Adult Safeguarding Guide
Sadly, in our society there are many vulnerable people who have a need for care and support who may be…
Moore Barlow
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Who is affected by…
Trevor Sterling makes history as first black senior partner at UK Top 100 law firm
Moore Barlow has today announced the election of Trevor Sterling as the firm’s new senior partner, which sees him become…
Your guide to why you need a Will
When thinking about how your estate will be passed on, you will naturally want to make sure that your wishes…
Webinar: Determining your workers’ employment status and how to manage legal risks
In the on-going Uber drivers’ case, the recent landmark decision of the Supreme Court has changed the approach that Employment…
Intestacy – Who can inherit if there is no Will
Many say they will make a Will but do nothing. Perhaps they think making a Will is expensive or they…
How not to lose £140,000 in Tax
On top of the Nil Rate band of £325,000, since 2017, individuals can also receive the Residence Nil Rate Band.…
Key points to consider when diversifying your farm
Philip Whitcomb, partner at law firm Moore Barlow specialising in rural matters, shares his top tips when planning to diversify…
Everyone’s Invited: Ofsted’s report on its review into sexual harassment and sexual violence
The Everyone’s Invited movement has brought to light the widespread trivialising and normalising of peer on peer sexual harassment and…
Teachers’ Pensions Scheme – the latest developments
As daily school life returns ever closer to normal, a continuing key focus for school governors and senior leadership teams…
Belief that biological sex is immutable is protected under the Equality Act
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has held that a belief that biological sex is immutable is protected as a philosophical belief…
Staff Accommodation – have you updated since the April 2021 change?
On 6 April 2021, HMRC withdrew the “representative occupier” exemption for the tax treatment of staff accommodation. Previously this had…
Teacher Assessed Grades: Preparing for results day and grade appeals
Having completed the process of submitting their Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) for the 2021 summer exams, schools are now waiting…
What if Britney was British? Decision making by deputies in England and Wales
You can’t help but notice that Britney Spears is splashed across the papers again with dramatic stories about her conservatorship…
Has Covid-19 changed estate planning?
The basics of estate planning remain unchanged, but Covid-19 has inevitably forced some temporary measures to be adopted, with aspects…
Working from home guidance not to be lifted until 19 July
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson previously indicated that the government’s current work from home guidance will end on 21 June…
Low pay commission publishes non-compliance and enforcement report
The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has published its fourth standalone report: Non-compliance and enforcement of the National Minimum Wage 2021.…
Fire and rehire tactics should be made illegal
A survey conducted for the GMB union has found that 76% of the UK public think that “fire and rehire”…
Acas report on costs of workplace conflict
On 11 May 2021, Acas published a report addressing the impact of workplace conflict on individuals and employers, helping to…
Right to work checks are being extended until 31 August 2021
Employers must ensure that every employee has the right to work in the UK. Right to work checks must be…
Disability discrimination case law – All Answers Ltd v W and Another
In the recent case of All Answers Ltd v W and Another, the Court of Appeal has held that when…
Unintentional indirect discrimination
What is indirect discrimination?
Indirect discrimination is where a provision, criterion or practice, which are not intended to treat anyone…
Protection from detriment in health and safety
The draft Employment Rights Act 1996 (Protection from Detriment in Health and Safety Cases) (Amendment) Order 2021 came into force…
Professional Deputyships – Are they as scary as they seem? Clearing up the misconceptions
From the #FreeBritney campaign, a protest aiming to end the Conservatorship over pop singer Britney Spears to last year’s film…
Lenders, what’s your liability when an undisclosed commission has been paid?
In April, my colleague Susannah Marsh wrote an article regarding the Court of Appeal outcome in the cases of Wood…
Webinar: Intellectual property and artificial intelligence
As the worlds of business and technology continue to collide, spurred on by all the developments due to COVID-19, Moore…
Don’t bet on your exclusion clause – lessons learned from Green v Betfred
The recent High Court decision of Andrew Green and Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited t/a Betfred is a useful reminder of the…
Indemnities in Technology Contracts
Most suppliers of software and other forms of technology accept that they must indemnify customers if they breach third parties’…
A safer Internet of Things? Risks and future cybersecurity laws
As the technology sector matures, the risks that attach to personal computing are now more manageable. The market for all…
Diabetic retinopathy guide
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication caused by diabetes. It occurs when your blood sugar levels are…
Moore Barlow advises BANAIR (Holdings) on its acquisition of Bright Structures Limited
BANAIR is a growing UK based engineering group with manufacturing in the UK and Poland, and sales markets mainly in…
Webinar: Business contracts and technology
Moore Barlow’s Commercial & Technology law held a webinar on important recent legal developments affecting the drafting and negotiation of…
“No-fault divorce” to become law from 6 April 2022
After eagerly anticipating that “no-fault divorce” would become law in late summer/early autumn this year, it has finally been announced…
Genetic Haemochromatosis Guide
What is Genetic Haemochromatosis and who is at risk?
Genetic Haemochromatosis (GH), also known as hereditary haemochromatosis, is an inherited…
How to avoid paying inheritance tax unnecessarily
Administering the estate of someone who has recently died is often far from straightforward, and navigating your way round the…
Guide for property purchasers: Stages of the conveyancing process
Buying property can be a confusing and stressful time. Our step by step guide below explains the various stages in…
Webinar: Managing work from home arrangements: considerations for employers
This webinar will give an overview of the considerations that employers need to give to work from home set-ups on…
Creditor Alert – the new Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space)
On 4 May 2021, a new Government scheme came into force that aims to offer greater protection to debtors with…
Thinking about investing in fine wine? What you need to know
2021 is going to be a challenging year for many investors and to protect against the risk of intense market…
Coronavirus: Changes to residential tenancy notice periods
The Coronavirus Act 2020 has been amended to change the notice periods for notices served on or after 1 June…
Second OTS Capital Gains Tax report released – What are the additional recommendations?
The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has now released the second part of its review into Capital Gains Tax (CGT).…
Webinar: Funding and exploiting your company’s innovation and IP rights
It is estimated that for most SME’s more than 50% of their value resides in intellectual property or other intangibles.…
Protecting your assets from divorce
When facing a marital breakdown* and an uncertain future, often the last thing that parties think about is their estate…
Cerebral Palsy compensation claim guidance
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by an injury to the brain during a baby’s development either before,…
Paws for thought – where there’s a Will, there’s a way!
There are several considerations to think about when preparing a Will, but pets can often be overlooked. As a Labrador…
A day in the legal life of a trainee solicitor
Moore Barlow’s Rural Services team is now a leading regional and London team, and we want to hear from trainee…
Water supply for rural country properties
When we buy and sell rural properties on behalf of clients, the topic of water supply frequently crops up –…
Working a farm in a shifting environment
In November last year – following passing of the Agriculture Act 2020 (discussed in the last edition of Rural News)…
Right road back to the office
The Government’s roadmap out of the current lockdown has undoubtedly been welcome news for employers, who can now start planning…
Kalifa Review on the UK Fintech sector
The UK fintech sector has been a vibrant growth story over the past decade or so and, not surprisingly, the…
What does mental capacity mean?
Mental capacity is having the ability to make a decision, such as: what to wear; whether to have surgery or…
The new form of a Section 8 Notice Housing Act
From 4 May 2021, the prescribed form of notice seeking possession under section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 will…
NHS Continuing Healthcare post Covid funding
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, many hospital inpatients were relocated to care and nursing homes…
Farmers, mind your head
In 1964 Bob Dylan sang ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’ and today this song holds particularly true for rural life…
Online applications on the line
In the case of Mallon v Aecom Ltd, the Employment Appeal Tribunal was required to delve into the Equality Act…
Is your farming partnership fit for purpose?
US President Dwight D Eisenhower is quoted as saying “farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and…
When a “sleep-in” counts as work
In Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson-Blake and Shannon v Rampersad (t/a Clifton House Residential Home), the Supreme Court held that…
Home is where the holiday is
The Government’s indicative roadmap out of lockdown has prompted a boom in both UK and foreign holiday bookings, with the…
Further furlough and more self-employment grants
As announced in the Budget, the furlough scheme will be extended until September, with the Government continuing to pay 80%…
What you need to consider before buying a vineyard
If you or your client are considering purchasing or investing in a vineyard, you’ll need to consider the following as…
Document retention period changes
If you are working in HR, it is important that you are familiar with the statutory retention periods for certain…
Looking forward to life after lockdown
In its ‘Roadmap Reviews’ paper on 5 April the Government clarified how it intends to manage the pandemic once we…
Farm Business Tenancies: who drafts what for whom?
When drafting a farm business tenancy, it’s easy to get confused as to which documents a solicitor prepares and which…
Navigating the business visitor rules
With the free movement of people from Europe no longer possible following the end of the Brexit transition period, and…
Are Covid passports a good thing?
A Covid passport is for those who have had a Covid jab and have received a vaccination card.
Plans to…
Moore Barlow advises Brooklyn Vendor Assurance in £1.8m deal
Moore Barlow has advised the fast-growing technology company, Brooklyn Vendor Assurance, in a deal that sees it secure £1.8m seed…
Asda equal pay ruling
In the latest installment of the equal pay claims saga, the Supreme Court rejected Asda’s appeal that shop floor workers…
Uber accepts drivers as “workers”
In Uber BV and Others v Aslam and Others, the Supreme Court looked in detail at the relationship between the…
A change to the Vento bands
Claimants in cases of discrimination, whistleblowing detriment and trade union dismissal can seek an award for injury to feelings as…
Webinar: Emerging from lockdown and how to manage the return to the workplace
As the UK continues to progress along the government’s roadmap towards the end of restrictions, many employers are turning their…
Lasting Power of Attorney and why it is important
The severe and lengthy Covid-19 illness of Derek Draper has received heavy coverage in the media.
The recent documentary “Kate…
Webinar: Everyone’s Invited: peer-on-peer abuse
The Everyone’s Invited movement is but the latest spotlight to fall on safeguarding in schools.
