On 29th June, the Office of Fair Trading set out its new guidance on Director disqualification orders for breach of the competition rules. Peter Carey a partner in Sedgwick Legal and currently President of the Rochdale Chamber of Commerce and Board member of...
The emergency budget will have far reaching implications for private and business clients alike. Many of our private clients are directly affected by the recent emergency budget. Apart from the increase from next year of VAT to 20% from 17.5%, major changes...
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...
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. Take the chap who...
Do you protect the personal data which your business holds properly? The Data Protection Act 1998 can be complicated. In June, the Information Commissioner’s Office has said it is very concerned about breaches of data protection rights by the NHS. ...
Before you book your next holiday, just consider this, suggests Roger Dennerly our Personal Injury Partner. Many of us have been tempted by cheap flights to arrange our own holidays and book flights and accommodation ourselves. We then congratulate...
From 1 February 2009 new intestacy rules apply. In law “Intestacy” 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...
At the end of 2009 the Court of Appeal had to look at a legal issue which arises very frequently in practice – whether a seller’s or a buyer’s contract terms apply. This is known as the “battle of the forms”. Peter Carey a...
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...
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. While workers should...
As local fire services continue their round of property inspections, John Sowerbutts of JMS Risk Solutions Ltd asks: “How Good Is Your Fire Risk Assessment?” It may have been noticed that initially, following introduction of certain fire and...
As we move through autumn and on to winter, the weather cools and the night draw in, there are hidden dangers appraoching for Landlords. Peter Carey, Partner at Sedgwick Legal says: "Landlords should act now to review their fire safety procedures, fire...
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. Peter Carey, Commercial Law Partner at Sedgwick Legal says:- “Although it has been a long time coming many...
Employment law is constantly changing with 1st October 2009 bringing in the latest changes. Roger Dennerly, Employment Law Partner at Sedgwick Legal says: "It is a good time of year to for employers to check they are compliant with employment law. We...
If you are considering buying a property, do consider recent changes in the law in this area. For those buying a commercial lease a recent case of landlord who informed a tenant he intended to redevelop a property and then later changed his mind was liable...
From 1st October employers face a raft of new legislation and legal changes which will catch out the unprepared. New rules affect various ares of emploer's legal duties. From 1st October employers must not include tips in calculating if an employee is paid...
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. Fitzroy Robinson are architects and they assigned Jeremy...
In difficult economic times and to help local businesses minimise the potential for employment disputes and their consequences Sedgwick Legal is offering a new Employment Protection service. A raft of employment legislation, increased employee awareness of...
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...
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...
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. L’Oreal...
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. Peter Carey a partner in Sedgwick Legal and current President of the Rochdale...
Those wondering what their rights are if they become pregnant at work should take note of new guidance from BERR. BERR, part of the government's Department for Business Innovation and Skill has updated guidance on these matters. Roger Dennerly a partner at...
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. In recently settled Court case (Baker v Quantum Clothing Group and others [2009]...
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a waste of time, money and worse, are actually responsible for increasing the carbon emissions in the UK! Such a stinging statement will surely come as a blow to the Government who have launched the requirement...
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...
Peter Carey, commercial law partner with Middleton Solicitors Sedgwick Legal has been appointed President of the Rochdale Chamber of Commerce. With a wide range of legal expertise spanning private, commercial and charity law issues Peter believes he will...
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...
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. Roger Dennerly a partner at Manchester solicitors...
