Wrigley Claydon Solicitors

Category: Business & Employment

  • Contract dispute between Sports Direct and Rangers FC

    Contract dispute between Sports Direct and Rangers FC

    Sports Direct and Newcastle United owner billionaire Mike Ashley has won the latest round of a High Court fight with Rangers Football Club over a merchandise deal said to result in the Rangers getting about 7p of every £1 spent.

    Sports Direct group say Rangers’ directors wrongly terminated a contract through which branded products, including kits, were sold, and are seeking damages.

    Rangers’ directors dispute their claim and wanted a judge to call a halt to the litigation. They claim that Sports Direct pocketed too much money from the deal.

    Deputy High Court Judge Richard Millett has decided Ashley should be allowed to continue with the damages claim.

    He announced his decision in a written ruling after analysing competing arguments on whether litigation should stop at a High Court hearing in London.

    The judge gave no date for the next hearing.

    Contract dispute solicitor

    Suffering a financial or contractual dispute can have serious implications on your business. Our litigation solicitors will quickly and efficiently put your case together and act on your behalf to negotiate a settlement, arrange mediation, or represent you in court.

    Call our contract dispute solicitor Shalish Mehta in our civil and commercial litigation department on 0161 785 3534 or email sm@wrigleyclaydon.com. We can advise you on the appropriate course of action and assist with any legal documents or proceedings that may occur.

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  • Debenhams announces business strategy shake-up

    Debenhams has announced a shake-up strategy aimed at boosting its appeal by investing in its in-store cafes and improving its online offering.

    The plan includes a review of up to 10 of its 176 UK stores for possible closure over the next five years.

    A central distribution warehouse in Northampton and about 10 smaller warehouses could also close with a potential loss of 200 jobs.

    Debenhams saw half-year pre-tax profits fall by 6.4% to £87.8m.

    Its shares fell by 3.5% following the announcement.

    Business strategy advice

    When it comes to legal advice, all businesses need someone skilled, reliable and experienced they can turn to for support and guidance. At Wrigley Claydon we are here to develop and give effect to the legal arrangements needed to help you achieve your commercial objectives and manage business risk.

    If you are considering a company merger, acquisition, takeover or joint venture or are in the midst of a shareholder dispute or share capital transaction or need business advice please contact us.

    Call 0161 624 6811 to speak to John Porter and Soibi Iketubosin in our Company/Commercial Department or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com or si@wrigleyclaydon.com.
  • Unilever sells off its margarine business as part of business review

    Unilever sells off its margarine business as part of business review

    Unilever is to sell its margarine business, including Flora and Stork. It comes as part of a review at the Anglo-Dutch firm, which recently saw off a takeover bid from US food giant Kraft Heinz. The sell-off could fetch $6bn (£4.8bn).

    Unilever is also studying whether to change its status and looking at the wider “legal structure” of having bases in both the UK and the Netherlands because of the increased cost and complexity that comes with supporting two corporate structures, however, having dual structures can be useful defences against takeover bids.

    When it comes to legal advice, all businesses need someone skilled, reliable and experienced they can turn to for support and guidance. At Wrigley Claydon we are here to develop and give effect to the legal arrangements needed to help you achieve your commercial objectives and manage business risk.

    Oldham commercial solicitors

    If you are considering a company merger, acquisition, takeover or joint venture or are in the midst of a shareholder dispute or share capital transaction or need business advice please contact our Oldham commercial solicitors.

    Call 0161 624 6811 to speak to John Porter and Soibi Iketubosin in our Company/Commercial Department or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com or si@wrigleyclaydon.com.
  • Brexit advice for businesses

    Brexit advice for businesses

    Lloyd’s of London will establish a new European subsidiary in Brussels to avoid losing business when the UK leaves the EU.

    Lloyd’s is one of Britain’s oldest institutions and is the world’s leading insurance and reinsurance market.

    Several investment banks such as Bank of America, Barclays, and Morgan Stanley are considering relocating staff to Dublin and HSBC is expected to move significant numbers of employees to Paris.

    Brexit advice for businesses

    When it comes to legal advice, all businesses need someone skilled, reliable and experienced they can turn to for support and guidance. At Wrigley Claydon we are here to develop and give effect to the legal arrangements needed to help you achieve your commercial objectives and manage business risk.