The list of allegations seems…
Moore Barlow secures modular home developer BoKlok UK as new client
BoKlok UK, the sustainable, quality affordable home provider, has appointed law firm Moore Barlow as its exclusive conveyancing solicitors for…
Stamp duty land tax (SDLT) for non-residents
The standard rates of SDLT on acquiring residential property currently range between 0% and 12%. In addition to this however,…
Moore Barlow’s corporate team completes deals worth £830M in record-breaking run
Team completes one deal a week in the run up to the 2020/21 tax year end
Moore Barlow’s corporate team…
What to do when a loved one dies
The loss of a loved one, whether it be a friend or a family member, can be an overwhelming time…
Court of appeal judgment clarifies legality of undisclosed broker commissions
The ruling In Wood v Commercial First Business Ltd & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 471provides ‘much-needed clarity’ to the lending…
Discretionary Trusts in wills
Making a Will can be a daunting task, especially when you are trying to plan for a number of different…
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) for business owners
What is an LPA?
An LPA is a legal document that allows you (the donor) to appoint representatives (attorneys) to…
Webinar: Looking back going forward: an employment law update
At the beginning of 2020 the focus of Employment Lawyers and HR professionals was on the impact of Brexit on…
A guide to personal injury trusts
Clients who suffer personal injuries and are awarded compensation are often advised to set up what is known as a…
Schools – the extended furlough scheme
The furlough scheme is helping a large number of schools to reduce their overheads at a time when their revenue…
Keeping children safe in education – January 2021 update
To reflect the end of the Brexit transition period, the Government has updated Keeping Children Safe in Education. The relevant…
Parent contract – time for an update?
The closure of schools due to Covid-19 has been an unprecedented challenge. In addition to the difficulties associated with remote…
Back to school after lockdown 3 – Q&A
The news that pupils would be returning to school on 8 March threw up lots of questions and concerns from…
Unqualified prep-school teacher succeeds in claims for unfair dismissal and age discrimination and is awarded over £140,000 – Sue Allington v Grange Rose Hill School Limited (the School)
The School, an independent co-ed prep school for children aged 3-13 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent dismissed Sue Allington, aged 60,…
Teachers’ pensions – a continuing issue
The last 12 months have been some of the hardest the independent schools sector has had to face. Attention has…
Teacher-assessed grades this summer
For the second year running, responsibility falls on teachers to award exam grades to their students. After the fiasco of…
World Glaucoma Week 2021
It’s World Glaucoma Week (7 – 13 March 2021), an initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA). The aim is…
Don’t wait to make a Lasting Power of Attorney
Most people make Lasting Powers of Attorney in case they lose capacity later in life but, sadly, mental or physical…
Moore Barlow advises Thirdspace on strategic deal with TIG
Deal creates the UK’s Leading Advanced Digital MSP
Moore Barlow has advised ThirdSpace, the UK’s leading professional services provider of…
Beware assets which are not caught by your will
Most people understand the importance of making a will, to determine what will happen to their money and property when…
Budget 2021 tax changes: What you need to know
Budget 2021 has been announced. Unsurprisingly, given the ongoing pandemic, a large part of the Chancellor’s speech was focused on…
Furlough scheme extended until September 2021
The Chancellor of the Exchequer – Rishi Sunak – has announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough scheme), which…
Key areas of due diligence to focus on when preparing your company for sale
Selling your business is not easy. However, if pre-transaction due diligence is properly conducted, not only does it make the…
I’m thinking of selling my business. Will a vendor pack get me a better price?
The idea behind a vendor pack is primarily about setting up an auction on which potential bidders can bid, not…
Share-based incentives continue to shine
Preservation of cash whilst retaining key employees – welcome to the world of sharebased incentives.
Share-based incentives are not only…
Key areas of a sale agreement
A share purchase/sale agreement (“SPA”) is the principal document entered into between Buyer(s) and Seller(s) when negotiating the sale and…
Year-end tax planning before 5 April 2021
The end of the current 2020/21 tax year is approximately one month away now (5 April 2021). For many people,…
Race case out of time
In Adedeji v University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, the Court of Appeal upheld an employment judge’s refusal to grant…
Gender pay gap reporting
Last year, enforcement of gender pay gap reporting was suspended due to Covid and many firms chose not to submit…
Are you ready for wage rises?
This is the time of year when employment lawyers and HR professionals prepare for the changes to rates and limits…
Indirect sex discrimination – childcare
In the case of Cumming v British Airways plc the EAT considered how to determine if a provision, criteria or…
Is grievance procedure proof of contract?
In Gordon v J & D Pierce (Contracts) Limited, a man’s claim for unfair dismissal was refused because an employment…
Extension to off payroll working rules
Before words like ‘coronavirus’, ‘pandemic’ and ‘social-distancing’ became part of our daily vocabulary, a topic high on the agenda was…
Using the “reasonable steps” defence
Many employers when faced with a discrimination or harassment claim by one employee in relation to conduct by one or…
Recruiting overseas workers in 2021
Recruiting workers from overseas, whether from the EU or further afield, requires employers to navigate the UK’s immigration rules. For…
Charitable gifting in wills
Whether done during life, or on death, gifting money or other assets to charity is very common and commendable. This…
Supply chain contracts: Are you up to speed with new insolvency rules?
Recent changes to insolvency law have had a major impact on supply chain contracts across the industry. John Warchus, takes…
How will the National Security and Investment Bill affect tech sector deals?
The Government wants “greater safeguarding powers to ensure that a small number of investments that may aim to harm the…
What’s next for data protection?
The end of the Brexit transition period brings some important changes to data protection laws. If your business transfers personal…
Where does the end of the Brexit transition period leave IP rights owners in the UK?
It is welcome news that the UK has finally secured a reasonably comprehensive Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with the…
Due diligence considerations in relation to the Government’s CBILS and BBLS
As a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the British Government introduced state backed loan facilities schemes. The schemes are…
May the force majeure be with you?
As we all navigate the uncharted territory of the coronavirus, in the world of contracts the force majeure clause has…
Inheritance Tax and Lifetime Gifts – ITV’s ‘Finding Alice’ explained
For those watching ITV’s ‘Finding Alice’, the show has raised questions for viewers concerning inheritance tax. In the very first…
How to buy your own plot of woodland
Philip Whitcomb, partner at Moore Barlow specialising in rural matters, explains how to buy your own plot of woodland and…
Moore Barlow managing partner recognised for game-changing merger
Ed Whittington, managing partner of law firm, Moore Barlow, has been recognised as one of the legal industry’s leading figures…
The effect of the Brexit trade deal on the UK tech sector
The UK technology sector received an estimated £30 billion in investment between 2017 and 2019 – more than in France…
Cervical screening targets are still not being met
Women between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited for regular cervical screening under the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.…
What is hybrid family mediation and is it for me?
Family mediation is a way of sorting out any issues you might have about dividing up your finances upon a…
Webinar: Guiding charities through meeting protocols and how to efficiently conduct business
Meetings are a fact of life when it comes to running a charity. The way a charity is structured will…
Webinar: Dealing with Charity Property – an overview of the requirements of the Charities Act and how to comply with them
Many charities have property assets, which are sometimes quite substantial. The Charities Act imposes various requirements in relation to dealings…
Webinar: Duties and responsibilities of charity trustees’ – what does good governance look like?
It has never been more important for charity trustees to understand the nature of their role and what is required…
Webinar: Strategic Planning for 2021 – how should charities approach restructures and redundancies?
Given the unprecedented financial challenges of 2020 and the impending end of the extended furlough scheme, many charities are actively…
Webinar: Independent schools – Strategic planning for the challenges of 2021
After one of the most challenging years in recent memory, strategic planning for the year to come has never been…
Landmark judgement gives children the right to claim for clinical negligence for advice given pre-conception
Historic judgement gives children injured by negligent advice affecting a parent’s ability to have a healthy child the right to…
Wages to rise up in spring
The Government has published the new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage, which will take effect from 6 April…
A holiday fit for a queen
In November 2020, the Government announced an extra bank holiday for June 2022 in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.…
How long is ‘longterm’ when it comes to disability?
The definition of disability in the Equality Act 2010 is that a person has a physical or mental impairment which…
Are anxious whistleblowers blowing into the wind?
Recent research by the whistleblowing charity Protect found that UK employers disregarded nearly half of all their employees’ coronavirus-related concerns.…
Health and Safety protections extended to Gig economy workers
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain v The Secretary of State for Work & Pensions and others.A recent decision…
Virtual witnessing of wills
The Wills Act 1837 (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 has come into effect this month making it legal for…
Courts take a strict approach to force majeure clauses
2 Entertain Video Ltd v Sony DADC Europe Ltd [2020]
BackgroundIn Covid-19 times, a recent decision from the Technology and…
Covid-19 rent arrears enforcement
To provide further clarity for landlords and tenants, on 19 June 2020 the Government published guidance for the commercial property…
When to knock out a lock-out agreement
High-value country property transactions have enjoyed a boom over the past few months, leading to an increasing trend towards the…
Reminder – Time limits for furlough claims from 1 November
There are new stricter time limits for making claims under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough). These apply during the…
Agricultural tenancy reform update
In an earlier edition of Rural News, we considered the proposals put forward in the Defra Consultation Paper on Agricultural…
What does Brexit mean for your workforce?
The end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 means your business should be taking preparatory steps now to…
Legal guide to buying a farm
The pandemic has led to greater appreciation of the countryside and of shopping locally, which is good news for the…
Family law and property transactions – unregistered land
As family lawyers, we work closely with colleagues in other teams to provide expertise to our clients going through relationship…
Farm succession planning
The Moss family has farmed Manor Farm for 150 years and is a highly respected local family. They’re just about…
Moving to the National Park- From the old life to the New Forest?
As I write this from my home office in the New Forest, I’m looking out on a picture-perfect postcard of…
OTS Capital Gains Tax report released – What are the recommendations?
Back in July 2020, I wrote about the Chancellor commissioning the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) to undertake a review…
Notice pay for furloughed employees
As we will all now be aware, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (commonly known as the ‘furlough scheme’) has been…
How to avoid courts to lessen the pain of family break-ups
The Times recently published an article ‘Avoid courts to lessen the pain of family break-ups‘ quoting “We need to move…
Holiday time for stamp duty
In his Summer Statement the Chancellor announced a temporary reduction in residential stamp duty land tax (SDLT) rates in England…
Settlement Agreement Guidance – what is a settlement agreement?
What is a settlement agreement?
