New figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility show that more and more of us will be paying Inheritance Tax over the next few years.

The amount raised by Inheritance … Read more

The European Court of Justice has ruled against claims for maternity benefits by mothers whose babies were born through surrogacy in two recently announced cases, with the decisions coming weeks … Read more

Lush v Amazon in Trademark dispute

An underdog win for medium sized business

It’s not often that a medium sized business takes on a huge global corporation and wins, but … Read more

Employment Law Update for the week ending 4 April March 2014

A quick round up of some of the key talking points in employment law for the week ending 4 … Read more

So, last week we talked about the 48 hour demand and told you it wouldn’t work if your case is defended.

Let’s say your customer owes you £20,000 and defends … Read more

Employment Law Update for the week ending 28 March 2014

Here’s our weekly round up of some of the key talking points in employment law for the week ending 28 … Read more

With the recent announcement that Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin have decided to separate, a new term has entered the English language – “conscious uncoupling”.

There has been … Read more

Firm sponsors long distance event for third year

Altrincham law firm, MLP Law is once again one of the partner sponsors of the ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon in Trafford and … Read more

A quick round up of some of the key talking points in employment law for the week ending 21 March 2014 from employment solicitor, Gareth Matthews.

News

Chancellor announces pensions … Read more

When you decide to buy a business, it can be a stressful but exciting time and therefore it can be easy to overlook some of the key considerations that are … Read more

Here’s a quick round up of some of the latest key talking points in employment law for the week ending 14 March 2014 from employment solicitor, Gareth Matthews.

Employment law

The Power of the 48 hour DEMAND

The litigation team at mlp does not believe in 7 day letters before action. If a limited company owes you £750 or more … Read more

Probably, but let’s enjoy the ride to madness!

I’m not going to use this blog to spout about the dumbing down of language – I actually think taking the jargon … Read more

Family law continues to face many changes in the coming weeks and months. 22 April 2014 sees the launch of The Family Court, replacing the jurisdictions of the Family Proceedings … Read more

Last month the Government published its policy paper on the review of property conditions in the private rented sector.

The discussion document essentially considers what more can be done to … Read more

A woman who sold her elderly mother’s house without any formal authority to do so has been ordered to pay costs by the Court of Protection.

This is something that … Read more

We want to keep all of our clients and contacts aware of changes in legislation or news that could affect them or their own clients in some way.  So, here’s … Read more

Mandatory Early Conciliation Only One Month Away

You may have seen from our recent blog, What To Expect in Employment Law in 2014, that one of the key changes … Read more

If you think rules are for swots, thing again. Litigation rules, known as the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) are the equivalent of an Exocet missile when it comes to litigating … Read more

Things seem to be going up this week.

Firstly, upmost respect to Harold Ramis – a great filmmaker (if you like the comedy genre), may he rest in peace.

I’ll … Read more

It would have been difficult to miss the coverage of the Winter Olympics over the past few weeks and Team GB have put in a fantastic performance.  It was easy … Read more

Apologies that my Wednesday blog is a little late this week.  A burglary at home on Tuesday evening put me back somewhat. Still the wonders of modern technology means I … Read more

Many businesses, whether large or small, employ key people to act as Directors. In this role these people are entrusted to run the business and they necessarily have access to … Read more

Straight to the point this week I think.  There are three things going on:

1. Winter Olympics – Jenny Jones and all of Team GB have been fantastic so far.  … Read more

Stephen Attree

I don’t do my Wednesday blog as often as I should (i.e. every Wednesday!)  I will do my very best from now on.  My 3 pointers for … Read more

Wills Valid Despite  Error

The Supreme Court ruled this week that a couple’s Wills should still stand, despite them signing the wrong ones.

Alfred and Maureen Rawlings prepared mirror Wills … Read more

Another year, another round of employment law reform! But what are the changes we are expecting in 2014 and how might these affect your business?

Amendments to TUPE and collective … Read more

Changes to TUPE and collective redundancy rules – 31 January 2014

Tucked away in the haze of the New Year is the introduction of changes to TUPE 2006 and the … Read more

HS2 is a proposed train route from London to the West Midlands to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds due to be built by 2026.

The benefits to the UK are said … Read more

The start of a new year is often the time when we make resolutions and think more about the future.  One of the most important parts of planning for the … Read more

The value of a Shareholders’ Agreement

We often have to consider the value of a shareholders’ agreement when discussing planning with our clients.  Why do you need one?

Too often … Read more

Resolving non payment issues

All businesses aim to build good relationships with customers and flexibility around chasing payment can sometimes be tempting when looking to establish favour.

However, business is … Read more

Top tips for dealing with a poorly performing partner.

How do you deal with a poorly performing partner?

