Tughans Solicitors

Estate Agent Due Commission Despite Disputed Verbal Contract

It is common for “find me a purchaser” agreements to be entered into informally between real estate agent and seller, such as by way of telephone call. Section 18 of the Estate Agents Act 1979 however, provides that an estate agency contract shall not be enforced unless, among other requirements, the agent has given the... Read More

Increase in Minimum Wage

You will be aware that 1 April every year is the trigger for an increase in both the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage. This is to remind you that the current rates, effective from 1 April 2019, are as follows:   aged 25 and over     £8.21 aged 21 to 24   ... Read More

Lease Assignments – Landlords looking ahead

It is generally accepted that in most commercial leases the tenant will have the ability to assign the whole (and sometimes part) of the premises to a third party, subject to the Landlord’s prior consent; such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. It is wise from a landlord’s perspective however, to fully consider... Read More

Enduring Powers of Attorney

Powers of Attorney have been in existence for many years.  By using a Power of Attorney, a person (the Donor) gives authority to someone else (the Attorney) to act on his behalf and manage his or her affairs.  Although a Power of Attorney might be limited to some specific matter, for example to sign a... Read More

The Good Work Plan – Preparing for Changes

  The Good Work Plan followed the Taylor Report and was seen as an attempt by the UK government to meet the changing needs of the employment world, including the gig economy.  In December 2018, the government published proposals to take forward some of those recommendations contained in the Taylor Report.   You should however... Read More

No Deal: No Data?

Not long after what was the greatest change to data protection law in years (GDPR, May 2018), we are progressing towards what is likely to be the greatest economic and societal change in a generation: Brexit. At the time of writing, we can’t comment on whether the correct wording is to say that a No... Read More

Is a shareholders’ agreement important for a newly formed company?

Once the initial hurdle of successfully incorporating a new company has been dealt with, one of the first things to think about when starting a new company is whether you need an agreement in place to govern the way that the business between the shareholders is conducted i.e. a shareholders’ agreement.   A shareholders’ agreement... Read More

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Ethical use and Regulation

Reflecting on our use of technology in early 2019, what we have become familiar with (and possibly blasé about) would seem impossible if explained to someone from just a few generations ago. We can wake up and ask Alexa to start brewing our coffee before asking for Siri’s help in deciding what to wear today... Read More

HR as the complainant in a grievance matter – protecting the integrity of an employee investigation

I am a member of a Human Resource team and with some other members of staff, I received an email from an employee which I find upsetting. I have recommended that senior management undertake an investigation and dismissal of the individual who sent the email. Now, however, I am wondering if I am doing the... Read More

An employment lawyer’s ten tips for a successful office Christmas party

With the festive season in full swing, the employment department at Tughans has compiled its own cautionary Christmas list of issues employers should take into account when entering into the spirit of the season.   While no-one likes organised fun, you should plan your event so that no one is left out. For example, a... Read More