Our news
Please take a look at our latest press releases below to learn more about the Firm and current legal issues in the news. To browse our full archive of stories please go to Our News.
May - 2013
Specialist Legal Team Created To Deal with Increase In Charity Work - 14/05/2013
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has established a specialist Charities Team to focus the work of its specialist lawyers already advising a growing number of charities across the region. Read more...
New Associate At FBC Manby Bowdler - 02/05/2013
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has promoted Charlotte Clode to the position of associate. Read more...
April - 2013
Employers - Do Not Be Put Off Work Placements - 30/04/2013
Employers should not be put off providing genuine work placements by a national campaign warning they could be breaking the law and flouting national minimum wage legislation, according to a leading Wolverhampton employment lawyer. Read more...
Clarity Emerging on Direct Farm Payments - 26/04/2013
Some clarity is emerging in the new proposals regarding European farm subsidies, in the form that the new Direct Payments may take to replace the Single Farm Payment regime, according to a leading Shropshire agricultural and rural affairs lawyer. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises On Sale To Sainsbury's - 25/04/2013
Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised on the sale of a local food store to Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited. Read more...
Top Ten Divorce Tips Now On Line - 23/04/2013
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has published its top ten divorce tips on its website. Read more...
You Could Save Money On Petrol! - 19/04/2013
With the seemingly daily rise in the cost of petrol, everyone seems to be thinking about their journeys more. Is it a necessary journey? How much is it going to cost to get there and back? Read more...
Not All Employers Could Afford To Defend "Apprentice Claim" - 17/04/2013
Lord Alan Sugar’s much reported victory at an Employment Tribunal in a case for constructive dismissal brought by ex-apprentice winner Stella English would not be matched in the same circumstances by most local businesses Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Launches Client Charter - 17/04/2013
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has launched a Client Charter as the culmination of an on-going evaluation process to improve client service. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Renews Shropshire County Cricket League Sponsorship For Sixth Year - 15/04/2013
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is to sponsor the Shropshire County Cricket League for a sixth consecutive year. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler moves to new premises - 15/04/2013
We are pleased to announce that as of Monday 15 April we will be operating from new premises on Shrewsbury Business Park. Read more...
Patent Tax Advice Line - 12/04/2013
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has set up an advice line to help businesses, or their accountants, which exploit patented inventions benefit from lower corporation tax rates. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on Continuing Expansion at Wolverhampton Financial Adviser - 11/04/2013
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised a leading Wolverhampton independent financial adviser on a continuing expansion programme involving the acquisition of 10 smaller rival businesses in the past 12 months. Read more...
Planning Permission Changes for Redundant Agricultural and Commercial Buildings - 01/04/2013
The Government continue to move forward with their proposed relaxation of the Town and Country Planning regime with regard to redundant commercial buildings and redundant agricultural buildings. Read more...
March - 2013
Businesses beware as court implies duty of good faith into commercial contract - 28/03/2013
Businesses entering into commercial contracts should consider whether terms, such as a duty to act in good faith, might unexpectedly be implied into them later because the parties shared an expectation that certain values and norms would apply. A dis Read more...
Employers should avoid discussing an employee's age and retirement unless circumstances justify it - 28/03/2013
Discussions and comments at work about an employee's age and possible retirement can be non-discriminatory, but only if circumstances justify them. A possible merger of four primary schools meant staff, including a 59-year-old head, might have to be Read more...
Promises made during negotiations but not in final contract can still be enforceable - 28/03/2013
Promises or representations made by a party during contract negotiations could be enforced by the other, even if they are not repeated in or contradicted by the eventual contract. Two successful financial advisers joined a firm as self-employed advis Read more...
Residential landlord recovers majority of costs despite failure to consult over works - 28/03/2013
A residential landlord who failed in his duty to consult before carrying out works did not automatically lose the right to recover the whole costs of those works from its tenants because of the failure. He was required to compensate them only to the Read more...