This is a question we have had to address a number of … Read more

This weekend marks the first Small Business Saturday in the UK. With the inaugural event taking place on the first Saturday in December, one of the busiest shopping days of … Read more

The number of estates affected by Inheritance Tax is set to double from the current level of 21,000 per year to 42,000 in 2016/17. According to accountancy experts, this increase … Read more

US citizen Jen Palmer recently found herself subject to a $3,500 fine for posting a negative online review. In 2008 Jen Palmer ordered some items from KlearGear.com. After the items … Read more

Services we offer to Healthcare Professionals include:

• Quicker access to diagnostics, treatment and care for your patients
• Medico-legal Report writing
• Drafting Partnership Agreements
• Planning for Retirement, Wealth Management, Estate and

Do you know what a ‘chain of representation’ is?  A bunch of lawyers linking arms?  A special piece of jewellery?  Not quite. It’s a legal term for the situation where … Read more

It has been reported that a father has been committed to prison for contempt of court for failing to provide details of his financial circumstances in an application for financial … Read more

After a tough battle at the Court of Appeal and years of battling back and forth with Nestle, Cadbury has now lost its trade mark for the colour purple which … Read more

The latest case in constructive dismissal law says that in order to successfully bring a claim for constructive dismissal, the contractual breach by the employer does not necessarily need to … Read more

It has recently been reported in the press that a man has been convicted of  attacking his wife in court just as judgement was about to be given in a … Read more

Do you know what happens to your pension on death?  If you have a taxable estate and your pension passes to your spouse then the proceeds of your pension will … Read more

We have been speaking to a lot of business owners recently and asking them what their plans are for their business, in the event of their deaths.  It is surprising … Read more

The Help to Buy scheme introduced on 1 April 2013 is expected to help up to 74,000 people purchase a property if they can raise a 5% deposit and arrange … Read more

In a speech to family lawyers, Lord Justice Coleridge has called for a “root and branch” overhaul of divorce law and procedure.

He commented that

“…current divorce and financial provision

The Ministry of Sound (“MOS”) are bringing a claim against Spotify for refusing to delete playlists put together by its users which replicate Ministry of Sound compilations.

MOS are now … Read more

One of the most common causes of worry and frustration for divorcing or separating couples is the length of time it can take to negotiate a financial settlement. This can … Read more

The Environment Agency estimates that one in six homes in England are at risk from flooding with land increasingly at risk from different types of flooding.

Law Society chief executive … Read more

Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, has agreed to give up control of a trust fund containing company shares worth billions of dollars following a long-running feud with her children.

The … Read more

When purchasing a property, there are certain expenses involved you may not have considered. For example, there are certain searches that need to be made in regards to your future … Read more

The First-tier Tax Tribunal recently held that a married couple’s agreement to pay to the wife rental income from a jointly owned property did not prevent the husband from being … Read more

On 15 August 2013, HMRC updated its Share and Assets Valuation Manual (SVM) to take account of the implementation of employee shareholder employment status which is due to be introduced … Read more

Globalisation is leading more young professionals into international work and they look set to be the winners in changes in inheritance tax rules in the UK, designed to reflect the … Read more

When looking at a prospective property, there are many things to consider other than cost and location. For example, are there any restrictions on the property that may hinder your … Read more

TRADE MARKS:

1.  Rocket Dogs Brands LLC v OHIM (Case T-338/12)

The EU General Court has upheld an OHIM Board of Appeal decision that there was no likelihood of confusion … Read more

A Forum of Private Business (FPB) study reveals that small businesses are not only increasingly concerned about cash flow and late payment, but also the overdrafts and loans they’re relying … Read more

Recent research by the Child Poverty Action Group suggests that the cost of raising a child to the age of 18 has risen to £150,000. At a time when prices … Read more

For historic reasons, certain properties in certain parishes could be under an obligation to pay the cost of repairing the chancel of the parish church.

You may be liable for … Read more

The Conservatives and the Lib Dems have today returned a legacy of more than £500,000, after it emerged that the money was intended for the state, not political parties.

Joan … Read more

Apple v Samsung was the beginning of an ongoing legal battle regarding the designs of smartphones and tablets. This example demonstrates the importance of protecting intellectual property. If there is … Read more

If you are thinking of getting a lodger in your home, it is imperative that you have a lodger agreement in place. This will protect your interests and ensure that … Read more

If you own a second home and have sold it then you are liable to HMRC for any capital gain you have made on this sale.  The gain is based … Read more

I recently received an invitation to a friend’s wedding.  My friend is a Muslim and her fiancé is Hindu and they are having a total of four different wedding ceremonies!  … Read more

What are the changes?

