Law

UK talent visas
talent visas for top graduates

High Potential Individual visa scheme to import new talent to the UK May 2022 saw the introduction of the High Potential Individual visa to the UK.  This new route into the UK is a small part of a broader set of global mobility schemes, designed to attract overseas talent.  The…
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COVID-19 Litigation
covid-19 litigation

COVID-19 litigation surge awaits UK companies A surge in contract disputes and employment-related litigation may be about to hit UK companies, according to Insurance broker Gallagher.  Possible allegations include workplace-related safety violations and negligence, as well as unfair dismissal and discrimination following job losses. The survey, which was conducted last…
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Off-Payroll Working IR35
IR35 off payroll working

Changes to off-payroll working (IR35) rules The new off-payroll working (IR35) rules came into force on the 6 April 2021.  Though payments relating to work or payments made before 6 April 2021 are not affected, the new rules need to be considered for all payments made on or after 6…
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UK Budget 2021
UK Parliaments Budget 2021

UK Budget 2021: A summary of key announcements Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced his Spring 2021 Budget promising further support for Covid-hit businesses and workers.  As well as supporting and boosting industries ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, the announcement also looked ahead to the difficult process of repairing the public…
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Uber Supreme Court Ruling
Uber app supreme court ruling

Disrupting a disruptor: The implications of the Supreme Court’s Uber ruling The UK Supreme Court has ruled that Uber must classify its drivers as workers rather than self-employed contractors. The decision could threaten the position of an already unprofitable company and will have far-reaching HR and tax consequences for the…
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California’s Proposition 22
California’s Proposition 22

California’s Proposition 22: It Passed, Now What? Paul Mello and William D. Taylor* California, for better or worse, has long been on the leading edge of labor and employment law developments that have broadly impacted business in general and the transportation industry in particular.  Often California’s courts are quick to…
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UK Company Secretaries
company secretary

Corporate Compliance, Best Practice and Company Secretaries The role and duties of the UK Company Secretary are often overlooked by a board of directors focussed on managing an SME, especially in the current climate.  This is heightened by the fact that said SMEs are not required to appoint a company…
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Corporate Criminal Offence investigations in 2020
corporate criminal offence

Corporate Criminal Offence investigations continue despite pandemic HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has 10 live corporate criminal offence (CCO) investigations according to new statistics.  The UK government department also has a further 22 live opportunities currently under review.  It has opened one new investigation since December 2019. Wide ranging investigations…
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Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (Regulations)
holiday regulations

Changes to regulations mean that workers will now be able to carry over untaken annual leave into the next two leave years.  This applies where they have been unable to take leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In this article Andrew Brierley, Briars Group Chairman, takes a look at the regulations,…
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In an unprecedented and dynamic situation, company directors need to be mindful of the law
company directors

Company directors, along with everyone else, are living in a new world.  The global response to the coronavirus outbreak has reshaped the business landscape.  Even once the immediate Covid-19 crisis has passed, no-one can be certain what the new-normal will be.  However, despite the instability, we are all still required…
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New legislation introduced stipulating what needs to be included in a contract of employment.
employment contract

What has changed? From 6 April 2020, the requirement to provide a written statement of terms and conditions extends to workers, not just employees. This now includes casual and zero hours workers.  Employers must provide their workers and employees with their written statement on or before their first day of employment, no…
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Changes to government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme expected to have an immediate impact.
coronavirus rescue

The UK government’s loan scheme to assist businesses hit by the coronavirus outbreak has been overhauled.  Initial measures, including government guaranteed loans amounting to £330 bn were announced in response to the disruption caused by COVID-19.  However, several problems with the scheme have since been identified and changes have been…
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Summary of government support available for businesses
government coronavirus support measures

The Government have issued a range of measures to assist businesses in the UK following the coronavirus outbreak here.  We have produced an initial report and a more detailed look at CBILS, but what follows is a brief summary of the measures being offered: Job Retention Scheme to reduce the…
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Business Support during the COVID-19 disruption
business lifeline

The UK Government has set out a package of temporary interventions to support people and businesses during the period of disruption caused by COVID-19. This package, which has been published in full on the gov.uk website, includes: a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme deferring VAT and Income Tax payments a Statutory…
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Making Tax Digital for VAT
making tax digital calculator

MTD has landed We first examined Making Tax Digital (MTD), and the arguments surrounding it, back in 2017.  Now that the dust has settled and MTD has come into force, it seems a good time for another look.   From VAT periods commencing 1st April, MTD now applies for most companies…
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Ending sexual harassment at work
MeToo sexual harassment

Shining a spotlight The #MeToo movement has put sexual harassment in the spotlight, initially driven by a surge of allegations against high profile and celebrity figures and the subsequent injunctions that aim to keep allegations out of the public eye.  However, the movement has grown beyond Hollywood, found widespread support…
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