A settlement agreement is a formal document which allows for a clean break between you…
Promoting the role of the Nurse on World Diabetes Day
They never judge, they never give up, they make things work.A diabetic’s view of the care the nurses provide
It…
Extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Guidance released
On 5 November, the Chancellor announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (commonly known as the ‘furlough scheme’) which was…
New proposed road safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists
The Covid-19 pandemic saw a rise in the population choosing to walk and cycle. With restrictions in place during the…
Government support for jobs and the self-employed is extended into 2021
The government has just announced further extensions to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), also known as the furlough scheme,…
Update to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
SEISS has been extended for a further six months, with two grants available covering each three month period. In order…
Covid-19: Extension of furlough
The Prime Minister has announced that England will be entering into a national lockdown from Thursday 5 November until at…
World Stroke Day 2020
Strokes can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. One in four of us will have a stroke in our lifetime, but most…
Catastrophic injury: the pathway to achieving great rehabilitation outcomes
When a person suffers a serious personal injury, it is an incredibly challenging time for both the injured person and…
Tax relief for heroes: is the Government finally recognising our forces’ sacrifices
With Remembrance Day coming up in the 75th year after the end of World War II, a year which has…
Covid-19: Job Support Scheme Guidance now available
In September the Chancellor unveiled plans for the Job Support Scheme (JSS) which comes into force from 1 November, taking…
Covid-19: Chancellor announces increased support for jobs
The Chancellor has announced plans to increase support through the Job Support Scheme which is due to come into effect…
What is Judicial Review?
Judicial Review is a process that allows individuals or organisations to challenge the lawfulness of policies, decisions or actions made…
Brain injury compensation claim guidance
Traumatic brain injuries can have a catastrophic and life changing effect for those people who have been involved in accidents…
Four stages in the administration of an estate
This blog explains the stages and timescales involved when you are the executor of someone’s affairs and have a legal…
Mental Health – section 117 aftercare
If you have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983 then you may be entitled to free aftercare when…
Guidelines to an inquest
This guide is prepared to assist the lay person to navigate the complexities of an inquest but it is not…
NHS Continuing Healthcare for children and young people
Individuals with a primary health need are entitled to fully funded care from the NHS. This blog explains NHS Continuing…
Lasting Powers of Attorney
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows a person to give another person or persons,…
The privacy shield is illegal
On 16 July, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that the mechanism that allowed the transfer…
Keeping your IP safe
Cyber-crime is reported to be one of the fastest growing areas of crime, often involving fraudsters gaining access to IT…
Dismissal of teacher with child images on home computer was unfair says Employment Appeal Tribunal
In the recent case of K v L UKEATS/0014/18/JW the Claimant was a teacher charged by the police with possession…
New Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020: an extension of support and relaxing of rules for schools
Schools have not been isolated from the financial and social effect of the pandemic. In many cases, they are seeing…
Centre Assessed Grades: it’s not too soon to start thinking about next summer’s exams
One of the many additional challenges presented to schools as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic was the requirement for…
The Government’s crackdown on furlough fraud
When schools were forced to close in March, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many schools chose to make use of…
Difficult decisions in difficult times: how should schools approach managing redundancies?
The last seven months have been some of the hardest ever faced by the independent schools sector. Whilst the Government’s Job…
The Job Support Scheme – how does it work and can schools benefit from it?
The Government has been under increasing pressure to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which will cease providing support to…
Covid-19: Three tier lockdown and extension to the Job Support Scheme
The Prime Minister has formally unveiled plans for a new three tier system for implementing local lockdowns restrictions across England.…
Facial recognition technology – protecting privacy in a world of surveillance
The use of live or automated, facial recognition (LFR) software by law enforcement in public places is fast increasing in…
Swift v Carpenter case – long awaited Court of Appeal decision secures re-housing costs
The Court of Appeal has given its long-awaited judgment in the case of Swift v Carpenter which impacts on all…
What can I do if my ex won’t vaccinate the children?
At a time when the health of the nation is of paramount importance and everyone is striving to protect themselves…
Personality clash dismissal permitted
In most cases, dismissal of an employee without following any sort of formal procedure would lead to the conclusion that…
Law Society gives thumbs up to longer time limits
The Law Society has given its support to a campaign urging the Government to extend time limits for tribunal claims.…
Dismissal unfair despite no chance of compensation
An employee was entitled to bring a claim for unfair dismissal even where there was no reasonable prospect of recovering…
World Cerebral Palsy Day 6 October 2020
On World Cerebral Palsy Day 2020, Moore Barlow celebrate the achievements of those who live with this condition and continue…
Are your trade marks ready for Brexit?
Given the recent (and ongoing) business upheaval caused by COVID-19, many businesses can be forgiven for failing to focus on…
Foster carers held to be Council employees
In the case of Glasgow City Council v Johnstone UKEATS/0011/18 the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT upheld a decision by the…
Employment Tribunal grants interim relief to dismissed employee
In the case of Morales v Premier Fruits (Covent Garden) Ltd the Claimant, Mr Morales, was employed by Premier Fruits…
Week’s pay for a week’s furlough
With many companies starting to make redundancies as the furlough scheme begins to wind down, there has been much discussion…
Furlough fraud of £3.5bn
In early September the Government revealed that an estimated £3.5 billion of Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme payments may have been…
Cauda Equina National Awareness Day 1st October 2020
Moore Barlow are delighted to be supporting the Cauda Equina Syndrome Association (CESA) under their charity umbrella Cauda Equina Champions…
Covid-19: New Coronavirus Regulations now in force
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 came into force in England at midnight. The Regulations confirm and…
Covid-19: Chancellor announces Job Support Scheme
The government has been under increasing pressure to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which is going to stop providing…
Covid-19: Government U-turn on work from home guidance
In response to the rising number of cases of Covid-19, the Prime Minister outlined new measures in an address to…
Will COVID-19 lead to a surge in clinical negligence claims?
The NHS is a fantastic institution, and we are all very much aware of the increased demand on its skill…
Over two years on: ensuring you are still GDPR compliant as an employer
The 25 May 2020 marked two years since the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came into force. Within the UK…
Is it true that divorces peak in September?
This September poses new challenges for separating couples. We as family lawyers often experience a busy period in September. Sadly,…
New protection for customers to supply contracts – CIGA 2020
As a result of the Corporate Insolvency Governance Act 2020 (CIGA) coming into force at the end of June, existing…
Removing a company director from office
When a company’s director is unwilling to resign, and no articles of association or shareholders’ agreement offer provision for their…
How best to manage management buy-outs (MBOs)
A management buy-out (MBO) is a transaction in which a target business is transferred, in whole or in part, to…
An adventure with venture capital
Venture Capital (VC) funds are investors who provide expertise and capital (called venture capital) in privately funded companies at an…
Persons with Significant Control (PSC) regime
A business can change, but the business of identifying who is officially in control of it remains of central importance.…
Domicile checklist for expatriate divorcing couples
As a family law team with a wealth of experience in international cases and cross border divorces, we are regularly…
Electric scooters UK law – do’s and don’ts
With the emergence of technological advances, we are now starting to see the start of the “transport revolution” promised by…
Humanist marriages
What is a humanist marriage?
A humanist marriage is a non-religious ceremony where you are effectively in control of the…
When to apply for decree absolute: timing is everything
Many people are understandably eager to conclude the divorce and move on with their lives. This can lead to the…
Parental child abduction: summer holiday travel arrangements for children
Despite the Covid related difficulties, summer is still the time when children most frequently undertake international travel with a parent…
Covid-19: Travel abroad and compulsory quarantine – how do employers manage this?
Schools have broken up for summer holidays and more employees are now venturing out and going abroad. Already we are…
New support for directors: Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020
On 26 June 2020 the Government’s new Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA) came into force. CIGA sets out…
Divorce and the dog – who gets to keep man’s best friend?
When a couple decides to divorce, there are often other issues that must be resolved along the way.
For many,…
OTS review of Capital Gains Tax
On 13 July, the Chancellor wrote to the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) to request that a review is undertaken…
The Cumberlege report: informed consent revisited
Last week saw the publication of “First Do No Harm”, a review led by former junior health Minister Baroness Julia…
Moore Barlow commended once again as a top law firm for HNW individuals
Top 100 UK law firm Moore Barlow is proud to announce rankings in Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) 2020, reflecting…
Divorce in Scotland and England – how different are the rules?
The recent case of Mr and Mrs Villiers (Villiers v Villiers [2020] UKSC 30) is a reminder that divorce law…
Chancellor unveils coronavirus recovery plan to save jobs
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £30bn plan to boost the economy and prevent mass unemployment as the financial effects…
Case Law: WM Morrison Supermarkets plc v Various Claimants
When is an employer vicariously liable (i.e. responsible) for the conduct of its employee? This came up in the case…
The variations enigma – TUPE and pre-transfer changes
In the case of Ferguson and others v Astrea Asset Management Ltd, four directors and shareholders of an estate management…
The straw that breaks the contract’s back
The concept of the ‘last straw’ in relation to constructive dismissal claims featured in the case of Williams v Governing…
Unfair dismissal: warning for pregnancy related sickness
A law firm’s pregnant employee was granted a £23,000 pay-out after being fired for taking two days off with severe…
Leaving annual leave too late
We are receiving a lot of enquiries regarding staff holiday and holiday-pay during coronavirus.As we ease our way out of…
The difficulties of being an executor of a will – to deal or not to deal?
Executors can find themselves in a difficult position when faced with the prospect of purchasing assets from an estate, even…
No-fault divorce bill – when will it be available?
Family lawyers breathed a sigh of relief last night (17 June) when it was announced that the Divorce, Dissolution and…
The remarriage trap
One of the unfortunate consequences of the pandemic is that a large number of people have been forced to delay…
Silver separators – divorce in later life
Improved life expectancy and quality of life has resulted in a rise in the number of divorcing couples over the…
Coronavirus: real estate disputes
If you have a dispute concerning property or land, then strategic advice at the earliest stage can help you resolve…
‘No-fault’ divorce bill – one step nearer
Good news, the bill to change divorce law to ‘no fault’ has passed the next stage which was a second…
How tough negotiations and the will to succeed can help a company survive
Scenario C
A group of companies went from £50m worth of equity to £20m worth of negative equity in just…
Why insolvency doesn’t necessarily mean the end of a business
Scenario D
Your bank is taking all of the downside risk, and your PE House is taking most of the…
Insolvency isn’t always the answer – why it’s important to think outside the box
Scenario A
A group with a £200m pension deficit but achieving £6m EBITDA – what should a new management team…
How to negotiate in a difficult business situation? Why it is important to act fast and be decisive
Scenario B
The bank had lost confidence in a management team. The company had £40m of debt and capital assets…
Corporate business recovery: what to do when your business is in trouble
We understand that the landscape is incredibly difficult for businesses at the moment, and that things are changing day by…
How quickly can I get divorced?
