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Lewis Silkin strengthens financial services offering with specialist hire
Press Release
13 April 2021Lewis Silkin LLP today announces the hire of Wendy Saunders – a financial services, markets law and regulation expert – as a Legal Director. Her addition to the team further bolsters the firm’s financial services offering, as well as provides additional expertise for the technology & communications sector.
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UK: Equal Pay: UK Supreme Court Allows Asda Employees To Make Equal Pay Comparison. Lucy Lewis writes for Mondaq
Press
09 April 2021The UK Supreme Court has confirmed that Asda's retail staff can compare themselves to higher-paid distribution depot staff for the purposes of an equal pay claim. This article explains.
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Under pressure: what kind of pressure makes a contract unenforceable?
09 April 2021Even as lockdown eases, multiple periods of restrictions over a sustained period, and the wider economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have made the performance of many commercial contracts very difficult, if not impossible. As a result, some parties have sought to avoid their obligations altogether, whilst others may seek to amend them as they begin their post-lockdown operations.
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Are contract amendments agreed during lockdown legally binding?
09 April 2021Performing obligations in commercial contracts during the Government enforced lockdown has been a serious challenge for many businesses. Sometimes that challenge was so great that it was the catalyst for a breakdown of a business relationship. To avoid remaining bound by onerous obligations some parties felt compelled to terminate contracts.
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But you promised! Even without a written contract, promises can be enforced and rights given up.
09 April 2021Broken promises in commercial life can leave businesses in real difficulties. That feels particularly unfair when a party’s only mistake was to take the other at its word. Which is why in the normal course of things businesses should have written contracts to remove risk and uncertainty.
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Can a contract be terminated if the effects of COVID-19 have prevented performance?
09 April 2021The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on businesses worldwide. Lockdown, restrictions, disruption to supply chains, increased pressure on cashflow and reduced capacity have all affected the ability of businesses to fulfil contractual obligations. Despite best efforts to co-operate, preserve contracts and maintain business relationships, as we emerge from lockdown and gradually return to some sort of normality, many will find themselves in a position where their counterparty remains unable to perform its obligations and will be in breach of contract.
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Did contractual dispute resolution clauses have immunity from the effects of Covid-19 and the lockdown restrictions?
09 April 2021As businesses plan to recommence operations, they must consider the legal implications of any action taken or contemplated to preserve contracts and business relationships and be alive to the potential consequences of action threatened or taken by other contracting parties. The actual or perceived amenable approach taken by some during the pressure of lockdown may quickly evaporate as the country returns to some sort of normality. This combined with economic uncertainty is likely to result in an increase in disputes.
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Will a court force a party to perform its contractual obligations?
09 April 2021As businesses start to get back to some kind of normality, they must be alive to their options if faced with a counterparty unable to comply with its contractual obligations in an uncertain economy. The usual remedy in such a scenario would be for the innocent party to sue the defaulting party for the loss and damage suffered as a result of the other party’s failure to fulfil its obligations.
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Cash ‘gifts’ and strong-arm tactics: music’s problem with NFTs: Cliff Fluet comments for The Guardian
Press
07 April 2021Blockchain technology makes non-fungible tokens unique, but uncertainty surrounds how the rights and ownership of songwriters, producers and session musicians apply in sales.
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Important amendments to guidance on document keeping for sponsor licence holders
06 April 2021On 16 March 2021 the Home Office made important clarifications to the documentation that sponsors of workers must keep regarding their recruitment activity. The changes are helpful and should not be onerous for sponsors to comply with, however there may be actions that some employers will need to take to ensure compliance.
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Coronavirus: absences from work and entitlement to pay
06 April 2021The Coronavirus situation may lead to workplace absences for a variety of reasons. This is our summary of legal rights to pay and suggested best practice for different types of absence.
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Business Post: Future of working from home will rely on trust. Síobhra Rush comments for Business Post
Press
06 April 2021The new code of practice on the right to disconnect is a timely response to an issue that has become a hot-button topic since the pandemic descended.
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Employers have a duty to support home workers: Abi Frederick and Paul Norris write for Employee Benefits
Press
06 April 2021Employers have a duty to take steps that are reasonably necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of homeworkers. The risks include feelings of isolation, a lack of supervision, issues arising from prolonged use of display screen equipment, working long hours and taking inadequate breaks.
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Ireland: What does the ‘right to disconnect’ mean? Siobhra Rush speaks to Jess Kelly on Newstalk
Press
06 April 2021Jess Kelly chats to Siobhra Rush about the 'right to disconnect', the founders of Refurbed.ie and the team behind Saylists.
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Flexi-job apprenticeships - more flexibility for employers
06 April 2021The recent government announcement of flexi-job apprenticeships will help businesses to share apprentices and brings the promise of greater flexibility.
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Any member of an LLP may be subject to a Disqualification Order – not just those on the Management Committee
06 April 2021Pursuant to the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (CDDA) the court may, in certain circumstances, make a ‘Disqualification Order’ preventing an individual from being a company director for a period of up to 15 years.
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Lewis Silkin promotes three to partner across Employment and Commercial practices
Press Release
01 April 2021Leading law firm Lewis Silkin today announces the promotion of David Samuels, David Hopper and Alan Hunt to its partnership, adding further strength to the firm’s market-leading Employment and Commercial practices.
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Changes to family leave entitlements introduced in Ireland
01 April 2021On 27 March 2021, changes to parent’s leave and adoptive leave announced in Budget 2021 were signed into law and came into force on 1 April 2021.
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The catalyst of Covid-19 must bring a positive change to our offices: Clare Reddy writes for Property Week
Press
01 April 2021Covid-19 has been, and continues to be, a catalyst for change. At some point, life will settle into a new rhythm, which will come with its own challenges. As we grapple with hybrid ways of working, the pandemic has shown that our experiences have not been equal and has emphasised the increased importance of wellbeing.
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Getting ready for office reopening - Employment law considerations infographic
01 April 2021With many looking towards the complete lifting of restrictions, employers will have various issues to consider ahead of 21 June. Our infographic highlights the key issues on re-opening offices with links to supporting guidance.