Legislation
Unfair dismissal awards increase from 1 February 2012
26/01/2012 14:04
Employers should note that the annual review of the maximum compensation that can be awarded in unfair dismissal and other cases will increase to a new maximum of £85,200 from 1 February.
Maternity, paternity, sickness and other pay rates to increase from April 2012
26/01/2012 14:03
The annual review of maternity, paternity, sickness and other pay rates mean the amounts payable will increase from April 2012.
Health and Safety work accident reporting changes from 6 April 2012
26/01/2012 14:02
From 6 April 2012, RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) reporting rules will change for employers.
Available now: new guidance on cookie law
26/01/2012 14:02
Businesses will welcome updated practical guidance on how to comply with new cookie laws due in May 2012 this year, issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Case law: dismissal can be unfair under TUPE even if no transfer in prospect
26/01/2012 14:01
Companies about to go into insolvency proceedings, and with the prospect of a sale to which TUPE applies, should take advice before dismissing senior employees, even if there is no particular buyer in prospect at the time, or risk an unfair dismissal claim.
Available now: new Charity Commission ‘public benefit’ guidance
26/01/2012 14:00
A recent court decision and judicial review, about the application of the ‘public benefit’ test in charity law, mean that the previous Charity Commission guidance on the test is wrong and is being replaced.
Case law: Information Commissioner can investigate blogs and networking sites
26/01/2012 13:59
Individuals’ blogs and networking sites can be investigated by the Information Commissioner (IC) on grounds their content may breach data protection laws, the High Court has decided.
New procedure for landlords when commercial tenants default
26/01/2012 13:58
Commercial landlords should review their procedures when tenants and licensees default, given new rules to take account of the effect of the new rules on their financial forecasts come into force in April.
Government announces proposals for major employment law reform
22/12/2011 09:23
Following the Government’s proposals for reform of employment law, designed to reduce unnecessary demands on business, employers should consider the impact on their policies, procedures and profitability in the short and longer term.
Auto-enrolment pension rules deferred for small businesses
22/12/2011 09:20
Businesses with 50 or fewer employees will not have to introduce the new auto-enrolment pension scheme until 2015, rather than the original date of 2014.
Case law: Court gives guidance on key contract term in e-marketing contracts
22/12/2011 09:19
Following a recent case, clients commissioning e-marketing services from agencies should ensure the contract between them is clear when opted-in recipients are key requirements, and get binding assurances from the agency that the appropriate opt-ins will have been obtained.
Case law: Deceitful directors personally liable for company’s debts
22/12/2011 09:19
Companies should note that the Court of Appeal has decided that directors who put off a company creditor with lies can be personally liable for their company’s debts to that creditor under the law of deceit, even if their statements are made orally and not in writing.
Case law: When directors can be personally liable on company insolvency
22/12/2011 09:18
Directors should note two recent cases that have clarified when they can be made personally liable for their company’s debts under wrongful trading laws, if it goes into insolvent liquidation.
Case law: Directors disqualified for misleading HMRC
22/12/2011 09:17
Companies should note a recent case where directors who were economical with the truth in dealings with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have been disqualified from acting as directors on grounds their conduct meant they were unfit to be directors.
Case law: Software that “emulates” other software does not breach copyright
22/12/2011 09:16
A writing software business should take specialist advice on whether and how it can protect itself against other businesses copying functionality, if breach of copyright claims cannot be brought.
British Standards Institution launches Bribery Act standard
22/12/2011 09:15
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has launched a new specification for an anti-bribery management system, designed to help businesses reduce the risk of prosecutions under the Bribery Act 2010.