Preventing harassment in the workplace is often at the very top of HR’s to do list. Training and policies often focus on key problem areas such as sexual harassment. They don’t often include any reference to ‘smell harassment’. However, according to the Japanese newspaper ‘Mainichi’, there has been an increase (in Japan at least) in ‘smell harassment’ issues in the workplace. The newspaper reports that, as the weather in Tokyo gets hot and humid, the sweaty season has arrived. Employees are taking to social media to complain about the impact that bad smells from their colleagues are having on their working life. One reported feeling ‘dizzy’ because of the body odour of their colleague.
Asset financiers grappling with the threats and opportunities posed by AI may be interested to learn of the impact AI, and in particular the recent developments in generative AI, are likely to have on their interactions with their lawyers and with the court system.
We pointed out in an article in the Briefing last summer that the extent to which there should be any regulation of transactions with business customers has been a matter of hot debate in the asset finance industry going back decades, and we recalled that when the Consumer Credit Act 1974 first came into full effect in 1985 there was much discussion about future reforms excluding business customers altogether.
In regulated Hire-Purchase and conditional sale (but not Lease or Hire Agreements) section 90 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (“CCA”) provides that once one-third of the total price of the goods has been paid for, the goods become ‘protected’ and the Financier is not entitled to recover possession without a Court Order except where the debtor gives his genuine consent.
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.
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.
Jonathan Berkson, (pictured) joined Bermans in June 2013 and is a Senior Partner in our Asset Based Lending and Litigation teams. We spoke to him to learn more about him and his work.
Zaafir joined Bermans in March 2024 and is a Post-Completions Paralegal in our Property team based in Liverpool.
He assists Bermans property team with a wide range of property matters, including residential and commercial property acquisitions and sales, residential and commercial developments and acquisitions and redevelopment of buy-to-let properties. Zaafir also liaises with HM Land Registry and other law firms to achieve our clients’ objectives.
Zaafirs qualifications include:
Professional Skills Course for Legal Practice – School of Law, University of Central Lancashire, Preston (2023)
Master of Laws, Legal Practice Course – Liverpool John Moores University (2022)
Master of Laws, Qualifying Law Degree – Liverpool John Moores University (2021)
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resource Management – University of Liverpool (2007)
Outside of work, Zaafir enjoys reading, sightseeing, news/current affairs and beach and countryside dog walks. He also has a Golden Retriever who is his constant companion and best friend!
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Jonathan Berkson,