    If you are considering a company merger, acquisition, takeover or joint venture or are in the midst of a shareholder dispute or share capital transaction or need business advice please contact us.

    Call 0161 624 6811 to speak to John Porter and Soibi Iketubosin in our Company/Commercial Department or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com or si@wrigleyclaydon.com.

    How will Brexit affect your business?

  • Administrators called into footwear retailer Brantano

    Shoe retailer Brantano has gone into administration, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk.

    The chain was bought out of administration in 2015 by a company controlled by turnaround specialists Alteri Investors.

    Since then Brantano has suffered from the “depressed and competitive” footwear market, as well as the fall in sterling.

    Alteri also owns Jones Bootmaker and is also seeking a buyer for that chain.

    Administrators from PwC said the business would continue to trade as normal while a buyer is sought.

    When it comes to legal advice, all businesses need someone skilled, reliable and experienced they can turn to for support and guidance. At Wrigley Claydon, commercial specialists Oldham, we are here to develop and give effect to the legal arrangements needed to help you achieve your commercial objectives and manage business risk.

    If you are considering a company merger, acquisition, takeover or joint venture or are in the midst of a shareholder dispute or share capital transaction or need business advice please contact us.

    Call 0161 624 6811 to speak to John Porter and Soibi Iketubosin in our Company/Commercial Department or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com or si@wrigleyclaydon.com.
  • Business takeover advice from our corporate solicitors

    Business takeover advice from our corporate solicitors

    21st Century Fox has defended its £11.7bn takeover bid for broadcaster Sky after Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said she was “minded” to intervene in the deal after concerns about about media plurality and broadcasting standards.

    Ms Bradley has been weighing up whether to refer the deal to Ofcom after warning it could pose “public interest considerations” that warranted further investigation.

    One concern is that the merger would give businessman Rupert Murdoch too much control over the British media as both Sky and Fox are controlled by Mr Murdoch, who also owns News UK, publisher of the Times and the Sun newspapers.

    When it comes to legal advice, all businesses need someone skilled, reliable and experienced they can turn to for support and guidance. At Wrigley Claydon we are here to develop and give effect to the legal arrangements needed to help you achieve your commercial objectives and manage business risk.

    If you are considering a company merger, acquisition or joint venture or are in the midst of a shareholder dispute or share capital transaction please contact us.

    Call 0161 624 6811 to speak to our corporate solicitors John Porter and Soibi Iketubosin in our Company/Commercial Department or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com or si@wrigleyclaydon.com.

  • Business Advice Solicitors

    Balfour Beatty, the engineering company behind the transformation of the former Olympic Stadium into West Ham’s London Stadium made an £8m profit, after a £199m loss in 2015.

    In the next few years it plans to be part of the High Speed 2 (HS2) project, the new nuclear power stations at Hinkley and Wylfa, and the third runway at Heathrow airport.

    Balfour said it had allowed its business to become too complex after a series of takeovers and an overall lack of leadership and strategic direction.

    When it comes to legal advice, all businesses need someone skilled, reliable and experienced they can turn to for support and guidance. At Wrigley Claydon we are here to develop and give effect to the legal arrangements needed to help you achieve your commercial objectives and manage business risk.

    If you are considering a company merger, acquisition, takeover or joint venture or are in the midst of a shareholder dispute or share capital transaction or need business advice please contact us.

    Call our Business Advice Solicitors on 0161 624 6811 to speak to John Porter or Soibi Iketubosin in our Company/Commercial Department or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com or si@wrigleyclaydon.com.

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  • New minimum wage rates – ensure you are compliant…

    The new minimum wage rates came into force from 1 st October 2016. In light of the subsequent Autumn statement and the forecasts of the Office for Budget Responsibility on wage stagnation, we take a brief look on what they are, how they affect young people and how employers can comply with legislation.

    Age Group Wage (£ per hour)
    Apprentices 3.40
    16-17 year olds 4.00
    18-20 year olds 5.55
    21-24 year olds 6.95

    The above rates are applicable to trainees, apprentices, foreign workers and agricultural workers. It is a criminal offence not to pay workers less than the minimum wage. HMRC has the right to carry out a check on any employer not complying with their obligations, as well as imposing a fine on the offenders.