While the reforms making no-fault divorce possible are going through a stop-start process in parliament, you might be wondering how…
Getting ahead of the game – ensuring employment contracts are compliant
The current lockdown is undoubtedly a strange time for us all. However, it does offer an opportunity to pick up…
What is Occupiers’ Liability and how can you protect yourself against it?
If a visitor on your land or premises falls or injures themselves, what occupiers’ liability might you have?
There are…
The Agriculture Bill
At the time of writing this article (the end of February), the Agriculture Bill is wending its way through the…
Lifetime farm valuations; ‘hope’ value and the importance of getting it right
Lifetime valuations can be a useful strategic tool for landowners. A forthcoming succession, pre-death tax planning when creating a Will,…
No probate? No problem! New High Court decision relating to the rectification of a company’s register of members
What do you do if a company’s sole member and director dies leaving the company unable to function without them,…
Caring for farmers with dementia
It is generally accepted that the health and social care sector is facing some of its greatest challenges to date.…
Can I renovate my tired residential leasehold property?
With
the rising costs of moving, many opt to stay and renovate rather than
sell. There is however, a common…
UK points-based immigration system policy update
On 19 February, the government published the first details about its proposed new Immigration system planned to be operational on…
Seasonal worker scheme multiplies by four
Following concerns over a lack of migrant labour as a consequence of Brexit, the government is significantly expanding its Seasonal…
Exchange of contracts within 48 hours
Buying a house is often one of the largest investments that we make, making it one of life’s most significant…
Farming divorces
Dealing with a divorce is stressful enough but when farmers divorce there are usually additional considerations. It is not uncommon…
Smart farming – have you got the legal issues covered?
Technology has always played a vital role in the agricultural sector and it should be no surprise that Smart Farming…
Using wardship for intractable child arrangement disputes
When two parents fall out, and use their child against each other, the court can step in and become the…
Where there is a horse, there is a will
The whole idea of getting up at 6am on a dark winter’s morning to ride out in the pouring rain…
Don’t forget the new 30-day window to report disposals for CGT payment
If you are in the process of considering disposing of residential property on or after 6 April 2020 new rules…
World Hypertension Day
In anticipation of World Hypertension Day, it is important to raise awareness about blood pressure monitoring and health benefits.
High…
Executing and witnessing agreements and deeds during COVID-19
As a result of drastic unprecedented measures being implemented worldwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people in…
Smartphone contact tracing and data privacy: the Isle of Wight experiment
On Tuesday 5 May, the government made available the trial of the NHS contact tracing app (“test, track and trace”)…
Guidance for employers: coronavirus (COVID-19) and employment law
We have prepared a guidance note to assist employers through the uncertain times caused by the coronavirus outbreak. You will…
A Fatal Accident Act claim: How can a solicitor help
In cases of road death the victim is not only the person who has died but also those that they…
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans and Finance
Are you applying for a loan under one of the Government backed schemes?
If your application is successful your bank…
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Tronc and tips
We know that many of our clients have been eagerly awaiting further guidance from HMRC about whether tronc payments should…
The Impact of the Coronavirus Act 2020 on NHS Continuing Healthcare
NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of care funded entirely by the NHS for individuals who have complex, ongoing needs.…
The Impact of the Coronavirus Act 2020 on Social Care
The Coronavirus Act 2020 amends key legislation in light of the current pandemic and aims to alleviate the burden on…
EMI schemes in COVID-19
What is an EMI Option Scheme?
Away from the legal jargon, an option is just an agreement that gives someone…
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme online portal is now live
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme online portal is now live and can be accessed through the Government Gateway. There is…
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Extension
HMRC has just updated it’s guidance to confirm that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will now be available until 30…
Online capital gains tax (CGT) for property disposals
Further to the commencement of the new tax year last week, it is now necessary for an online capital gains…
Important amendment to Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
HMRC has published updated guidance about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. This is the fourth version of the guidance since…
Top 10 actions to consider during the current pandemic crisis
I recently came across a quote which said “in business, what you don’t get done today can be done tomorrow.…
Guidance for Furlough Scheme for Employees
Over the weekend, HMRC published some much needed additional guidance about the Furlough Scheme (otherwise known as the Coronavirus Job…
Parental bereavement leave – 6 April 2020
From 6 April 2020, an employee who suffers the death of a child under the age of 18 or a…
Changes to written statements of terms
Section 1 of the Employment Rights Act sets out the right for an employee to be given a statement of…
2020/2021 Rates
Quick and easy access to employment law data booklet.
Following the announcement of our merger with Barlow Robbins, our data…
Covid-19: Rent concessions
In current times many tenants are finding themselves in financial trouble and will be looking at ways to keep their…
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
What is the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)?…
Coronavirus: How to deal with stamping formalities on the sale of shares
As UK companies continue to deal with the ever-changing effect on day to day business as a result of Coronavirus…
Update for Landlords – Residential Possession Proceedings
On 27th March 2020, the Government published the new Practice Direction 51Z – in relation to residential possession proceedings during…
How can I resolve things with my ex in self-isolation?
It is a very unsettling and difficult time for us all at the moment, but none more so than for…
Protecting those most at risk of domestic violence during Covid-19
Your personal safety is a priority.…
Have you taken the cohabitation plunge due to lockdown?
Many couples have taken the romantic or maybe the practical decision to live together during the lockdown so they can…
Interim payments and Rehabilitation
Interim payments and rehabilitation, in personal injury claims, are of great assistance to those who have either suffered serious injury…
How can I support my customers without giving up my legal rights?
The impact of Coronavirus has meant that many retailers and other businesses have had to close their premises or are…
The Impact of the Coronavirus Act 2020 on Residential Landlords and Tenants
The Coronavirus Act 2020 came into force on 26 March 2020, and is a wide-ranging means of support to almost…
Immigration for schools update: sponsored students affected by Coronavirus
The Home Office has released updated guidance to deal with individuals affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus (COVID-19).
Tier…
Coronavirus: Key points for terminating contracts
As the business upheaval of Coronavirus increases day by day, we have been approached for advice by a growing number…
Covid-19 – what happens to my hearing now?
Now that we are in lockdown we have been advised that the courts are no longer proceeding with the traditional face…
Coronavirus: Filings at Companies House
As UK companies continue to deal with the staggering implications of Coronavirus, one of the challenges which directors may face…
Coronavirus: Business Interruption Loan Scheme – Further details on Lending Criteria
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is now available.…
What happens to spousal maintenance now?
The Coronavirus outbreak will have a far-reaching effect on all aspects of life, including income and job security. Your business…
Covid-19: Finally clarity for separated families
Michael Gove had to apologise this morning on BBC Radio 4 for creating confusion over his comments on Good Morning…
Coronavirus: Deferral of VAT and income tax payments
The Government is offering further support for businesses and the self-employed in these uncertain times by allowing extra time for…
Covid-19: Reality-checking your separation
We are living in unprecedented times. The next 3- 6 months are going to be really challenging for us all.…
The impact of the coronavirus on marriage, divorce and children
The outbreak of COVID-19 (“the Coronavirus”) brings unprecedented times with it, and family law is one of many aspects of…
International Day of Happiness – Happier Together?
On 20th March, the world will celebrate the International Day of Happiness, which is likely not going to be at…
Coronavirus: Insolvency & Restructuring
In these challenging and uncertain times many will be concerned about the adverse impact on their business and worried about…
Corporate business – existing and new opportunities
While the current climate presents a number of serious challenges for businesses, there may also be new and positive opportunities…
Coronavirus: The impact on commercial contracts
Can I (or the other party) get out of an onerous contract because of coronavirus? …
Impact of paying taxes as a result of coronavirus
For those concerned about being able to pay their taxes as a result of coronavirus, HMRC has set up a…
Coronavirus: Bad debts and commercial disputes
It will be increasingly likely that invoices will not be paid on time or will be disputed in some form…
IR35 rules are being postponed – impact on businesses
The off-payroll working rules under Chapter 10 of Part 2 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 were…
Covid-19: Government support for business
On 17 March 2020, the Chancellor issued an update in respect of a temporary financial package aimed at providing support…
Coronavirus – how are child arrangements impacted following a separation or divorce?
What should you do if you and your household are self isolating, but your child[ren] are due to spend time…
Budget 2020: Key points
On 11 March 2020, the new Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, delivered his first Budget. It was also the first Budget since…
A family lawyer’s take on The Split
Like many of us who enjoy a gripping legal drama, I have recently enjoyed watching the second series of the…
Coronavirus – How safe is your supply chain?
As coronavirus quickly develops from a local to a global threat, there are also increasing commercial concerns in relation to…
The corporate veil: an overview and update from recent cases
A key feature of a limited company under English law is that it exists as a separate legal entity. As…
New electrical safety regulations for private sector landlords in 2020
New landlord electrical safety regulations means that private sector landlords will have to carry out mandatory five-year electrical safety checks…
I’m getting divorced – what happens to pets?
In a divorce or separation often one of the more contentious and emotive issues can be the question of who…
Settlement Agreements: ensuring a MOORE favourable exit
If you are an employee and your employer has just mentioned a ‘settlement agreement’, you are probably wondering what is…
UK announces new immigration system
The new Points-Based Immigration System will award points for an appropriate job offer, English language skills, and a salary threshold.…
Avoiding IR35 – The importance of getting your contract right
From 6 April 2020, new IR35 rules come into force which mean that medium and large private sector companies in…
Surrogacy and donor FAQs
Who are the child’s legal parents?…
Firms failing to pay minimum wage
According to the Resolution Foundation think tank, one in four people over the age of 25 are beingpaid less than…
Can a birthday card be discriminatory?
A legal secretary, Miss Munro, whose colleagues asked about her 50th birthday and sent her abirthday card, claimed she suffered…
Budget Predictions for Farmers and Landowners
There is now less than a month before we hear what Rishi Sunak disclosures in his first budget. Here are…
Religious Marriages – Where do you stand?
Couples who have a religious marriage in England need to be very aware of their rights otherwise, as history has…
£9,000 settlement for transgender woman
A transgender woman who claimed she was rejected for a job as a temporary sales assistant withDebenhams has received a…
Government sexual harassment survey
In one of the largest ever surveys of its kind to be carried out, the Government EqualitiesOffice is surveying thousands…
£17,000 for sacked pregnant worker
Liz Earle beauty company has admitted to falling “short of our standards” after they were ordered to pay £17k to…
Samira Ahmed wins equal pay tribunal
One of the BBC’s most high-profile presenters, Samira Ahmed, has won the equal pay tribunal shebrought against the broadcaster.
