The landscape surrounding sexual harassment in the workplace has changed significantly following the #MeToo movement dating back to 2017. Since then, following reports published in 2021 by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the Women and Equalities Select Committee (WESC), the government acknowledged that existing legal protections against harassment in the workplace left room for improvement. It launched a consultation to consider sexual harassment in the workplace including whether a mandatory duty should be imposed upon employers to ensure employees are better protected from sexual harassment.
The utilisation of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) as a way of exiting a business has grown massively in recent times. This is partly due to the considerable tax benefits it can propose for a selling shareholder, but also because of the long-term advantages it can create for the business subject to the sale.
This article summarises EOTs typical structures and highlights some of its key advantages– for both the selling shareholders and the company being sold.
Daniel Stephenson (pictured), joined Bermans in November 2023 and is a Solicitor in our Property team. We spoke to him to learn more about him and his work.
While default interest clauses are standard in most lender agreements, they can constitute a penalty if they are extravagant, exorbitant or oppressive. If a default interest clause amounts to a penalty, then the lender will not be able to recover the default interest.
Employers who wish to avoid the risk of employment claims from departing employees are able to enter into a settlement agreement under which employment claims are settled.
It would be remiss of me not to mention that this will be Peter’s last briefing as Editor before he sets off for his well deserved retirement. Peter is a legend of the invoice and asset finance industries and has been associated with Bermans for most of his working life – initially as a barrister in Oriel Chambers in Liverpool when Bermans used his services as an advocate and advisor on so many occasions that he was invited to join us in 1989 as a Solicitor Advocate and Partner. He remained as such until 2013 when he became a Consultant since when he has continued to be an invaluable member of our ABL team.
A recent High Court case in relation to Jimi Hendrix recordings was of interest to lawyers and classic rock fans alike but is also of wider relevance in relation to copyright and the settlement of claims.
The High Court refused Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited’s (Sony) application to strike out a claim brought by the Estates of the late Noel Redding and ‘Mitch’ Mitchell.
Around 83% of the UK population are active social media users. It comes as no surprise then that social media continues to have an influence in the workplace. As a result, employers must consider how to handle employee use of social media, both whilst they are at work and away from the workplace.
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