Business and Property: ToLATA update May 2020 – St Ives Chambers

Posted May 28th, 2020 in appeals, chambers articles, land registration, news, trusts, valuation by sally

‘By way of observation, the principle set out in Bagum-v-Hafiz [2015] EWCA Civ 801 whereby a beneficiary under a trust of land may effectively buy out the others interests appears to be increasingly applied and it has been recently considered in the Court of Appeal case of In the matter of the Estate of Roger Kingsley sub nom (1) Karim Sophie Kingsley (2) Aaron Richard Playle (as Executors of the Estate of Roger John Kingsley) v Sally Margaret Kingsley [2020] EWCA Civ 297. There, the Court of Appeal rejected the appeal that in a farming partnership case the judge had not been entitled to make an orderforsale at a court-assessed price rather than ordering a sale on the open market. Unlike a trustee, the court was not required to get the best price for the property. The Court rejected the notion that Bagum required some sort of valuation threshold to be overcome. On the contrary, Bagum was authority for the proposition that valuation (and the risk that the court-assessed value would not necessarily be the same as the price in an open market sale) was clearly a discretionary matter.’

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St Ives Chambers, May 2020

Source: www.stiveschambers.co.uk

Insurance Broker Claims – Breach of Duty – Hailsham Chambers

Posted May 27th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, insurance, news by sally

‘The insurance world is currently on high alert due to the circumstances around Covid-19 leading to widespread notifications on Business Interruption (BI) policies, among others. This note, prepared by William Flenley QC and Alicia Tew, considers issues relating to breach of duty by insurance brokers which arise out of business interruption policies. A further note will consider causation and loss in insurance broker claims.’

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Hailsham Chambers, May 2020

Source: www.hailshamchambers.com

The death of “forensic prestidigitation” in construing commercial contracts? Towergate Financial (Group) Ltd and others v Clark and others – Hardwicke Chambers

Posted May 26th, 2020 in appeals, chambers articles, contracts, indemnities, interpretation, news by sally

‘Judgment in Towergate Financial (Group) Ltd and others v Clark and others was handed down on 24 April 2020 in this interesting case that turned upon the correct construction of a notice clause in a share purchase agreement (SPA).’

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Hardwicke Chambers, 13th May 2020

Source: hardwicke.co.uk

Can you sack your opponent’s solicitor? You can try… Glencairn IP Holdings Ltd v Product Specialities Inc (t/a ‘Final Touch’) [2020] EWCA Civ 609 – Hailsham Chambers

Posted May 26th, 2020 in chambers articles, confidentiality, disclosure, law firms, news, solicitors by sally

‘It is well established that a litigant may restrain his former solicitors from acting for his opponent where: (i) those former solicitors are in possession of relevant, adverse confidential information and (ii) there is even a slight risk of that information being disclosed (Bolkiah v KPMG).1 But the issue in Glencairn, was whether a litigant could prevent solicitors from acting for his current opponent because that firm had acted for a former opponent in similar litigation which was settled on confidential terms. Did the solicitors’ knowledge of the applicant’s confidential settlement strategy in similar litigation (against a different party) give an unfair advantage which meant the solicitors should be prohibited from acting?’

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Hailsham Chambers, 13th May 2020

Source: www.hailshamchambers.com

Assessing ‘Likelihood of Harm’ under the Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences – Definitive Guideline – Henderson Chambers

‘A summary of relevant factors and considerations drawn from the leading cases of recent years.’

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Henderson Chambers, 11th May 2020

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Public Funds Part 3: Change of conditions to allow access to public funds – Richmond Chambers

Posted May 26th, 2020 in benefits, chambers articles, immigration, news by sally

‘In this third post, following on from Public Funds Part 1: Public Funds and Coronavirus and Public Funds Part 2: Claiming Child Benefit we consider how to apply for a change of conditions to allow access to public funds, for individuals who are in the UK with limited leave to enter or remain subject to a condition of having no recourse to public funds.’

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Richmond Chambers, 15th May 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk

COVID-19: The ‘New Normal’ Experiences in the Employment Tribunal – Parklane Plowden

‘In 18th March 2020, the Presidents of the Employment Tribunal (Scotland) and (England and Wales) released Presidential Guidance.’

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Parklane Plowden, 11th May 2020

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk

Consumer Protection in the time of Covid-19 – Henderson Chambers

‘The Competition and Market Authority (“CMA”) has set up a task force to take action against companies which it considers are breaching consumer laws in the way in which they are dealing with the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic (for example, companies refusing to provide cash refunds for goods and services which have been disrupted). The CMA has robust enforcement powers such that businesses would be wise to be careful as to how they balance their commercial interests with consumer rights in these difficult times.’

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Henderson Chambers, 13th May 2020

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Freedom of contract: Does it still exist? – Littleton Chambers

Posted May 21st, 2020 in chambers articles, contracts, coronavirus, enforcement, news by sally

‘A provocative title, to be sure.

But on 7 May 2020, HM Government published through the Cabinet Office a document entitled “Guidance on responsible contractual behaviour in the performance and enforcement of contracts impacted by the Covid-19 emergency” (the “Note”).’

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Littleton Chambers, 11th May 2020

Source: littletonchambers.com

“Project Restart” or a false start: can professional sports clubs compel their players to return to the pitch and waive health and safety liability? – Littleton Chambers

Posted May 20th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, employment, health, health & safety, news, sport by sally

‘As elite-level leagues, sporting associations and other stakeholders debate whether competitions can be restarted in an era of physical distancing, it has been reported that some professional football and rugby clubs are proposing to require players to sign disclaimers in relation to the health risks posed by Covid-19 before they resume training.’

