News, views & updates

Davis Blank Furniss recently acted in a deal that saw the Lawton & Lauriston Court Hotel in Llandudno sold to Four Saints...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted in a deal that saw Marlow Montessori School acquired by Alba Nurseries. This addition to the group’s...

We are delighted to announce that Seán Hackett has joined the firm as a partner and is now Head of our Property...

More than ever organisations need to be more vigilant and prepared to address harassment in the workplace generally and specifically sexual harassment...

We are delighted to announce that Alison Cameron has joined our Family team as a senior associate solicitor. Alison’s new role will...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted in a deal that saw Your Nursery Ltd acquired by wife-and-husband team, Mrs Majd Heweiti and Mr...

Joint Ventures: Which Vehicle? Under English Law, there are four main structures through which a joint venture can be arranged. A purely...

The corporate and commercial team at Davis Blank Furniss has acted in a deal that saw Tre-Ysgawen Hall – a four-star country...

Ready to Refinance Your Property? In a refinance, lenders will instruct their solicitor to review the Property as if the lender was...

We are delighted to announce details of a brand new free legal advice clinic for the local community that we will be...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-headquartered EFS Global Ltd on the acquisition of ILS Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries Sussex Pallet...

It is astonishing that despite widespread reporting of high-profile cases of sexual harassment in the media, that cases of sexual harassment in...

We are delighted to announce that Rebecca Taylor has been promoted to partner in the Dispute Resolution team, and Lauren Sever has...

We are delighted to be joining forces with Capstone Financial for a free Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning Evening event on Thursday...

It has recently been confirmed by the Government that they intend to review the 50-year-old Matrimonial Causes Act in order to make...

Disputes between neighbours are common and can have a severe impact on your home life. Many people in a dispute with their...

As most people will now be aware, divorce laws changed on 6th April 2022 and no-fault divorces on a simplified format were...

How MEES and EPCs are changing in 2023 The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) are tightening in England and Wales on 1...

The corporate and commercial team at Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Oltec Group on its recent acquisition of Your Castle Caretakers....

Kirsty Morbey – Head of Family – on the 10 things you need to know about Mediation. 1) Mediation is a Dispute...

After a several year hiatus due to the pandemic, we are delighted to announce that we are re-starting our hugely popular Glossop...

After 66 years of marriage, is it acceptable for one spouse to leave no financial provision for their widowed partner in their...

One of the most difficult decisions for any business owner is how and when to exit, especially when a business has been...

We are delighted to announce that Richard Hamilton, head of the property team, is the firm’s new managing partner. He takes over...

The Corporate and Commercial team at Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based EFS Global Ltd on its acquisition of sister companies...

Stuart Shalom – who is a consultant in the corporate and commercial team at Davis Blank Furniss – has acted for The...

Andy McNish is a Partner in our Corporate and Commercial department. This piece was co-authored by Sarah Taylor. Following the recent judgment...

Lauren Sever* – Associate Solicitor in our Corporate, Commercial & Employment team – discusses MBOs. What is a management buyout? A management...

We are delighted to announce that we have renewed our sponsorship of Glossop Music Festival in 2022/23, following the success of the...

Andrew Ryan – Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution discusses all commonly asked questions on director disqualification proceedings. On what basis can a director...

Mediation is a confidential and voluntary process by which parties seek to resolve a dispute with the assistance of an independent and...

Shiva Shadi – Head of Employment – discusses what to consider when it comes to ‘banter’ in the workplace. What is acceptable...

Sonio Singh* – Partner in our Corporate and Commercial team – discusses Employee Buyouts What is an employee buyout? Whilst having been...

Andrew Ryan – Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution There is currently an interesting new pilot scheme which enables the court to...

Andy McNish – Corporate and Commercial Partner – summarises Terms and Conditions. The phrase ‘Terms and Conditions’ (T&Cs) can refer to any...

We are delighted to announce that Rosie Korcz has joined our commercial property team as a partner. Rosie started her career at...

We were delighted to stage our annual golf day at Glossop & District Golf Club last week. The event attracted 60 players...

We acted on behalf of Glossop Carton and Print Company (“Glossop Cartons”) in its successful claim in the Court of Appeal against...

Davis Blank Furniss is increasing the level of corporate and commercial services it offers to clients in Glossop and the High Peak....

How to identify medical negligence When we need care or support from a medical professional, it is often when we are at...

Generally, a person is entitled dispose of their property on their death however they wish. A will cannot normally be challenged just...

Common questions about Lasting Power of Attorneys Having a Lasting Power of Attorney is necessary to assist those with or without the...

We are delighted to announce a series of promotions across the firm.  Rebecca Taylor has been promoted to senior associate solicitor in...

Kirsty Morley Head of the Family Team 6th April 2022 is to be a momentous day in the arena of Family Law. ...

Whether you’re seeking legal help and advice for the first time or the tenth, the world of law can be complicated and...

Redundancy situations are never a pleasant experience for employers and least for employees.  However, treating employees in a redundancy situation with dignity...

How can I be amicable during separation? Divorce or separation is thought to be one of the most stressful events in life,...

Myth 1: My husband/wife committed adultery so the Court will give me more of the assets Clients sometimes don’t realise that although...

