Many of Britain’s largest occupational pension schemes are burdened by crushing deficits and that provided the backdrop to a High Court case which exposed the rising tension between an international airline, its former employees and independent trustees who represent the latter’s interests. The airline’s pension
In a decision of interest to property professionals and commercial tenants, a tribunal has ruled that a shop which was only accessible by a steep flight of steps from the street was nevertheless on the ground floor for the purposes of calculating non-domestic rates bills
Damages awards for breach of contract are not calculated in accordance with arcane formulae by modern judges, who adhere to the principle that compensation should reflect losses actually suffered. That was certainly so in one case in which ship owners won more than $1.2 million
A whistleblowing solicitor who resigned after she was dressed down in front of colleagues and her performance inappropriately criticised has won the right to compensation after a tribunal ruled that she was constructively dismissed unfairly. The woman had blown the whistle in respect of aspects
In a striking case which shows that even tax deadlines can occasionally give way to compassionate circumstances, a construction company succeeded in overturning a substantial penalty imposed for a two-day delay in paying its VAT bill. The company had relied upon an accountant to prepare
Banks commonly enter into hedging arrangements to spread the risks they take on lending money and, in one important case, the High Court has considered whether the cost of doing that can legitimately be passed on to borrowers. A bank lent more than £9.2 million
The Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, has launched an investigation into abuse of tipping, as part of the Government’s initiative to make sure workers are paid fairly. The announcement follows recent media reports that some major restaurant chains are withholding a proportion of the money left
In a groundbreaking decision which will benefit hundreds of thousands of employees who have no fixed place of work and travel directly between their homes and customers’ premises, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that time spent on the road is working time
Company directors should be aware that the consequences of business malpractice can be visited on their heirs after their deaths. However, in one case, the estate of a deceased nightclub boss has defeated claims that he fraudulently misappropriated its takings to fund his high-spending lifestyle
All change – new rules for taxing dividends One of the surprises of the summer 2015 Budget was the Chancellor’s announcement that the dividends tax rules are to be radically reformed from 6 April 2016. The move will hit the many personal and family companies
