Business Matters: Raising finance (by debt or equity) to fund growth in a post Covid world
A lot has changed in a year. There are winners and losers across a number of sectors with some businesses still in survival mode. With the hope offered by a mass vaccination programme, many business owners are now thinking about the future. There may be opportunities to recover lost ground. There may be new ways of doing business. Whatever the future looks like, if a business is looking to grow…
Protecting your business from divorce
2020 was a challenging year for many businesses. There has also been media speculation about the challenges to marriages as a result of lockdown and how the divorce rate may increase. So throw a business into the financial mix of a marriage breakdown and things can become more complicated on both fronts.
Government Consultation: Reforming non-compete restrictive covenants
The Government has recently announced that it is consulting on proposed reforms to non-compete restrictive covenants used in employment contracts.
Top tips for a cost effective divorce
Head of Family Law at Howes Percival, Justine Flack gives her top five tips to help ensure your divorce is handled in the most efficient and cost effective way possible.
Support in the workplace for survivors of domestic violence
It has been widely reported that domestic violence has risen during lockdown. Refuge has reported an increase in demand for help, especially after the schools re-opened in September. The UN has suggested that cases have increased by as much as 20% as families have been contained within their home together. Although it is reported by Refuge that almost one in three women will experience domestic…
Property development finance in 2021 - what to expect
Most of us will be glad to see the back of 2020. Nevertheless, 2021 looks set to be another year which will present challenges to property developers.
Fire safety changes in the care sector- what can we expect in 2021?
In November 2020, Howes Percival provided an overview of the legal framework for fire safety in care homes and teased some anticipated changes to fire safety legislation that will impact not only on care homes but, more significantly, across the wider care sector.
What directors need to consider following lockdown 3.0
There are few businesses that have not been adversely affected by the pandemic, which has resulted in previously well run, profitable and solvent businesses facing an uncertain future, largely through no fault of their own.
Covid-19 Lockdown: How will this affect the equestrian sector?
The latest lockdown sees the UK placed under the most restrictive measures which, sadly, will affect a great proportion of the equestrian community. Here is what you need to know about the latest regulations and how it will affect you:
Employment law 2021: What to expect
2020 has been an extremely busy year for employment law, with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic placing both employers and employees in uncharted territory. This year saw many employers needing to get to grips with the new concept of ‘furloughing’, keep up to date with ever-changing Government guidance and adapt to homeworking (a change likely to remain for many in the post-pandemic world).
Continuation of support for 80% of furloughed wages until April 2021
Today, the Chancellor announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will remain open until 30 April 2021.
Fire safety changes in the development and housing sectors – 2021 and beyond
It is often the case around Christmas time that we become a little Dickensian. Reflecting on the past 12 months, enjoying the present and looking forward with optimism for what the New Year will bring. For most people 2020 will be a year etched in our memories but for all of the wrong reasons. So what can we expect in 2021? Ignoring the impact of the planning white paper and Brexit for now, the…
2021- The year for recovery, the year for construction
In early March 2020, nobody could have anticipated the impact the COVID pandemic would have on the UK economy and Britain as a whole. No business or individual can fail to have been affected in some manner.
Inquests and care providers: The case for legal representation
Regulatory expert, Alan Millband discusses a recent Supreme Court decision, which has lowered the standard of proof for an 'unlawful killing' conclusion in coroners’ courts, and its impact on those providing care services.
ACAS early conciliation to be a standard 6 week period
From today, 1 December 2020, the Acas Early Conciliation process is changing. The standard period for Acas Early Conciliation will become 6 weeks in all cases. Previously, parties had an initial four weeks which could be extended with consent for a further two weeks.
National living and minimum wage increases confirmed
On 25 November 2020, the Chancellor confirmed as part of the Spending Review that the Government would be adopting the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission to increase the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage with effect from April 2021.
Top tips for operators considering changing the use of their licensed premises
As the restrictions imposed on everyday life in response to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, licensing and planning law specialist Jamie Childs examines what operators of licensed premises should consider when contemplating changing the use of their premises.
Updates to the Furlough Scheme Guidance
Further updates to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”) guidance were published on 19 November 2020.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – updated guidance and new Treasury Direction
Updates to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) guidance and a corresponding Treasury Direction were published on Friday (13 November 2020).
Howes Percival helps fintech entrepreneur complete sale
Howes Percival has acted on a transaction in the fast-growing fintech sector, completing the sale of EBR Analytics Limited to RIMES Technologies Limited.
Howes Percival features in 'The Times’ Best Law Firms
Howes Percival has been named one of the top 200 law firms in England and Wales in The Times’ Best Law Firms 2021 list published on 5 November 2020.
Howes Percival advises on successful planning appeal for HB (South Caldecotte) Limited
Leading law firm Howes Percival has advised HB (South Caldecotte) Limited on its successful planning appeal which grants the developer outline planning permission for a 140-acre strategic employment site, south of Milton Keynes.
Furlough to remain open until December 2020
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 31 October 2020, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”), which was due to end, is being extended until December 2020 and the cost to employers will reduce compared to October 2020. The Job Support Scheme will be postponed until the CJRS scheme ends.
Selling your products online: Don’t get caught out
Covid-19 has had implications far and wide for the business community. However, with every crisis comes opportunity and it’s been fantastic to see businesses adapting and finding new ways to deliver their products to customers. A great example of this has been the huge shift to selling online.
Increased support under the Job Support Scheme
Yesterday (22 October 2020), Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced an increase in government contributions for the Job Support Scheme, the successor to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”).