Guidance given on when employees can use secret recordings in employment claims - 28/03/2013
Employers will benefit from guidance on when employees can rely on secret recordings of conversations with co-workers and their employer in employment law claims. An employee secretly recorded 39 hours of conversations and meetings with managers and Read more...
Employer can use using recruitment criteria when selecting for redundancy - 28/03/2013
An employer's use of new employee recruitment criteria to assess competency when selecting for redundancy has been upheld as within the range of reasonable options for an employer. However, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) expressed some reservat Read more...
Different policies can be applied to different employees to avoid discrimination - 28/03/2013
An employment policy may be objectively justified and not, therefore, discriminatory for staff in one age group but not in another. Employers may be able to avoid claims by the second group by applying a different policy to them which doesn't discrim Read more...
Have your say: restrictions on company and trading names - 28/03/2013
Businesses and others are invited to give their views on whether the rules regulating limited company, limited liability partnership, and trading or business names are still required, or need changing. Company law restricts the use of certain words a Read more...
Businesses should check they comply with discrimination laws on access to their goods and services - 28/03/2013
A restaurant whose staff manhandled a customer in a wheelchair has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds for disability discrimination and for its failure to make 'reasonable adjustments' so as not to disadvantage disabled customers. A disabled cus Read more...
Implied agency means sub-licence can survive termination of head licence - 28/03/2013
A business granting a licence allowing the licensee to sub-license to someone else should ensure the licence document includes terms that avoid an agency relationship later being implied between the licensor and licensee. Company A granted an informa Read more...
Court gives guidance on 'reasonable' attempts to negotiate or mediate in disputes - 28/03/2013
Parties to legal disputes will welcome guidance from the Court of Appeal on their expected conduct during attempts to negotiate settlement and their approach to mediation, to avoid costs penalties in subsequent court proceedings. A landlord blocked u Read more...
Identical wording can have different meaning in different trade mark applications - 28/03/2013
Businesses applying to register a trade mark must ensure they specify the list of goods or services to be covered by it properly in their application. This must take into account that trade mark registries in different countries may interpret identic Read more...
Contractor liable for fall in property value during his delay - 28/03/2013
Contractors causing delays in projects in breach of contract can be liable for consequential losses such as those caused by falls in property values, the Court of Appeal has ruled. An engineering firm caused a delay of 15 months in a property develop Read more...
Boost For Business On Late Payers - 20/03/2013
Businesses can make use of new legislation to counter late payment from customers, but they need to ensure that their contract terms do not over-ride the changes to the terms of Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 Read more...
Earlier Introduction of New Care Fees Cap will Still Force Many to Sell Family Home - 20/03/2013
The Chancellor’s promise to introduce the cap on care home fees a year earlier, in 2016, will make no difference for many people who will still have to sell their family home to pay for the cost of care in their old age, says Margaret Rowe Read more...
Whose Email Is It Anyway? - 19/03/2013
Businesses must take steps to protect the content of business emails through contractual agreements and operational processes such as archiving, following a recent High Court decision which ruled that the contents of emails are not their property Read more...
Jones Named Business Champion for Arts & Business - 19/03/2013
The marketing manager at Wolverhampton’s largest law firm has been named as a Business Champion for Arts & Business in the Midlands. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Acts on Deals Worth £43 Million - 18/03/2013
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP completed corporate deals worth £43 million in the last quarter of 2012. Read more...
Compensation Claims Industry Set for "Biggest Ever Change" - 15/03/2013
The compensation claims industry is about to undergo its biggest ever change, resulting in less compensation for victims of road traffic accidents, and for people injured at work or in public places Read more...
Divorcing Parents Turn To 'Brainwashing' Children In Residence Battle - 08/03/2013
Divorcing parents are increasingly attempting to “brainwash” their children to get the upper hand in residence disputes, according to leading Wolverhampton family lawyer. Read more...
Free Update On "Busiest Year" For Employment Law - 08/03/2013
Employment law experts from Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP will provide the latest information on new and proposed employment legislation and regulations for businesses at three Employment Law Update sessions Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on Major Expansion at Black Country Automotive Accessory Manufacturer - 05/03/2013
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised on a major expansion at a Black Country 4×4 and pick-up vehicle accessory manufacturer and distributor. Read more...