COVID-19 rules across all UK nations currently mandate that all unvaccinated people who come into close contact with someone who has tested...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for long-standing client PFI Group on its purchase of the business of London-based retail display specialist Kesslers...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based EFS Global Ltd on the acquisitions of two leading haulage firms. The deals follow a...

Figures from the Department of Transport have revealed that the number of cyclists killed on British roads increased by 41% in 2020...

We recently discussed the pressures that the NHS is facing in light of increased demand and the delays caused by the Covid-19...

We are delighted to announce that we are further strengthening our residential conveyancing department following the announcement of a new residential conveyancer at...

Paul, can you tell us a bit about your work at Davis Blank Furniss? I am a consultant solicitor specialising in professional...

Are hospitals being overrun by Sepsis? According to figures from the UK Sepsis Trust, somebody dies of sepsis every hour in the...

As it is well known, the government introduced a number of schemes to protect individuals and businesses as a result of the...

The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had a severe impact on the NHS and healthcare services. These services that we strove to protect...

Davis Blank Furniss has seen, and predicts it will continue to see, a growing demand for its Professional Negligence services over the...

Research carried out by experts has recently revealed that sadly there are vast gaps in pension wealth between men and women. Many...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based EFS Global Ltd on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Thomas Harwood...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Hadfield-based Pressure Tech Ltd on its acquisition of Asgard Engineering Ltd. The value of the deal...

We are delighted to announce that Danielle Cobb has been appointed as a solicitor in our Family team. Her new role will...

It has been reported that a little known provision of the government’s job retention (furlough) scheme has come to light in recent...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based EFS Global Ltd on the acquisition of Courier Connections (Scotland) Ltd. The business, which provides...

It has recently been announced that one of the richest men in the world, Bill Gates and his wife of 27 years,...

I recently met a lady who told me that she had just returned to work after maternity leave.  We eventually started to...

As the UK government has successfully rolled out its vaccination policy with the age of invites in some locations now being down...

As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, measures were introduced to allow companies an additional three months to file their statutory accounts...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based EFS Global Ltd on its acquisition of Atherton-based Austin Wilkinson for an undisclosed sum. Austin...

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a solicitor is the personal and confidential relationship between us and our clients.  As...

Furlough Guidance Update There was certainly a sigh of relief for many businesses and their employees when the Government confirmed that the...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for the vendors of 06 Ormskirk Ltd in its sale to the Chorley Group, which included 06...

The last year has been a struggle for many businesses.  It has been a difficult balancing act to keep companies going, often...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based EFS Global on its acquisition of AFI UK Limited for an undisclosed sum.  Headquartered at...

Has your wedding been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic? Have you and your partner decided to delay making Wills until your...

The UK supreme court has today (19th February 2021) dismissed Uber’s appeal against an employment tribunal ruling that stated its drivers should...

The stamp duty holiday, which was introduced last year, has been of huge benefit to the housing market and wider economy. As...

A (so-called) “battle of the forms” arises where two parties enter into negotiations with the intention of entering into a contract and...

Royce Peeling Green Chartered Accountants (RPG) and Crawfords Chartered Accountants have signed a deal through which Crawfords will join RPG. The deal...

Endometriosis is a very significant problem and one that myself and my colleagues in the Medical Negligence team are hearing more about...

Throughout my career I have worked hard to explain to my clients what they can expect from the divorce process and to...

We are delighted to announced that we have promoted Rebecca Taylor to associate solicitor in our Dispute Resolution team. We have also...

Kate Oldfield – our managing partner – recently sat down for an in-depth chat with Solicitors Journal. She discussed everything from the...

Davis Blank Furniss has partnered with The Growth Company and Citizens Advice Manchester to ensure that Greater Manchester’s workers who have been...

The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. Free movement between the UK and the European Union will end on...

You may have seen recently that we launched our new online Wills form to enable you to start your Will from the...

We hope by now that you have seen our newly launched online Wills form which enables you to make or update your...

Dealing with a person’s estate after they have died can be a significant and daunting task.  If you are appointed as their...

The government has today announced that due to the new national restrictions it is extending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which will...

The Prime Minister confirmed in the House of Commons that the SEISS will now be calculated on 80% of average trading profits,...

If you’re in the UK You are expected to take all reasonable steps to leave the UK where it is possible to...

The Government announced over the weekend that due to the new national restrictions it was reinstating the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which...

Davis Blank Furniss and accountants UHY Hacker Young have advised Manchester (Trafford Park) based cloud and workspace specialist Cetus Solutions Ltd. on...

We are excited to announce that we created and launched a brand new online service where clients can start a new Will...

Myself and my colleagues in the Employment team have expertise in advising employees who have been presented with a Settlement Agreement by...

We are delighted to announce that we have relocated to Deva City Office Park from 90 Deansgate where we had been based...

Ameliah McLaren-Parker, Solicitor in our Private Client team Why you should instruct a solicitor to draft your Lasting Power of Attorney A...

Purchasing land is a complicated affair. It is therefore no surprise that professional advice is part and parcel of such transactions; lay...

Cohabiting couples who buy a property together may find themselves in the unfortunate situation where the relationship between them has ended but...

Kirsty Morbey, Partner in our Family team discusses the Panorama and Women’s Aid investigation which discovered a surge in domestic abuse during...

