Sedgwick Phelan & Partners Newsfeed

Do You Really Know What Will Happen To Your Property When You Die? Are You Absolutely Sure?

2010-07-07T18:43:43+02:00

Many have believed that they were absolutely sure, only for their family to find themselves faced not only with the death of their loved one but a family dispute and an expensive and distressing legal wrangle when they needed it least.

What Are My Holiday Rights?

2010-07-07T16:24:11+02:00

Local private clients, business owners and consumers will be busily looking at what they might recover financially for ruined holidays if things continue to go wrong in the travel industry this summer.

Following the volcanic eruption in Iceland earlier this year and the many displaced passengers whose holiday and work plans were spoiled, a close eye will be kept on the travel scene this summer.

Are we set for a summer of further travel disruption?

With potential issues ranging from foreign air traffic control problems and possible indutrial action, many a thing can go awry with travel plans. It is not just ash that travllers should be concerned about.

Data Protection - Breaches

2010-07-07T16:14:14+02:00

Do you protect the personal data which your business holds properly?

OFT (Office of Fair Trading) new approach to Director disqualifications

2010-07-07T16:07:46+02:00

On 29th June, the Office of Fair Trading set out its new guidance on Director disqualification orders for breach of the competition rules.

The Emergency Budget

2010-07-07T15:57:16+02:00

The emergency budget will have far reacing implications for private and business clients alike.

Thinking of going on holiday?

2010-07-02T17:07:23+02:00

Before you book your next holiday, just consider this,suggests Roger Dennerly our Personal Injury Partner.

Reasons to Make A Will: Law on Intestacy

2010-02-11T09:43:56+01:00

From 1 February 2009 new intestacy rules apply.

In law âIntestacyâ deals with means who inherits if you leave no will.

In short, if you do not leave a will the law decides.

However, the way the law operates when you do not leave a will, can leave unpleasant or completely unexpected problems.

In most cases it is better to make a will.

Forming Contracts: The Battle of the Forms - Tekdata

2010-01-12T11:50:31+01:00

At the end of 2009 the Court of Appeal had to look at a legal issue which arises very frequently in practice â whether a sellerâs or a buyerâs contract terms apply.

This is known as the âbattle of the formsâ.

New Year Resolution 2010 - Note To Self: Sort Out My Legal Affairs

2010-01-12T11:43:59+01:00

How is your personal legal housekeeping?

A new year is a good time to make some legal resolutions.

Make your will. Ensure property is in the right names. Even consider a pre or post pre-nuptial agreement. Enter into contracts with business partnership and shareholders rather than operating on trust. Introduce some standard terms of sale and purchase into your business.

When Employees Lose Time Due To Snow

2010-01-08T16:19:00+01:00

With snow and ice already covering much of the UK and weather reports suggesting that the snowstorms are moving south, the TUC has issued advice for workers and their employers on what to do when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Fire Risk Assessment: How Good Is Your Fire Risk Assessment?

2009-12-18T18:39:15+01:00

As local fire services continue their round of property inspections, John Sowerbutts of JMS Risk Solutions Ltd asks: âHow Good Is Your Fire Risk Assessment?â

It may have been noticed that initially, following introduction of certain fire and other health and safety legislation, the relevant authorities were happy to meet non-observance with warnings and advisory notices. But times are changing and in cases of non-compliance there now appears to be a hardening of attitudes that should serve as wake up call to business owners and managers.

John Sowerbutts of JMS Risk Solutions Ltd has 30 years hard earned experience working in the area of risk assessment and works closely with leading insurers, solicitors and their clients with the object of minimising insurance cost and ensuring legal compliance.

Here John focuses on fire risk assessments.

Landlords and Fire Safety Issues

2009-10-12T10:00:31+02:00

As we move through autumn and on to winter, the weather cools and the night draw in, there are hidden dangers appraoching for Landlords.

New Employment Law Changes at 1st October 2009

2009-10-06T15:54:19+02:00

Employment law is constantly changing with 1st October 2009 bringing in the latest changes.

Buying and Selling Property

2009-10-06T15:50:06+02:00

If you are considering buying a property, do consider recent changes in the law in this area.

All Change For Company Law - Companies Act 2006 Now Fully In Force

2009-10-06T15:46:05+02:00

1 October 2009 was the final D-Day for changes in Company law under the Companies Act 2006, the largest statute in English legal history.

