Monthly Archives: February 2020

Coronavirus: What should employers do in the event of a pandemic?

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Christopher Wilsher

With the news that several firms in London are taking precautionary measures against the new COVID-19 by asking staff to work from home, employers should be thinking proactively about best practice in the event of a pandemic and the steps …

Posted in Longer Reads | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Coronavirus: What should employers do in the event of a pandemic?

Restaurant going bust? Here’s some food for thought…

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Alice Heathfield

Many readers will be aware of the recent, sudden closure during service of Mayfair restaurant “The Square”, which left staff out of work and out of pocket after January’s wages remained unpaid. Sadly this is by no means an isolated …

Posted in Longer Reads | Comments Off on Restaurant going bust? Here’s some food for thought…

Government’s proposed points-based immigration system – how will this impact SMEs?

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Alice Heathfield

The Government has announced post-Brexit plans to bring in a “points based” immigration system meaning low skilled workers will no longer qualify for visas. The plans are intended to urge employers to move away from relying on cheap labour from …

Posted in News | Comments Off on Government’s proposed points-based immigration system – how will this impact SMEs?

Islamic marriage ceremony ruled as void marriage

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Christopher Wilsher

In what is being described as a “landmark” ruling, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court judgement last week (14/02/20), ruling that a religious Nikah ceremony is a void marriage. The case relates to the separation of Nasreen Akhter …

Posted in Shorter Reads | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Islamic marriage ceremony ruled as void marriage

Are you ready for changes to Capital Gains Tax rules?

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Christopher Wilsher

In July 2019, the government announced plans to make a number of changes to capital gains tax (CGT) principal private residence relief (PPR). PPR is the relief that exempts homeowners from paying CGT on their main residence. The proposed changes …

Posted in Shorter Reads | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Are you ready for changes to Capital Gains Tax rules?

A new era for open-ended funds with illiquid assets?

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Christopher Wilsher

The closing of redemption gates in several open-ended property funds after the Brexit referendum, followed by the 2019 Woodford saga, has shone a spotlight on the risk to investors of funds holding illiquid assets in stressed markets. The Financial Conduct …

Posted in Longer Reads | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A new era for open-ended funds with illiquid assets?

Making Waves: IPEC finds fabric design a work of artistic craftmanship

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Alice Heathfield

In Response Clothing Limited -v- Edinburgh Woollen Mill Limited [2020] EWHC 148(IPEC) His Honour Judge Hacon has made a rare finding that a fabric design incorporating a wave pattern constituted a work of artistic craftsmanship and therefore qualified for copyright …

Posted in Longer Reads | Comments Off on Making Waves: IPEC finds fabric design a work of artistic craftmanship

Court confirms status of cryptoassets as ‘property’

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Christopher Wilsher

The claim followed an instance of blackmail using malware by the first defendant (persons unknown) against the claimant (a Canadian insurance company). The first defendant demanded a ransom of Bitcoin and the Applicant (the Claimant’s UK insurance provider) paid the …

Posted in Longer Reads | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Court confirms status of cryptoassets as ‘property’