News

12 March 2014

The government is looking at ways to ensure that large businesses pay their suppliers on time. The Prompt Payment Code (PPC) was set up in 2008 to encourage companies to pay invoices within the agreed timescale. However, the PPC has been widely criticised for being ineffective. Recent research by YouGov revealed that 85% of small […]

12 March 2014

An engineering firm has lost its appeal against having to pay damages to an airline company. The case involved a breach of contract by the engineers. They had an agreement with the airline that they would service aircrafts at a specified hourly rate. However, the airline was not obliged to use the service. Over time, […]

12 March 2014

After many years building up a business, directors often worry about how to bow out successfully while ensuring that the firm continues to thrive.  The key to ensuring a smooth succession is to start planning as early as possible ahead of your target retirement date. The first step is to hold meetings with those who […]

27 February 2014

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the UK are failing to invoice their clients for up to £3.7billion a year, according to recent research. Even though businesses are battling through a difficult economic climate, 20% admit they have forgotten to invoice for work on at least one occasion. Of the 450 SMEs surveyed, 6% admitted […]

27 February 2014

The director of an insolvent company has been ordered to return money he paid to himself at a time when he knew the business was struggling and likely to fail. The case involved the director of a company specialising in waste management projects. The business got into financial difficulties and started to build up debts […]

27 February 2014

An installation company has won compensation from a firm of surveyors who were negligent when assessing the suitability of properties for cavity wall insulation. The installers won their case even though they had been negligent themselves. Employees of the surveying firm had inspected two timber-framed houses to determine whether they were suitable to have cavity […]

27 February 2014

A pharmaceutical company has failed to prevent two former employees setting up their own firm and competing for business from one of its main customers, the NHS. The issue arose when the company considered selling adrenaline pens but then decided not to go ahead. Two of its employees thought there was a market for the […]