Food Update - December 2008
A quarterly round-up of issues affecting the food sector
Freeth Cartwright LLP
Archive for December, 2008
Public Authority Review - December 2008
The ripples of the credit crunch continue to spread across the country. A number of local authorities who might have felt themselves relatively immune from the crisis within the banking sector found themselves suffering substantially with the failure of Icelandic Banks. These include East Midlands Authorities with a total exposure in excess of £50m or even dubious “hedge” funds. In these troubled times, what steps can local authorities reasonably take to minimise their exposure to the potential insolvency of third parties with whom they have legal relationships?
Freeth Cartwright lawyers “Leaders in their field”
FREETH CARTWRIGHT LAWYERS “LEADERS IN THEIR FIELD”
Freeth Cartwright, the law firm with a reputation for providing answers to its clients’ legal questions, is once again celebrating after 26 of its lawyers were recognised as “leaders in their field”. Chambers, the prestigious annual rankings to law firms across the UK, identifies the lawyers and teams that it thinks are the best in the business.
VAT windfall for hotels and conference organisers
VAT WINDFALL FOR HOTELS AND CONFERENCE ORGANISERS
A recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) means hotels, conference organisers and other affected businesses in the UK can now reclaim VAT that the ruling determines they have overpaid, as well as improving their VAT position in the future. The ruling applies where a customer pays a deposit, and the deposit is retained when the customer cancels or fails to show up.
Tax charge on rent hikes
From 1 December 2008 unusually large rent increases on some leases may for the first time be liable to a new stamp duty land tax (SDLT) charge.
Sleigh bells ring . . . are you listening?
SLEIGH BELLS RING . . . ARE YOU LISTENING?
As Christmas gets closer, many employers will be hosting the annual office party, but sleigh bells could become warning bells if employers lose sight of the fact that they retain an overriding duty to safeguard the welfare of all their staff.
Some good news for landlords
SOME GOOD NEWS FOR LANDLORDS
In the current economic climate, landlords need to look to all available sources for recovery of rent arrears. This includes former tenants and guarantors.