Unexpected victory for cohabiting couples
A cohabiting partner who had lived with partner for 18 years, but not married has won a surprise victory in the county court. Joy Williams and Norman Martin lived together but Mr Martin failed to update his will to reflect his relationship with Ms Williams. On his death, Mr Martin’s estranged wife was entitled to […]
Stamp Duty set to rise for buy-to-let or second home properties
In his Autumn Statement last week, George Osborne announced the introduction of an additional levy in respect of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), which will increase the cost for those buying a buy-to-let property or second home from April 2016. All residential property transactions up to now have been subject to the same tax calculation. […]
Firms fined for safety breaches after serious injury to worker
On 6 August 2015 at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court, Bath-based manufacturer Rotork UK Limited (‘Rotork’) pleaded guilty to breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, having failed to provide appropriate guarding for a lathe. Rotork was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £1,741.12 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £120, after a […]
High Court considers burden of proof in establishing defence by Company Directors to wrongful trading claim
On 31 July, in a case against two directors of an insolvent company, liquidators applied for orders for a contribution from each of them to the assets of the Company in respect of wrongful trading and for an order for compensation for breach of their duties as directors. The High Court considered the application under […]