Pop-up shops: temporary salvation or long-term headache for landlords?
Pop-up shops continue to be popular in many high streets with landlords being unable to secure long-term tenants for commercial retail premises due to adverse market conditions. They can operate…
Clarification of share buyback rules
The share buyback regulations introduced in 2013 relaxed certain Companies Act 2006 requirements that would otherwise apply when a company undertakes a buyback of its shares. One of the main…
Can HMRC take an axe to your woodland business?
There are signs that HMRC is taking a closer look at tax reliefs for commercial woodland. The concept of commerciality is under scrutiny and it is likely to challenge relief…
The Deregulation Act 2015 – changes for residential landlords
The Deregulation Act 2015 was passed earlier this year and covers various issues which will be of interest to landlords, tenants and those appointed to deal with residential properties. One…
Creating company marketing material? Don’t be Innocent
When a company commissions a third party such as a designer to create material, the third party owns the copyright in it, unless there are contractual provisions to the contrary.…
Fit for purpose? The new Fit for Work scheme
It is estimated that annually more than 130 million days are lost to sickness absence at a cost to the economy of around £15 billion. Employers face an estimated annual…
Three top tips for charity trustees
Here our charities & not-for-profit legal team outlines three tips for charity trustees to consider this quarter. Strategic review Trustees should regularly review their charity’s effectiveness and how the charity…
General election results and their employment law implications
Who would have thought that the pollsters would get it wrong? Now that the dust has settled on the result of the general election we can consider some of the…
Got an idea? Starting a new business? Free start-up guide filled with legal tips now available
Starting a business can be both challenging and rewarding but it requires careful planning, research and preparation. It is estimated that each year over 500,000 new small business start-ups are being…
Exclusive interview with our managing partner
Hear our managing partner speak of her career path and why she is so fond of our law firm, among other things, in an exclusive interview by the Cheltenham Chamber…
Future legislative changes for companies to be aware of
Our corporate & commercial team summarises future legislative changes in company law which businesses should take account of. Legislation is due to come into force at the beginning of next…
Popstar Rhianna says no to passing off
A passing off claim is a way of enforcing an intellectual property right. It can be used to try and prevent one trader from misrepresenting goods or services as being…
Dementia Awareness Week 2015: a good time to check your affairs are in order
During the Alzheimer Society’s National Dementia Awareness Week 2015, Paul Gordon, a partner in Willans’ litigation and dispute resolution team whose specialisms include inheritance and trust disputes, reminds people of the…
Inheritance tax and solar development
Where land is leased to a solar power operator, it no longer qualifies for agricultural property relief so could be subject to inheritance tax of up to 40%. With farm…
Marketing calls – fines imposed
A first tier tribunal has upheld a monetary penalty notice for £50,000 for failure to comply with the rules on unsolicited direct marketing calls, as set out in Regulation 21…
Employing an ex-offender – retribution or rehabilitation
Society believes that an offender should be punished for their crime. However, it also recognises that once the punishment has been served, the offender should be rehabilitated back into society…
Business immigration – how we can help
With immigration a key political issue ahead of the upcoming general election, businesses can often find themselves on the front line of the debate. Therefore, it is vital that they…
Agricultual buildings and permitted development rights
Local authorities have been slow to come to terms with the new Class MB permitted development right which allows agricultural buildings under certain circumstances to be converted into residential dwellings.…
Amending a contract? Remember the law against penalties
Commercial contracts often contain what is known as a liquidated damages clause. One party may have to pay the other a pre-agreed sum for failing to meet a particular obligation…
Top tips for charity trustees
Conflicts of interest – On 1 May 2014, the Charity Commission updated their conflicts of interest guidance which contains a revised definition and introduces a three-step approach to handling conflicts…
Is the succession of your farm at risk!?
Balancing your wishes and the expectations of the next generation can be emotional and sometimes extremely complicated. Hopefully, you will have given due thought and consideration as to what is…
CAP reform – Basic Payment Scheme
1 January 2015 saw the introduction of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) which replaced the existing Single Farm Payment Scheme. Changes under this new legislation include the new online CAP…
Should you settle a claim early to restrict costs?
Litigation is a very expensive way of resolving disputes and it is not uncommon for the cost of issuing, or defending, a claim to exceed the damages. One way of…
Thomas Pink wins trademark court battle against Victoria’s secret
In Thomas Pink Limited v Victoria’s Secrets UK Limited, the British shirt maker issued court proceedings for trademark infringement against lingerie retailer Victoria’s Secret over the right to use the…
Restrictions on the title to registered land
Restrictions on the title to registered land can cause undue problems when it comes to a sale. They are often registered to protect the interests of third parties who have…
Abolition of milk quota
It is well known in the agricultural community that milk quotas will be abolished on 1 April 2015, but there could be tax implications for individuals and farming businesses holding…
Careful lotting of farmland is required to save SDLT
The Autumn Statement in December saw wholesale revisions of the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) system. The changes will bring major savings on residential transactions below £937,500 but anything above…
New company name and trading disclosure regulations cut red tape for businesses
New regulations which came into force on 31 January 2015 have made it easier for companies and LLPs to choose or change their name. The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and…
Wide machinery and rights of way
The implications of the ruling in Oliver v Symons are quite significant. A right of way granted for vehicular access was strictly limited to the width of the existing track.…
Shareholders’ agreements – Why do you need one?
Whether you are a small company with two, or a larger business with multiple shareholders, it is impossible to overstate the importance of having a properly drafted shareholders’ agreement. The…
More changes to consumer law
Businesses should prepare themselves for yet more reform of consumer law in the UK, as the Consumer Rights Bill received Royal Assent in March. The provisions of the Act are…
Changes to company law in the UK to be implemented
Last year the government introduced the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill which is designed to improve the legislative environment for small businesses and to enhance transparency of UK corporate…
Don’t delay on mobile phone mast lease renewals
Recent reports in the press have confirmed that Britain’s mobile phone operators are lobbying the government to intervene with landlords to reduce the rents payable for mobile phone masts. They…
Trustees of charities – is CIO status for you?
The Charities Act 2011 introduced the new form of a legal entity, known as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) 3,426 charities have registered as CIOs. We explain why it may…
Budget proposal threatens use of deeds of variation to avoid inheritance tax
After George Osborne delivered his Budget yesterday, our expert wills, probate and trusts lawyer Simon Cook considers the impact of one of the proposals. “I can also tell the House…
Facing up to Facebook
Millions in the UK use Facebook to communicate and organise large parts of their personal lives online. It is no secret that Facebook has provided a number of tools that…