February - 2013
Computer program languages not copyright-protected, says High Court - 28/02/2013
Businesses writing software should note a High Court preliminary view that computer program languages cannot be protected under copyright law. A long-running and complex dispute about copyright protection for computer software involved two companies Read more...
A rival's similar product design can still be valid - 28/02/2013
A competitor's product design that is very similar to that registered by another business may still create a different overall impression for an informed user, meaning the competitor's design is validly registered. In a recent case, two manufacturers Read more...
Inheritance tax changes to benefit mixed domicile spouses and civil partners - 28/02/2013
UK domiciled individuals with non-UK domiciled spouses or civil partners will welcome changes to the inheritance tax (IHT) regime from 6 April 2013. The changes could reduce potential IHT liability on transfers to their spouses or civil partners, whe Read more...
New small donations gift aid scheme to benefit charities - 28/02/2013
Charities and community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) look set to benefit from a new Gift Aid Small Donations (GASD) scheme later in 2013. Under the GASD scheme, some charities and CASCs can claim a top-up payment on a total of £5,000 per year of smal Read more...
Lower severance payment for younger employee objectively justified - 28/02/2013
An employer has objectively justified paying a younger worker less severance pay than older workers on redundancy because of the proportionately greater problems for older workers in getting a new job. A 26-year old civil servant accepted voluntary r Read more...
Unmarried couples have no automatic right to each other's property - 28/02/2013
In the absence of clear agreement about the proportions in which they share interests in family homes and businesses, unmarried couples in England and Wales who separate rarely have a legal claim to assets registered in each other's name. An unmarrie Read more...
Businesses' potential liability to HSE 'Fees for Intervention' now clearer - 28/02/2013
Businesses can now assess the risk of having to pay Health & Safety Executive (HSE) fees if it intervenes in relation to their operations. The HSE has published the first two months' figures for its 'Fee for Intervention' scheme, introduced on 1 Read more...
People whose names are not in a company's register are not shareholders - 28/02/2013
A person whose name was not in a company's register of shareholders could not exercise shareholder rights to block a change of company status from private to public, because he was not a shareholder. In a complicated dispute, one of the parties claim Read more...
Have your say: Acas consults on proposed Code on Settlement Agreements - 28/02/2013
Employers can offer their views on Acas's proposed Code of Practice on Settlement Agreements. The Code is aimed at helping employers have discussions with employees in anticipation of a termination of their employment on the basis those discussions w Read more...
Employers and employees in discrimination cases usually have 'joint and several' liability - 28/02/2013
Claims against colleagues may increase following a recent ruling that liability for discrimination is usually 'joint and several' against employer and employees. This means an employee could recover 100 per cent of any award from fellow employees and Read more...
Tenant not allowed to pay pro rata rent so break notice ineffective - 28/02/2013
Tenants trying to exercise a break clause in their leases before the end of a quarterly rent period should beware trying to pay only a pro rata part of that rent when it is demanded, or risk the break being ruled ineffective by the court.… Read Read more...
Permanent right to use land can arise from use on odd occasions - 28/02/2013
Landowners should be alert to third parties crossing their land, including any physical evidence of use and even on odd occasions only, or risk the third party successfully claiming they have a legal right to do so. A farmer used a track over neighbo Read more...
Court widens residential landlords' and agents' obligations to consult before works - 28/02/2013
Residential landlords and managing agents should consult with leaseholders in advance if total annual services charges per leaseholder from qualifying works could exceed £250. This includes where the charges arise from a number of different projects, Read more...
Employer cannot 'undo' dismissal without employee's consent - 28/02/2013
An employer's decision to dismiss an employee for gross misconduct during an internal disciplinary procedure could not later be replaced with a lesser sanction on an internal appeal, without the employee's consent. An employee was dismissed for gross Read more...