If you want to get out of a contract, the first place to look is the express terms of the contract. Express...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based EFS Global on its acquisition of Caistor Distribution Limited for an undisclosed sum. Predominantly based...

In July, the government published further details on the UK’s new points-based immigration system which will take effect from 1 January 2021,...

The Home Office has issued further advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and...

The Lancet Oncology is a monthly journal for clinical cancer specialists worldwide.  Within the July 2020 edition, an interesting article considers the...

Almost a month ago the Chancellor announced a stamp duty holiday for properties in England that will run until 31st March 2021....

There has been a lot of interest in the bespoke route that has been created by the UK government to allow BNO...

Kirsty Morbey, Partner in our Family team shares an update on the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill. I last wrote on this...

As well as our office on Deansgate in Manchester City Centre, we’re proud to have an office in the lovely town of...

Our residential property department has reported that it is now handling nearly the same number of transactions as it was before the...

As the lockdown starts to ease many employees will be concerned about returning to work. They may be anxious about their journey...

The Covid-19 pandemic and its grave consequences have had an unprecedented impact on economic activity. It is still early to assess its medium...

COVID -19 has exposed some assumptions made by many parties when entering into commercial contracts including such matters as the robustness and...

On 20 May 2020, the government introduced the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill in Parliament. The Bill temporarily restricts the use of...

Round plaques have become a common sight across the UK, used to commemorate famous historical figures and events at key locations. Manchester...

With the recent easing of the lockdown restrictions announced by the Boris Johnson, the Home Office has issued the following guidance for...

With the lock down measures making a positive impact on the spread of the Coronavirus the Home Secretary, Priti Patel has announced...

A will is a legal document that is supposed to represent your final say on what should happen to your estate when...

In accordance with the UK government’s Brexit plans the following guidance has been issued by the Home office. From 1 January 2021,...

It is important for all business of any size to have an effective credit control procedure in place to ensure that they...

Following the recent announcement from the government regarding the country’s roadmap to recovery from the Covid19 pandemic; employers are being urged to...

Terms and conditions often include clauses which seek to limit or exclude a party’s liability under the contract. In this piece, I...

The news that visiting estates agents, viewing property and proceeding with house sales and purchases are now permitted under the easing of...

The news that the UK Government has decided to pay wages of workers on furlough leave as a result of the current...

In the Coronavirus Act 2020, there are some measures which impact property litigation practioners – particularly those that restrict the recovery of...

The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Self Employed Income Support Scheme) Direction received royal assent on 30 April 2020 and HMRC have confirmed that...

Are you landlord? Have you had to renegotiate rents or service charges with your tenants due to COVID-19? If the answer is...

The Government has set out measures to protect residential tenants from eviction during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Coronavirus Act 2020 (the “Act”)...

What exactly is probate and when is it needed? Probate is the process of applying to the Probate Registry for confirmation that...

What is Arbitration? Arbitration is a form of dispute resolution that has been available for family disputes in England and Wales since...

Below are some of the most common questions we get asked about Lasting Powers of Attorney. If you have a specific query...

Last month, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) published some important guidance for providers of telecommunications infrastructure in England...

Below are some of the most common questions we get asked about Wills. If you have a specific query that’s not covered,...

Having a Will allows you to decide how your assets are to be distributed when you die. If you do not have...

Manchester is easily one of the UK’s biggest cultural hubs, with a rich history of music, sport and art providing countless internationally...

As the country continues with being in lockdown, and many government departments are temporarily mothballed, it would be tempting to imagine that...

One of the biggest concerns over COVID-19 is the number of elderly and vulnerable people who are now sadly subject to home...

The landscape of Manchester has become unrecognisable over the past years and decades, with buildings of the past now forgotten, and new...

So, question: When did you make your Will? The 80’s? 90’s? 00’s? Clients are often surprised to find that their Wills are...

Lewis Thompson – Solicitor in our Private Client team Wills and the importance of both the financial provision and guardianship for children...

Lauren Sever – Corporate, Commercial and Employment Solicitor – discusses the impact of coronavirus on those who are self-employed In light of...

Davis Blank Furniss has advised Manchester-based PFI Group on its acquisition of Futurama Group in Leeds. The value of the deal has...

For many of us, the thought of suddenly becoming critically ill is something we may have contemplated briefly but never really been...

Following on from the article in which I summarised how the Government’s latest Coronavirus advice impacts the arrangements for children of separated...

Kirsty Morbey – Partner in our Family team talks about on why we must all be even more vigilant about Spotting domestic...

What is furlough? Furlough occurs when both the employee and employer agree that the employee is unable to perform their work or...

Over the last couple of weeks as concern around COVID-19 has grown and we are now in lockdown, thoughts have turned to...

  From the 6th April 2020, the Residential Nil Rate Band is set to increase to £175,000. Combined with the standard Nil Rate...

It is in uncertain times such as these that we are reminded just how important having a Lasting Power of Attorney (“LPA”)...

  Following the Government’s introduction of stricter social distancing measures on 23rd March 2020, a number of businesses have closed their doors...

Kirsty Morbey – Partner in our Family Law department – What is Collaborative Law? Collaborative Law is way of resolving family matters...

  We are delighted to have grown our Private Client team with the appointment of Ameliah McLaren‑Parker who joins us as a...

  In light of the current pandemic, many businesses will have concerns regarding whether they will be able to continue to perform...