Ahmed,…
What do Valentine’s Day and Divorce have in common?
It might seem impossible but Valentine’s Day and divorce have one thing in common; they can be the beginning of…
Top 5 things everyone should know about pre-nups
Pre-nuptial agreements (“pre-nups”) have become more popular in recent years, but they are not just for the rich and famous.…
Same-sex marriage FAQs
The end of a relationship is a difficult time, but it’s important not to rush into decisions.…
APPG for Inheritance & Intergenerational Fairness published a report which recommended a ‘complete overhaul’ of IHT
At the end of last month the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Inheritance & Intergenerational fairness (APPGIIF) published a report which…
Can I be paid to care for a relative?
More and more people are giving up either work or taking time to care for an elderly relative, something that…
What does the future hold for your lease?
For most of us, the biggest asset we will own in our lifetime is our home.…
New UK Immigration system
Once the UK leaves the European Union (EU), a new immigration system will be introduced to replace the EU’s freedom…
I am in a civil partnership, can I get divorced?
The most frequently asked questions from our clients in a civil partnership.…
Two new pre-action Housing Protocols introduced: Social Possession and Housing Conditions
Two new pre-action protocols were introduced on 13 January 2020. These were a new and revised pre-action protocol for possession…
Is family mediation a cheaper way of sorting out my divorce/separation?
When couples separate or divorce they need to sort out how they are going to divide their finances, and the…
What if I want to mediate but my husband doesn’t?
Frequently separating or divorcing partners / spouses want to sort out the division of their finances and/or the arrangements for…
What’s right for you? Civil partnership or marriage?
In a landmark case in 2018, a heterosexual couple won the right to enter into a civil partnership. This resulted…
The use of social media by employees and how social media policies have been used by companies
Social media has revolutionised the way people communicate. With people increasingly creating andsharing content online, the nature of that communication…
FAQs on mediation
What is mediation?…
The pitfalls of incorporating with Model Articles
All limited companies must have articles of association. They are a publicly available document setting out the rules that officers…
Look forward to a new decade by looking back
At the start of every year it’s natural to look back and consider not only what’s been achieved, but also…
FAQs on arbitration
What is arbitration?…
New year, new you – can you have a ‘healthy’ divorce?
Along with the pledge to get healthier, this time of year sees many couples decide that the New Year is…
Forum Shopping – where should I get divorced?
Sometimes when a couple divorces it is important to consider which country should and can deal with the divorce. This…
Food injury claims – a duty of care to avoid personal injury
The scope of personal injury claims is ever increasing in relation to potential claims involving food and environmental changes. Our…
When Corporate Structures and Rugby collide
Not long after the dust had settled on the World Cup, Lord Dyson recently ruled that the rugby club Saracens…
Employees living on site
Many roles in the UK require employees to live close to their place of work.
Sometimes, employees are required to…
Employee loses company £200,000 in fraud
An employee who was a victim of a £200,000 email scam has been told she does not have torepay £108,000…
Dispelling the myths around joint accounts
There are many myths about joint accounts, especially concerning what happens if something happens to one of the joint account…
When a Power of Attorney is not in place
What happens when you can’t manage your financial affairs due to ill health and nothing has been put in place?…
Supporting employees during menopause
With symptoms including hot flushes, mood swings, anxiety, difficulty sleeping and feeling lethargic,menopause can be a difficult time for many…
Top FAQs on cohabitation and children
Can I claim on my partners’ house?…
Nil Rate Band Discretionary Trusts (NRB DT)
Inheritance Tax (IHT), quite often called a voluntary tax, remains an emotional topic. Every person has an allowance, also known…
When can holiday pay be rolled over?
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) recently heard two combined Finnish cases concerningemployees who hadn’t been able to take full…
Changes to written statement of terms
As 2019 draws to a close it’s worth looking ahead to those employment law changes coming intoforce next year.…
ICO unveils new guidance
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published new guidance about ‘special categorydata’ for persons with data protection responsibilities in larger…
£700,000 awarded to headteacher sacked for having sex with 17-year-olds
A primary school headteacher who was sacked for having sex with two 17-year-old boys has wonnearly £700,000 in compensation.…
Preparing for IR35
There is a lot of buzz around the new IR35 legislation that is due to be introduced in April 2020.…
Applications for relief from forfeiture can extend to licences
The recent decision in The Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd v. Vauxhall Motors Ltd [2019] has expanded the Court’s jurisdiction…
Hazard on the highway – road surface is not in great shape!
I put pen to paper after having weaved around a number of potholes and noted that they are increasing in…
Top FAQs for divorce
The most frequently asked questions from our clients going through a divorce.…
Thinking of proposing?
Are you thinking about popping the question this Christmas? Or do you think your partner may ask you? If it…
When a Last Will and Testament returns to haunt families and executors
The recent discovery by Lloyds Bank of more than 9,000 forgotten Wills, which it had retained for ‘safe custody’, highlights…
Making gifts
If you are considering giving a gift to a loved one, you should be aware of the myths that exist…
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) – An update
Conclusion of Phase 1 of the residential schools investigation
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) was set up…
Separated parents: disputes about schooling
There are a countless number of decisions parents need to make for their children throughout the course of their lives.…
Don’t underestimate the importance of a company’s statutory registers
If you are planning on selling your company, at some stage in the process you will be asked “Do you…
Benefits of rehabilitation
The purpose of a civil law claim for personal injury compensation is, as far as possible, to put the injured…
New NHS Visa
The Conservatives are planning to introduce a “NHS visa” as part of their proposals for an Australian style points based…
New guidance on confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements from the Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has this month issued guidance on the use of confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements.…
Improper behaviour can lead to section 111A negotiations being admissible in Court
In the case of Harrison v Aryman Limited, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (“the EAT”) has recently decided that a pre-termination negotiation…
Vegetarianism is not a Protected Characteristic
The Employment Tribunal (“the ET”) has recently handed down judgment in the case of Conisbee v Crossley that vegetarianism is not a…
Preventing Charity fraud – new Charity Commission guidance
The Charity Commission has recently issues important new guidance on preventing charity fraud which should be incorporated by all schools…
Immigration update – How Brexit will affect schools sponsoring international students
In this article we look at the recent developments affecting schools sponsoring international students, and discuss some of the anticipated…
Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) Update – recent developments
The past few months have seen a number of developments regarding the on-going impact of increases in employer contributions to…
No pro-rating of holiday pay for term-time only teachers on permanent contracts
The recent case of Harpur Trust v Brazel witnessed the Court of Appeal attempting to clarify the complex issue of holiday pay…
SEN exclusions – the Tribunal’s power to revoke discriminatory exclusions
Last year we reported on the case of C and C –v- Governing Body of a School and Others which changed the…
Involved in a road crash where driver at fault is uninsured – what can you do?
If you are involved in a non fault road traffic collision where you have sustained serious injury then you are…
Involved in a “Hit and Run” Road Crash- what can you do?
If you are involved in a non fault road traffic collision where you have sustained serious injury then you are…
This New Year’s Eve brings in changes to Civil Partnerships
Since 5th December 2005 it has been possible for members of the same sex to enter into a civil partnership,…
How can mindfulness be part of Road Safety?
Mindfulness is a concept that has grown in popularity over the last few years. Whether it is to assist with…
Distractions whilst driving
Distractions whilst driving is the most common cause of road traffic accidents in the UK.
Some of the most common…
Don’t drink and drive!
In 2017, there was a total of 8,600 casualties caused by a person drink-driving in the UK. 1,640 of those…
Trade marks – creating a level playing field for businesses
Bentley 1962 Limited and another v Bentley Motors Limited
The High Court has recently handed down a decision in a…
Four key considerations when selling your business
When the decision is finally made to sell a business, the prospect of receiving the full consideration often outweighs anything…
Raising equity finance
Equity financing is a way of raising funds from investors to finance your company and its business. Companies are able…
Considering Gifts and Inheritance Tax
Many people want to give gifts to family and friends during their lifetimes. Not only does this mean that you…
Don’t be haunted by the pitfalls of poor estate planning and will preparation
When it comes to considering the horrors of life and the risk of being haunted by poor decisions, an often…
Bonfire Night – Accidents and Claims
Celebrating Bonfire Night with fireworks and a blazing bonfire is one of the great fixtures of the British calendar and…
Proposed abolition of Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988
The Government has issued a Consultation Paper entitled “A New Deal for Renting”, seeking views on how to implement its…
Halloween doesn’t have to be a nightmare for separated parents
With Halloween often falling on or around the first half term of the school year, this is usually the first…
Stamp Duty Land Tax – Mixed Use update
On 25 June 2019 HMRC issued updated guidance on the meaning of ‘garden and grounds’ for the purposes of Stamp…
Putting unused buildings to good use
There are many ways of putting redundant agricultural buildings back into use. Diversification can help stabilise the farm across the…
Brexit and farming subsidies, insolvency & restructuring concerns
Our insolvency & restructuring team sits within our Rural Sector team, working to warn farmers and encourage them to seek…
Farming, family and divorce
Dealing with a divorce is stressful enough, but when farmers divorce there are usually additional considerations. It is not uncommon…
Can I be paid to care for a relative?
More and more people are giving up either work or taking time to care for an elderly relative, something that…
Restrictions to the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa, are they required?
This visa is for leading individuals in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, the arts and digital technology. It has…
The New Forest National Park has adopted a new ‘Local Plan’
The New Forest National Park has adopted a new ‘Local Plan’ containing stronger policies to help safeguard the Forest’s landscape…
Funding care for farmers
For anyone requiring long-term care the impact on family can be devastating, but for farmers it can affect their business…
Proposals for agricultural tenancy reform
Moore Blatch has recently responded to the Defra Consultation paper on proposed reform of agricultural tenancy legislation, based on our…
Receivers can issue possession proceedings against borrowers
The High Court has recently confirmed that receivers appointed over individual borrowers can issue possession proceedings against those borrowers. Until…
Case Law update – tenancy status of agricultural workers’ spouses
Hook and another v. Hawkins [2019] UKUT 147 (LC)…
Casual seasonal workers and holiday pay
A casual worker is entitled to paid holiday, and their entitlement pay is calculated pro rata by reference to the…
Collecting antiques and works of art
As a child, I was always encouraged to collect – be it stamps, postcards or old books – and as…
UK Innovator and Start Up Visa, is it a success?
