Buy-to-let property investors who were incensed when their ‘tracker’ mortgage rates were increased out of the blue have been told by a High Court judge that, had they read their contracts carefully, they would not have been surprised. An action group made up of more
E-cigarettes are becoming more and more popular and, as is common when an innovation occurs, the law struggles to keep up. In a recent case, the Employment Tribunal (ET) had to consider a claim for constructive dismissal brought by a school canteen worker who contended
In a fresh warning to companies that falling out with the tax authorities can have the most severe consequences, a Court of Appeal ruling has significantly boosted the armoury of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in dealing with defaulters. During a period of little more
In a vitally important decision for public sector workers, the High Court has ruled that a government department had no lawful right to unilaterally change the terms of its employees’ contracts to their detriment without first obtaining their consent. Staff handbooks given to all Department
Most commercial tenants will know that they have a right to apply for new tenancies at the end their leases. However, many will be ignorant of the fact that their security of tenure can be undermined if their landlord plans to demolish and reconstruct the
In May 2013, in a decision involving the protective awards payable to employees made redundant by Woolworths and Ethel Austin, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) ruled that the words ‘at one establishment’ in Section 188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992
The public interest in incentivising research into new pharmaceuticals, and the rights of doctors and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense the cheapest available drugs, collided head-on in a High Court test case. Company A manufactured a highly successful drug which was used to treat epilepsy,
In a landmark decision with important implications for all landowners, the Court of Appeal has ruled that the criminalisation of trespass in 2012 had no impact on the law of adverse possession – more commonly known as ‘squatters’ rights’. A builder spotted an opportunity in
In a warning to businesses that the drafting of commercial contracts by laymen is fraught with risk, a lack of precision in an agreement between a golf club and its caterers resulted in lengthy court proceedings and substantial legal costs bills. The contract had been
A recent tax case involving the McLaren racing team highlights the grey area that surrounds the tax treatment of fines for breaches of member rules in commercial groupings. McLaren was found to have breached several regulations laid down by the Formula One authorities. By way