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Littleton Chambers, 14th May 2020

Source: littletonchambers.com

Ayshea Megyery summarises recent cases and research in respect of the impact of COVID-19 in the family courts – Park Square Barristers

‘Whether a case proceeds by remote hearing must be decided on the sometimes competing factors of the individual case. However, pushing forward to achieve remote hearings must not be at the expense of a fair and just process. The decision of the President distils a number of key principles to be borne in mind. Just because a matter can be heard remotely does not mean it must be. In this case the delay in proceedings was outweighed by the fact that the hearing could not be properly or fairly conducted without the physical presence of the mother before the judge in the courtroom. As a result of that decision, the President re-listed the matter until such time that the restrictions relating to Covid-19 are lifted.’

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Park Square Barristers, 14th May 2020

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk

Planning for the Future – 39 Essex Chambers

Posted May 19th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, news, planning by sally

‘There has been a determined effort by Ministers and much of government to keep the planning system going during the coronavirus crisis. The ability to carry out development is one of the means of maintaining jobs and restoring the economy as the country comes out of lockdown.’

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39 Essex Chambers, 14th May 2020

Source: www.39essex.com

Who gets the ventilator? Important legal rights in a pandemic – Blackstone Chambers

Posted May 19th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, hospitals, medical treatment, news by sally

‘COVID-19 is a highly contagious infection with no proven treatment. Approximately 2.5% of patients need mechanical ventilation while their body fights the infection.1 Once COVID-19 patients reach the point of critical illness where ventilation is necessary, they tend to deteriorate quickly. During the pandemic, patients with other conditions may also present at the hospital needing emergency ventilation. But ventilation of a COVID-19 patient can last for 2–3 weeks. Accordingly, if all ventilators are in use, there will not be time for patients to ‘queue up’ to wait for those who arrived earlier to recover. Those who need a ventilator will die if they do not receive access to one quickly.’

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Blackstone Chambers, 14th May 2020

Source: coronavirus.blackstonechambers.com

Second edition released of Cloisters Toolkit: Returning to work in the time of Coronavirus – Cloisters

Posted May 19th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, employment, health & safety, news by sally

‘A second edition of Cloisters Toolkit: Returning to work in the time of Coronavirus is now available. The comprehensive guide takes account of the latest government guidance on workplaces, travel to work and the furlough scheme.’

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Cloisters, 12th May 2020

Source: www.cloisters.com

Ivory ban upheld by Court of Appeal – UK Human Rights Blog

‘The overarching complaint was that the evidence base was insufficient. The appellant’s criticisms of Jay J’s analysis can be summarised as follows:

(i) wrongful use of the precautionary principle and the acceptance of inadequate evidence to support the bans;

(ii) failure to take account of the failings in the Impact Assessment which preceded the Bill and the according of too much deference to Parliament; and

(iii) violation of the principle of respect for property and the wrongful failure to require a right to compensation.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 19th May 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Avoidance Of Insurance Policy Due To Unintentional Non-Disclosure Clause: Acorn Finance Limited v Markel (UK) Ltd [202] EWHC 922 Considered – Park Square Barristers

Posted May 19th, 2020 in chambers articles, indemnities, insurance, negligence, news, valuation by sally

‘In this recent case, the Defendant was the professional indemnity insurer of Westoe 19 (formerly Colin Lilley Surveying Limited) referred to throughout the Judgment as “CLS”. CLS was a limited company whose business was property valuation.’

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Park Square Barristers, 12th May 2020

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk

Return To Work During The Coronavirus Pandemic – Navigating Through The Employment Law Minefield – Hardwicke Chambers

‘With the recent announcement that lockdown measures are to be eased, and those who cannot work from home should return to work, we are likely to see a greater proportion of the workplace slowly return to work. The Prime Minister has announced that those in construction and manufacturing, scientific research, logistics and food production should return to work, once their employers have confirmed that it is safe for them to do so and set a “road-map” for the re-opening of shops, restaurants and other venues as well as workplace specific guidance for working safely during coronavirus.’

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Hardwicke Chambers, 14th May 2020

Source: hardwicke.co.uk

High Court rules on the effect of confidentiality clause in a settlement agreement – St Ives Chambers

Posted May 18th, 2020 in appeals, chambers articles, confidentiality, contracts, damages, employment, news by sally

‘In Duchy Farm Kennels Limited v Steels [2020] EWHC 1208 (QB) Alexander PritchardJones appeared in an important case about the effect of breaches of confidentiality clauses contained within settlement agreements.’

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St Ives Chambers, 14th May 2020

Source: www.stiveschambers.co.uk

Business transactions, beneficial title and resulting trusts: the meaning of “payment” within the unauthorised payments charge regime – Wilberforce Chambers

Posted May 18th, 2020 in appeals, chambers articles, news, pensions, taxation by sally

‘In the recent Court of Appeal (“CA”) decision of Clark v HMRC [2020] EWCA Civ 204 (“Clark”) the Court gave valuable guidance as to the meaning of “payment” for the purpose of the imposition of the tax charge on unauthorised member payments from registered pension schemes under sections 208-210 of the Finance Act 2004 (“FA 2004”).’

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Wilberforce Chambers, 11th May 2020

Source: www.wilberforce.co.uk

CFA Costs Allowed in second 1975 Act Claim – Parklane Plowden Chambers

Posted May 18th, 2020 in chambers articles, costs, families, news, part 36 offers by sally

‘Re H (Deceased), SH v NH and KH [2020] EWHC 1134 (Fam) was a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 heard on 24 April and 24 May 2020 before Cohen J. The successful adult claimant was awarded a contribution of 25% to her CFA uplift by Cohen J as part of her claim. Re H was a case heard hot on the heels of Bullock v Denton in which the successful adult claimant in a 1975 Act claim was also awarded a cost contribution as part of her award.’

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Parklane Plowden Chambers, 12th May 2020

Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk