US Public Charge Update
A number of US courts have blocked the Trump Administration from using new, tougher rules on US immigration applications from low-income immigrants. The Public Charge Final Rule is currently being litigated and some courts have issued an injunction, preventing the new rules from being applied until the legal challenges are resolved. On August 14, 2019, […]
No Fault Divorce Bill Set to Go Before Parliament
The Ministry of Justice has announced that the so-called ‘no fault’ divorce Bill is to be one of the first bills tabled in the new Parliament. In news welcomed by the national family justice body, Resolution, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill is being reintroduced into Parliament on 7th January having first been promised by […]
Companies House Reforms Consultation Launched
The government has launched a consultation on wide-ranging reforms of the Companies House register, aimed at tackling misuse and ensuring accuracy. The proposals, set out in detail in an 80-page consultation document, are aimed at providing businesses and consumers with increased protections from fraud, misuse of information and criminal activity. The reforms also include specific […]
Employer Round-up of Latest Employment Law Changes
A number of UK employment law changes have come into force in recent weeks. Employers should take careful note of these new rules and respond accordingly. Increase in the national minimum wage The new national minimum wage rates came into effect on 1st April 2019. Employers must now pay workers at least: Aged 25 and […]
61% of Businesses have Suffered a Serious Data Breach
61% of IT professionals have experienced a data breach at their organisation, according to research by McAfee into today’s global security landscape. With responses from IT professionals in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India and Singapore from a number of different industries, the survey results suggest organisations are struggling across the board to […]
Drugs Companies Accused of Breaking Competition Laws at a Cost of £5m to NHS
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has accused four pharmaceutical firms of colluding illegally between 2013 and 2018 to restrict the supply and drive up the price of an anti-nausea drug. In a statement of objections, the CMA alleges the cost of Prochlorperazine rose from £6.49 per pack to £51.68 after Alliance Pharma, Focus, Lexon […]
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 […]
New Cars to have Automatic Speed Limiters as Standard by 2022
New car safety rules agreed by the European Union will see automatic speed limiters become standard features in all new vehicles from 2022. All new cars sold in the EU are to be fitted with intelligent speed assistance technology to stop drivers exceeding speed limits. Intelligent speed assistance (ISA) limiters work by using road sign recognition cameras […]