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There has been a significant rise in the number of claims coming before employment tribunals, according to the latest research. Figures published by the Law Gazette show there were 4,390 single claims in the third quarter of 2014 compared with 3,790 in the first quarter. That was a jump of 16%. The increase should be
Former benefit claimants have set up 70,000 new businesses under the government’s New Enterprise Allowance scheme. The scheme provides seed funding and a mentor for jobseekers, lone parents and people on sickness benefits who come up with a solid business idea. If the business plan is approved, they are eligible for financial support payable through
More than 100,000 homes throughout the UK have now been bought through the Help to Buy schemes, according to the latest government figures. Eight out of ten of these homes went to first time buyers at an average cost of £184,000. More than 90% of the purchases were outside London, and more than 50% of
Lasting power of attorney (LPA) forms have been updated to make them simpler and clearer. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), which administers LPAs, says the move is in response to feedback from users following a consultation exercise. LPAs enable you to protect your interests in the future in case you ever lose mental
A minority shareholder was not unfairly treated when his former colleagues decided to buy him out against his will. That was the ruling of the Court of Appeal in a case involving a private equity business. The court heard that the business had been subject to a management buy-out from its previous owner. It was
An estate agency that was cut out of a property deal after finding a prospective buyer has been awarded its £75,600 commission in full. The High Court heard that the agency was hired by a company wanting to sell a commercial property. The agency found a purchaser in Cyprus. The purchaser agreed to pay a
A contractor was not liable for the failure of some of its work despite apparently giving a 20-year “warranty”. That was the decision of the Court of Appeal in a case involving a multi-million pound project. The contractor, MT Hojgaard, had been hired by the power company, E.ON, to build the foundations for a set
A steel company has won damages of $7.4m plus interest from a supplier that failed to deliver materials on time. The High Court heard that there had been a contract between the companies for the supply of four consignments of steel billets from Ukraine to Morocco, where the buyer had a factory. Difficulties arose and
When investing in a business it’s important to have a written agreement clearly stating the terms and conditions that apply. Failure to do so can result in costly confusion as occurred in a recent case before the High Court. It involved an investor who put £50,000 into a business on the understanding that he would
Here is the concluding article on powers of attorney with some final thoughts and encouragement. As with so many tasks in life making and registering a power of attorney IS not complicated if you know what you are doing, however there are traps for the unwary and the consequences of getting things wrong can be