Insights: Publications - October 2012

In response to "public concern about the harm that trespassers can cause", a new offence of squatting in a residential building has been introduced by section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. The law has been in effect since 1 September throughout England and Wales. Put simply, its aim […]

Cash shells or SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies) are purpose-built vehicles with a stock market quote and a board of directors, but no active business and no assets other than a strong management (or advisory) team with specific sector expertise and the funds raised from financial backers (which will typically include management). The structure gives […]

You’ve done it. You’ve successfully registered your UK or European Community Trade Mark (CTM) and then…you forget about it? After all the heartbreak of registering your CTM you must remember to use it! This is particularly an issue in the event that a third party seeks to register a trade mark which is similar or […]

In March 2012, the UK Government announced its intention to make changes to the way in which property held by “non natural persons” was taxed. In short, the Government was concerned that it was not receiving sufficient taxation from sales of UK domestic property and, it would appear, saw the UK and in particular the […]

The Electronic Communications Code (or “Telecoms Code” as it used to be known) is in need of reform. The Code was introduced in 1984 as a result of the privatisation of BT. It now applies to all forms of electronic communications, such as fibre optic cabling and broadband as well as mobile phone masts and […]

Prior to 1 October 2012, “micro” employers (with less than five employees) were under no legal obligation to provide those employees with pension benefits, whilst employers with five or more employees were only required to provide employees with access to a stakeholder pension scheme. Employers were not, however, required to contribute into a pension scheme […]

We review Underhill J’s proposal to broaden the type of claims that the employment tribunal has jurisdiction to hear. Underhill J, the former Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) president, has recently completed his review of the Employment Tribunal (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004 (ET Rules). The result is a proposed set of new employment […]

Fladgate LLP has gained a top 20 ranking in the 2012 Q3 edition of the Morningstar Professional Services Rankings Guide. In the latest issue, the firm is in 17th position, acting for 20 AIM companies. Fladgate is also ranked in the top 10 of the Basic Materials Clients table and recently acted for AIM listed […]