Family Solicitors and Commercial Lawyers, Harrogate Yorkshire

Jun 11 2013 09:15

Employment Law Newsflash - New Employment Tribunal rules published

The new Employment Tribunal rules of procedure have been published and come into force on 29 July 2013. With these rules comes the introduction of fees for workers wishing to bring a claim in the Employment Tribunals from 29 July 2013.

Jun 05 2013 10:39

On-line LPAs – traps and pit-falls

Following a recent pilot scheme, the Office of the Public Guardian (“OPG”) is introducing a system of online preparation and registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney (“LPAs”).

Jun 05 2013 10:26

Five common inheritance tax myths

Our hard-working Life Team saves Berwins’ clients thousands of pounds in Inheritance Tax every year but come across some very strange misconceptions and myths while doing s

May 29 2013 11:47

Employment Law Newsflash - DVLA employee sacked for using Facebook on his mobile phone

A freedom of information request has revealed that a DVLA civil servant has been dismissed for breaching the ban on using social media during office hours, even though he was using his own phone.

May 13 2013 10:16

Employment Law Newsflash - Queen's Speech includes measures to support employees

Queen's Speech includes measures to support employees

Mar 25 2013 02:40

Berwins Digital Newsflash - Bring Your Own Device

As BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) becomes more popular, allowing employees to bring their own equipment and use this for work purposes, businesses need to be aware of the implications.

Mar 14 2013 10:29

Employment newsflash - Consultation on flexible working code of practice

Following on from our previous newsflash, Acas has launched a consultation on a draft code of practice to help employers deal with the new extended right to request flexible working.

Feb 28 2013 04:39

The Price of Separation – 10 matters to consider before you instruct a divorce lawyer

Alongside his report “The Price of Separation” the Legal Ombudsman has provided ten helpful tips for using a divorce lawyer

Feb 21 2013 11:23

Your right to buy your freehold

If you own a flat, you may have considered buying the freehold in your building, perhaps with the owners of the other flats through a purposely formed management company. So what are the pros and cons of doing this?

Feb 20 2013 11:45

Employment Law Newsflash - Retirement conversations with staff

Often clients ask us how best to approach the subject of retirement, especially with older workers, in terms of what should and should not be discussed.

Feb 14 2013 10:12

Cupid or Clued-Up?

If you are about to marry, enter into a civil partnership or cohabit with your partner, it’s sensible to take a step back and think about what each of you bring financially to the partnership

Jan 29 2013 05:12

Employment Law Newsflash - Lap Dancer Decision

In Stringfellows Restaurants Ltd v Quashie [2012] the Court of Appeal has reinstated an Employment Tribunal’s decision that Ms Quashie, a lap dancer working at Stringfellows, was not an employee and, therefore, could not pursue an unfair dismissal claim...

Jan 24 2013 03:01

Green Deal for Home-owners

Monday 28 January 2013 saw the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) introduce the Green Deal.

Jan 10 2013 03:11

Berwins Employment Newsflash - New Year Changes

Happy New Year and with it brings more important changes for employers to get their heads around and negotiate.

Nov 28 2012 12:27

Employment Law Newsflash - Mum and Dads to share Flexible Parental leave

Mums and Dads to share Flexible Parental Leave

Nov 13 2012 10:02

Who inherits your bank account?

As people get older, it is increasingly common for a son, daughter or other relative to be added to a bank account to assist with shopping, paying bills and other tasks. Implications?

Nov 13 2012 09:54

Employment Law Newsflash - Employees right to request Flexible Working

All employees to get the right to request flexible working

Oct 23 2012 03:27

Employment Tribunals - Fees on the horizon

Defending a Tribunal claim can be costly, time consuming, and stressful for employers and those directly involved. In an effort to reduce the number of speculative claims making their way through to Tribunal, the Government has announced plans to introduce a fee structure amongst other changes to the Employment Tribunal system moving forwards.

Oct 22 2012 02:37

Government consults on “Employee Owner” Contracts

The Government has announced proposals whereby staff can forego some employment rights in return for company shares from their employer, through the introduction of a new “employee owner” contract.

Oct 02 2012 12:09

Land Registry reduces fees

The Land Registry is giving property owners an early Christmas present this month by reducing its fees.

Sep 21 2012 04:35

Proposals to reduce cap on unfair dismissal awards

The Government has announced proposals to reduce the amount of compensation that a worker can be awarded at an Employment Tribunal if successful in bringing a claim for unfair dismissal.

Sep 14 2012 12:05

Four out of five people in Yorks and Humber say children should come first in divorce

The overwhelming majority of people in Yorkshire and Humber believe that putting children’s interests first or avoiding conflict are the most important factors if going through divorce, according to a new survey from Resolution, the national family law association.

Sep 06 2012 10:27

Another reason to think before you post….

Social media is an increasing fact of life for many of us. In fact it is becoming a routine part of many people’s existence and like much that is routine little thought is given to it. It is all too easy to post a status or a tweet without considering carefully what you are saying and who can read it. Much of what is sent out becomes public knowledge.