On Monday 23rd March 2020 the Government announced further strict measures in the battle against coronavirus.  We are in unprecedented times and...

  We know this is a very challenging time for everyone so we at Davis Blank Furniss are here to fully support...

We have supported our clients through many difficult stages since our inception in 1877 and whilst we are facing unprecedented circumstances, we...

Jake Hamilton – Paralegal in our Personal Injury department Discusses the Paterson Inquiry and when clinical negligence becomes criminal. Last month, an...

When you have separated from your spouse and may be contemplating Divorce proceedings, there are several questions that might arise. We hope...

For a landlord, a tenant’s obligation to pay rent is crucial. If there are rent arrears a landlord may not only lose...

It is extremely distressing when an elderly family member or friend goes missing, especially if they have dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease or other...

A very common question received from a seller at the outset of the transaction is “what information/documentation should I provide to you,...

You may have seen the news lately that a bodybuilder has been told to pay over £14,000 in legal fees after he...

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and while many might see the day as nothing but a commercial moneymaker, others take the opportunity...

The government has confirmed an increase in the amount (the statutory legacy) that a surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to...

On 9th April 2019, the Government announced that after years of campaigning and lobbying, that there was finally going to be reform...

Pressure in work is common amongst many professions. The doctor feels pressure to save the life of a patient going into cardiac...

Property searches form a crucial part of the conveyancing process – whether in respect of commercial or residential properties – because they...

Although we’re only a few weeks into the new year, there’s already plenty lined up to keep Mancunians entertained until Christmas. There’s...

New year, new start!  January is often the time when people make decisions and plans for the year ahead.  Deciding to sell...

We’re quickly approaching the end of not just another year, but another decade. The 2010s have seen many highs and lows, and...

The answer is yes.  The Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) apply to all parties – including litigants in person. By way of an...

You could consider making a claim for passing off. An action in passing off can be used to protect the “goodwill” in...

The recent Court of Appeal decision in Woodward and another -v- Phoenix Healthcare Distribution Limited held that a solicitor for a defendant...

Summary Entrepreneurs’ Relief is a key Capital Gains Tax relief which may be available when a shareholder who is an employee or...

The corporate department at Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Manchester-based HFL Consulting Limited on its sale to SLR, which is a...

Manchester is well-known for many things, with the music scene in particular being something the city has often been lauded for. Up...

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Karen Yates as the firm’s new Head of Private Client. Karen joins from Napthens...

Where a defendant fails to respond to legal proceedings within the prescribed time period, the claimant may make an application for default...

Is the debtor company unable to pay it’s debts? When presenting a winding up petition, the most common ground relied upon by...

Consideration can take various forms and can be given in a variety of ways.  Sellers will want to ensure they get a...

Chinese property investors are a key player in the Manchester property market. They now find themselves, as do most UK businesses, at...

As no-one in the business community needs to be reminded, it is an economic fact that the UK’s current status as a...

As most of us look on at the slow-motion Parliamentary train wreck surrounding Brexit, and the next cliff edge date rushes to...

European citizens have been able to come to the UK and work without restrictions or requiring any specific permits or visas.  In...

We previously looked at some of Manchester’s lesser known history facts, including the splitting of the atom happening there for the first...

As part of our busy clinical negligence workload, we tend to find that the vast majority of cases we are asked to...

It goes without saying that our city has a rich, colourful history. The industrial revolution, that changed the way the world worked,...

Environmental issues is a topic in which public awareness has greatly increased over the last few years and specifically in relation to...

What is a Pre-nuptial agreement? A Pre-nuptial agreement is an agreement entered into by two people planning to get married or enter...

Many of us now have the option of being treated in the private sector.  This can be through work private health schemes;...

On 15 April 2019 the Government announced its proposal to remove the ability for a residential landlord to terminate an assured shorthold...

Last month, we looked at some of the best things you can do in Manchester during the warm summer we’re currently enjoying....

Katherine Darbinean solicitor in our personal injury department… Talks about abuse at care homes: choosing the right home and things to look...

Tanya Birkett – Paralegal in our Personal Injury team Talk’s about the coroner’s court: Fact Sheet. What is the Coroner’s Court? A...

This is the type of headline that we all dread. We all want to stay safe on holiday, but when the sun...

If you are going through a marriage or relationship breakdown, understandably making a new Will is unlikely to be high on your...

The importance of child maintenance Child maintenance can make a real difference to your children’s lives. It can help pay for everyday...

Manchester might be well known for being all grey skies and showers, but we do get hit with a little bit of...

Historically, I would receive numerous calls a year from employers who were concerned that their employees had been covertly recording meetings, or...

Tom Knightley discusses standard T&Cs to protect your properly Letting and management agencies are crucial players in the property sector. They provide...

As well as our central Manchester Deansgate office, Davis Blank Furniss have a team based in the lovely market town of Glossop,...

In England and Wales, CPR can be performed in the event of a cardiac or pulmonary arrest unless a do not resuscitate...

Earlier this month, we spoke to a range of business based in the High Peak, asking them what they loved about the...

Richard Hamilton – Partner in our Property department Talks us through the conveyancing process. Selling a house/flat Usually an estate agent will...

Our Corporate team has acted for Burnley-based EFS Global on its acquisition of FWD Freight Services Limited. The value of the deal...

