Tughans Solicitors

Crowdfunding as an Alternative Source of Funding

Raising funds for a new venture can be both exciting and overwhelming, but with an extensive support infrastructure in Northern Ireland and an ever increasing choice of alternative funding options available, there is more support than ever for local businesses, whether at start-up or growth stage. A bank loan may still be considered as the... Read More

Spring is Coming

Between the 14th to 17th of March 2017 some 70 delegates from the NI property industry found themselves in the sunnier climes of Cannes to attend MIPIM, billed as the world’s largest property conference. They joined together to promote Belfast as part of Belfast City Council’s co-ordinated campaign to encourage further investment in the city.... Read More

Working ‘Round The Clock – rest breaks for agriculture workers

Employers can sometimes find themselves entering a very busy business period, with a pressing need for their workers to work longer hours or extra shifts to meet demand. This is particularly true of the agriculture industry, where changing seasons can mean a change in work patterns. However, in order to make a worker forego their... Read More

SEMC decision on removal of benefits for sub-10MW generation

  BACKGROUND TO CONSULTATION On 9 November 2016, Tughans issued a briefing note in respect of a statutory consultation on a proposal by the regulatory project team for the new Integrated Single Electricity Market for Ireland (I-SEM) which is currently expected to be operational from 30 September 2017. We noted that, if implemented, the proposals... Read More

How changes to EPC regulations in 2018 will affect your properties

In order to achieve the UK’s legislative targets, CO2 emissions from all buildings must be ‘close to zero’ by 2050. This implies, in the longer term, UK buildings will need to reach energy efficiency standards close to an “A” Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. In 2013, 18% of non-domestic properties were in the very lowest... Read More

Brexit – Preparing for the unpredictable

At the date of drafting this article, the Government is still expecting to meet its target of triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of March 2017. This will start the countdown on the two year notice period until exit, and allow negotiations with the European Union to begin. As those negotiations... Read More

Brexit, Trump, Stormont election. What next for NI Businesses?

There is no doubt that there have been a number of political upsets this past year. What is less clear is whether the new era being ushered in is the best of times or the worst of times. Opinions are subjective and may depend on the timeframe. From a short term perspective, Tughans has been... Read More

“Caveat Possessor” – Landowner Beware!

Landowners are becoming more susceptible to claims as a result of greenery growing on their property. The most apparent potential liability arises in the case of trees on the boundary of a property. The majority of case law on this point arises in relation to branches overhanging a public access route/highway or even more specifically... Read More

Construction Law: Pay Less Notices and Interim Payments

Following on from our recent article regarding the failure to serve a Pay Less Notice in respect of a final account (“Failure to serve a “Pay Less Notice” not fatal”), the Technology & Construction Court last week clarified that such notices are essential in respect of interim valuations, as opposed to the final account.  The court... Read More

Only Parliament can pull Brexit trigger

In one of the most significant legal rulings of modern times, the UK Supreme Court has handed down its judgment on the legal aspects of Brexit, upholding an earlier decision of the English High Court, and dealing with aspects raised in the Northern Ireland High Court case which preceded it.  In summary, the Supreme Court... Read More