Blog

The “Patent Box” – tax changes to promote innovation

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:50:00 +0100

As from 1 April 2013 changes to the corporation tax regime come into effect designed to promote innovation through the use of the patent system. From that date companies will be able to apply to have profits attributable to “qualifying intellectual property” taxed at the rate of 10% compared with the current rate of 24%.

Court considers “cost effective” and “appropriate” way of resolving disputes

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:30:00 +0100

In a recent case, the Court of Appeal had to decide whether a lower Court was right to strike out a claim that was worth in the region of £50.

Online Business Bootcamp

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:11:00 +0100

Just a quick reminder that Emma Hayward will be speaking at a local Online Business Bootcamp on 17 May 2012 run by PR and marketing agency Media Matters.

Could you sack a workforce by mistake by email?

Tue, 08 May 2012 09:54:00 +0100

That is exactly what Aviva did when an exit email was delivered by mistake from its HR department to the entire workforce of Aviva Investors of more than 1300 employees. The email was intended for one employee only.

We need to talk: Acas publishes first guide on mental illness at work

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:53:00 +0100

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has published its first guide on tackling mental illness at work which it describes as "the last taboo in business".

Online Business Bootcamp

Tue, 01 May 2012 09:54:00 +0100

Emma Hayward will be speaking at a local Online Business Bootcamp on 17 May 2012 run by PR and marketing agency Media Matters.

Happy World Intellectual Property Day!

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:04:00 +0100

Most people will be aware of Intellectual Property – for example, patents, trade marks and copyright to name some of the most well known IP rights. But did you know that today, 26 April, is World Intellectual Property Day?!

‘Facebook’ dismissal was fair for an employee who had posted vulgar comments about a female colleague

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:30:00 +0100

In the recently decided case of Teggart v TeleTech UK Limited NIIT 00704/11 the Northern Ireland industrial tribunal held that an employee who posted vulgar comments about a colleague on his Facebook page was fairly dismissed.

Restraining the Presentation of a Winding Up Petition

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:45:00 +0100

In a recent case, Tallington Lakes Limited –v- South Kesteven District Council [2012] EWCA civ 443, Tallington Lakes Limited sought to appeal the decision of a lower court to refuse to restrain the presentation of a winding up petition by South Kesteven District Council.

Timely Instruction of Experts

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:31:00 +0100

The Court of Appeal recently heard an appeal concerning permission to change an expert witness shortly before trial began (Guntrip v Cheney Coaches Limited [2012] EWCA Civ 392). The matter concerned a coach driver who brought proceedings against his employer for negligence and breach of statutory duty.

New Pilot Scheme for Mediation in the Court of Appeal

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:39:00 +0100

The Judicial Office issued a press release on 30 March 2012 concerning a new pilot scheme for mediation in the Court of Appeal. The scheme will form part of CAMS (Court of Appeal Mediation Scheme) and runs for a year from 2 April 2012.

Costs following claim being struck out: new case law

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:40:00 +0100

In the case of Citation Plc v Ellis Whittam Limited [2012] EWHC 764 (QB) the Court had to make a decision as to which party should be liable for costs for the period both before the claim form was issued and after the claim form was issued in the case where the claim had been struck out.

Update: Small Claims Track in the Patents County Court

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:33:00 +0100

As regular readers of the blog will recall, we have previously discussed the proposed changes to the Patents County Court (“PCC”) and the suggestion, following the Hargreaves Review, that a small claims track is introduced in the PCC.

New Sloan Plumb Wood Newsletter

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:33:00 +0100

Our most recent newsletter is now available online!

Patents County Court gives non-binding opinion

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:37:00 +0100

In a recent case Weight Watchers (UK) Limited and others v Love Bites Limited and others [2012] EWPCC 11, HHJ Birss QC gave a non-binding opinion of the trade mark infringement case brought by Weight Watchers against Love Bites at an early procedural hearing.

2012 Budget: Will the temporary suspension of the Sunday trading rules extend to the rules protecting the rights of employees?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:21:00 +0100

The short answer is that it is not yet known. The Chancellor announced in the Budget that the Sunday Trading laws would be relaxed for 8 weekends from 22 July 2012 to 9 September 2012 inclusive, recognising that the Olympics and Paralympics represent a unique opportunity for UK businesses.

Claims Consultants and Legal Professional Privilege

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:41:00 +0000

In Walter Lilly and Company Limited v Mackay and Another [2012] EWHC 649(TCC) (15 March 2012) Mr Justice Akenhead was asked to consider an application by the Claimant, Walter Lilly, for an order that the Defendants disclose all correspondence with or documents created by Knowles Limited. The Defendants resisted that application arguing that the documents were protected by legal professional or legal advice privilege.

New procedure for money claims

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:16:00 +0000

As from today (19 March 2012) the procedure for filing a county court money claim changes. From now on, the claim form should be sent to the County Court Money Claims Centre (CCMCC) and not the relevant county court.

Security For Costs

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:23:00 +0000

It is possible in some civil claims for a defendant (or possibly a defendant to a counterclaim) to be met with a claim made by a company in circumstances where the defendant has a real concern that if it is successful (either in its defence or in any counterclaim), and the usual rule that the successful party pays the losing party’s costs applies, the claimant will not be able to pay its costs.

New Technology and Construction Court Guidance on ‘Low Value’ Claims

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:03:00 +0000

The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) of the High Court of Justice has recently considered the approach that it should take to low value claims commenced in the TCC.

Service at “last known address”

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:02:00 +0000

Following our most recent blog in which we discussed the Court allowing service of a claim via Facebook, another case concerning service has caught our attention.

Service of documents via Facebook

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:53:00 +0000

This week the High Court gave permission for a Claimant in a commercial dispute to serve proceedings on an individual Defendant via Facebook. A County Court has previously allowed service of Court papers in this way but this is the first time such a senior Court has allowed it.

What is a patent?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:29:00 +0000

In the next in our series of providing a short overview on the different kinds of IP rights, we are reviewing patents.

The New Standard Conditions of Sale 5th Edition:

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:48:00 +0000

Standard Conditions of sale are incorporated into residential property contracts and the new standard conditions of sale were launched on 1 April 2011.

When does an employer have to pay full notice pay to an employee on long term sick leave?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:23:00 +0000

The answer is contained within the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA) and depends upon the employee’s entitlement to notice within the contract of employment and whether it is more or less than the employee’s statutory minimum notice entitlement.