News & Events

News
Events

News: SMEs

Contract Terms Defeat Farmers When Rocket Fails to Fire

05/10/2011 Although strong consumer protection law exists with regard to retail sales and sales which have long-term implications (mainly insurance contracts and ‘doorstep’ sales), in business, when a product doesn’t come up to expectations, your right of redress usually depends on what your contract says. A recent agricultural case illustrates the importance of reading and understanding the contract terms in full. A group of four farmers sued the supplier of semen from a bull known as ‘Tamhorn Rocket’ when the expected number of calvings did not occur. Buried in the small print of the contract was a clause that absolved the supplier in these circumstances. Two of the farmers had not seen the contract. The other two had and were regular customers of the supplier. The two farmers who had seen the contract were ruled to have accepted it on the basis of their course of dealing with the supplier. They were ordered to pay £50,000 each towards the supplier’s legal fees. The other two farmers won their claims and were awarded almost £71,000 in damages and 80 per cent of their legal costs. For advice on any contractual matter, contact Trevor Hughes on 01246 560 560

Companies Look Out: Bribery Act In Force

15/07/2011 Companies need to be on the alert: there will be no ‘grace period’ after the Bribery Act comes into force from Monday 4 July 2011. Strict new rules will reform the antiquated UK laws and clamp down on the bribery of public officials and corporate executives. Chris Sellars, head of Business Legal Services says: "We are concerned that a lot of companies haven’t really cottoned on to the introduction of this new Act”

New Rights for Agency Workers

09/06/2011 Employers and agency workers need to take heed: the Government has announced that the new Agency Workers Directive will come into force in the UK on 1 October 2011 without any changes. The regulations give agency workers entitlement to the same basic employment and working conditions as if they had been recruited directly, if and when they complete a qualifying period of 12 weeks in the same job. The effect will be to provide equal treatment for temporary agency workers, compared with permanent workers, in terms of basic working and employment conditions (including pay, holidays, working time, rest periods and maternity leave) once they have worked for the qualifying period of 12 weeks.

Banner Jones receives TOP FIRM status

06/06/2011 Banner Jones received another accolade this month from the InterContinental Finance Magazine (ICFM). Chris Sellars, Director and Head of Business Legal Services says ‘We are delighted to have received the HIGHLY COMMENDED – TOP TIER FIRM status in the TOP BUSINESS LEGAL SERVICES FIRM OF THE YEAR – UK category. The awards are voted for by their readership who said that Banner Jones is considered to have performed to exceptional levels during one of the most difficult economic periods ever experienced. I am very proud of my team and all the staff at Banner Jones who make winning these awards possible.’ The Banner Jones Business Legal Services team are continuing to develop their Family Business specialism by utilising their ICFIB (International Centre for Families in Business) accreditation. Their regional specialism in this area allows them to give tailored legal advice to family owned businesses whose requirements are very different and often more complex.

Businesses Need More Than a Crystal Ball

30/11/2010 How long has your business been around? Will it be here in 10 years? What about 100 years? To learn some lessons about businesses surviving through difficult economic times take a look at your local family owned businesses, particularly those who have survived through 3 or more generations. To survive the transition through several decades requires not only a very long term view but also a desire to ensure that there is a sound business there for the generations to come.

What is a Green Lease?

15/11/2010 If you are starting a business this year and looking to lease a commercial property perhaps a Green Lease might be worth some consideration. Commercial property landlords all over the UK are starting to think Green and those that have already put measures into place are well positioned for any future enforcement of environmental performance. It is thought this could happen to help the UK reduce its overall carbon footprint.

The future is in your hands

31/05/2010 Congratulations to all of those companies featuring in the Top 100 this week, at a time of continued economic turmoil it is great to hear of so many success stories in our region. Most businesses however would probably agree that treading water by maintaining turnover is just as important as increasing turnover at the moment.