Read our latest articles, news briefs and legal updates across all our different services.
The Covid pandemic has led to a surge in the number of employees bringing claims to the Employment Tribunal, according to research carried out by Citizens Advice. It says that if claims continue to increase at the current rate, the number could pass 500,000 by the spring. Even this could be a conservative estimate, the
Are employers liable for their employees’ practical jokes if they go badly wrong? This was the question considered by the court in Chell v Tarmac Cement and Lime Ltd [2020] EWHC 2613. The background to the claim concerned the Claimant, Mr. Chell, one of a number of sub-contractors, and Mr. Health who was employed by the Respondent.
From 30th November 2020 to 4th December marks Good Divorce Week. This is an annual campaign initiative by Resolution, a national organisation of family justice professionals who aim to work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way. Resolution has over 6,500 professional members including the Machins Family Law Team. The initiative’s
Bullying does not only occur in schools or online. It can happen anywhere, including in the workplace. According to the National Bullying Helpline, one in four employees have experienced bullying at work. Bullying can have a significant impact on an employee’s mental and physical health, as well as their confidence and performance at work. Unless
A school technician who was discriminated against because of his disabilities and unfairly dismissed has been awarded £117,013 compensation. Mr D Walker suffered with psoriatic arthritis, depression and anxiety. He worked at Old Swinford Hospital School from June 2014 until September 2017. He had periods of absence and lateness during 2016. These increased in 2017,
Four siblings have succeeded in overturing their mother’s will after the court agreed that she had not fully understood its consequences when she signed it. The case pitted the mother’s first four children against her youngest child, the defendant. In 2004, the mother and her husband had executed mirror wills, which meant that if the
A husband has successfully challenged a divorce settlement arrived at through arbitration and has been allowed to have the issues reconsidered in court. The wife had applied for financial relief following the marriage breakdown. After an unsuccessful financial dispute resolution hearing, the case was listed for trial. However, no district judge was available, so the
The government has launched an £11.5 billion programme to build 180,000 new homes across the country over the next five years. It’s hoped that the move will unlock a further £38 billion in public and private investment in affordable housing. New homes will be made available from next year. Around half of the new homes
The government is planning changes to the shared ownership scheme to make it easier for people to buy more of their own home, including allowing them to buy in 1% increments. At present, they have to buy an increased share in 10% chunks, which can be as much as £45,000 each time. This process of
A grandmother who failed to get permission to have her grandson live with her can now apply again because she’s moved to a bigger house. The case involved a two-year-old who was referred to in court as J. He had three siblings. The local authority became involved with the family before his birth due to