Construction Contracts and Staff

2009-09-03T09:58:31+02:00

A recent High Court decision held it was illegal not to tell a potential customer that a key employee had handed in his notice and would not be working on the project for 2 of the 3 years of its life.

Mulitple Employment Law Changes:Minimum Wage, New Rules and Tips

2009-09-03T09:52:41+02:00

From 1st October employers face a raft of new legislation and legal chnages which will catch uout the unprepared.

New rules affect various ares of emploer's legal duties.

Sedgwick Phelan Announces Employment Protection Service

2009-09-01T12:37:05+02:00

In difficult economic times and to help local businesses minimise the potential for employment disputes and their consequences Sedgwick Phelan is offering a new Employment Protection service.

Swine flu â The Law

2009-08-06T13:59:59+02:00

Lawyers are finding an increase in requests for legal advice about the implications of the swine flu pandemic. Do you know your legal position?

On 6 August the Daily Telegraph reported that "we're a nation of skivers".

The report highlighted the problem of employees using the current swine flu epidemic as an excuse to take time off.

However, there are also genuine problems facing employers arising from this health scare with matters predicted to get worse in the autumn.

Internet Selling, Import - Export of Goods and EU Law

2009-08-05T15:50:58+02:00

Do you export or import goods via your web-site?

If so the new draft EU block exemption regulations and guidance issued at the end of July 2009 may be of interest. Most distribution agreements in the EU are drafted with an eye to the EU regulation in this area (the vertical agreements block exemption) and the guidance notes which go with it.

The EU has proposed a replacement for this legislation on which comments are sought by September.

Selling your business

2009-07-07T10:52:54+02:00

Many businesses are restructuring in the recession. Some are picking up cheap assets when competitors go under but still need to be careful to carry out proper due diligence.

Youâre worth it

2009-07-07T10:47:33+02:00

In a ground breaking decision in June the courts held that if goods are packaged like other goods then, even if no consumers are confused into thinking the goods are those of the rival company, a claim for breach of trade marks can be made. LâOreal found its packaging was copied and took the sellers to court.

Pregnant at work

2009-07-07T10:39:40+02:00

Those wondering what their rights are if they become pregnant at work should take note of new guidance from BERR.

Industrial Noise claims - Hearing damage?

2009-06-03T10:01:25+02:00

Have you been damaged at work?

You may be able to bring a personal injury claim.

In May, the Court of Appeal reached an important decision in an industrial noise test case.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a waste of time and money!

2009-05-13T15:12:44+02:00

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a waste of time, money and worse, are actually responsible for increasing the carbon emissions in the UK!

President Rochdale Chamber of Commerce: Peter Carey

2009-04-06T18:10:19+02:00

Peter Carey, commercial law partner with Middleton Solicitors Sedgwick Phelan and Partners has been appointed President of the Rochdale Chamber of Commerce.

Warning: Unsigned Contracts Are Binding

2009-04-06T17:28:48+02:00

Do you ensure all your commercial arrangements are set out in writing? If not now might be a good time to have a written agreement drawn up. Check you have standard conditions of sale, purchase, written agreements with consultants, suppliers, customers and the like.

Long term distribution and agency agreements should ideally be in writing too and far too many of those doing business together as partners or shareholders fail to draw up a written partnership or shareholder agreement.

Employment Law Changes Come into Force 6th April 2009

2009-04-06T17:23:43+02:00

On 6th April important changes to employment law came into effect. Sadly many of firms are in the process of releasing staff sometimes by reason of redundancy at present and the rules on this have changed.

The New Tax Year: What to Do

2009-04-06T17:18:03+02:00

The start of a new tax year is a good opportunity in the current climate for people to put their tax affairs in order and ensure all reliefs are being claimed.

In the current environment where the Government is so committed to cutting back even on lawful tax avoidance, and has just strengthened the powers of HMRC to engage in searches of the homes of individual tax payers, first of all check all tax due is paid. Secondly, claim all allowances and expenses that are appropriate.

Springhill Hospice Rochdale

2009-03-24T11:24:04+01:00

THE SPRINGHILL HOSPICE CONCERT FEATURING THE BLACK DYKE BAND AND THE GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE MALE VOICE CHOIR is to be held at the Gracie Fields Theatre Rochdale on 18th April 2009.