Reasonableness of contract limitation clause can depend on insurance cover required - 28/02/2013
Businesses seeking to limit their liability for breaches in their commercial contracts should ensure the amount of the limit is proportionate to the amount of insurance cover they are required to hold under that contract. If it is not, they must be a Read more...
Guidance published on employees' religion or beliefs in the workplace - 28/02/2013
Employers will welcome guidance from the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on religion and beliefs. The guidance deals with how employees may express their religion and beliefs in the workplace, including the right to wear religious symbo Read more...
New Care Cap Will Still Force Many To Sell Family Home, But Where There's A Will, There's A Way Round Care Home Fees - 12/02/2013
Many people will still face the prospect of having to sell their family home to pay for the cost of care in their old age, despite the introduction of the £75,000 fees cap by the Government Read more...
Data protection guidance allows personal data to be 'put beyond use' rather than deleted - 08/02/2013
Businesses and other organisations will welcome guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) setting out the circumstances in which personal data can be 'put beyond use' rather than deleted, if certain conditions are met. Read more...
Agricultural Q & A - Planning Restrictions - 08/02/2013
I have recently read in the press that the Government intends to relax the planning restrictions on converting offices into flats in order to boost housing. Is this correct? Read more...
Family Business Assets More Likely To Be Protected In Divorce Settlements - 06/02/2013
Divorcing couples will find it tougher to separate any family assets held in companies, following a landmark judgement in the Court of Appeal, which will lead to an increase in the protection of family wealth through corporate structures Read more...
Free Seminar To Help Shropshire Businesses Combat Theft, Fraud and Dishonest Employees - 06/02/2013
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has teamed up with a specialist investigation agency to show the county’s businesses how they can combat theft, fraud and dishonest employees at a free seminar in Shrewsbury on Wednesday 6 March. Read more...
January - 2013
Retail Magnate John Timpson Renews Call for Business Rates Freeze At SBP Meeting - 31/01/2013
John Timpson CBE, Chairman of the Timpson Group, one of the largest privately-owned retailers in the country, renewed his call on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to freeze business rates for retailers in the wake of several high profile Read more...
Do Not Fall Victim To Continuing Administrations In 2013 - 31/01/2013
The high profile administrations of high street retailers such as Comet, HMV and Blockbuster, shows that maintaining a positive cash flow remains a pressing problem for many businesses. Read more...
Employment law outlook for 2013 - 30/01/2013
Employers are preparing for a raft of employment law changes in 2013. Read our guide to what to look out for this year – and beyond. 1 February New, increased limits on compensation for unfair dismissal, redundancy and other employment law events in Read more...
Employers must balance employees’ rights to express religious beliefs and the rights of others - 30/01/2013
Employers must balance employees' freedom to express their religion in the workplace and the rights and interests of others when deciding whether to stop employees expressing their religion through, for example, wearing religious symbols. B Read more...
Employers’ investigations into allegations of serious dishonesty must be careful and thorough - 30/01/2013
Employers investigating allegations of serious dishonesty against an employee should do so carefully and thoroughly, collecting and considering all reasonably available evidence, or risk losing an unfair dismissal claim. An airport employee in a Read more...
Property owners, occupiers, tradespeople - and the Government’s Green Deal - 30/01/2013
Property owners, occupiers and the building trade can now potentially reduce their energy bills under the coalition Government's new 'Green Deal', designed to fund energy-saving improvements for domestic and non-domestic property owners and occupiers Read more...
Companies can now benefit from corporation tax reductions on patent income - 30/01/2013
The Patent Box scheme, a preferential tax regime for income arising from qualifying patents, means companies generating income from their qualifying patents can significantly reduce their corporation tax liability. Under the scheme, being p Read more...
Court clarifies when warranties are not representations on sale of shares - 30/01/2013
A buyer of a company's shares unsuccessfully claimed that breach of a warranty given by the sellers also amounted to a misrepresentation, entitling it to far higher compensation. After acquiring the entire issued share capital of Gissings, Read more...
