCOL, the issue fee increases from £250 to £325. The fee […]
Confirmation Statements and Registers of People with Significant Control
The new Persons of Significant Control (PSC) Register will also need to be filed at Companies House along with the confirmation statement – for more information on how to prepare […]
Keeping it simple – tax-effective gifting
In regards to mitigating inheritance tax in particular, the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 contains some really clear (and straightforward) tax planning opportunities and tax exemptions. Making full use of these […]
HMRC and sleep-ins
Inspections HMRC appear to be continuing to carry out inspections in which they indicate that every hour of a sleep-in counts for National Minimum Wage (NMW) purposes (where HMRC believe […]
What are the main challenges facing couples engaging in divorce proceedings?
In the absence of adultery or long periods of separation, those who want to end their marriage need to detail allegations of unreasonable behaviour on the part of their spouse. […]
Welfare Benefits Update: Benefit Cap unlawful for lone parents of children under two years old
In R (on the application of DA) and Others v SSWP [2017] EWHC 1446 (Admin), a challenge was raised by a number of claimants who were (or would be) affected […]
Concerns about junior doctors and failings in care on ‘Black Wednesday’
The timing of the Medical Protection Society survey (click here to see the MPS article) coincides with ‘Black Wednesday’ – the day when newly qualified doctors start on hospital wards. […]