Yearly Archives: 2020

Can I increase divorce payments from my Ex?

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Christopher Wilsher

I divorced my husband twenty years ago and was awarded a small amount in a lump sum to purchase a house for myself and our two young children. So small that I had to take out a mortgage and work …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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The New Global Talent Visa

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Christopher Wilsher

The government has announced a new fast-track visa scheme that will open on 20 February 2020. The new ‘Global Talent’ visa is a significant boost for UK science, technology and research institutions and it is aimed at enhancing their ability to attract top research talent to the UK.The new visa will create a new fast-track route for UK-based research projects to recruit top global talent. This will be of particular benefit to higher education institutions, research institutes and public sector research establishments. The new scheme will also have no limit placed on the number of ‘Global Talent’ visas that can be issued.The new visa will offer a greater level of flexibility than the previous Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. It will allow applicants to apply for settlement when they have been in the UK for three years, and provide an exemption from the absence rules for researchers, and their dependents, should they be required to travel overseas during their research work or employment. This is a significant exemption because it means they will not suffer any penalty for such periods of absence if they subsequently apply for settlement in the UK.From the 20 February 2020, UK Research and Innovation will be able to endorse applicants from the scientific and research community to qualify for this accelerated path to obtain a visa. UK-based institutions and research projects that have received recognised awards are at the front of the queue for getting their ‘top talent’ fast-tracked using this new route.The new Global Talent Visa will therefore provide a flexible immigration route into the UK and is aimed at enabling UK institutions to attract top global talent. We await further announcements of the detail of the scheme from the government in due course.

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