Race discrimination in the workplace is not always overt, or even conscious, but judges are always on the alert to spot instances of stereotypical prejudice, as a Court of Appeal ruling strikingly showed. The case concerned a black photographer who was called into her manager’s
The mere fact that a development proposal may encounter difficulties and eventually prove undeliverable does not generally justify a refusal of planning permission. The High Court made that point in breathing new life into plans to construct a whole new neighbourhood of 1,200 homes. In
Officials wield great power over people’s lives and it is fundamental to a democratic society that, where they reach unreasonable decisions, they are held to account. The First-tier Tribunal (FTT) did just that in coming to the aid of a grandmother whose car was seized
No amount of money can ever fully compensate for the loss of a loved one in an avoidable accident, but it can at least soften the financial blow. In one case, the bereaved widow and children of a builder who died whilst working on a
The reputation of the English courts for dispensing justice predictably and fairly has made them enduringly popular with the international business community. As one case showed, however, they will only consider disputes which have a sufficient link to this country and which could not be
The difference between an extension and an annexe to an existing building may appear slight, but it can have crucial tax implications for charities. The issue was raised by a case in which a church won the right to a substantial VAT rebate. In order
Joint ventures with larger organisations can provide the branding, financial muscle and expertise necessary to get small businesses off the ground. As a High Court case concerning three failed opticians’ shops showed, however, it is vital to obtain independent professional advice before putting your money
Just because a document is headed ‘agreement’, or with some other word implying that an accord has been reached, does not necessarily mean that those who sign it intend to create a binding contract. The High Court made that point in consigning one such document
Anyone engaged in aggregating valuable personal data from the Internet will have to sit up and take notice after the Court of Appeal paved the way for a consumer rights campaigner to sue Google on behalf of more than four million Apple iPhone users. The
Businesses whose trade is harmed by unlawful protests can seek protection from the courts. However, as a High Court case showed, obtaining such relief can be far from easy and judges are always astute to ensure that individual freedom of expression and peaceful assembly rights