As well as our head office on Deansgate in Manchester City Centre, Davis Blank Furniss has a team based in the Derbyshire...

The latest on Divorce Law It was announced on Tuesday that the Government are officially bringing an end to the need to...

We are delighted to announce that we have promoted property lawyer Jennifer Smith to partner and Lewis Thompson, private client solicitor, to...

Our main office is based on Deangate in the centre of Manchester, meaning we’re privileged to spend every day working in historic,...

When I am instructed to draft a Will for my client, I take care to take instructions not only regarding their property...

An inquest is a public enquiry carried out by a coroner. The coroner has to decide who the deceased was, when and...

A recent report produced by the London Stock Exchange Group, 1000 Companies To Inspire Britain 2018, has revealed that small and medium...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based EFS Global on its acquisition of PDQ Specialist Courier Services. PDQ’s head office is in...

Commercial Property Standard Enquiries (CPSEs) aim to speed up transactions by streamlining the type of enquiries asked of sellers in commercial property...

Restrictive covenants have long been used by employers as a mechanism to, for example, restrict their former employees from working for their...

We’ve barely scratched the surface of the new year, but already there’s such a busy calendar of great events scheduled to come...

There have been a number of news articles in recent months with regard to marriages, celebrated in accordance with the Islamic faith,...

If you or your spouse have made an application for a Financial Order through the family Courts you are both under a...

The importance of instructing your solicitor to prepare bespoke terms and conditions which apply specifically to your business has been highlighted recently...

Manchester is known for so much. It’s the birthplace of some of the best bands and musicians, the home of two huge...

Richard Hamilton, head of the Davis Blank Furniss property team, discusses some of the most exciting property developments coming to Manchester in...

We are delighted to announce that Brigid O’Malley has joined our Family team as a solicitor. Brigid’s new role will see her...

Davis Blank Furniss are proud to be located at the heart of Manchester City Centre with our excellent Deansgate offices, but we...

According to a recent article in the Nursing Times, deaths from sepsis in hospital have risen by more than a third over...

Welcome to our Employment Law Newsletter! It has been a busy time since our last newsletter with some significant Court decisions which...

We have all been saddened by the recent headlines surrounding the death of two Pret A Manger customers.  Both died after suffering...

The Ministry of Defence has published its latest statistics for the period of April to June 2018. The statistics show that the...

This Act received Royal Assent in September and provides a right to two weeks away from work for those employees who have...

Employment references are run of the mill everyday occurrences, however they do cause no end of issues for employers and – in...

In Tabberer and Others –v- Mears Ltd and Others the EAT held that the removal of an “out dated and unjustified” contractual...

In the case of Colino Siguenza –v- Ayuntamiento de Valladolid and Others the CJEU considered whether a five-month suspension in an undertaking’s...

The Court of Appeal in Bellman –v- Northampton Recruitment Limited has held that the Respondent company was vicariously liable for its managing...

In Lee –v- Ashers Baking Company Ltd and Others the Supreme Court has held that it is not directly discriminatory for a...

In the case of Gray –v- Mulberry the EAT held that  where the employee is the only person to hold such a...

In the case of Dunn –v- Secretary of State for Justice and another, the Court of Appeal held that a badly handled...

The Court of Appeal has held in the case of MenCap –v- Tomlinson – Blake that carers who sleep at client’s homes...

Holiday pay continues to be a developing area through case law.  The case of Flowers –v- East of England Ambulance Trust revisited...

What is an entire agreement clause? An entire agreement clause (also known as a whole agreement clause) is usually one of the...

How businesses are to lose Own Name defence in UK trade mark actions by 2019 in exchange for “bright line” rule The...

On the 30th July this year, The Supreme Court made a landmark ruling that, where experts and loved ones agree, there is...

The European Commission has announced new regulatory initiatives which aim to promote small and medium enterprises (SME) growth markets as part of...

The recent Supreme Court ruling on Owens v Owens [2018] UKSC 41 has been the hot topic of many conversations and debates...

Davis Blank Furniss has made three new appointments across the business. The first new starter is Amie Tsang who joins as a...

We are increasingly being contacted by people who are absent from work due to occupational stress and enquire about the possibility of...

Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) are the most common form of residential tenancy agreements. The Deregulation Act 2015 requires landlords to comply with...

Despite recent forecasts to the contrary, the retail pharmacy market remains extremely active after a healthy surge in sales in 2017.  Acquisitions...

Purchasing a property is likely to be one of the most expensive things you will ever buy.  The expense coupled with the...

Did you know that you can claim for illnesses caused by your working environment?   Most people are aware that if they...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based Jones Metcalf Limited, part of EFS Global, on its acquisition of the entire issued share...

Corporate and commercial lawyer Sonio Singh has been promoted to equity partner along with family lawyers Caroline Bilous and Kirsty Morbey who...

Settlement Agreements have long been used by employers in many different scenarios, but normally it is in connection with termination of employment...

With most people returning to work this week, we hope you all had a great Easter break! Looking forward, we now have...

It has been reported that Tesco is facing a demand for back pay as allegedly its female shop workers earn £3 per...

The Taylor Review on Modern Working Practices reported extensively when the report was published, during which time there has not been much...

A new Order has been laid before Parliament that is due to come into force on 6th April 2019.  It requires employers...