    Voluntary Living Wage

    This is separate from the UK Voluntary Living Wage requirements, whose obligations are not mandatory to follow but discretionary. The current rate for the Voluntary Living Wage for all those who are age 25 and above is currently £8.20 per hour, but will rise to £8.45 per hour.

    Employers

    Have you been paying your employees, including your apprentices, the lawful rate? It is imperative that employees have contracts of employment, particulars and are paid lawfully.

    If you have any queries regarding the new minimum wage rates, or to arrange a review of your employment practice, please contact our Employment specialist John Porter on 0161 624 6811 or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com.

  • The successful appeal of Metroline in an employment tribunal sounds a new note says employment law solicitor

    Mr Ibrahim Ajaj was an employee at Metroline West Ltd (“Metroline”) for 10 years and was dismissed for gross misconduct for deceptively alleging that he could no longer perform his duties after an injury at work. His allegation was supported by an occupational health advisor and physiotherapist.

    However Metroline decided to covertly survey him and hired an external doctor to verify his injuries. The findings by the external doctor revealed that Mr Ajaj’s injuries were inconsistent with his descriptions and Metroline suspected he had made his injuries up to profit from sick pay.

    He was invited to a disciplinary hearing, and dismissed. Thereafter he issued legal proceedings. The Employment Appeal Tribunal decided that the Employer had a potentially fair reason to dismiss Mr Ajaj.

    Where does the Tribunal decision leave the employee who takes the occasional ‘sick day’?

    Can you be dismissed for ‘taking a sick day’ for no apparent good reason? At the outset, few employers would go to the lengths of surveying their employees for a few days off sick. Secondly, in many cases it might be disproportionate to dismiss an employee for calling in sick because, say, he is hung over. However, lying is dishonesty and dishonesty can facilitate an employee’s dismissal. In any event, the employer’s handbook can be consulted to fully understand the implications.

    There is also an implied relationship of trust between employer and employee that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If an employee takes multiple days off, while deceptively alleging to be sick, the question begs whether he should be working at a job he has little passion for.

    It is important for both employers and employees to understand their obligations and rights.

    If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our employment law solicitor, John Porter, on 0161 624 6811 or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com.
  • Employers: Consider the age of your employees before dismissing!

    Employers: Consider the age of your employees before dismissing!

    Workers cannot be discriminated against based on age, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) recently re-inforced.

    The case of Donkor v RBS related to an appeal by an ex-Regional Director of RBS who had worked at the company since August 1978. Four Directors were placed at risk of redundancy, two over the age of 50; two under the age of 50. Mr Donkor fell into the first category and opted for voluntary redundancy and an early retirement.

    When it became clear to RBS the cost of redundancy for two employees aged over 55 (at over £1 million), it changed course and, on 29 May 2012, offered Mr Donkor a job for a similar role, which he was glad to accept.

    RBS then changed its pension rules on 1 October 2012, raising the age of voluntary redundancy from 50 to 55 for those wishing a non-discounted pension. In 2013 RBS underwent an unrelated restructure and Mr Donkor was allowed to apply for voluntary redundancy, which he accepted.

    Mr Donkor then brought a claim for direct age discrimination, which was refused by the Employment Tribunal, but allowed on appeal by the EAT.

    The EAT decided that the issue was whether Mr Donkor had been treated less favourably in not being given the option to apply for voluntary redundancy than his colleagues. The question therefore was whether the Respondent had taken into account Mr Donkor’s age. It concluded that the Claimant’s age was a material factor in RBS’s decision to refuse him voluntary redundancy in 2012.

    RBS decided against letting Mr Donkor accept voluntary redundancy in 2012 because the cost of his retirement would have cost the company too much. In light of the EAT’s recent decision, RBS were right. Mr Donkor was expensive to lose.

    It is important for employers to understand their obligations and employee’s rights.

    If you have an employment query or concern, do not hesitate to contact the Wrigley Claydon employment team on 0161 624 6811 or email our head of department John Porter on jap@wrigleyclaydon.com.