Key changes to the employment tribunal rules are:

Revised ET1 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225526/ET1_Combined_v2.3.pdf and ET3 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225529/ET3_0713_web.pdf forms: simpler to complete but still use terms like “Claimant” and “Respondent”. … Read more

It may not be the first thing you think of, but the birth of a new baby means it’s very important to consider your Will.  We tend to associate Wills … Read more

UNISON has confirmed that it is making an application to the High Court to challenge the introduction of fees in the employment tribunal system. This is a judicial review of … Read more

Whistleblowing laws changed on 25 June 2013. Here is our easy 4-step guide to updating your policy:

1. Ensure that your whistleblowing policy covers protected disclosures made “in the public … Read more

As we all know, or thought we did, in commercial cases, the principle is that a company is independent of its shareholders.  The shareholders are protected by what we call … Read more

It is a common misconception that if you give your property away then you won’t have to pay tax on it.  This is not necessarily the case, especially if you … Read more

Congratulations to all the winners at the Red Ribbon Awards – celebrating excellence in Family Businesses.  Special mention for Wold Top Brewery (Innovation), Gary Martin of Martin Construction (Entrepreneurship) and  … Read more

We are currently finalising the administration of an estate where the deceased died over 30 years ago.  To make it clear, we haven’t been dragging this out for 3 decades!  … Read more

Greek Yoghurt has become hugely popular in the UK in recent years, and has a marked up price from natural yoghurt because of its luxurious texture and creamy taste.  FAGE … Read more

Don’t get mugged by an insurer or claims management company – use your local solicitor.  As one of the North West’s leading personal injury firms, MLP Injury lawyers will help … Read more

On 14 June 2013, the Court of Appeal confirmed that assured shorthold tenancies, which commenced before the tenancy deposit rules came into force on 6 April 2007, can be required … Read more

Martin Ridings (MLP Law’ Family law and Divorce expert) and Stephen Attree (MLP’s specialist Corporate and Commercial lawyer) examine the case and the decision handed down yesterday (12th June 2013).… Read more

New leading case in the UK for trade mark infringement by competitive brand bidding in Google Adwords – Interflora v Marks & Spencer [2013] EWHC 273 (Ch)

This case considered … Read more

“The High Court has determined that there is no duty of good faith in exercising the right to terminate a contract. For full details. see: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/TCC/2013/1151.html”… Read more

Business must take steps to protect the content of business emails through contractual agreements and operational processes such as archiving, as the courts will not treat the contents of emails … Read more

Awena Parry, solicitor at Altrincham law firm, Myers Lister Price Solicitors, has become a qualified trademark attorney, making her one of only a handful of dual qualified solicitors in Manchester. … Read more

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has released statistics from its analysis of 10 billion retail payments in 2012. These payments amounted to 60% of all UK retail sales for that … Read more

Many people think that a claimant’s claim for breach of contract is limited to net profits. This is however not the case.

The defining case for this was Western Web … Read more

Taking out a life insurance policy is a great way to protect your family’s future.

But what you may not know is that setting up a trust for the policy … Read more

What is it and why was it introduced?

The patent box is a new HMRC tax saving regime which has the effect of allowing a lower rate of corporation tax … Read more

UK businesses invest almost £16 billion in design each year. The Intellectual Property Bill aims to assist SMEs and businesses grow and protect their innovations more easily through simplified and … Read more

In a digital era where it is easy to put contracts out to tender to the world at large, more and more companies are using Crowdsourcing as a way to … Read more

At MLP Injury Lawyers we have vast experience of dealing with all aspects of personal injury law.  If you want to start a claim for whatever injury you have suffered, … Read more

MLP Injury Lawyers has successfully recovered over £30,000 in injury compensation for a man in the Stockport area who suffered a fracture and dislocation to his shoulder.

Our client was … Read more

MLP Injury Lawyers has successfully recovered £21,000 in injury compensation for a man in the Manchester area who suffered a fracture and dislocation to his shoulder.

Our client was walking … Read more

The largest medical research and development site, Alderley Park, in the north-west of England will be welcoming Redx Pharma this month. Redx has received a £4.7m grant from the government’s … Read more

Great result for SEONext and underlines our advice to all SMEs, choose your name carefully, protect it and take advice on enforcement or challenges to your trade marks. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/seonext-wins-trademark-battle-3414566… Read more

Employee Shareholders will now become law – Royal Assent is expected today and BIS intends to implement this new, third, type of employment status in autumn 2013.

With reference to … Read more

The proposal is still in consultation stage but the basic outline is a £250 issue fee, and a £950 hearing fee, for most types of claim (including unfair dismissal, discrimination … Read more

As part of its drive to encourage employee ownership (different from employee shareholder status), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has published draft Model Documentation for an Employee Owned … Read more

The service sector is picking up, helped in no small part by franchise service providers. In this area we see franchise service providers flourishing showing that businesses are still spending … Read more

Are you being treated fairly?

Following an accident which wasn’t your fault BEWARE:  If you receive an offer of compensation or perhaps even a cheque from an insurance company … Read more

Last week, the House of Lords voted for the second time to reject the proposed Employee Shareholder status.

Under this scheme, which creates a third type of employment status, employers … Read more

Twitter and other sources were saying yesterday that the House of Commons was voting in favour of introducing this new regime.

So how would this work? An employee shareholder will … Read more

On Monday, the UK supreme court launched a YouTube channel showing recordings of short summaries of judgments. This is the first recorded material available that will remain available online.

The … Read more

As of 1 April 2013, legal aid has been withdrawn for family law cases (except where there is an element of domestic abuse – for further guidance on this please … Read more