Tughans Solicitors

Furlough scheme extended until 31 March 2021

The Chancellor has announced a further extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS or “furlough scheme”) until 31 March 2021, less than one week after its previous extension through November. While this decision will ultimately be welcomed by employers, it will undoubtedly frustrate those who have already made difficult workforce changes on the basis... Read More

Furlough scheme extended for further month

On Saturday evening, the Prime Minister unexpectedly announced the extension of the furlough scheme for another month, as England prepares to enter a national lockdown. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme had been expected to end on 31 October 2020. While this announcement was made alongside details of lockdown measures for England only, the extended furlough... Read More

Further updates to the Job Support Scheme

Amidst growing criticism from businesses entering localised lockdowns across the UK, the Chancellor announced further changes to the Job Support Scheme which dramatically increase the financial support available from the Government. The Job Support Scheme will now be split into two schemes which provide different levels of support to employers according to their situation: Employers... Read More

Personal Injury Discount Rate Announcement

The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland recently concluded a consultation process on the Personal Injury Discount Rate following an announcement in February 2020 that consideration was being given to adjusting the Rate to   –1.75%. A discount rate of 2.5% has been in place since 2001 so this would have represented a very significant shift... Read More

An expensive lesson on age discrimination

The wait is over for those of you who have been expecting the outcome of the case by Professor Paul Ewart against Oxford University (see my previous article).   Sometimes it is easy to forget that amongst Covid related matters, Tribunals are trying to deal with other employment related issues and the Reading Tribunal has... Read More

Job Support Scheme Extended

Under mounting threat of legal challenges against local lockdown measures in the north of England, on Friday evening the Chancellor confirmed that businesses which are legally required to close due to increased restrictions will be entitled to enhanced financial support under the new Job Support Scheme (JSS). It might be helpful to refer to our... Read More

Law Reform Commission Report on Capping Damages in Personal Injuries Actions in Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland’s Law Reform Commission recently considered proposals for a cap on damages awarded for personal injuries and how such a cap could be consistent with the Constitution’s clear provisions on the independence of the judiciary. The report from the Law Reform Commission on capping damages in personal injury claims  is a welcome... Read More

Chancellor announces new Job Support Scheme

On Thursday morning, the Chancellor announced the Government’s latest support measure for employers as a result of the pandemic. The Job Support Scheme (JSS) will come into effect on 1 November 2020 and will run for a period of six months, effectively replacing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and “furlough” leave when they end on... Read More

High Court ruling on business interruption claims

The High Court in London has decided in favour of the FCA following an expedited hearing to resolve disputes between various insurers and their policyholders as to whether their Business Interruption policies covered losses sustained as a result of Covid-related lockdowns.   The FCA made the case for policyholders that the ‘disease’ and/or ‘denial of... Read More

Coronavirus: Employment law updates for September 2020

The support available to employers under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will continue to decease in September, as the scheme enters its penultimate month before closing at the end of October.   Employers who have furloughed employees should take the following changes into account:   The grant support available under the Scheme will reduce again,... Read More