Hewetts News
03/02/2012: Ruling on Sale and Rent-Back Transactions
The Court of Appeal has ruled that mortgage lenders take priority over the occupiers in sale and rent-back transactions, despite having great sympathy to the vendors, who had acted in good faith. Read Full Article…
03/01/2012: Unregulated Will Writer Jailed
In a recent case at the Reading Crown Court an unregulated will writer was jailed for fraud. Read Full Article…
14/11/2011: Couples’ Dispute over Children
The Court considers an application for residence in a dispute between two couples. Read Full Article…
04/10/2011: New National Minimum Wage
On 1 October 2011 the National Minimum Wage was increased. Read Full Article…
16/09/2011: Telephone and broadband rollover contracts to be banned
Ofcom has confirmed that rollover contracts on telephone and broadband lines will be banned from December 2011 Read Full Article…
13/09/2011: Government Proposes Mandatory Power of Possession
A new suggested provision would give both private and social landlords speedier powers of eviction of tenants where persistent anti-social behaviour can be proved. Read Full Article…
19/07/2011: Trade Mark Infringements On Bulk Containers
The Chancery Division held there had been infringement of trade marks and passing off, where the defendant carried out a business altering and then selling on containers still carrying the claimant’s logo. Read Full Article…
04/07/2011: Judgment on Definition of Vacant Possession
For the first time since 1946 the Court of Appeal has given a clear definition of what it means to give "vacant possession" Read Full Article…
21/06/2011: Seller Has to Pay Two Estate Agency Commissions
Court of Appeal rules that a seller, having sold her property via one estate agent, must pay another estate agency commission as well. Read Full Article…
17/06/2011: FOS Compensation Limit Raised to £150,000
Consumers will welcome plans to raise the compensation limit at the Financial Ombudsman Service from £100,000 to £150,000, but will this be difficult on smaller businesses? Read Full Article…
10/06/2011: Large Changes Ahead for Consumer Insurance
A new Bill is heard that intends to switch the onus back on to insurers when it comes to material disclosable facts. Read Full Article…
03/06/2011: Gym Membership Contracts Ruled On
The High Court rules on unfair terms in Gym membership contracts Read Full Article…
27/05/2011: Mistaken Execution Of Wills
Married couple mistakenly executed each other's mirror wills. Read Full Article…
27/05/2011: Decision That Landlords Must Maintain Plaster on Short Leases
The Court of Appeal has ruled that plaster forms part of the structure of a premises, thereby placing the landlord under an obligation to repair it if damaged. Read Full Article…
23/05/2011: Final Decision on Property Rights of Cohabiting Couples?
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a case that could drastically change the associated property rights of cohabitees. Read Full Article…
09/05/2011: High Worth Foreign Divorces Likely to Increase
A recent case helps illustrates yet again the importance of deciding in which country a divorce takes place. Read Full Article…
27/04/2011: The New Consumer Rights Directive
The European Parliament is supporting a new draft Directive covering laws on consumer rights, both face-to-face and remotely. Read Full Article…
01/04/2011: New Guidance on Company Mergers
OFT and CC produce guide for companies on merger assessment Read Full Article…
18/03/2011: Beauty Therapists Win Damages From Virgin Atlantic
High Court awards total damages of £300,000 Read Full Article…
11/03/2011: OFT Report on Business Terms
A recent Office of Fair Trading report has urged businesses to make sure consumer contracts do not contain detrimental terms. Read Full Article…
07/03/2011: Corporate manslaughter
The first corporate manslaughter prosecution since new legislation in 2008 sees a company being fined £385,000. Read Full Article…
18/02/2011: Legal Action Taken Against Law Course
A student who failed her Legal Practice Course is taking legal action against the Course provider for inadequate tutoring Read Full Article…
15/02/2011: Domestic Violence No Longer Limited to Physical Abuse
The definition of domestic violence in homelessness cases has now been widened by the Supreme Court to include psychological as well as physical abuse. Read Full Article…
11/02/2011: Widows of Polygamist All Entitled to Share in Estate
The Court rules that the six surviving widows of a polygamist are entitled to be recognised as the surviving spouse under the rules of intestacy. Read Full Article…
10/02/2011: Man Fairly Dismissed as a Result of Police 'Suspicions'
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has held the dismissal of an employee on the basis of the CAIC's unproven suspicions to be 'fair'. Read Full Article…
20/01/2011: Tightening on Immigration
New measures have now been introduced to restrict immigration further. Read Full Article…
19/01/2011: Enforcing Child Contact and Compensation Orders
The recent case of Re LW has given the Court of Appeal an opportunity to consider the application of enforcement of child contact and compensation orders. Read Full Article…
07/01/2011: Changes to Corporation Tax
The HMRC has issued an urgent alert about important changes to Corporation Tax coming in April 2011. Read Full Article…
26/11/2010: De Facto Director Avoids Tax Liability
A recent judgment seems to make it easier for de facto directors to avoid personal liability, compared to named directors. Read Full Article…
19/11/2010: Unregulated Will Writing
A study has now been authorised to report on whether a new regulatory approach is needed to will writing. Read Full Article…
19/11/2010: Investigative Bodies Merging
Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission to Merge. Read Full Article…
15/11/2010: Landlord's Obligations Under the Tenancy Deposit Scheme
By what date must a Landlord fulfil his obligations with regard the tenancy deposit scheme before being liable for damages under a claim for such failure? Read Full Article…
15/11/2010: Courts to Consider Human Rights When Evicting Tenants
