Blogs
Company director unfairly excluded after attempted love affair
A court has ruled that a director who tried to start an affair with his business partner’s wife was unfairly excluded from the management of a company in which he held shares. The case involved two men who had been close friends and operated their business as a quasi-partnership. Things turn....
Flexible working rules extend to all employees
All employees can now request flexible working hours and the right to work from home. Employers are obliged to take the request into consideration, although they can turn it down for a number of specified reasons. Previously, the right had only been available to carers and people who look afte....
One in six SMEs worried about the future
One in six small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) are worried that financial pressures could see them go out of business within the next year, according to global insurer Zurich. One in six small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) are worried that financial pressures could see them go out of busi....
SMEs wait average of 71 days for invoice payment
Figures released by the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) have revealed that small businesses are forced to wait longer than large businesses to receive payment. Businesses with turnovers of less than £1m wait an average of 71 days for payment. That is 23 days more than businesses wit....
New measures to ‘simplify and strengthen’ company reporting
The Government is introducing new measures which it says will both simplify and strengthen company reporting. The Government is introducing new measures which it says will both simplify and strengthen company reporting. The reforms mean that annual reports will include additional information o....
Landlord’s mistake over rollover tenancy proves costly
A recent case before the Court of Appeal highlights the need for landlords to ensure that they have protected deposits from former fixed term tenants who went on to acquire statutory periodic tenancies. A recent case before the Court of Appeal highlights the need for landlords to ensure that they....
‘Idiot’ celebrity chef loses claim based on oral contract
The celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has lost a claim for damages against two former business partners in a dispute centred on an oral contract. The celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has lost a claim for damages against two former business partners in a dispute centred on an oral contract. As....
Landlord ‘not justified’ in evicting dentist for late payments
A dentist who was evicted for being late with his rent has won a legal dispute with his landlord. The court ruled that the late payments did not amount to a repudiatory breach of contract and so the eviction was not justified. The dentist had a contract with the NHS which paid him on a m....
Consultant’s success fee not dependent on proving success
A public company has been ordered to pay a consultant a commission fee, despite there being no evidence that he contributed to the success of a special business project. In January 2013, one of the company’s shareholders had publicly criticised the board and ordered a meeting with the intention....
Treasury doubles its revenue from people who don’t make a will
The money that goes to the Treasury from people who don’t make a will has nearly doubled in the space of just a year. The money that goes to the Treasury from people who don’t make a will has nearly doubled in the space of just a year. The Times newspaper has published research carried out....
UK house prices fall for the first time this year
House prices in Britain have fallen for the first time this year, according to figures from the online estate agency, Rightmove. The average asking price for a home in June was £272,275. This dropped to £270,159 in July – a 0.8% reduction. Houses in Greater London were the most durable in ....
Diabetes sufferer awarded nearly £60,000 for unfair dismissal
A bus driver has been awarded nearly £60,000 compensation after an employment tribunal found that he was unlawfully dismissed when he developed diabetes. A bus driver has been awarded nearly £60,000 compensation after an employment tribunal found that he was unlawfully dismissed when he develop....