Minimum Wage increase as of 1st April 2018, will be as follows: – 25+                  £7.83 21-24               £7.38 18-20               £5.90 Under 18         £4.20

The case of Brazel –v- Harper Trust involved a visiting Music Teacher who appealed to the EAT in relation to the manner...

The EAT case of Mirab –v- Mentor Graphics (UK) Limited has made life somewhat more difficult for employers in redundancy selection processes....

In the case of Riley –v- Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Mrs Riley was a Head Teacher of a primary school who had...

You will recall us reporting on the case of Gallot –v- Newport City Council, where an employer had “rubber-stamped” an unreasonable occupational...

It is common knowledge that cancer is considered to be a disability without the need to establish a substantial and long term...

The EAT in the case of Hale –v- Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust has held that the start of a...

There was an unexpected outcome in the case of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue –v- Mansell in which the EAT held that...

Welcome to DeBrieF! This month we have an insightful piece discussing Private Equity from one of our Corporate partners; we speak to...

Capstone Financial Management, Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, and law firm Davis Blank Furniss are hosting free seminars in...

Challenge 4 Change has agreed a five-year extension to its lease on the 19,000 sq ft Trafford Park building which houses its...

The Commercial Property team at Davis Blank Furniss has handled the purchase of 745 Wilmslow Road in Didsbury. The site is now...

Often the most tax efficient way of having a co-owner retire from a company is by way of buying back his or...

Against a background of enhanced growth and confidence in M&A activity, the North West Private Equity Market continues to punch well above...

We are delighted to be sponsoring the next two Business Introductions networking events which will be taking place on Wednesday 28th February...

What does your role at Davis Blank Furniss involve? My role at Davis Blank Furniss involves dealing and assisting with a wide...

Property options, known as options over land, involve a seller granting an option for a purchaser of property (often a developer) to...

Davis Blank Furniss is delighted to announce that we have appointed Matthew Handley as an assistant solicitor in our Family team. His...

The Property team at Davis Blank Furniss has acted for long-standing client Phil Healey on a recent deal that will see him...

Davis Blank Furniss has acted for Burnley-based EFS.Global on its purchase of Euro SDB Limited which specialises in distribution, logistics and warehousing....

As of the 25th May 2018, the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) will be replaced by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)....

Laura Willis – Associate Solicitor – discusses the news that a court ruling is not needed to withdraw care. The Court of...

We are excited to announce that we will be staging a free monthly legal drop-in coffee morning for the local community which...

Historically, London has been the hive of buy-to-let investment hype in the UK and has seemingly been investors’ first choice, with previously...

My workload is incredibly varied and I represent clients who have cases against many types of professional advisors. Below is a list...

Laura Willis – Associate Solicitor in our Private Client team – on recent discussions in the press about Lasting Powers of Attorney...

The UK Supreme Court has given a divorced woman permission to challenge one of the terms of her 2010 final Order that...

The summer has brought us lots of sunshine, the shocking decision of the Supreme Court on the Tribunal Fee System yesterday, and...

In Chesterton Global Limited v Nurmohamed the Court of Appeal has held that the fact that something is in a worker’s private...

The CJEU has held in a Dutch case that administration (including “pre-packs”) is not primarily aimed at liquidating the undertaking.  Therefore employees...

The Employment Tribunal has stated that not paying full salary to a father who is taking shared parental leave is direct sex...

A clever idea by a senior executive backfired in the case of ICAP Management Services Limited –v- Bury. Mr Bury had given...

The Chancery Division has held in MPT Group v Peel that two relatively senior employees did not have to reveal their intentions...

The assessment of whether an employee has a strong connection to the UK is an objective test rather than a subjective test...

In J v K, the EAT held that the appellant could not rely on vague medical evidence to get an extension of...

It has been held that, where the making of a disclosure was the principal reason for a dismissal, the decision taker’s belief...

In Lidl v CAC, the Court of Appeal held that single small units of an employer’s workforce should be subject to compulsory...

In Fulton v Bear Scotland, the EAT held that the employment tribunal was right to consider itself bound by the earlier EAT...

In Hartley v King Edward VI College, the Supreme Court held that if teachers lawfully strike for one day, the employer can...

The EAT has held that there is not a particularly high threshold required for an employer to meet when dismissing an employee...

In The Government Legal Service v Brookes, the EAT held that a job applicant with Aspergers Syndrome (AS) was discriminated against by...

The Supreme Court has recently held in Essop and others v Home Office (UK Border Agency) and Naeem v Secretary for Justice...

The EAT held that if ACAS issues a second early conciliation certificate in respect of the same matter, this does not extend...

The Taylor Review was published this month.  The proposals include: – Keeping the distinction between employers and workers and naming workers “dependent...

Unison has finally succeeded in its four-year campaign against the introduction of tribunal fees that was introduced back in 2013.  The introduction...

Laura Willis – Associate Solicitor in our Private Client team Asks: Is the current law on Wills outdated? The Law Commission for...

Davis Blank Furniss has joined forces with Capstone Financial Management, a Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management, and will be...

Welcome to the latest departmental newsletter from Davis Blank Furniss. Our focus this time is on our Corporate and Commercial departments. DeBrieF...

The government has recently published its response to an independent review into secondary ticket reselling. There are two main types of secondary...

