FIFA corruption allegations and the Bribery Act
On 28th May, 14 high profile FIFA officials were indicted after alleged corruption that has captivated the media world. The officials are accused of taking bribes totalling more than $150,000,000 in return for providing lucrative media and marketing rights to soccer tournaments and kick backs. This is alleged to have occurred over the past 24 years. Tim Ridyard of Woodfines LLP comments...
Grievances that arise during a disciplinary process
You have a problem employee. Either they have committed an act of misconduct, or they are guilty of poor performance. You resolve to carry out a disciplinary hearing. Within the disciplinary proceedings, the employee raises a grievance. Do you have to suspend the disciplinary process whilst the grievance is considered? Nick Sayer of Woodfines Solicitors looks at the issues.
Criminal Courts charging: The impact on commercial drivers & operators
Tim Ridyard, road transport regulatory lawyer at Woodfines LLP, outlines details of a new charging system introduced into all criminal courts in April, and explains its possible impact on commercial drivers and operators.
The effect of reduced Legal Aid on family law
Cambridge family lawyer Jackie Jessiman discusses the problems thrown up by withdrawal of legal aid for family law matters.
Bus driver instantly dismissed for failing a random drugs test wins £85,000 compensation
Alan Bailes had been employed by First Bristol Limited as a bus driver for 22 years. As with many other employers in the Transport sector, First Bristol carries out random drug and alcohol testing of its employees.
Business tenancies for farmers: avoid the pitfalls
Business tenancies not directly concerned with agriculture or even agribusiness occur more frequently than you would think on farms. Woodfines commercial property lawyer and notary public Brian Hall gives an overview.
Social media: a double-edged sword for employers?
The unstoppable rise of social media networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter has led to unprecedented opportunities for businesses and their employees to interact with a wider audience, to optimise professional networking and to project a positive image of the business. However, such benefits do not come without a price. Woodfines lawyers Maria Gallucci and Nathan Taylor-Allkins take a…
Woodfines wins in five categories of the Lex 100 Online Survey
Woodfines, the highly respected law firm based in Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire, has been selected as a top firm in five categories of this year’s Lex 100 Online Survey.
Woodfines Transport Conference 2015, IWM Duxford
Woodfines invites you to its Transport Conference on 21st May 2015, which takes place once again at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford.
Woodfines sponsors a nationwide search for new carols
A Carol for Christmas returns to give composers across the nation a chance to have their carol performed in the stunning setting of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge this December, conducted by Stephen Cleobury, broadcast on Classic FM and published by Edition Peters.
Woodfines provide legal support to renowned artist Alex Chinneck
Alex Chinneck has once again defied the laws of gravity with his latest art installation - ‘Pick yourself up and pull yourself together’ - commissioned by car manufacturer Vauxhall. This installation was displayed at London’s South Bank Centre.
How to prevent data theft and unlawful competition
Stephen Oliver of Woodfines Solicitors outlines steps which every business should take to avoid data theft and unlawful competition by employees.
Financial Conduct Authority sets deadline for claims for mis-sold cap products to be brought
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) review into the way that some banks sold interest rate hedging products (such as SWAPS, CAPS or COLLARS) has resulted in £1.8 billion being paid in redress. Woodfines Commercial litigator Andrew Carter explains.
Facebook status update: legacy contacts
Huw Butler of Woodfines Solicitors discusses how estate administration is adapting to the digital era.
New drug-driving offence in force from 2 March 2015
A new offence will come into force on Monday in England to combat driving where a driver has certain drugs in his or her body above the limit permitted by law. It will mirror existing excess alcohol cases where the simple presence of alcohol above the permitted level creates the offence, explains Transport lawyer Tim Ridyard.
Love and marriage (or love and civil partnership)
Something for Valentine's day? Jackie Jessiman of Cambridge-based law firm Woodfines reflects upon the changes in law enabling couples to convert civil partnerships to same sex marriages.
Rihanna and Topshop 'break it off'
Rihanna wins her battle in the Court of Appeal after getting "shirty" with Topshop over rights to her image. Woodfines Solicitors comments on the case.
Solicitor returns to Cambridge law firm after time in Hong Kong
Woodfines Solicitors is pleased to announce that their new solicitor Christopher Hill has returned to work in Cambridge once again, after spending six months with international law firm White & Case in Hong Kong.
Nous sommes Charlie?
Viral slogans make attractive targets for trademark protection, but anyone wishing to make a "quick buck" should tread carefully. Christopher Walke of Woodfines Solicitors discusses the latest developments in recent attempts to trademark "Je suis Charlie".
Changes to the driving licence are coming in June 2015
Tim Ridyard of Woodfines Solicitors explains forthcoming changes to your current driving licence.
Divorce - Wife given permission to appeal after husband conceals true value of company
Jackie Jessiman of Woodfines Solicitors discusses the case of Sharland v Sharland, which is due to be heard by the Supreme Court in June 2015. Mrs Alison Sharland has been granted permission to appeal her divorce case after the High Court found that her husband concealed the true value of his company.
Drink-drive limit set to fall
A new lower drink-drive limit will come into effect today (5 December 2014). This will be 50 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. However, it will only take effect in Scotland and not in England, Wales or Northern Ireland – but a lowering of the limit for the whole of the UK may occur at some stage in the future, albeit not imminently.
Many Cambridge home buyers will benefit from reduced rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax
Chris Wingfield of Woodfines solicitors explains that with property values at £348,300 on average in Cambridge, many will benefit from a reduced rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Woodfines LLP (Cambridge) Transport Partner awarded top rank in Chambers UK 2015
Road transport regulatory lawyer, Tim Ridyard, a Partner based at Woodfines in Cambridge, has been awarded band 1 status, only one of seven such lawyers in the UK-wide Chambers rankings just published.
Holiday pay, overtime and other matters
Woodfines Senior Associate, Nick Sayer, discusses yesterday's landmark Tribunal hearing ruling, whereby millions of workers could now have their holiday pay recalculated to take into account overtime.