In a stinging indictment of the legal profession, the Competition and Markets Authority has reported that the legal services market is undermined by lack of transparency on pricing and service quality. Following allegations that finding and pricing legal services is confusing for consumers, the competition watchdog examined affordability of legal
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The market upheaval following Brexit risks triggering loan defaults under ‘material adverse effect clauses in finance documents, according to City firm Reed Smith. Although the vote in itself might not be enough to trigger a default, the market chaos following the Brexit vote (e.g. currency fluctuations) might be sufficient
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A disgruntled mobility scooter owner has launched the UK’s first antitrust class action. The case - filed under new procedures under the Consumer Rights Act - takes aim at Pride Mobility Products Limited after the Office of Fair Trading found that Pride had breached competition law by effectively stopping
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After months of negotiations the Trade Union Act 2016 has been given Royal Assent, giving the green light to the biggest change to trade union laws in decades. The Act has been strongly opposed in union quarters and although the explanatory notes suggest it will be brought into force this
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Annual returns for share schemes for the 2015/16 tax year must be filed online with HMRC by 6 July 2016. Where a company creates share schemes giving employees options or incentives, online registration with HMRC is compulsory by 6 July following implementation. Schemes requiring registration include the following: Company
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A new online dispute resolution website has launched promising to provide a speedier alternative to court. Founded by Quentin Bargate, a partner in London law firm Bargate Murray, and his son Alex, Ajuve aims to provide a resolution to disputes in around six weeks. It was set up as a
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Fees payable for registering a design are set to fall substantially as the government looks at ways to make the UK the best place to do business. Currently an EU Registered Community Design is a popular protection choice, but the reduction in fees for the UK Registered Design and a
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Recent increases in unannounced Home Office visits to the premises of Tier 2 Visa sponsors has resulted in the loss of sponsor licences. The authorities have the right to carry out inspections to ensure conditions are being met. Previously these were carried out at least once in every four years,
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The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that the new apprenticeship levy, due to come into effect in April 2017, will slow down hiring rates among big employers. The levy will apply to all firms with a pay bill of over £3m and will be 0.5% of the
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