Using Bare Trusts for Grandchildren
Trusts are not simply the preserve of the wealthy, but are also commonly used by families of relatively modest means looking to make provision for their loved ones, either now or in the future. In particular, the trust can be a useful mechanism for a grandparent to invest money on behalf of their grandchildren, typically […]
Lasting Power of Attorney Guidance
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you, the ‘donor’, to appoint trusted people, known as your ‘attorneys’, to make financial or health and care decisions on your behalf. Lasting Power of Attorney guidance: the financial LPA A financial LPA can be used while you still have the mental capacity […]
Power of Attorney Meaning (Attorney FAQs)
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows an appointed person (the attorney) to make decisions for another person (the donor), where the donor needs help managing their affairs or they are no longer able to make their own decisions. If you have been asked to act as an attorney by a […]
Which Lasting Power of Attorney Forms?
If you want to create a Lasting Power of Attorney you will need to know which forms to fill in and what to do next. The following guide looks at which Lasting Power of Attorney forms you will need to complete and how the whole application process works in practice. What is a Lasting […]
Power of Attorney Refund: How to Make a Claim
The following guide looks at the Power of Attorney refund scheme, the eligibility criteria and how to apply. If you applied to register a Power of Attorney (POA) between 2013 and 2017 you may be entitled to some of your money back. The Ministry of Justice has set up a scheme to give a partial […]
How to Apply for Power of Attorney
If you are concerned about the ability of a relative or friend to manage their own affairs or to make their own decisions, where you may need to step in to act on their behalf, there may still be time to make a Power of Attorney (POA). There may be all sorts of reasons why […]
Which Power of Attorney?
There are three different types of Power of Attorney: Ordinary Power of Attorney; Lasting Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Attorney. We look at the factors determining which Power of Attorney will be appropriate for your circumstances. What is a Power of Attorney? A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document […]
New Parent Discrimination Claims on Rise
Employment law professionals are reporting increases in maternity and paternity related discrimination claims in the last 12 months, according to research by Direct Line Insurance. Issues have included women claiming they were dismissed when on maternity leave, men claiming harassment and demotion on their return to work after taking paternity leave and more instances of […]
Government Pilots New Register of Retail Landlords
The Government has announced the introduction of a new register of retail landlords. In an effort to boost commercial leases within high street retail, the register is intended to speed up the leasing process by making it easier for prospective tenants to identify owners of high street properties. According to research by Estates Gazette looking […]
Dramatic Rise in Disability Discrimination Claims at Tribunals
The number of disability discrimination claims brought to employment tribunals increased last year by 37%, from 4,770 claims in 2017 to 6,550 in 2018. According to Ministry of Justice figures, this growth rate is eight times that of all tribunal claims, which rose by 4% over the same period. Experts are attributing the rise in […]
New Law in Force to Protect Drivers from Unfair Parking Fines
A new law has come into force to provide motorists with greater protection from rogue private parking companies. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 took effect today with the aim of bringing to an end unfair parking charges and fines. Under the new legislation, private parking companies face enhanced regulation and are now required […]
HSE: 44% of work-related stress caused by high workload
According to figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), 44% of stress or depression at work is caused by high workload. The HSE figures also show 23% of full-time employees admit to feeling burned out at work all the time. In 2017 alone, the HSE estimates around 15.4 million working days were lost due to […]
Apple and Qualcomm Settle Patent & Licensing Disputes
Apple and Qualcomm have brought their global patent and licensing battles to an end with an out of court settlement. A joint statement yesterday confirmed that an agreement had been reached to dismiss all ongoing litigation between the two companies worldwide, including with Apple’s contract manufacturers. The settlement includes a payment of royalties from Apple […]
HSE Investigates Gas Leak from North Sea Platform
A gas leak on a North Sea platform is being investigated by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). In a statement, the HSE said an 80kg gas release had been reported, and the incident was under investigation. The incident took place on the Alba Northern installation 130 miles (210km) north east of Aberdeen on 3rd […]
Facebook Granted Patent for Tech that Passes On User Photos for Ads
Facebook has been granted a patent in the US for technology that enables the social media company to pass on users’ photographs to advertisers for use in online ads. The technology is referred to within the patent documentation as ‘computer-vision content detection for sponsored stories’. It can detect and tag images people have uploaded that […]
More UK Innovators Filing Patent Applications with EPO
Increasing numbers of UK innovators are filing patent applications with the European Patent Office (EPO), according to the EPO’s latest report. 5,736 patent applications were received by the EPO from UK applicants last year, representing a 7.8 per cent increase on the previous 12 months. Patent applications to the EPO as a whole have increased […]
Agricultural Businesses Warned of H&S Risks & Fines
The charging scheme imposed on farm businesses found to be in breach of health and safety legislation has increased today by almost 20%. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is able to recover the ‘Fee for Intervention’ (FFI) where a farm business is investigated and subsequently found to be in breach of health and safety […]
Customers Sue Ticketmaster Over Major Data Protection Breach
Ticketmaster is facing a £5 million claim following a major data breach of its UK websites last year. More than 650 customers affected by the security breach are taking legal action against the ticket sales company. Up to 40,000 UK Ticketmaster customers are believed to have had “some personal or payment information” stolen following the […]
Greater Protection for Consumers as Claims Management Companies Come Under FCA Regulation
Regulation of Claims Management Companies has, from 1st April 2019, been transferred from the Claims Management Regulator to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Claims management companies in England, Scotland or Wales will now have to apply to the FCA for authorisation and adhere to a new set of industry rules. Claims management companies charge to […]
RICS’ New Commercial Property Service Charge Rules Take Effect
New rules governing commercial property service charges come into force today. In its ‘service charges in commercial property’ professional statement, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) introduces new mandatory requirements on all of its members and relevant RICS-regulated firms. The new standards have the aim of ensuring charges are both fair on tenants and […]