Alerts
Alerts archive 2010

Publish or be damned - failure to comply with announcement obligations can be a costly oversight

Photo–me International is the latest in a growing list of companies to be fined by the City watchdog, the Financial Services Authority, for late disclosure of inside information.

US Supreme court hedges its bets and fails to deliver clarity in business methods case

The US Supreme Court gave judgment on Monday 28 June 2010  in the long awaited Re Bilski case concerning the patentability of business methods.

The Coalition Government's first Budget - high earners and pensions: an update

Mr Osborne delivered his first budget amid much speculation as to precisely what he would do with regard to various issues in the pensions arena, particularly the restriction of tax relief on pension contributions for "high earners".

'Henry' gets a clean win in the High Court

Numatic was successful in its claim of passing off against Qualtex in respect of Qualtex's vacuum cleaners which mimicked the basic Henry model shape and black bowler hat lid but not its surface decoration (smiley face and red colour ways).

Banking update: report and review on recent cases and issues

Wragge & Co's Banking and Finance experts bring you the latest on the cases and issues affecting the lending industry.

'Overspent, not overtaxed' - the Emergency Budget

George Osborne delivered his first fiscal statement as Chancellor of the Exchequer in today's Emergency Budget. As with all emergencies, we saw the flashing blue lights of tax-raising headlines and triage to deal with the wreckage of the structural deficit in the British economy.

£4.3 million compensation for an 'unfair' dismissal

The Court of Appeal decision in Edwards v Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Trust will be of particular concern for employers with contractual disciplinary and grievance procedures – most notably the NHS and other public sector employers.

Property update - June 2010

Wragge & Co's real estate experts bring you the latest property law issues. Read their comment on these issues and take note of any action points that will help you and your organisation.

The Equality Act 2010 – 10 things you need to know

The long awaited Equality Act 2010 received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010. The primary aim of the Act is to consolidate and harmonise the existing equality legislation. However, it will also introduce some significant new provisions.

Before you charge in - part 6. Dispute resolution clauses – one size does not fit all

In this the sixth part of our 'before you charge in' series, we set out the broad features of the main dispute resolution methods and the situations in which they may be appropriate.

High earners and pensions

High earners need to consider carefully their pension arrangements. This is because Mr Darling, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer under the last administration, paved the way for the introduction of a new charge on pension contributions.

Company law and corporate governance

Following a review of corporate governance by the Financial Reporting Council a new corporate governance code, 'the UK Corporate Governance Code' (previously the Combined Code), has been published.

Failure to settle can have significant costs consequences

Failure to make settlement offers or negotiate with an opponent at an appropriate time in the proceedings can lead to the defaulting party being penalised in costs.

Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive - the latest developments

On 29 April 2009 the European Commission issued its draft proposal for a Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers.

Tomlin schedule not variable

In the case of Community Care North East v Durham County Council, Ramsey J held that the court did not have the power to vary terms within a schedule to a Tomlin Order.

Tort strikes back: subcontractors' liability for pure economic loss

Can a subcontractor or supplier employed to carry out works or supply goods to a contractor in relation to a construction project, owe a duty of care and be liable for the damage caused to the building by its defective works to anyone other than its employer?

Workplace pension reform: the devil in the detail

From 2012 all employers will have to enrol all eligible workers into a pension scheme. For the first time employer contributions will be mandatory.