Joe Thompson
In September, the government published its response to its consultation taken in 2021 on the future of insolvency regulation, setting out a package of proposed reforms that, in their own words “represent the biggest change to the way the insolvency profession is regulated in nearly 40 years and future-proof the regulatory framework as the insolvency market continues to evolve”.
Continue ReadingIn recent years the Government has applied a great deal of focus to the whole question of the funding of the civil litigation system and the ability of litigating parties to recover costs against opponents.
Continue ReadingThere was a time some years ago when a major selling point of disclosed invoice finance was the perceived ability of established Invoice Financiers practised in the art of collecting debts when compared to the frequent troubles of small businesses in persuading their customers to pay on time.
Continue ReadingUNIDROIT is a respected international organisation dedicated to the improvement of commercial law across its 65 member nations and beyond, and will be recognised by more established members of the invoice finance community (ie. older readers!) for its Convention on International Factoring which was adopted in 1988.
Continue ReadingA recent decision in the Commercial Court provided some comfort to invoice financiers facing technical arguments in litigation as to the accuracy of invoices submitted to debtors
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Trainee Solicitor
Shona Jones joined Bermans in August 2023 and is currently a Trainee Solicitor in our Employment team based in Liverpool.
She studied Law at Liverpool John Moores University and has completed the Legal Practice Course. Shona has also obtained a Masters qualification with a distinction at Liverpool John Moores University .
Outside of work, Shona enjoys reading (mostly fiction). She also enjoys staying active, usually running, or hiking up the Welsh mountains and is currently training for her next marathon.
E: shona.jones@bermans.co.uk
T: 0151 224 0500
Solicitor
Alex Murray joined Bermans in September 2023 and is a Solicitor in our Employment team based in Manchester.
Alex is involved in a range of contentious and non-contentious employment work, including guiding employers through disciplinary process and redundancy situations, advising clients in respect of settlement agreements, and preparing cases for Employment Tribunals, primarily in claims for unfair dismissal and discrimination.
His clients are mostly SME’s, but he also works with large national and international companies too.
Alex enjoys playing sport and plays rugby for Sandbach Rugby Club. He also enjoys, golf, keeping keep fit and travelling.
Client testimonials
“I contacted Bermans for support during a very difficult time and the service they provided was excellent, we are extremely grateful. We worked with Alex Murray and he is fantastic, very knowledgeable, professional as well as personable, and has been extremely supportive. I would highly recommend using them.”
– Anonymous
“I contacted Bermans to assist with some employment disputes and worked with Alex for around 3 months. In that time, he has provided me with professional and accurate information and advice. He always ensured to explain legal processes clearly and thoroughly to me, informing me of actions and next steps I was required to take as part of the legal process. Alex always responded very timely throughout and delivered on what he said he would and within the timeframes he advised. He kept me up to date regularly and acted compassionately throughout. I would highly recommend Alex’s and Bermans services to anyone and thank you for all of your support and dedication to my case.”
– Anonymous
“Alex handled my case with professionalism and a very thorough approach. I was kept updated by phone and email throughout the process in a very timely manner and all aspects of the matter were explained clearly and in great detail. I am very happy with the service I received and the outcome and my dealings with Alex made the whole process very smooth and clear. I would happily instruct Bermans in any future legal dealings I may have.”
– Anonymous
E: alex.murray@bermans.co.uk
T:0161 393 7118
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Fintech business Lanistar’s latest bold initiative to boost recruitment has landed them in hot water. Effective recruitment strategies are not just about a business picking the best applicants, they are about attracting the best applicants in the first place. In this way, recruitment comparison websites like Glassdoor, which include company reviews from existing and former employees as part of their job search functions, can have a significant impact on the quality of applicants coming through the door.
The House of Lords have amended the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill to remove the proposed third-party harassment provisions. Following a debate in July 2023, the Bill has been republished with the original clause 1 (which dealt with third party harassment) removed in its entirety. Objections in the Lords included the cost to businesses, curtailment of free speech and worries about excessive state intervention in business.
In the recent case of Fernandes v DWP the Employment Appeal Tribunal allowed an appeal in a disability discrimination claim of failure to make reasonable adjustments. The key question was how you should ascertain when a ‘failure’ to make a reasonable adjustment occurs. It is important for this to be established because time begins to run for instituting a claim (by commencing ACAS Early Conciliation) from the point that the failure occurs.
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