Two recent cases have nudged the law on business rates for empty commercial properties slightly in favour of the owner, but it is still a difficult area, writes commercial property solicitor, Iain Robinson of Slee Blackwell Solicitors. By way of

Property solicitor, Iain Robinson, explains how commercial property tenants can reduce their rent by serving a simple legal notice. Tenants of offices, shops, warehouses and other commercial premises could benefit from falling property values and reduce their rent by means

Commercial property solicitor and planning lawyer, Nick Arthur reports on the Government’s proposed reforms aimed at making it easier to convert commercial premises to residential accommodation The Government is now commencing a formal consultation on relaxing the planning rules for

Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010 now allow fathers of babies born on or after 3 April 2011 (or adoptive parents who are notified of being matched with a child for adoption on or after 3 April) additional paternity rights. Under

The Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations 2011 are now in force. The new Regulations abolish the default retirement age of 65 as well as the statutory retirement notice process. Under these regulations any termination of employment on

The Equality Act 2010 has replaced nine major items of discrimination legislation and other related measures that have been introduced over recent years. Most of the provisions of the Act came into force on 1 October 2010. Although the Equality

Sam Hannon reviews the likely impact of this latest piece of legislation The long-awaited Guidelines for The Bribery Act 2010 have now been published. The Act will be in force from 1 July 2011, replacing the complicated, piecemeal offences at

Franchise Businesses are more likely to thrive in a recession than a non Franchise Business. UK Franchise turnover in 2009 was 11.8 billion. Today there are approximately 465,000 jobs and 842 Franchises in the UK with over 34,800 franchised units

We are delighted to be the only North Devon law firm listed in the 9th annual Western Morning News 2010 Deals Review which illustrates we are continuing to compete with the national firms on any type and size of commercial

A recent High Court decision is likely to provide welcome relief to landlords that are being pursued by local authorities in respect of tenants that have failed to pay their council tax. The court decided that a landlord was not