Asbestos still lurks in many old or dilapidated buildings and employers who fail to protect their staff against exposure can expect severe punishment. In one case, a demolition subcontractor was hit hard in the pocket after its workmen were exposed to the substance during a
Confidentiality clauses have a right and proper place in the employment context. They can be used primarily in two ways – either as part of an employment contract, where there is a need to protect business secrets for example, or as part of a settlement
Consistency is the mark of good official decision-making and that is particularly so in the context of planning decisions. The High Court made that point in breathing new life into a proposal to build 135 new homes on the outskirts of a market town. The
Fair competition is one thing, but procuring a rival’s clients to breach their contracts is quite another. The High Court made that point in ordering a software company to withdraw from its trading relationship with a clothing retailer. The company had a similar business model
Husbands and wives have no right to directly inherit their spouses’ estates. The High Court made that point in rejecting a widow’s complaint that her wealthy husband had left her at the mercy of others by placing her inheritance in trust. The husband was a
The commercial courts in London are well used to untangling intricate international frauds and ensuring that those responsible are made to pay for their dishonesty. In a case on point, a judge came to the aid of a natural resources company which was defrauded out
The Equality Act 2010 affords important rights to disabled people in employment and other fields, but less well known is the fact that it also created new criminal offences. A case on point concerned a taxi driver who switched on his meter before loading a
No matter how many letters or emails are exchanged, they frequently do not reach a binding conclusion and can never replace a professionally drafted contract. The High Court made that point in dismissing an architecture firm’s claim for allegedly unpaid fees in respect of a
Officialdom can sometimes be faceless, but the law is always there to ensure that individual circumstances are taken into account. In an example of that happening, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) was severely criticised for its pursuit of a homeless man who failed to file
One of the quirks of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 is that those who launder dirty money can be hit harder in the pocket than the criminal sources of the tainted funds. The Court of Appeal made that point in the case of an