It seems that these new visa’s which were introduced earlier this year are very difficult and hardly anyone is able…
Wrongly calculated holiday pay
Harpur Trust v Brazel [2019]…
Tesco manager unfairly dismissed
An ex-Tesco manager, who said she was “left in the dark” about changes to her role and subsequently suspended for…
What is European temporary leave to remain?
European Temporary Leave to Remain (Euro TLR) is a temporary UK immigration status that will allow EU, EEA and Swiss…
Vegetarianism not a philosophical belief
Conisbee v Crossley Farms Ltd and others
In an intriguing case, the Tribunal considered whether vegetarianism is a belief, and…
Employer claim response too generic
Upton-Hansen Architects v Gyftaki…
Supervisor ordered to pay compensation
In an “unusual” move, a tribunal has ruled that a supervisor (as opposed to the employer) should pay a Claimant…
World Cerebral Palsy Day – 6 October 2019
As World Cerebral Palsy Day approaches on 6 October 2019, Moore Blatch support all those with cerebral palsy, and call…
NHS could owe junior doctors £250,000
The Court of Appeal has found that NHS Trust’s monitoring of working hours and rest breaks was flawed, and junior…
Crackdown on ‘gagging clauses’
New laws banning the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases relating to sexual harassment, racial discrimination and assault are…
What should I do if I’m thinking about divorce?
There is no one size fits all when it comes to divorce. Every situation is different from the next and…
Immigration changes scheduled for the 6th October 2019
The main change will be the amendment of the Shortage Occupation List, with many roles being added to the list…
Potential new protection for zero-hours
A government consultation, which ends this month, could mean that workers’ actual hours are written into their contracts and that…
What happens when you don’t have a Power of Attorney in place?
Contrary to popular belief, nobody has an automatic right to manage someone else’s finances, even if they are related, married…
The Internet of Things (IoT): Helpful or Harmful?
The outstanding progression of technology in the 21st Century has resulted in the phenomenon known as ‘the Internet of Things’;…
Post Study Visa to return!
There will apparently be a new UK post-study work visa for Tier 4 visa international students graduating from British universities.…
The importance of NHS Continuing Healthcare for Financial Advisers
The FTAdviser reports this week on the risk of litigation if a financial adviser has failed to consider all of…
Demystifying pre-nups – understanding pre-nuptial agreements
Imagine that your wedding is just a couple of months away – the happiest day of your life – and…
Know Your Numbers! Week 2019
All this week is Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Know Your Numbers! Week’ which is about raising awareness of the importance of…
Open Sight Hampshire Petition for Mandatory Eye Tests for Children
You may have seen coverage on BBC South this week regarding Open Sight Hampshire’s petition to make it mandatory for…
What if my partner tries to hide money in our divorce proceedings?
It is not uncommon for spouses to be worried that their ex will try to hide assets, or lie about…
How to avoid court if a relationship breaks down
Family breakdown is never easy, especially when coming to an agreement regarding children and finances. This is compounded if you…
Data Protection – How to deal with Subject Access Requests?
Rudd v Bridle
Following the arrival of GDPR there has been a notable increase in the number of subject access…
Agricultural Estate Planning Archers Style – How NOT to do it!
Here at Moore Blatch, we love wealth protection – so it always raises a smile when others are equally fascinated…
Are you liable for an employee’s Facebook post?
Forbes v LHR Airport Ltd…
Ruling on unreasonable covenants comes as a relief
Tillman v Egon Zehnder Limited.…
Rise in demand for early reconciliation services
Following the abolition of tribunal fees in July 2017, the demand for early conciliation services hascontinued to increase. The ACAS…
BA fined £183 million
In the biggest fine to date from the Information Commissioner’s Office, British Airways (BA) has been fined £183 million for…
Health is everyone’s business
Wanting to reduce ill-health related job loss in the UK, in July this year the government launched aconsultation entitled “Health…
Heatwave calls for flexible working
During last month’s scorching heat wave, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) called foremployers to let staff work flexible hours or…
Protecting new parents from discrimination
Pregnancy or maternity discrimination is illegal under the Equality Act, yet up to 54,000 women ayear still feel forced out…
Changes to the shortage occupation list – More IT jobs added
In May, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its full review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), the first time…
What may help you prove fault after a road traffic collision
There is no automatic right to compensation following a road traffic collision. It has to first be established that the…
Family holiday plans gone to Ashes
What you need to know about taking children abroad after separation
The Ashes test series has begun, the sun is…
When should a health and welfare deputy be appointed?
Deciding to appoint a deputy for health and welfare for your family member will always be a difficult decision. The…
No10’s first cohabiting couple
As Boris Johnson settles in to his new residence at No 10 Downing Street with girlfriend Carrie Symonds it seems…
Impact of Annual Reviews on Care Provision
If you receive a financial contribution towards your care fees, either as a result of NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, or…
Telecoms Code – can Code rights be defeated where a land owner intends to redevelop?
…
Pride and Prejudice – Marriage in Modern Times
Marriage has become a more inclusive term over the past decade with the introduction of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples)…
Should the salary threshold for Tier 2 workers be reduced?
There are suggestions that the next Prime Minster should lower the salary threshold from £30,000 to £20,000. Industry experts believe…
Office of Tax Simplification review inheritance tax
Earlier this month the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) published its second and final report in relation to its review…
Is there a time limit for bringing a personal injury claim?
There will almost always be a time limit for you to have either settled a claim for personal injury compensation…
Would an Australian points based system work in the UK?
Boris Johnson has recommended that we move towards an ‘Australian style’ points based system. We already have a points based…
British Airways to be fined a record £183 million for data breach
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published its intention to fine British Airways £183.39 million under the General Data Protection…
Pride and Prejudice – Marriage in Modern Times
Marriage has become a more inclusive term over the past decade with the introduction of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples)…
Tribunal procedure – strike out
ICTS Limited v Visram.…
Employers knowledge of disability scrutinised
Baldeh v Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District Ltd.…
Is it unlawful to compulsary retire professors?
The Employment Tribunal (ET) has ruled that it is not unlawful to compulsory retire professors,if their retirement helps to boost…
Parental leave – equal pay?
A recent ruling by the Court of Appeal (COA) has clarified the differing purposes of sharedparental leave (ShPL) and maternity…
Married fathers: an exceptional parental responsibility status?
Recent case law and statutes have reiterated time and again the importance of the child’s welfare. How does this link…
Offensive language during training
Theresa Georges v Pobl Group Ltd.…
The shortage occupation list should be expanded
The shortage occupation list (SOL) needs to include other occupations. MAC has published its review of the SOL following an…
HMRC loses another IR35 appeal
Atholl House Productions Ltd v HMRC.…
Parental bereavement leave
The government has confirmed its intention to introduce parental bereavement leave and pay.…
Scope of redundancy protection may be extended
On 20 May, a 10-minute Rule Bill was introduced in the House of Commons to extend redundancy protection for women…
Identifying Parental Alienation
Recently, lawyers, judges and social workers have become increasingly aware of parental alienation. It is however just as crucial for…
Should the government guarantee the rights of EU Citizens living in the UK?
The Commons Home Affairs Committee said technical issues had ‘blighted’ the scheme with some struggling to navigate the online application…
The devastating effects of catastrophic lower limb injuries
Catastrophic injuries to the lower limbs can take many forms from complex compound tibia and fibula fractures to multi-ligamentous injuries…
The rise of electronic devices and child accidents
Distraction by Smartphone poses risks to children
The number of children being hurt whilst using a mobile phone is increasing.…
Who gets the dog in the divorce: a tall tail
I have dealt with several cases where the biggest bone of contention (excuse the pun) was the family pet. In…
Moore Barlow approach to brain injury
Our first port of call is to fully understand the mechanics of the injury, and to use our experience of…
Brain Injury Rehabilitation – are you getting the right support?
Brain injuries sadly affect more lives in the UK than one may think. According to Headway, one of the UK’s…
Can I change my child’s name?
Parents might want to change their child’s name for a variety of reasons. Perhaps there is an absent parent or…
The Hidden Dangers in #Hinchhauls
With the rise in the popularity of using a variety of the latest cleaning products advocated by popular Instagram accounts…
Keeping children safe on bicycles
Cycling is a great way for children to keep fit as well as allowing them to get about independently. However,…
Integrating back into work after an Acquired Brain Injury
Following knowledge of an acquired brain injury, there are a lot of factors for the injured person to consider and…
Injury Cost Recovery Campaign Update
Cross-party support for ICR review shows the time for change is now.…
Season workers pilot takes off
The Government’s seasonal workers pilot opened in March, to assess how effective the UK’s immigration system is in tackling seasonal…
It’s time to knockout those separating myths‚ĶDing Ding
With heavy weight boxer Anthony Joshua looking for a knock out against his opponent this weekend, we look at 5…
Ensuring distribution agreements comply with UK and EU competition law
UK and EU competition law prohibits anti-competitive agreements between businesses. There are heavy penalties for infringements. When setting up a…
What if I want to divorce my husband/wife but they have dementia?
Separating from your partner or getting divorced can be traumatic and stressful. As a family law solicitor and mediator I…
Can we sue our new robot overlords? – The rise in AI and legal liability
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications is seeing exciting new technologies being introduced to the…
Getting out of onerous contracts – The Brexit effect
Whatever your views on Brexit, the ongoing saga is recognised in many quarters as being bad for UK Plc due…
Google hit with largest GDPR fine of £44 million
Earlier this year, Google was fined £44 million (50 million euros) by the French data regulator for breaching the data…
Transaction top tips
We are seeing numerous transactions in the TMT sector, many of which are a consolidation of the market. Additionally, a…
Who do you pay?
It is easy to forget that invoices were once sent by post – a cheque was raised, dispatched by post,…
Why Paul and Alex Hollywood may regret not continuing with family mediation
The press has recently reported that Paul Hollywood and his wife of 20 years, Alex, will be going to court…
Managing mental health during separation and divorce
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from Monday 13th May to Sunday 19th May. It’s therefore a good time to…
A new royal baby and the possible legal issues arising with parents from different backgrounds
With the birth of the latest royal baby, Master Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, we have seen the first mixed race child…
Should employers sponsor their highly skilled EU Workers if there is a no deal Brexit?
