Tughans Solicitors

New Health and Safety Sentencing Guidelines – effective in England & Wales from 1st February 2016

The ‘Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences’ Sentencing Guidelines (the ‘Guidelines’), issued by the Sentencing Council, have just come into force in England & Wales, for those sentenced on or after 1 February 2016, regardless of the date of the offence. The Guidelines are designed to ensure that sentences... Read More

Business Matters: SME Equity Funding

John McGuckian, a partner in Tughans corporate team, shares some practical advice for any SME considering equity funding. Q1. What are the top three things that a company can do o make an equity funding round as smooth as possible? In our experience, those companies who go into a funding process with a really well-honed... Read More

The National Wage – What do I need to know?

Employers should be aware that the National Living Wage comes into effect on 1 April 2016. This requires that workers aged 25 and over be paid £7.20 per hour. The Government have estimated that this will equate to a rise of £910 per annum for a full-time worker. The National Living Wage applies to workers... Read More

Tughans Employment Law and Difficult Workplace Scenarios; Unclear Medical Evidence

One of our employees is currently signed off work with a medical condition which does not reflect the condition which the employee has informed us in emails that he is suffering from, being severe depression. What are our options – can we rely on the sick-lines, or do we need to seek a medical report?... Read More

How do I handle it?

Patricia Rooney, Director at Tughans examines the following problem and offers practical advice… We operate a small local company.  I have heard a lot about auto enrolment and staging dates and requirement to provide a pension for our employees.  Some of the staff are already members of an occupational pension scheme but I am confused as... Read More

Upcoming ban on Corporate Directors

As part of the Government’s drive to encourage transparency, a ban on the use of corporate directors will come into force as part of The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (the “Act”), which applies to all parts of the UK. Under the terms of the Act, all company directors will have to be... Read More

Balancing the Board

In 2011, Lord Davies published “Women on Boards”, a report which favoured a voluntary, business-led approach rather than quotas for greater female board representation. The report recommended that the FTSE 100 aim for 25% women directors by 2015.  A review of this report, published on 29 October 2015, highlighted that this target has been exceeded... Read More

The future looks busy for M&A market

Ulster Business caught up with corporate transaction specialist John-George Willis to find out what’s in store for the mergers and acquisition market in the months ahead   Activity in the Northern Ireland mergers and acquisition (M&A) market will continue to pick up pace in the years ahead in light of attractive valuations, the emergence of... Read More

When is a Penalty Not A Penalty?

Considering the recent Supreme Court decision in Cavendish Square Holding BV v El Makdessi and ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis UKSC 67   Summary The Supreme Court handed down judgment in the El Makdessi and ParkingEye consolidated appeals on 4 November 2015.  In doing so, it provided a restatement of the rule against penalties, which... Read More

Majority Rule

I’m a minority shareholder in a private limited company and am being left in the dark when it comes to pretty fundamental decisions. What should I do? Most Northern Irish companies only have a small number of shareholders, usually 2 or 3. It’s often the case that these shareholders are also the people who manage... Read More