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Recent insights
No deal: or no Brexit?
15 Nov 2018
The UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, emerged from a five hour meeting on 14 November to announce that she had secured "collective decision" by the Cabinet to support the draft EU Withdrawal Agreement. It was immediately clear the "collective decision" was by no means unanimous, and the morning of 15 November saw several resignations, including that of Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab.
Cat amongst the pigeons: a new approach for the procurement of development agreements?
15 Nov 2018
The Court of Appeal has today handed down its long-awaited judgment in Faraday Development Ltd v West Berkshire District Council [Case No: C1/2016/3613]. It's a decision with important potential ramifications for public/private development projects. It's also the first declaration of contract ineffectiveness made under English law.
Stamping out sexual harassment in the workplace – what employers need to know one year on from #MeToo
14 Nov 2018
A year after the #MeToo movement started, sexual harassment at work is still in the news on a regular basis, most recently in connection with the allegations against Sir Philip Green. He was identified in the House of Lords by Lord Hain as being the businessman who had obtained an injunction in the Court of Appeal to stop The Telegraph publishing details of claims of sexual harassment, racial discrimination and bullying made against him by employees.
Deeds, seals and limitation periods
14 Nov 2018
Does a deed have to be sealed to obtain a 12 year, rather than a 6 year limitation period? Or is execution as a deed in accordance with the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989 enough?
Public sector pension schemes and the Lloyds case
14 Nov 2018
On 26 October 2018, the High Court confirmed in the Lloyds case that pension schemes are under an obligation to equalise Guaranteed Minimum Pensions (GMPs) for men and women. We consider the impact the judgment is likely to have on public sector pension schemes and what will happen next.
Women at board level positions hit new record high, but real change is needed to achieve true equality
13 Nov 2018
This year's Hampton-Alexander Review report has been published today (13 November 2018). It is the third annual report and shows that further progress has been made towards achieving the targets set out in the original 2016 report, which were:
WBD advises owners of Healey Hall estate on partnership with Cripps Healey Limited
13 Nov 2018
A team from Womble Bond Dickinson's (WBD) Newcastle and Leeds offices has advised the Warde-Aldam family, owners of the Healey Hall estate, on the terms of a new partnership with Cripps Healey Limited (Cripps), which operates the Healey Barn wedding venue. The partnership will result in the provision of accommodation for guests of the Healey Barn venue in Healey Hall and adjacent cottages.
Beauty contests and human rights?
12 Nov 2018
The new Electronic Communications Code which came into force on 28 December 2017 has created uncertainty in the market. Whilst the publication of a recent book on the subject by various barristers of Falcon Chambers provides some welcome guidance for operators and landowners alike, what is really wanted, however, are a series of decisions from the Upper Tribunal (which now decides telecoms disputes) as to how the contentious parts of the Code are to be interpreted.
The extra cost of Christmas: will retailers need to pay additional pension contributions?
12 Nov 2018
The significant challenges faced by high streets across the UK are well documented. The Chancellor's commitment of £675m of co-funding to create a “Future High Streets Fund” in the recent Budget plus cutting business rates for smaller shops (part of £1.5bn to support local high streets) has been broadly welcomed. However, retailers remain under significant cost pressures.
