Articles
March 2015
Existing Family-Friendly Employment Rights
Maternity Leave – pregnant employees are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave and, subject to eligibility conditions, 39 weeks statutory maternity pay (“SMP”). SMP is paid at the following rates:
March 2015
Winding Up Petition Backdated
Author: Chris Millar
March 2015
Phoenix Companies
Author: Chris Millar
(a) Can a creditor find out if a director has applied for permission to re-use a prohibited name?
March 2015
Laverty v British Gas Trading Limited
Author: Nigel Cook
This case involved a claim by British Gas Trading Limited (BGT) against former administrators of Peacock Stores for gas and electricity supplies to vacant stores. BGT argued that these supplies should be an expense of the administration and thus have a priority.
March 2015
Insolvency (Protection of Essential Suppliers) Order 2015
Author: Nigel Cook
This Order which will come into effect on 1st October 2015 is derived from the Insolvency Service Consultation and draft Order issued in July 2014 which we reported previously.
March 2015
EC Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings
Author: Nigel Cook
Changes to some of the provisions of the EC Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings (ECRIP) will come into effect in 2017. The main changes relate to the assessment of the centre of main interests (COMI) both for corporate and individuals; broadening the scope of secondary proceedings; protection of local i.e. national creditors outside secondary proceedings; and coordination of cross border group insolvencies.
February 2015
Fit for Work
Author: Nicola O'Dwyer
In December 2014, the Government launched the Fit for Work scheme (“FFW”). The scheme includes a website and telephone advice line. The opportunity for an occupational health referral will be in place by May 2015.
February 2015
Flats, Marriage and the 80 year hitch
Author: Lynda Russell
When the term remaining on a lease of a residential property drops below 80 years it not only affects the owner’s ability to sell the property, it also decreases the value of the property and substantially increases the premium payable to the landlord for a lease extension. It is therefore imperative to give serious consideration to applying for a lease extension before the dreaded 80 year mark dawns.
February 2015
Civil Court Fees Increase
Author: Floris Shoebridge
The Government has recently announced that court fees for the issuing of civil claims are to increase dramatically from April 2015 attracting criticism from Senior Judges, the Law Society, and other members of the legal profession.
February 2015
Small Scale Developer Contributions
Author: Heather Kershaw
The Community Infrastructure Levy came into force in April 2010. It allows local authorities in England and Wales to raise funds from developers undertaking new building projects in their area. The money can be used to fund a wide range of infrastructure that is needed as a result of development. This includes new or safer road schemes, flood defences, schools, hospitals and other health and social care facilities, park improvements, green spaces and leisure centres.
