Backhouse Solicitors’ blog
A recent Employment Appeal Tribunal decision in the case of Herry v Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council considered whether long term stress can constitute a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. The answer in this case was no – not by itself. In this [...]
Over the past few months we have seen a number of high profile cases of workers in the so called “Gig Economy” suing the companies they work for. In most of the cases the workers have been treated as self-employed contractors by the companies and have [...]
The rise of the “gig economy” where short-term, flexible and somewhat unpredictable working patterns are prevalent at the expense of basic employment rights has hit headlines recently in three high profile employment cases. How does this affect the new and increasing number of startup businesses which [...]
Working out what you need to do when someone dies can be overwhelming. Some things need to be carried out by the executors or administrators of the estate whilst other matters can be dealt with by family or friends. Coming to terms with your loss and [...]
In part two of our “Employers’ Guide to Christmas” we advised that employers could be held vicariously liable for the actions (or lack of) of their employees provided that said actions took place during the course of their employment. Many employers are unaware of this and [...]
So, you have found your dream home, you have secured removals and finally after an eternity of waiting you have the keys. Time to put your feet up, relax and never have to see the inside of a Solicitor’s office again – well, actually no. Now [...]
Inheritance Tax (“IHT”) is payable when an Estate (including any gifts which are made in the 7 years preceding your death) exceeds a certain threshold called the nil rate band allowance. The nil rate band allowance is a tax free limit below which an Estate would [...]
Depression is a mental illness which is both debilitating for the sufferer and difficult for an employer to navigate sensitively. There may be instances where a long term sufferer will be absent from work for prolonged periods when their symptoms prevent them from being fit to [...]
New figures released from the Office of National Statistics reveal that at over 2,600, Essex has the highest number of completed loans via the scheme in the East of England. Thurrock and Basildon have the highest proportion of completed Help To Buy mortgages relative to population, [...]
On listening to a recent BBC Radio 4 programme, “Permanent Vegetative State: Withdrawing Nutrition and Hydration”, it was brought home how important it is to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare, particularly when considering an individual’s quality of life. The programme [...]