Shareholder disputes are not unusual. Shareholders will often have different views and ideas about how the business should be run and this...

As a commercial lawyer, cases sometimes come along that make you raise an eyebrow or even just sigh, as you realise a...

Welcome to the latest departmental newsletter from Davis Blank Furniss.  Our focus this time is on our Private Client team. DeBrieF NEWS:...

What is a trust? A trust is an arrangement whereby assets (money, investments, property) are held by someone or by a group...

What is the Residence Nil Rate Band? You may have seen in the news that a new Inheritance Tax threshold was introduced...

We are all extremely disappointed when local services fail to supply a good standard of care. Over the last few years, one...

Laura Willis – associate solicitor in our Private Client team discusses the aftermath of Ilott v Mitson You may have seen this...

We are delighted to announce that Davis Blank Furniss is the new club sponsor of Glossop & District Golf Club in a...

Davis Blank Furniss continues to see a significant increase in clients complaining of dispensing errors. A typical example is that a client...

In 2015, NHS England commissioned a review into the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. It was concerned about how the Trust investigated...

Last night (Tuesday 11th April) Davis Blank Furniss sponsored the official launch event of the new charity TLC: Talk, Listen, Change. Over...

A couple of months ago the NHS Litigation Authority launched a new Mediation Service. Helen Vernon, the Chief Executive of NHSLA, announced...

Many of us are overwhelmed by the plethora of Health and Safety Regulations. In addition, scepticism is heightened when we read articles...

There has been a growing number of claims against solicitors relating to the mishandling of Personal Injury claims for their clients. The...

Davis Blank Furniss is delighted to be sponsoring the official launch event of the new charity TLC: Talk, Listen, Change which is...

It seems that every other day there appears to be a news story about the growing problems facing the NHS. Research carried...

It can be quite daunting walking into a disciplinary or a grievance meeting. They can be stressful, even when you are used...

Welcome to the latest departmental newsletter from Davis Blank Furniss.  Our focus this time is on our Property department. DeBrieF OPINION Alex...

After a number of seismic events across the political world, it is still very early to see what impact they have had...

It does not come as a surprise that most organisations have a “one size fits all” dress code or policy.  It would...

Happy New Year to those of you we have not yet spoken to, met or connected with this year and a very...

This case highlights the risks in the UK which is a multicultural society where children are caught in the middle of an...

A recent campaign by the charity Women’s Aid to highlight the potential danger of allowing violent fathers to have contact with their...

  Happy New Year to those we have not spoken to yet this year. Although the festive season already feels like many...

The EAT in Stratford v Auto Trail VR Ltd (31 October 2016) had to consider whether dismissal for gross misconduct using expired...

The Employment Appeal Tribunal in Kellogg Brown & Root (UK) Ltd v (1) Fitton UKEAT/0205/16 and (2) Ewer (21 November 2016) had...

In the case of Taylor v Ladbrokes Betting and Gaming Ltd (16 December 2016) the EAT held that the Employment Tribunal had...

The EAT held that a second claim for disability discrimination could be brought by an employee even though a COT3 form had...

Have you been ill whilst on a package holiday?  If so, British law may be able to help. If you have booked...

UK house price growth appeared to remain stable throughout 2016. According to Zoopla, house prices grew much faster in eastern England and...

Official statistics show that over the course of the last 10 years, hospital admissions following attacks by dogs have increased by 76%. ...

FRAUDULENT CLAIMANTS BEWARE This is an important decision of principle for personal injury cases in which fraud has been alleged. Facts In...

There is often some confusion about the differences between an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)....

Office workers need to “get off their back sides and move around more” according to a recent campaign.  On Your Feet Britain...

We are delighted to announce a new appointment in our Property team. Robert Parkinson has joined the firm from Cyril Morris Arkwright...

Davis Blank Furniss is enhancing its corporate law services to local businesses in the Glossop and High Peak areas following the deployment...

Mediators are trained to help resolve disputes faced by separating couples, or specific issues such as arrangements for children. A mediator will...

I’m a proud member of Resolution which is a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve...

One of the many decisions that couples face is what will happen to the family home when they go their separate ways:...

Welcome to the November issue of the DBF Employment Law Newsletter… Last month turned out to be busy for the Courts with...

An Employment Tribunal has held that Uber drivers are workers for the purpose of the Employment Rights Act 1996, and the Working...

The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland upheld that a “Christian bakery” had discriminated against a gay man on the grounds of...

The Court of Appeal has finally made a decision in the case of British Gas Trading Limited –v- Locke & Another. The...

After a healthy upturn in the corporate/commercial legal marketplace in 2015/16, the referendum of June 2016 delivered Brexit. The High Court has...

Davis Blank Furniss has seen a 40% year on year increase in the number of clients seeking legal advice on issues of...

The long awaited decision in a case of British Gas Trading v Locke & Another in the Court of Appeal has been...

A very warm welcome to the next in our series of departmental newsletters.  This month’s focus is on our Family team. DeBrieF...

Davis Blank Furniss is delighted to announce that it will be staging a regular Family Law drop-in advice clinic with Manchester Free...

We have been informed by some members of the public that they have received emails that purport to be from this firm...

Following the initial shock of Brexit, many expected the property market to take a huge hit following the drop in the pound....

