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COVID-19: Limitation Periods and Service of Proceedings
The coronavirus pandemic raises many issues for the court process, including in relation to limitation periods and service of proceedings. Potential claimants will be concerned about their ability to issue proceedings before expiry of the relevant limitation period. Potential defendants will be concerned about proceedings being served at their offices…April 3, 2020 -
The importance of motive in Vicarious Liability
What is vicarious liability It has long been recognised that an employer can be responsible for the actions of its employees, which are done in the course of employment. This can extend to actions outside of a workplace that are connected with employment with Christmas parties being a common example.…April 3, 2020 -
Litigation: Simkins commences four day trial on Skype during the COVID-19 lockdown
Since the UK government announced a full lockdown on 23 March, the civil Courts of England and Wales have moved quickly to take measures to ensure that hearings can continue to be heard despite the Coronavirus outbreak which limits public gatherings. Parties are encouraged to use video and/or telephone technology…March 31, 2020 -
Further guidance on COVID-19
Of the measures created by the Government to assist employers and employees with the economic fallout from COVID-19, the most significant from an employment law perspective is the introduction of “furlough leave”. Simkins published an article last week about furlough leave shortly after it was announced. However, more information about…March 30, 2020 -
Reputation Update: former Labour MP wins libel case against two defendants over dishonesty allegation
Mr Justice Nicklin’s recent judgment in the libel case of Anna Turley v Unite the Union and Stephen Walker provides important guidance on the ‘public interest’ defence under s4 of the Defamation Act 2013. The Claimant, Anna Turley, was the MP for Redcar as part of the Labour and Co-operative…March 30, 2020 -
What we know about the Government response to COVID-19
In response to the economic shock caused by COVID-19, the Government has released a series of unprecedented measures in an attempt to protect employment. Most significant is the creation of a job retention scheme, whereby the Government will essentially cover the wages of people who are unable to work due to…March 24, 2020 -
COVID 19 A Guide for Employers
COVID-19, or coronavirus, is creating an unprecedented challenge for many employers. In particular, companies in the entertainment and hospitality industry have been drastically affected by the Government’s advice that people should avoid pubs, restaurants, and unnecessary social gatherings. This article addresses some of the most frequent questions that we have…March 19, 2020 -
Government postpones changes to off-payroll working rules (IR35)
The Government has postponed the planned changes to the off-payroll working rules (commonly known as IR35) until 6 April 2021. The reforms would have had significant implications for medium and large companies as many self-employed individuals working for companies through their own personal services company (PSC)/loan out companies would have…March 18, 2020 -
Reputation Update: The Blame Game – Can lessons be learnt from the Caroline Flack tragedy?
With the recent tragic death of presenter Caroline Flack, a heated argument has ensued about who’s to blame. People have been quick to point the finger at each other. Some in the media are pointing at the CPS, others on social media blame the Press, and many are blaming social…February 21, 2020 -
REPUTATION UPDATE: INTERIM INJUNCTION GRANTED IN CASE INVOLVING THREATS TO DISCLOSE AFFAIR AND ALLEGATION OF STIS
The High Court granted an interim non-disclosure injunction to a “wealthy and well-known businessman” in Q4 2019 to stop a woman with whom he had had a short affair from publishing or disclosing the fact of their relationship, an allegation that he gave her two sexually transmitted diseases and various…January 30, 2020