In difficult years we are asked about the options available to farmers who cannot fulfil the deliveries they have agreed to in forwarding grain contracts. Below we take a look at the provisions of the Agricultural Industries Confederation Ltd (AIC) 1/16...
A nuptial agreement is an agreement in writing entered into by two parties prior to, or after, their marriage or entry into a civil partnership, which records how they wish their finances to be treated and distributed in the event that they should separate...
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has recently launched a consultation on its Licensing Standards. Whilst the GLAA still covers the same regulated sectors (agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering and associated packaging and...
The robotics industry is one of rapid growth and innovation within the food sector. The benefits for productivity, health and safety and profit increase are definitely appealing, but it’s crucial that food businesses do not ‘run before they...
In its recently published 2018-2019 Business Plan, Companies House has set out its robust approach to companies not complying with their Persons with Significant Control (PSC) requirements. Since June 2016 UK companies have been required to hold an...
According to the Government, 3,806 cyclists were killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads in 2018. As concerns grow over cyclist safety on British roads, personal injury lawyer Robert Dempsey has shared his top five tips on the best ways for...
As the dust settles following the Autumn Budget, in amongst the various documents released around the same time, HMRC published research on the use of Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), and taxpayers’ attitudes...
We are still seeing examples of employers failing to serve the correct documentation before handing over the keys of a cottage to new farm workers. They think they are granting an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) and that they will be able to recover...
The outcome of a case where a minor was injured falling into a collapsed manhole cover in Nottingham is likely to set a precedent for future cases regarding disputes on the maintenance of private land. Acting on behalf of the child, who cannot be named...
The risks of being a sole shareholder/director: Court provides a timely reminder of the need to review your company’s Articles of Association Are you a sole shareholder/director of your company? Do you have children, other family members or trusted...
Recently, mud runs, such as the fashionable Tough Mudder event, are becoming increasingly popular around the UK with thousands of people signing up each year, meaning it’s even more imperative to ensure that both organisers and participants...
When it comes to tax planning there can often be a temptation to keep up with the Jones’ and enter into the latest new tax planning schemes. In some cases, this may be a sensible move, but in others, there is a distinct possibility that you may...
The SDLT legislation applicable to partnerships (which includes partnerships under the Partnership Act 1890 and Limited Liability Partnerships under the 2000 Act) is, in my opinion, the most complex area of the entire SDLT regime. The effect of these...
Many of our clients have residential property held within a business structure for one reason or another. Mixed partnerships (i.e. partnerships of individuals and companies) are popular, particularly within the farming industry. Although ATED was brought in...
Most grandparents have a close and loving relationship with their grandchild(ren). However, the sad reality is that their relationships are discounted following a relationship breakdown. Some grandparents are left with little or no alternative but to apply...
What protection is available? Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) - This is for products that are closely linked to a certain geographical area. If protected, at least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation will have to take place in...
Many people are under the impression that they can only divorce in the country in which they marry. This is in fact a myth. Here, we look at the ability to divorce in an EU member state pursuant to “Brussels II Revised”. Brussels II Revised...
So you have finally secured the deal with the large retailer to stock your food products. It will be plain sailing from now – massive orders, secure cash flow and national exposure for your brand. Right? Not necessarily, and in fact, for most...
The UK food industry is facing yet another supply chain scandal, and while not on the same scale as ‘horse gate’, Bart’s Ingredients and Genius product withdrawals and now the ‘oregano’ food fraud (see The Grocer article here...
What is a brand? A strong brand helps distinguish a business’ products from its competitors’. It adds value to the business by enhancing consumer awareness and improving customer loyalty. A brand can be made up of many elements, including: A...
The Single Payment Scheme definition of permanent pasture has come under challenge in the EU Court of Justice. The SPS defines permanent pasture as “land used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation...
Manorial rights are one of the more arcane aspects of land law, but that doesn’t mean they can be ignored, particularly with a Land Registry deadline for their registration looming. What are they? Before 1926, in addition to freehold land and...
Can you copyright a recipe? If your business has spent time and money developing a recipe or new product, you should be thinking about protecting it from competitors. But can you copyright a recipe and is this the best way to protect your work? In the food...
Last month we saw the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board in England. This month we have seen the demise of the seven agricultural land tribunals in England, specialist bodies known to few outside the farming community. Agricultural land tribunals have...
With those ten words section 72 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 brings to an end almost a hundred years of agricultural wages board history. The first boards were set up in 1917 in tandem with the introduction of subsidies for cereals...
