Whether you are an employee or an employer, discrimination (in any form) is always a very difficult matter to address. It is often the case that there will be little or no evidence of direct discrimination and therefore cases are generally based around the actions
In a landmark victory for music industry organisations which will resound throughout Europe, the High Court has declared unlawful the Government’s decision to create an exception to copyright protection based upon personal private use. The organisations objected when the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation
In a case of significance to charities and the investment community, the University of Cambridge has won the right to reclaim a substantial proportion of the VAT it paid to fund managers who oversaw the deployment of its £1 billion investment portfolio. Although the university
Shipping contracts usually impose liability for cargo damage arising during loading or unloading on carriers. However, that position can be overridden by clear contractual wording and that is what happened in the case of a large consignment of rice which was said to have been
A veteran prison officer who was sacked after the autoimmune disorder from which she suffered prevented her from working full time was discriminated against due to her disability and dismissed unfairly, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled. The woman had been employed by the
Is it possible to be too famous or have too much success? The owners of London’s Canary Wharf estate may think so after the name’s association in the public mind with the business district where it stands resulted in the rejection of a trade mark
The courts often employ the concept of ‘commercial common sense’ in interpreting ambiguous or poorly drafted contracts – but that does not mean that they will relieve the unwise of the consequences of their bad bargains. In one case, the tenants of 25 holiday bungalows
If you are planning a new venture or product launch, registering relevant Internet domain names in advance is essential. One local authority which failed to do so ended up in costly dispute with a member of the public who got there first. Two days after
Buying and selling land can be a complex business, particularly when it comes to rights of way, and conveyancing is always best left to the professionals. In one case, a couple paid £17,000 for a small triangle of grass and only later discovered that their
Good customer services are essential for any business dealing with the public and lapses can be stamped on by regulators who have power to impose heavy fines on defaulters. The point was well made by a High Court ruling that a foul-mouthed mobile phone salesman