Employers must take reasonable steps to contact employees on important matters, despite contract terms - 30/01/2013
Employers must take reasonable steps to contact employees about important matters, even if it is the employee's fault the employer does not have a current address. Failure to notify the new address is in breach of the employee's contract of employmen Read more...
Changes to Energy Performance Certificates and introduction of air conditioning reports - 30/01/2013
Landlords and managing agents of properties in England & Wales should ensure they comply with revised rules on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for commercial and public sector buildings, and new rules requiring air conditioning inspections Read more...
Court gives guidance on enforceability of non-compete clauses in commercial agreements - 30/01/2013
The High Court has given guidance on the factors to take into account when deciding whether non-compete clauses in a share sale agreement (or other commercial agreement) are reasonable and therefore enforceable. A minority shareholder (the Read more...
Have your say: Proposed TUPE changes - 30/01/2013
Employers are invited to comment on Government proposals for radical changes to the TUPE rules, designed to protect employees in certain circumstances when a business or undertaking for which they work is transferred from their current employer to a Read more...
Employers must consider what employees cannot do when deciding whether or not they are disabled - 30/01/2013
Employers should take into account activities an employee is not able to carry out, and not concentrate solely on what they can do, when deciding whether the employee is disabled or not. If they fail to do so, they risk a disability discrimination cl Read more...
Landlords must ensure all service charges can be recovered from tenants - 30/01/2013
Landlords must ensure service charge clauses clearly entitle them to recover all the costs they incur in maintaining and repairing a property from their tenants, following a Court of Appeal ruling that there is no presumption that leases should be in Read more...
Employers must give notice of payment in lieu of notice as well as payment itself - 30/01/2013
Employers contractually entitled to terminate an employee's contract by making a payment in lieu of notice (PILON), but fail to notify the employee they have done so, may find the employee can treat their employment as continuing. This is the case ev Read more...
Court clarifies when covenants to protect retained land are effective - 30/01/2013
A developer was stopped from building a new school after homeowners on an estate produced evidence showing they lived on land intended to benefit from a 1931 covenant – even though the entirety of the land intended to benefit was not 'easily ascertai Read more...
Rules on registration of secured company borrowings change - 30/01/2013
Limited companies in England & Wales and their banks are changing precedents and procedures, in light of new rules about Companies House registration of charges they create over premises and other assets to secure their borrowings. When Read more...
Employment Newsletter - January 2013 - 23/01/2013
Employment Newsletter - January 2013 Read more...
Lawyer Welcomes Ban On Unfair Credit Card Subcharges - 23/01/2013
A leading Wolverhampton consumer rights lawyer has welcomed new Government regulations to prevent unfair surcharges when consumers use credit cards or debit cards to pay for goods or services. Read more...
Shocking Elderly Abuse Figures will Lead to Increase In Compensation Claims - 17/01/2013
The abuse and neglect of elderly people in care seems to be reaching epidemic proportions following the publication of two sets of shocking statistics, according to a leading legal expert on elder abuse. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Reappointed to Headway List - 15/01/2013
Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has been reappointed to the list of solicitors firms approved by leading brain injury charity Headway. Read more...
Employees 'Reasonable' Rights to Wear Religious Symbols Backed Up By European Court - 15/01/2013
Employers will be required to accommodate reasonable requests from uniformed employees, when it comes to displaying religious symbols, following today’s (15 January 2013) ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, Read more...
Property Owners and Professionals Still Need To Be Aware of The New Protocol One Year On - 09/01/2013
Shropshire property owners and professionals must still be aware of new legal procedures, introduced 12 months ago, which will considerably help to reduce the costs being incurred in respect of commercial property Dilapidation disputes Read more...
Bad Harvest Result In Double Whammy for Arable Farmers - 08/01/2013
Many arable farmers are facing a further blow as a result of last year’s poor weather. Not only did they suffer from reduced yields and poor quality harvests, but many who forward sold their crops are now facing financial penalties for failing Read more...