The Supreme Court has recently ruled that judges hearing social landlords’ claims for possession must consider proportionality under Article 8 (right to respect for your home) of the Human Rights Act 1998, if raised by the tenant. Read Full Article…
01/11/2010: Obtaining Training Contracts
The Law Society are looking to address the problem of there being too few training contracts available for those who have passed the LPC Read Full Article…
27/10/2010: New Protection For Unauthorised Tenants
Tenants to have greater protection from mortgage lenders if the tenancy occurs without the lender's knowledge or consent. Read Full Article…
19/10/2010: ECHR Rules On Sexual Orientation Discrimination
The European Court of Human Rights delivers judgment on a matter involving sexual discrimination and child maintenance in the UK Read Full Article…
08/10/2010: Family Legal Aid Tender Deemed Unfair
The Law Society wins its challenge against the Legal Services Commission over their legal aid tender critera Read Full Article…
06/10/2010: Court of Protection Decides on Statutory Wills
What principles should be applied in determining whether the Court can order the execution of a statutory will? Read Full Article…
30/09/2010: The Importance of Trust Deeds when Purchasing a Property
Have you purchased or are you intending to purchase a property with someone other than your spouse? Trust Deeds are essential. Read Full Article…
24/09/2010: Avoid Having Companies House Reject Your Accounts
Companies House has reported a significant increase in its rejection rate for annual accounts and reports. We look at the reasons. Read Full Article…
13/09/2010: Battle For A Residence Order
A recent High Court case has highlighted how well intentioned professionals do not always act in a child’s best interests. Read Full Article…
13/09/2010: Nursing & Midwiferey Council Relaxes Its Entrance Rules
Nurses from the European Union applying for work in the UK are now to face lower entry requirements than if they originate from inside the UK. Read Full Article…
06/09/2010: Bribery Act
Businesses in the UK need to start preparing for the new obligations placed on them by the Bribery Act. Read Full Article…
26/08/2010: Bar on Divorcing People Discovering Spouse's Hidden Assets
A recent court decision has barred people from secretly obtaining documents proving that their spouse is hiding assets Read Full Article…
13/08/2010: Employment Gagging Clauses To Be Made Unenforcable
A reform on clauses that stop staff discussing their salaries may help decrease the pay gap. Read Full Article…
10/08/2010: Do Affordable Housing Landlords Have a Duty To Protect Tenants From Anti-Social Behaviour?
The High Court considers whether affordable housing landlords should be protecting tenants from anti-social behaviour. Read Full Article…
10/08/2010: New Vulnerable Worker Laws Introduced
The European Convention on Human Rights is now applied to people performing forced or compulsory labour in the UK. Read Full Article…
24/02/2010: Protection for Unmarried Couples Living Together
Why unmarried couples do not enjoy the same financial protection as married couples. Read Full Article…
24/02/2010: Growing Interest In Pre-nuptial Agreements
Elizabeth Bettes discusses why Pre-nuptial Agreements are becoming more popular Read Full Article…
08/10/2009: High Court injunction to be served via Twitter
An unknown account user is to be served via Twitter Read Full Article…
08/10/2009: Employing Migrant Workers
Attorney General Baroness Scotland is fined for illegally employing a housekeeper. Read Full Article…
17/09/2009: Rise in Professional Negligence Claims
Claims against professional advisors are on the increase, and it will only get worse. Read Full Article…
09/09/2009: Student Wins Disability Discrimination Claim
A law student wins her claim against Abercrombie & Fitch for unfair treatment. Read Full Article…
01/09/2009: Government Plans to Introduce a 'Fit Note'
The Government is considering an electronic sick note to help people avoid long term sickness. Read Full Article…
28/08/2009: New Limits on Bankers' Pay and Bonuses
The Financial Services Authority introduces new principles for paying bankers. Read Full Article…
12/06/2009: Claiming for Holiday Pay
The House of Lords has handed down a decision making it easier to enforce claims for holiday pay. Read Full Article…
10/06/2009: Redundancy Pay Limit Increased
An increase has been announced in the weekly limit used to calculate statutory redundancy pay. Read Full Article…
18/05/2009: An Update of The Law During the Recession
Geoff Kew revisits his overview of the law during the economic downturn Read Full Article…
24/03/2009: Caught Out By Speed Cameras?
Geoff Kew discusses how Hewetts can help with Road Traffic Offences. Read Full Article…
03/03/2009: An Overview of the Law During the Recession
Geoff Kew looks at what has changed in different areas of law during the economic downturn. Read Full Article…
18/02/2009: Redundancies: Helping you with your Severance Package
We can offer you legal help negotiating your severance package if you have been made redundant. Read Full Article…
22/12/2008: Family Breakdowns - The Collaborative Approach
Mr Justice Coleridge confirms his support of Collaborative Law Read Full Article…
30/09/2008: New Employment Protection for Clergy
Church of England Clergy to get better employment rights under new case Read Full Article…
04/09/2008: Stamp Duty Changes
The government has announced that with effect from 3rd September 2008 changes to stamp duty... Read Full Article…
01/08/2008: Hewetts Newsletter for July 2008
Hewetts welcome a new partner to its Family and Matrimonial department Read Full Article…
08/07/2008: Employers to be Liable for Employees Who Drive While Using Mobile Phones
On 1 December 2003, the Government made the use by drivers of hand-held mobile phones and similar communication devices unlawful. Read Full Article…
08/07/2008: Hewetts’ Success at House of Lords
During the summer we acted for a client who successfully took her case to the House of Lords. Read Full Article…
20/06/2008: Why should you choose Hewetts to produce your HIP?
Home Information Packs become a compulsory part Of selling your home from June 1st 2007 Read Full Article…