Where does the dividing line between ‘converting’ and ‘rebuilding’ a property lie? The High Court analysed that issue in a case concerning a steel-framed cow barn that its owners wished to turn into a dwelling pursuant to permitted development rights. The substantial barn was largely
Third party commercial funding is a feature of modern litigation and, if it did not exist, many would be unable to afford access to justice. However, the risks involved are not for the faint-hearted, as a Court of Appeal decision has strikingly underlined. A number
Unsolicited text messages and emails are a modern scourge. However, one case in which a company was fined £70,000 in respect of 2.2 million direct marketing texts sent in little more than six months showed that complaints from the public will not go unheard. The
Burgeoning numbers of second homes in picturesque areas can have a dramatic impact on property prices and a community’s character. In one case that starkly raised that issue, the High Court approved plans to restrict ownership of newly built homes in a seaside town to
Few people like heavy lorries passing their homes – but they have to go somewhere if the wheels of commerce are not to grind to a halt. In one case that highlighted the issue, the High Court ruled on a dispute between two local authorities in
As any sensible employer knows, it is essential to check workers’ credentials before taking them on, particularly if they will be handling money. In one case where that did not happen, a company employed a crooked accountant who had fraud convictions and who proceeded to
In an important test case concerning a bus driver who claimed to have been forced to work eight-hour shifts without a break, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has warned employers that they are required to take a proactive approach to compliance with the Working Time
National planning policies recognise that there is little point retaining commercial buildings that can neither be sold nor let. However, in a ruling of interest to property professionals, the High Court blocked plans for business units in the midst of an area famed for artisan
Tradesmen who work in people’s homes are often unaware of the potential liabilities to which they are exposed. In one case that proved the point, a pest controller was sued for almost £700,000 following a fire at a listed mansion but managed to defeat the
In a test case of importance to those involved in the international trade in perishable goods, the Court of Appeal has given guidance on the correct interpretation of the Hague Rules – the international convention which for almost 100 years has regulated liabilities in respect
