How to remove an agricultural occupancy condition If you are seeking to remove an agricultural occupancy condition then our expert solicitors are here to help. Agricultural occupancy conditions are imposed by a local planning authority as a condition to a
New consumer protection legislation
Iain Robinson reviews the likely impact of this latest piece of legislation Consumer rights legislation is to be overhauled in the next eighteen months. New rules from Brussels, concerns over ‘hidden charges’, and the inability of current consumer law to
Empty Property Rates Relief
Two recent cases have nudged the law on business rates for empty commercial properties slightly in favour of the owner, but it is still a difficult area, writes commercial property solicitor, Iain Robinson of Slee Blackwell Solicitors. By way of
Lower Rent!
Property solicitor, Iain Robinson, explains how commercial property tenants can reduce their rent by serving a simple legal notice. Tenants of offices, shops, warehouses and other commercial premises could benefit from falling property values and reduce their rent by means
Change of Use Planning Laws to be Relaxed
Commercial property solicitor and planning lawyer, Nick Arthur reports on the Government’s proposed reforms aimed at making it easier to convert commercial premises to residential accommodation The Government is now commencing a formal consultation on relaxing the planning rules for
Changes to Paternity Leave
Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010 now allow fathers of babies born on or after 3 April 2011 (or adoptive parents who are notified of being matched with a child for adoption on or after 3 April) additional paternity rights. Under
New retirement age provisions now in force
The Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations 2011 are now in force. The new Regulations abolish the default retirement age of 65 as well as the statutory retirement notice process. Under these regulations any termination of employment on
The Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 has replaced nine major items of discrimination legislation and other related measures that have been introduced over recent years. Most of the provisions of the Act came into force on 1 October 2010. Although the Equality
The Bribery Act 2010: Are you prepared?
Sam Hannon reviews the likely impact of this latest piece of legislation The long-awaited Guidelines for The Bribery Act 2010 have now been published. The Act will be in force from 1 July 2011, replacing the complicated, piecemeal offences at
Franchise Success in the Recession
Franchise Businesses are more likely to thrive in a recession than a non Franchise Business. UK Franchise turnover in 2009 was 11.8 billion. Today there are approximately 465,000 jobs and 842 Franchises in the UK with over 34,800 franchised units