If the UK leaves the EU with no deal, we are now recommending that employers should at least consider sponsoring…
What are the common causes of Brain Injury?
Brain injury can be a frightening term. Often the subject of hospital television dramas it can seem an abstract concept…
Don’t shoot the whistleblower
The aim of integrity, health and safety, and fair competition should apply to most, if not all, industries and therefore…
Make your employees beam with a share scheme
Employee share schemes are increasingly common and increasingly seen as a cost-effective incentive for rapidly growing businesses in a range…
Employees can investigate before end of police inquiries
In the case of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust v Gregg, the Court of Appeal confirmed that an employer…
Personal injury quantifiable in rest-break claims
The case of Grange v Abellio London Ltd will be of particular interest to employers as it confirms that non-compliance…
Not all workers get 20 uninterrupted minutes off
In the recent case of Network Rail Infrastructure v Crawford, for workers deemed “special workers”, compensatory rest need not be…
When is a worker an employee?
In a recent landmark case that was hailed the ‘first public sector gig economy victory’, a group of art educators…
When sacking isn’t religious discrimination
In the case of De Groen v Gan Menachem Hendon, a teacher was sacked from an ‘ultra-orthodox’ Jewish nursery in…
No more staff parties?
Following a recent compensation claim for £300,000 against Cancer Research UK by one of its employees during a staff party,…
Right-to-work checking goes online
A new Government online checking service is set to help employers comply with their duty to prevent illegal working in…
Home or Away
Easter offers many parents an opportunity to take their children on holiday and the big question is often home or…
Who do you think you are? The increase in DNA testing
The popular BBC programme “Who Do You Think You Are?” highlights how interested we have all become in our family…
Don’t let your divorce hit the bunker’ 5 easy-to-make mistakes on separation
Any keen golfer (or golf widow) will know that the prospect of teeing off and landing straight in the bunker…
Is divorce all about dividing the prize winnings at the end of a big race?
Separating from your partner can feel as though you are swept up in a never ending steeplechase with ‘money’ being…
New start-up and innovator visas encourage entrepreneurs to the UK
The Government has introduced two new visa routes for entrepreneurs.
The start-up visa, this visa is for those wishing to…
Mother’s Day, an opportunity to reflect
Mother’s day, otherwise known as Mothering Sunday, is around the corner. It is often considered a day for children to…
Prince Andrew & Fergie – Pre Nuptial Agreement?
The self proclaimed ‘worlds happiest separated couple’ Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Fergie (Sarah Ferguson), may tie the knot…
Does suspension breach the implied term of trust and confidence?
In London Borough of Lambeth v Agoreyo the Court of Appeal recently considered the circumstances in which an employee may be…
Department for Education publishes draft Relationships and Sex Education statutory guidance
The Government has recently conducted a consultation on Relationships and Sex Education in schools in England and produced new draft…
Fee fraud – what can schools do?
“Invoice fraud”, “mandate fraud”, “transfer fraud”: this particular scam has acquired many names over the years and now fraudsters are known to…
Can a direct discrimination claim be based on the employer’s religion or belief?
In Gan Menachem Hendon Limited v De Groen the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) considered whether an employee could bring a claim for…
What counts as ‘long term’ in determining if an employee has a disability?
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has recently considered the meaning of “long term” and “substantial” when assessing whether a person is disabled for the…
TPS contributions set to rise by 43% – what’s your strategy?
With employer contributions set to rise by 43% in September 2019, many schools are reviewing the viability of continued membership…
Commoner’s corner #Grazingisgood
The New Forest National Park and Commoner’s Defence Association have launched the #grazingisgood campaign, which recognises the benefit commoning brings…
Is there a post-brexit solution for farm workers?
The issues in relation to retaining agricultural workers surmising rotting fruit mountains have been widely reported by the media. Talk…
Will Jenny from the Block have a pre-nup?
The announcement that Jennifer Lopez has become engaged to former US baseball player Alex Rodriguez has caught the public’s imagination.…
Equine negligence
Professionals have insurance to protect them when accidents happen. If your local vet reversed their car into you, or you…
Assets of community value
The recent case of Banner Homes Limited v St Albans City and District Council illustrates how the Asset of Community…
If the beast from the east struck again
A year ago this month ‘The Beast from the East’ cold wave hit the UK, causing chaos up and down…
Planning appraisal
You can do more with your land than just farming it. Understand the options available and…
Don’t slip up on new playslip rules
As a result of new legislation, employers who engage staff on an hourly-rate basis need to be aware that, from…
‘Mixed-use’ rate – Stamp Duty Tax
When you purchase property in the UK you will normally be subject to paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (“SDLT”) on…
Effects and symptoms of brain injury
A brain injury can have a devastating effect and cause a wide range of different symptoms. In this article, Moore…
Iceland in frosty wage – Dispute with HMRC
Iceland Foods are in a dispute with HMRC over the company’s Christmas savings scheme.…
Escape to the country
At Moore Blatch, we regularly act for purchasers who are based in London and other urban centres who are looking…
A Fatal Accident Act claim: How can a Solicitor help
In cases of road death the victim is not only the person who has died but also those that they…
Pay-gap reporting deadlines loom
Gender pay: New legislation introduced in 2018 requires large employers (250 employees or more) to publish their overall mean and…
AHA Tenancies – Obtaining vacant possession
We are regularly being asked to report on the status of agricultural tenants who occupy land required for development by…
Degloving injuries
A Degloving injury is a severe injury where the outer skin becomes separated from the tissue underneath. Degloving injuries of…
Headway South West London
Headway South West London (HWSWL) is a dedicated charity that helps individuals with brain injury, and their families and carers,…
A guide to orthopaedic negligence claims
What is the definition of an orthopaedic injury?
Put simply, an orthopaedic injury is any deformity/disorder/disease of the skeleton (bones)…
New compensation limits published for April 2019
The government has published the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2019 which increases compensation limits for employees in various…
Occupying land without a written lease, license or agreement
Problems and confusion can often arise where someone is occupying an area of land without any written basis for doing…
Restrictive covenants under scrutiny in landmark case
In the case of Tillman v Egon Zehnder Ltd, the Supreme Court is considering whether professional services firm Egon Zehnder…
Top athlete fails to win employment status
Former Team-GB cyclist Jess Varnish brought an Employment Tribunal claim against British Cycling and UK Sport, with the aim of…
Case law update – Restrictive covenants
The case of Jones v Oven [2018] EWCA Civ 1895; [2018] 8 WLUK 105 looked at the effect of restrictive…
How to protect your business after Brexit
With so much uncertainty about Brexit, many employers are anxious about the status of their EU employees and employment in…
Succession Planning for Farmers – Top tips for success
Farming succession is absolutely imperative to the success of individual farmers, but it is also integral to the overall agricultural…
Perry v Raleys Solicitors
In today’s decision in Perry v Raleys Solicitors, the Supreme Court has over-turned the Court of Appeal’s decision, and confirmed…
More NHS screening targets being missed
You may recall last year there were serious incidents reported regarding cervical and breast cancer screening programmes, when thousands of…
Data breaches by rogue employees – employers still liable: Vicarious liability applies
The Court of Appeal recently upheld a decision of the High Court that found Morrisons Supermarkets vicariously liable for the…
NHS Long Term Plan – The Ophthalmic Angle
Last week I blogged about the government’s newly announced Long Term Plan for NHS England which was introduced earlier this…
Family Mediation – covering everything you need
Generally, the issues you face upon a divorce or separation are threefold: legal; emotional and financial. Mediation is a bespoke…
What are the benefits of family mediation?
As a family law solicitor and Law Society accredited mediator I regularly assist clients going through a separation or divorce…
The NHS Long-Term Plan – The right way forwards?
It is a relief to hear the ongoing Brexit saga has not entirely consumed all of the civil service’s time…
Everything you need to know about Lasting Power of Attorneys
Record numbers of people are formally assigning emergency decision-making to those they trust with a Lasting Power of Attorney. 726,000…
What is unfavourable treatment in discrimination?
The Supreme Court (“SC”) has clarified what amounts to “unfavourable treatment” for the purposes of a claim for discrimination arising…
2019 resolutions for selling your business
If the festive break has hardened your resolve to sell your business, these handy tips on what to do in…
Sharp rise in Employment Tribunal claims
There’s been a dramatic rise in Employment Tribunal claims since fees for bringing an employment claim were abolished in July…
Working parents to get bereavement leave
Employed parents will have a statutory right to two weeks’ paid leave if they lose a child under the age…
When is a resignation not a resignation? The case of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust v Levy
In the case of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust v Levy, an employee in the Trust’s Records department…
Job hunters focus on gender pay gap
Six out of ten women would take into consideration an organisation’s gender pay gap when looking for a job, according…
Morrisons loses at High Court
The supermarket Morrisons has failed in its challenge to the High Court that it be held liable for a security…
Gay cake’ ruling provides lessons for employment law
On 10 October 2018, arguably one of the most highly anticipated court judgments of our time – in the so-called…
Christmas party bust-up: boss to blame. The case of Bellman v Northampton Recruitment Ltd
An employer can be held liable for the unlawful actions of one of its employees if it takes place during…
Saving sight on World Diabetes Day
It is World Diabetes Day on Wednesday 14 November 2018. Sadly Type 2 Diabetes is widely considered to be amongst…
Moore Barlow’s top rules for transactions
Benjamin Franklin said “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” and that is never more than true in…
Is Privacy Shield still adequate for data transfers to the US?
In July 2016, the European Commission formally adopted Privacy Shield, a new framework for exchanges of personal data between the…
New requirements for providers of essential services
The Network and Security Information Regulations 2018 came into force earlier this year. These regulations impose security, incident reporting and…
Start-up visas for tech companies – what’s all the hype about?
During this year’s London Tech Week, a new visa route aimed at the tech industry was announced. The Start Up…
Goodlife Foods Limited v Hall Fire Protection Limited
A recent case ‘Goodlife Foods Ltd v Hall Fire Protection Ltd’ has once again shown that the courts often place…
Gig-economy workers
In order to “fulfil the tax obligations of their workers” the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS) has asked the government…
Question and answer – Morgan Innovation and Technology Ltd
A family run innovation company, Morgan Innovation and Technology Ltd design, develop and manufacture innovative products in medical, defence and…
ICO gets tough: Equifax fined £500,000 under the “old” rules for very serious data breach
The recent introduction into UK law of the more stringent General Data Protection Regulation rules (GDPR) has certainly raised awareness…
New AMD treatment hopes for age-related sight loss
The 11th October 2018 is World Sight Day (WSD), an annual day of awareness to focus attention on blindness and…
Workers taking sick days drops to record low
Nearly 9 in 10 HR professionals have noticed that employees are spending longer at work than is required of them.…
The clinical negligence claims process
Coming to terms with the fact that a doctor or hospital has been negligent in their treatment of you is…
Government launches LGBT action plan
Following a national survey of LGBT people, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) has published the LGBT Action Plan: Improving the Lives…
Confused about holiday pay?
