Changes to the Construction Act – 1st October 2011

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 comes into force on 1 October 2011 and make some significant changes to the way in construction contracts operate under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.

Created: 23/09/2011

Burden of red tape for Farmers

While British agriculture has a good future, farmers will struggle to rise to the challenge against the deluge of “red tape” from the EU and an unsympathetic Government. Some red tape is necessary. Public and animal health are paramount, but the burden of red tape on farmers is personal, cumbersome and the consequences of error can be costly.

Created: 22/07/2011

Bribery Act effective from 1 July 2011 - Is your business prepared?

On 1 July the new Bribery Act becomes law. As well as creating the key criminal offences of bribing and being bribed, the Act includes the new offence of failure by a commercial organisation (eg. companies and partnerships etc) to prevent bribery.

Created: 30/06/2011

New IHT relief offers tax planning opportunities

Under Government proposals announced in March’s Budget, the current 40% rate of Inheritance Tax (IHT) is to be reduced to 36%.

Created: 29/06/2011

Government announces outcome of fast track review on Feed-in Tariff Scheme

Ian Holyoak, Head of Energy & Renewables at Michelmores, comments on the news that the Department of Energy and Climate Change has confirmed that the proposed changes to the Feed-in Tariff scheme (FITs) will now take effect from 1 August 2011.

Created: 14/06/2011

Court of Appeal decision will benefit holiday park operators

A recent Court of Appeal decision has held that planning conditions attached to an expired permission are not enforceable and this could have a significant impact on some holiday parks' development potential.

Created: 09/06/2011

Budget help for first time buyers

In the March 2011 Budget, the government announced plans to provide £250,000 through a shared equity loan programme called "FirstBuy" in order to boost construction and sale of new homes.

Created: 05/04/2011

Competition rules to apply to Land Agreements

Final guidance has been issued in March 2011 by the Office of Fair Trading confirming that certain provisions of the Competition Act 1998 will apply to land agreements as well as to other types of agreement, with effect from 6 April 2011.

Created: 05/04/2011

Bribery Act to come into force on 1 July 2011

The long-awaited and controversial Bribery Act Guidance has been published this morning by the Ministry of Justice. The Act will now come into force on 1 July 2011 so what does this mean for businesses?

Created: 30/03/2011

Jurisdiction over park home disputes is transferred to Residential Property Tribunals

Park home owners have been lobbying the government for changes to the laws governing disputes with site owners for a number of years, and the Coalition Government recently promised park home owners that they would shortly have access to a specialised residential tribunal service to deal with these disputes.

Created: 25/03/2011

New deadline for applications to extend administration

Registrars at Companies Court have recently indicated that any application to extend an administration should be made at least 6 weeks before the administration is due to expire, as opposed to the 4 week period that was previously required.

Created: 22/02/2011

Take the chance to influence development in Cornwall

On 7 February, Cornwall Council opened a consultation on its Core Strategy Options Document.

Created: 09/02/2011

Default retirement age to go in October

Currently, an employer may retire employees at the age of 65 without the risk of facing Employment Tribunal proceedings, provided the correct statutory procedure is followed... but not for long!The... more

Created: 20/01/2011

CQC report on the adult social care market

CQC have undertaken a national analysis of the adult social care market and now published a report of their findings. 

Created: 17/11/2010

The Supreme Court rules Pre–Nuptial Agreements have legal status

The Supreme Court has today made a land mark decision to uphold a pre-nuptial agreement.Pre-nuptial agreements are made before the marriage takes place and deal with financial provision in the event... more

Created: 05/11/2010

Nursing homes "fail" in care standards

It has been reported in an overview of council-funded care services that nursing homes for elderly residents in London were among the worst for quality of care, with nearly one in five rated "adequate" or "poor".

Created: 20/10/2010

Home-based care and Human Rights

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has said older people receiving care and support in their own homes are "acutely vulnerable" to human rights violations and the duties and responsibilities of those providing or regulating the care and support system were far from clear.

Created: 15/10/2010

New chair confirmed for Care Quality Commission

Dame Jo Williams has been confirmed as the new chairman of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Created: 10/10/2010

Ban on wheel clamping on private land

The government has announced that it will ban wheel clamping on private land in England and Wales.

Created: 23/08/2010

Oxford’s John Radcliffe hospital suspends children’s heart surgery

Press ReleaseAn investigation has begun at an Oxford hospital where children's heart surgery was suspended after four recent deaths.Although the investigation is in its early stages, there will be... more

Created: 05/03/2010

Final changes to the Companies Act

Benjamin Franklin said that nothing can be "certain except death & taxes" but then he lived before the days of limited liability companies.Limited companies operate under the legal banner of the... more

Created: 13/11/2009

NHS Continuing Healthcare - 'a matter of interpretation'

The criticism of the process which decides who is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare is set to continue unless a less subjective means of assessment is established according to Louise Tribble, a lawyer with Michelmores Solicitors and a specialist in the care sector.

Created: 19/08/2009

Avoid elderly 'snatch' by state - make a health and welfare LPA

By giving a health and welfare lasting power of attorney to a family member, social services are prevented from making care decisions. Without this document, social services can make decisions on behalf of a vulnerable person, if they think they lack mental capacity and believe it is in their best interests.

Created: 19/08/2009

Abolition of furnished lettings relief

The Chancellor may well have sounded the 'death knell' for relief from Inheritance Tax (IHT) for furnished holiday lets. Furnished properties that are used for holiday accommodation normally qualify... more

Created: 10/05/2009

Commercial Disputes Team Newsletter Case Notes June 2008

Agency commission claims and the doctrine of effective causeIntroductionAgency commission claims were often decided in the past by answering the question, were the services provided an effective... more

Created: 14/07/2008

The Green Energy Conundrum

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Created: 05/06/2008

Legal Liability: Managing Risk of Information Security Breaches

05 December 2007Rehman Noormohamed, is Head of the Technology, Media & Communications practice at Michelmores LLP. As well as being a qualified lawyer, he has a degree in electronic and... more

Created: 08/02/2008