Aug 23 2012 10:46

Being a Trustee – are you liable?

Trusts arise in a number of situations, for example, looking after the assets of a child or as a method of tax mitigation in Wills.

Aug 23 2012 10:31

Making Decisions: Refusing Medical Treatment

Advances in medical science can prolong life by artificial procedures, and this can result in unwanted medical treatment.

Jul 18 2012 12:22

Leasing premises – a “quick look” isn’t enough

When you’re buying, starting or continuing a business – very soon you’re going to need premises, and you’ll probably be looking at leasing.

Jul 09 2012 03:03

Solar panels

Harrogate Borough Council now has power, through planning control, to prevent solar panel installation on properties facing the Stray.

Jul 02 2012 02:30

Who supplies my Utilities?

Usually in the course of a conveyancing transaction the seller will provide, through their solicitors, a complete list of utility suppliers

May 11 2012 11:09

Privacy and Cookies – it’s a nuisance but it’s important

There are some phrases that get trotted out, often with a shrug and a sigh, as if they are an imposition on businesses – “Data Protection”; “Health and Safety”. If you’re on the receiving end of a business getting these wrong, you’ll think differently

May 09 2012 10:17

Bridging the generation gap

The property market is an area of the economy most vulnerable to ups and downs but life doesn’t stop because the economy’s shaky.

Mar 16 2012 03:23

April changes for employment claims

The proposed changes to the employment law framework are gradually becoming reality.

Mar 14 2012 03:17

Expert group gets to grips with Cookie issues at Berwins seminar

Paul Berwin, a leading IT lawyer and managing director of Berwins, led a group of expert delegates in getting to grips with the issue of cookies

Jan 25 2012 12:54

Equal treatment for cohabitees and spouses?

In December the Law Commission published two Bills which could change the law for people who die without a Will.

Dec 20 2011 11:32

Berwins Digital Newsflash - has the cookies issue gone away

No it hasn’t – you will recall that in May this year regulations came into force on the use of cookies – but no-one knew how to implement them. The Information Commissioner’s Office gave businesses 12 months to comply – a “lead-in” period - but the ICO is now saying that no-one has really engaged with this, and has issued revised guidance.

Nov 01 2011 10:06

Controversial changes for Employment Tribunal claims

The qualifying period for the right to bring a claim for unfair dismissal will be extended from one to two years on 6 April 2012. This means that only after working for the same employer for two years or more will an employee be able to bring a claim for unfair dismissal.

Oct 31 2011 04:26

Berwins Digital Newsflash - When can you use a competitor's trademark as a keyword?

Readers may well be aware that there has been a case grumbling on for a while about the ability of a company to use its rival’s trademark in its key words to attract traffic.

Sep 30 2011 04:31

Three more unregulated Will writing firms go bust

all used call centres to cold call members of the public offering Wills written by a “legal consultant

Sep 29 2011 04:29

Court of Appeal dismisses appeal by son over step-mother’s entitlement under a Will

In Iqbal v. Ahmed, the deceased died leaving a relatively small estate. He was survived by his wife of over 20 years, Mrs Iqbal, and his son from a previous marriage, Mr Ahmed. Under the Will, Mrs Iqbal was given a right to occupy the family home for the rest of her life, subject to her paying the costs of repairs, insurance and other outgoings. Everything else was left to his son. The property was in a bad state of repair and needed £30,000 spending on it, which Mrs Iqbal did not have.

Sep 26 2011 04:25

Which law applies to your Will if you are English, but work or live abroad?

A recent case (Morris v Davies and others) helpfully sets out the principles. In this case, the deceased had lived and worked abroad since 2001.

Sep 15 2011 01:22

Unregulated Will writer jailed

Unregulated Will writer jailed for charging clients to update their Wills following imaginary changes in the law

Sep 14 2011 12:57

Will overturned by Daughter

Mr Singh made a Will leaving most of his estate to his 3 sons, in accordance with Sikh tradition. However, the Will was not correctly signed and witnessed and was declared invalid.

Sep 09 2011 12:05

Berwins Digital Newsflash - Free Software, Copyleft and Android - business under threat?

To anyone who’s listening, we keep going on about Free Software – sometimes but not always accurately described as Open Source. One of the key things about Free Software is that is subject to free software licence terms – most commonly, under the General Product Licence – now in version 3. Most of the Android operating system – you’ll see why this is relevant soon – is under version 2.

Aug 30 2011 04:57

Berwins Digital Newsflash

Some useful guidance just out in a case where the High Court considered whether an online marketer is entitled to use bought-in data to top up its databases to execute targeted direct marketing campaigns via e-mail and SMS messages.

Jun 21 2011 04:03

Thinking of dealing with an estate yourself? Why appoint a solicitor?

It is both a privilege and a responsibility to be appointed as an Executor of a Will. Often Executors will want to administer an estate themselves; either because they wish to be involved or because they want to save money on a solicitor’s fees

Mar 21 2011 09:38