The recent shift to remote working and other new or unfamiliar delivery models has meant that managers have faced fresh concerns about how to stay compliant with personal data protection laws. They have had to think about this both in terms of processing their normal data and in terms of making decisions about whether to […]
Possession proceedings The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020 are coming into force on 25 June 2020. These introduce paragraph 55.29 to the Civil Procedure Rules, which stays all proceedings stayed immediately prior to the rule coming into force and all those issued subsequent to 25 June 2020 until 23 August 2020. In practical terms […]
1. Extension of planning permission deadlines… Planning permission and listed building consent expiry dates will be extended for all permissions due to expire between 23 March and 31 December 2020. The extension will be automatic and permission will be extended until 1 April 2021. There will be transitional provisions in place for permissions which expire […]
The property market has been hit hard by Covid-19, with both residential and commercial transactions being affected. Whether due to funding issues, the inability to secure planning permission or vacant possession or simply a change of mind or circumstances by one of the parties, there is an increase in the number of transactions not completing and […]
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. Here, gunnercooke Partner and Coach, Hannah Beko, suggests starting the day by taking some time to take care of ourselves in mind and body. Our thoughts create our reality. We get to decide how we feel each day. In the morning, we don’t have to passively wait and […]
“What’s the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery?” It’s a question that gets asked a lot and we’ve all asked it ourselves. As much as answers may vary between which car we’d buy and which holiday we’d book for our next adventure, one of the most common is “I’d quit my job.” […]
Despite the job retention bonus that was announced in the summer statement, many businesses will still find themselves considering redundancy as an option as the furlough scheme inevitably comes to an end. Employment partners Shilpen Savani and Paul Ryman have provided answers to some FAQs surrounding Coronavirus and redundancy. Have there been any special allowances for […]
Since it was first announced back in March, the Furlough Scheme has largely been serving its purpose. 8.5 million people are currently on furlough, but as the end date has now been announced and is fast approaching, employment partners Shilpen Savani and Paul Ryman discuss what the future could look like for many businesses. On […]
There has been an increasing number of articles and press reports relating to furlough fraud over the last few weeks. The furlough scheme, or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to give it its official title, allows employers to keep employees on the payroll even though they are not working and for a proportion of their […]
In a judgment handed down on 7 May 2020, the Court of Appeal clarified that it is only when professionals act as “true fiduciaries” that they bear the burden of proving that there is no risk of misuse or disclosure of privileged and/or confidential information to a new client. Professional advisers routinely consider whether new […]
In the competitive post-pandemic world we are currently in, the pressure to put one’s best foot forward is intense. Generously providing services at no charge can be a crucial stepping stone towards you winning new business. But how much ‘free’ input should you offer? At what point are you entitled to be paid for your […]
On 29 May 2020 the Government announced an intention to issue a new Code of Practice to provide high street businesses and landlords with clarity and reassurance over rent payments. The purpose of the new Code of Practice, which will be developed between Government and Trade Associations, is to support high street businesses through the Coronavirus […]
The Electrical Safety Regulations were made on 18 March 2020 and come into force on 1 June 2020 in England. The Regulations apply to new tenancies with effect from 1 July 2020 and existing specified tenancies with effect from 1 April 2021. A new tenancy is defined as one granted on or after 1 June 2020, […]
Contaminated land expert Keith Davidson explains how environmental insurance can play an important role mitigating liability risks in brownfield development projects. Environmental liabilities – who should pay? Land contamination and groundwater pollution can be a lottery in brownfield transactions where all parties are left with liability risks after completion. Developers can miss contamination hotspots and […]