‘Flowers V East of England Ambulance Trust’This case centres around a group of claimants who worked for East of England…
£16k for schoolgirl in Pizza Hut sexual harassment case
Pizza Hut have been ordered to pay £15,800 to a schoolgirl who was working as a receptionist in a Pizza…
Unfair dismissal claims: When do statutory notice periods need to be added to qualifying service?
‘Lancaster and Duke Ltd v Wileman’…
Should you pay national minimum wage for sleep-in/on-call workers?
‘Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson-Blake’This case considered whether two care workers (Mrs Tomlinson-Blake and Mr Shannon) were entitled to national…
Farm labour shortage addressed – but is it enough?
Last week the government announced a new nationwide pilot scheme for seasonal agricultural workers from outside EEA countries to come…
An employer can still raise issues on remedy despite failing to lodge a claim on time
The Court of Appeal has recently ruled that an employer who failed to lodge an ET3 in response to an…
AHA tenancy loophole
We all work in the rural sector so the basics of AHA tenancies under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (AHA)…
Boundary disputes and encroachments
Rural and agricultural properties and Estates often have boundaries that are not clearly demarcated by physical boundary structures. …
Commoner’s Corner, New Forest rights – does your property benefit?
The New Forest was designated a national park in 2005 and is one of the most visited National Parks in…
Every farmer should have a Lasting powers of Attorney
A Property & Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can prove essential in helping to protect a farm should…
Somerset farming company fined £16,000 for breach of work at height regulations
Evercreech Park Farms Ltd was recently fined £16,000 and ordered to pay legal costs of just under £3,500 for a breach of the Work at…
Rising cost of inheritance tax
HMRC has confirmed that there has been a significant increase in the amount of Inheritance Tax (IHT) received in tax…
The eviction process
To lawfully obtain possession of residential property where the tenant has not voluntarily vacated (or surrendered possession), you will require…
Will my ex-wife be able to ask me for more money in the future?
You may have seen in the press recently the case in which the Supreme Court grappled with this question. …
Ban on letting agents’ tenant fees
As was widely-reported and subsequently consulted upon by the Department for Communities and Local Government earlier in the year, the…
EPCs and assured shorthold tenancies
From April 2018 it is now a legal requirement for all new private tenancies to be of properties with an…
The importance of insurance in exclusion of liability clauses
Goodlife Foods Limited v Hall Fire Protection Limited
This decision has once again shown that the courts often place considerable…
Who can see my will?
We are frequently contacted by individuals wanting to confirm if we are holding a family member’s will.…
Dismissal for misconduct without prior warning
The case of Mbubaegbu v Homerton University Hospital considered when dismissal for misconduct without prior warning can be reasonable. It…
Case law update – confusion over shared parental leave
In our last monthly update we commented on the case of Ali v Capita Customer Management Ltd. This case concluded…
Dress codes and sex discrimination – what’s new?
The Government Equalities Offices has recently published new guidance on Dress Codes and Sex Discrimination. In summary:…
Employment contracts failure to detail when notice is given
The case of Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust v Haywood considered the matter of when the notice of termination…
Right to itemised pay statements to be extended to all workers
With effect from 6 April 2019, every worker will have the right to an itemised pay statement. This must be…
The taxing issue of wine
Since the age of 18, I have always had an interest in wine. Not just the drinking of it, although…
Disabled workers pay gap widens
The pay gap for disabled workers is at its highest since 2013, and disabled workers now earn on average £1.50…
Relief against forefiture
It is a principle of public policy that the law should not allow offenders to benefit from their own crime;…
Potted history of Moore Barlow
As a recent addition to Moore Barlow, when joining I was asked by family members “What firm are your joining?…
Should you follow Uber’s example and offer employee benefits?
Uber recently announced that it would be providing insurance cover at no extra cost to its drivers over Europe. It…
Selective Licensing of Private Landlords by Local Authorities
Local authorities in England and Wales are able to designate specified areas within their jurisdiction for selective licensing schemes. Landlords…
Pimlico Plumbers lose in Supreme Court
Self-employed plumber Gary Smith has won his case against his former employer, Pimlico Plumbers. The case concerned whether Gary was…
Estate administration
As life gets more complicated, so do the financial affairs that need to be settled after death. This is a…
Section 21 Notices seeking possession of rented residential property (Post-1 October 2015)
What is a Section 21 Notice?…
GDPR and safeguarding in schools: what you need to know
The General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which came into force on the 25 May, needs no introduction. You probably know…
Babies most likely to be born at 4 am. Is the NHS ready?
A new study carried out by the University College London performed between 2005 and 2014 analysed data of 5 million…
Windrush day – what really happens at Home Office appointments?
We recently attended an appointment at the Home Office with one of our Windrush clients who has been considerably affected…
Government Proposals for Three Year Minimum Term Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements
As part of its plans to tackle the UK’s housing crisis the government has of late been concentrating on the…
Section 21 Notices seeking possession of rented residential property (Pre-1 October 2015)
There are different rules for termination of assured shorthold tenancies granted before 1 October 2015 to those granted after, when…
NHS funding warning sees likely increase in taxes
It is no secret the NHS is in slipping deeper and deeper into financial crisis – more so now than…
The centuries old system of signing and witnessing deeds in property transactions
On 5 April 2018, the Land Registry registered the first digitally signed mortgage deed.…
Update on EMI Options – 2
You will be aware from our EMI Option Scheme update found here that there was a lapse in the State Aid Approval…
How best to protect your assets when in a relationship or contemplating marriage
When you commence a new relationship or get engaged protecting your assets is probably not the first thing on your…
GDPR and Immigration Exemptions
In a few weeks, data protection rules across Europe will experience their biggest change in the last 20 years. On…
The health and social care crisis
The Care Funding crisis has been a topic of debate for quite some time. Despite the government’s commitment to ‘put…
Best interests and mental capacity
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) is a defining piece of legislation designed to protect and empower vulnerable people who…
A brief examination of new Government plans to help Windrush families
The Government has published new guidance for undocumented Commonwealth citizens, Amber Rudd has resigned and Sajid Javid has been appointed the new Home Secretary,…
Beware of annual reviews
Anyone who receives a financial contribution towards their care fees, either as a result of NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, or…
Ensure you understand how to tax notice pay when it is paid in lieu following recent changes to the law in this area
This April saw the most significant change to the taxation of termination payments in many years. The intention of the…
The abolition of Employment Tribunal Fees has opened the floodgates
It’s less than 12 months since the Employment Tribunal fees were scrapped and already claims are up by 90%.…
The gender pay gap- did you fail to report?
More than 1500 companies who employ over 250 people failed to report their gender pay gap results on the 4th…
The high street suffers despite falling unemployment – ensure redundancy policy is fair
We have just seen the lowest unemployment figures since May 1975, but despite this positive outlook, in many parts of…
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission identifies widespread Sexual Harassment failures
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission has identified widespread failures by employers to set out sufficient processes and policies on…
Should a high earning capacity be shared upon divorce?
The Court of Appeal has released judgment in the case of Waggott v Waggott saying no it shouldn’t and dismissing…
Strict liability continues – Case law update
Following the case of Mirvahedy v Henley in 2003, it is well known that if an animal causes damage to…
Facebook’s data processing scandal could set the tone for GDPR claims
Ahead of the implementation of the GDPR on 25 May, Facebook and its relationship with Cambridge Analytica could set a…
Recruiting seasonal workers after Brexit – possible solutions?
The issue of immigration has featured prominently in the Brexit debate. Following the decision to leave in June 2016, the…
Farming dispute following a bereavement – private client perspective
The case of Sargeant v Sargeant 2018 EWHC 8 Ch focuses on the case of a farmer’s widow, Jane Sargeant,…
Failure to enhance shared parental leave is not direct sex discrimination
The case of Capita v Ali concerns a father who took shared parental leave so that his wife could go…
Commoner’s corner
Exploring rural property issues and developments in the New Forest, Kerry’s Commoner’s Corner, is a new feature for rural news.…
A loophole giving residential tenants the right to enfranchise and buy
Many common law tenancies contain a little known or understood loophole that can cause a huge headache for Estate and…
Agency workers cannot be paid more to avoid equal terms of employment
Regulation 5 of the Agency Workers Regulation 2010 (‘AWR’) states that an agency worker is entitled to the same basic…
Are you doing the Resident Labour Market test correctly?
The recent High Court decision in R (Khan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWHC 105 (Admin) case illustrates…
CCGs being challenged for failure to provide personalised care packages
The media is rife with the news that a number of Clinical Commissioning Groups (the NHS bodies responsible for making…
£47,000 for transgender Primark employee following “shocking” discrimination
Gender reassignment is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. Yet a case recently emerged in which a female…
1948-2018: Happy 70th Birthday NHS
The nation’s best loved institution. 70 years is a long time to endure at a time in this nation’s history…
Tesco’s £4bn equal pay bill
Tesco is facing an £4 billion equal pay claim from thousands of female shop workers. If this claim is successful,…
Sexual harassment in the workplace
From Westminster to Hollywood and more recently the charity sector, reports of sexual harassment have become a regular feature in…
Incentivising key employees
A modern employee incentive means more than just salary…
EMI Schemes in technology businesses
Forgive me for harping on, but I am passionate about EMI Schemes and their benefits. If you are not, allow…
Reporting medical conditions to the DVLA
Research by insurers has revealed that most people fail to disclose a medical condition because they believe it has no…
Are your employees making the most of shared parental leave?
Despite shared parental leave being introduced in 2015, only 2% of those couples eligible for the leave have chosen to…
Peckish Brits go chicken crazy
KFC’s raison d’etre is chicken. So, one would assume, they would ensure at all costs that it has chicken in…
Are you ready for gender pay reporting?
While gender pay reporting currently only applies to organisations employing over 250 people, it’s advisable that any organisation employing over…