Moving house is said to be one of life’s most stressful moments but it doesn’t have to be.  If you know what...

Davis Blank Furniss has reported a 30% rise in the number of LPAs that it has drafted for clients under 40 over...

Shares which do not carry a dividend are not ordinary shares for the purposes of Entrepreneurs’ Relief says the First Tier Tribunal...

Data security has hit the headlines this month as it was revealed that the ‘internet giant’ Yahoo! was the victim of a...

From a historical perspective, Section 77 Finance Act 1986 has been a key tool regarding relief from Stamp Duty on share for...

Remember that you do not automatically own the copyright in material that is created for your business unless the creator is your...

Davis Blank Furniss has appointed Caroline Bilous as a senior solicitor in its Family team. Caroline will be based at our headquarters...

Rights of way exist when the owner of one piece of land is allowed to cross a piece of land owned by...

I have a right of way over my neighbours’ property but they are stopping me from using it; can I do anything?...

Welcome to our latest departmental newsletter.  The focus this month is on our Private Client team.   DeBrieF Q&A Holly Rogalski –...

Since Brexit became a reality, there has been much debate about the future disassociation of the UK from the European Union.  As...

Recent press coverage has again showed that the NHS is struggling to cope with the pressures currently being placed upon it. Despite...

Welcome to our June 2016 Employment Law newsletter, keeping you up to date with changes in employment law and informing you of...

From 8th May 2016, the conduct of employment agencies and businesses is governed by the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business...

The Act received Royal Assent on 4th May 2016. It provides the various provisions including: The requirement for at least 50% turnout...

BIS has published its form for claiming penalties from employers for non-payment of Tribunal awards or settlements. Where a claimant has not...

This was a cheeky claim by an employee at Higher Level Care Limited.  A Ms Santos Gomes claimed compensation for injury to...

The EAT in Pendleton –v- Derbyshire County Council has  held that it was indirect religious discrimination to dismiss a teacher for refusing...

The Court of Appeal in Secretary of State for Justice –v- Windle and Arada had to decide whether account should be taken...

In Gibbs –v- Leeds United Football Club, the High Court had to decide whether an employee’s willingness to negotiate a termination package...

In the case of Wasteney –v- East London NHS Trust the EAT had to decide whether disciplinary action against an employee for...

Davis Blank Furniss has presented Willow Wood Hospice with a cheque for £1,232.00. We raised the money during our recent Lasting Powers...

We are delighted to announce that Anita Shepherd has been promoted to partner in our Family team. Anita joined the firm in...

From 6th April 2016, UK corporate bodies (including limited companies and limited liability partnerships) are obliged to create, maintain and keep available...

Organisations have to consider certain issues when deciding whether to take on an individual as a self-employed consultant or an employee. Most...

Each day we make hundreds, if not thousands of decisions for ourselves. These range from smaller decisions, such as what to wear,...

The BBC has reported that one in five families was not consulted where doctors decided not to revive a relative.  This is...

On Thursday 12th May, Manchester law firm Davis Blank Furniss is staging its free Annual Employment Law Conference. This year’s conference is...

IP & IT analysis: New guidelines for businesses and organisations that offer on-premises Wi-Fi connectivity, serves as a useful reminder of their...

Spring is often a time for new beginnings and is the ideal opportunity to assess where your business could improve and protect...

Market Trends Whilst the North West transactional market continues to show impressive signs of recovery, the healthcare sector has also benefited from...

Welcome to our April 2016 Employment Law newsletter, keeping you up to date with changes in employment law and informing you of...

The owner of a nursery in Manchester has been disqualified from being a director of a limited company for six years for...

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published guidance for advertisers and publishers on lawful advertising after receiving over 100 complaints that...

The Women and Equalities Select Committee has published a report on the gender pay gap. The report identifies the causes of the...

As from 6th April 2016 there will be a new scheme for penalising employers who fail to pay tribunal awards or settlement...

Tribunal compensation limits will increase on 6 April 2016. The maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal will rise from £78,335 to £78,962....

In Gallop v Newport City Council the EAT considered whether the fact that the employee could show the employer’s Occupational Health department...

In Smith v Gartner UK Ltd the EAT considered whether an employer acted discriminatorily in ending payments under a PHI scheme when...

In Peninsula Business Services Ltd v Donaldson the EAT considered whether childcare vouchers provided under a salary sacrifice scheme are part of...

In Mohamud v WM Morrison Supermarkets plc the Supreme Court considered whether a supermarket should be held vicariously liable for an employee’s...

In Private Medicine Intermediaries Ltd v Hodkinson the EAT considered whether writing to an employee while she was on sick leave for...

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 brings together offences relating to trafficking and slavery which have dominated the media over recent years with...

It is almost a year since the Government introduced Shared parental leave allowing employees whose babies were due on or after 5th...

Over the past few weeks, NHS England has been the subject of press coverage regarding so called NHS ‘Never Events’. The NHS...

Most people I meet who don’t have Wills always say to me that they know it is something they need to do...

Most employers are aware that disciplinary action requires a form of procedure to be followed.  Conversely, the need for a proper investigation...

Employees are able to utilise a proportion of their salary for vouchers to pay for childcare before the usual tax and NI...

Welcome to the next in our series of departmental newsletters. The focus this time is on our Corporate and Commercial department. In...