Almost all commercial leases include a provision that tenants are entitled to occupy the premises in reasonable peace. In one case, the tenant of a modern art gallery whose premises were encased in scaffolding during noisy building works was awarded damages and a substantial rent
In a crucial decision for anyone involved in the gaming industry, the Court of Appeal has ruled that a ‘game of chance’, within the meaning of the Gaming Act 1968, can be an entirely solitary occupation and does not require any interaction between players. The
Most people would say that philanthropy is easily defined and involves selfless giving for the benefit of mankind. However, the issue of what is, and is not, philanthropic posed a conundrum for a tax tribunal in the case of a 150-year-old orchestra. The world-renowned orchestra
Commercial arbitrators have to deal with many very bitter disputes and their rulings, although supposed to be final, are not always greeted with equanimity. In one case, however, the High Court has emphasised that its power to overturn arbitration awards is intended to operate only
Contracts for the sale of property are generally written in stone and that is one good reason why conveyancing requires great care and is not for amateurs. In one case, a couple who exchanged contracts to purchase a £3.6 million home, but later backed out
Following a call for evidence last autumn on the operation of tips, gratuities, cover and service charges, the Government concluded that intervention was required to improve the treatment and transparency of these payments. To that end, a further consultation has now been published seeking views
If you believe that you have been unfairly treated by your employer, you should seek legal advice straight away or risk forfeiting your right to compensation. That point was vividly made in a case involving a supermarket manager who was demoted after she caught a
The laws of different countries often directly conflict and, in an important decision for the insurance industry which was reached in the context of a shipping accident, the Court of Appeal has given guidance on how such difficulties should be addressed. The case concerned a
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) was brought in to replace the old ‘stamp duty’ and has been complex since its inception. Among the transactions subject to SDLT are property sales. Levied at a rate of two per cent on purchases between £125,000 and £250,000 (higher
Working at height can be extremely hazardous and rigorous rules are in place to ensure that employers guard against the obvious risks. In one case, a company which failed to match up to its legal obligations was taken to task by a health and safety
