Williamsons Solicitors News Stories
Only give credit where it’s due
Leading global information services company Experian has published the results of a survey on credit awareness amongst small businesses in the UK. 71 per cent of the 700 small businesses surveyed… Read More
European Court issues guidance on adwords
The European Court of Justice has handed down guidance of importance to all advertisers who use the internet for advertising that incorporates keywords. It is common in such cases for the… Read More
Who supplies a hotel bed?
It may seem fairly obvious that the supplier of hotel accommodation is the hotel, but HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recently tried to persuade the Tribunal that hotel accommodation sold via a… Read More
Events licences consultation
The Government believes that the Licensing Act 2003 imposes a licensing requirement for many events where there is little or no risk of trouble – for example school plays, brass bands playing in… Read More
Wind Turbines – New Planning Regulations on the Way
The UK has been proceeding apace in its attempts to develop ‘green’ energy, and wind turbines are appearing all over the country – including in such seemingly unlikely spots as beside the M25… Read More
Change of venue not an option rules Court of Appeal
It is not uncommon for a dispute to be capable of settlement in more than one way. What isn’t normally possible is for an attempt to be made to settle the same dispute in two different ways. When a… Read More
Slips and trips at work
Slipping or tripping is the single most common cause of major injury in UK workplaces. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that more than 10,000 workers suffered serious injury as a result… Read More
National minimum wage
Earlier this year, the Low Pay Commission reported that there was continuing evidence of breaches of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) Regulations with regard to young people doing work experience. It… Read More
Government to legalise same-sex marriage
Although the Civil Partnership Act, which allows same-sex couples to be legally joined, came into effect as long ago as December 2005, the right to have a same-sex religious ceremony is not… Read More
It's my name and you can’t use it!
Within the EU, names can be registered as Community Trade Marks (CTMs). Recently, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) refused to allow fashion designer Elizabeth Emanuel to obtain revocation of a… Read More
Copyright extension has musicians dancing in the street
Ageing musicians will be rockin' all over the world today following the decision of the EU Council to extend copyright protection on music from 50 years to 70 years after the work is recorded… Read More
Dismissal must be a reasonable response
The employee in this case was employed by two different NHS Trusts, in different jobs, working different hours. One of the jobs involved travelling whilst the other was based in a clinic. The… Read More
ACAS guidance on social networking
Incorrect use of the Internet and social networking tools has led to many employers having to deal with issues such as time theft, defamation, cyber bullying, freedom of speech and the invasion of… Read More
What is a reasonable adjustment?
Employers are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to prevent their disabled workers from being placed at a substantial disadvantage in comparison with persons who are not disabled. This issue… Read More
Business mileage rates latest
HMRC have updated the current car fuel rates – the amounts which can be used to reimburse employees for fuel or for business use of their cars. The only change is with regard to vehicles powered by… Read More
Changes to Health and Safety incident reporting now in force
Businesses are reminded that a new system for reporting workplace health and safety incidents came into effect today. In future, only fatal and major injuries and incidents should be reported by… Read More
Bribery Act Conviction – Employers Take Note (Updated)
The Bribery Act 2010 came into force on 1 July 2011. It is an offence under the Act for a person to request, agree to receive or accept a financial or other advantage intending that, in consequence… Read More
Former Mill Worker Wins Compensation for Hearing Loss
A former weaver who was exposed to excessive levels of noise at work has been awarded compensation after suffering damage to his hearing. Mr McKinley had been employed as a weaver at a textiles… Read More
New ACAS guide to social media at work
Employment relations body Acas has published what is believed to be the first guide to social media use in the workplace. According to Acas figures almost six out of ten employees now use social… Read More
Plumbers arrested in HMRC tax probes
More than 600 plumbers may have good reason to be grateful that they came forward under the recent HM Revenue and Customs amnesty. A further 600 plumbers who did not are now under investigation and… Read More
Evidence of joint ownership now required by HMRC
When property is owned by two or more persons, the ownership, and thus any income arising from it, may not always be split in equal proportions. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recognise this by… Read More
Motoring expenses could be subject to NICs
Employers should urgently review their mileage policies following a recent ruling by the Upper Tribunal of the Tax and Chancery Chamber. The company, in this case, employed a number of staff who… Read More
Dismissed for what might have been
In Wincanton plc v Atkinson and another, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) held that the decision of a haulage company to dismiss two of its drivers who continued to perform their duties when… Read More
IP crime prosecutions rise
It is well known that infringement of copyright can lead to the owner of the copyright suing the infringer for damages to make good any losses they have suffered. It is less well known that in some… Read More
Green fees and VAT: The clock ticks
Where a non-profit organisation makes supplies that are closely linked and essential to sport, those supplies are exempt from VAT. Recently, a golf club went to the VAT Tribunal to argue that the… Read More