December - 2012
Agricultural Q & A - Flooding - 25/12/2012
With the deluge of rain, the run off from my hill farm is causing the streams to flood and this has lead to blocking of the public road. Am I liable in any way? Read more...
Employment law compensation limits increase - 21/12/2012
Increased limits on compensation for unfair dismissal, redundancy and other employment law claims are introduced with effect from 1 February 2013. The main changes to the limits are: an increase in the amount of a 'week's pay' for the purposes of ca Read more...
Making disabled employee return to old job after secondment can trigger disability claim - 21/12/2012
Forcing a disabled employee to return to the old role after secondment may amount to a 'practice, criteria or provision' that disadvantages the disabled employee, triggering a requirement to make 'reasonable adjustments', the Employment Appeal Tribun Read more...
Tribunal clarifies when reinstated employees have continuity of employment for unfair dismissal claim - 21/12/2012
A reinstated employee has successfully claimed continuity of employment in respect of his old and new jobs with his employer despite a time gap, giving him sufficient continuous service to claim unfair dismissal. Under employment law, there are a num Read more...
Court gives valuable guidance on taking employee's previous warnings into account on dismissal - 21/12/2012
Employers will welcome guidance on when they should take into account circumstances in which previous warnings were given to an employee when deciding whether to dismiss, following a decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT). A lorry driver ha Read more...
European Court clarifies 'informed user' test required to register a product design - 21/12/2012
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has clarified how to identify an 'informed user' – the hypothetical user of a product whose impression of it compared to other products determines whether it can be protected as a registered design. A design can on Read more...
A trade mark word may be merely descriptive in one country but distinctive in another - 21/12/2012
A proposed trade mark could not be registered as a European Community Trade Mark in Spain because it contained a word that was distinctive in Spanish, although not in English. It was, therefore, too similar to another earlier Spanish mark. A company Read more...
Employee's comments on Facebook did not bring employer into disrepute - 21/12/2012
An employee who posted moderate, respectful comments about gay marriage on his personal Facebook profile neither brought his employer into disrepute nor acted in a way likely to offend colleagues or customers, the High Court has ruled. A manager comm Read more...
UK test for fair dismissal satisfies Article 8 human rights test - 21/12/2012
The UK test of whether a dismissal was within the band of reasonable responses is sufficiently flexible to hold good – even when Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) applies, the Court of Appeal has ruled. A train conductor was Read more...
Landlord must give full information about shorthold tenant's deposit or lose right to forfeit it - 21/12/2012
A landlord who paid a shorthold tenant's deposit into an approved scheme, but failed to give all legally required information about the scheme, lost the right to forfeit it and was fined three times the amount of the deposit – despite the tenant's no Read more...
Court clarifies when terms will be implied into agreements - 21/12/2012
Businesses should make key terms in their agreements express and clear. The Court of Appeal has ruled that courts will only imply a term into an agreement after considering the ordinary meanings of the words used and deciding what a reasonable observ Read more...
Tackling The Pitfalls of Christmas Cheer At Work - 17/12/2012
Christmas doesn’t come gift-wrapped for employers, who need to keep on top of everything from health and safety to the Bribery Act in the festive season . Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Moves To New Serviced Office Premises At Lasyard House - 11/12/2012
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has acquired new office space in Bridgnorth. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Takes On Two New Trainee Solicitors - 11/12/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has taken on two new trainee solicitors. Read more...
Specialist Lawyer Welcomes New Legal Form for Charities - 07/12/2012
A leading Shropshire lawyer has welcomed the introduction of a new legal form for charities offering additional legal protection for both charities and their trustees. Read more...
The Truth About Clearing Snow and Ice - 06/12/2012
With the media publishing articles advising the public against clearing snow and ice due to the threat of being sued, Adam Hodson, a specialist Personal Injury Solicitor with Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Read more...
New Chair At Wolverhampton Business Club - 06/12/2012
Wolverhampton Business Breakfast Club (WBBC) has appointed a new Chairman. Read more...
It Never Rains But Pours - 05/12/2012
Rarely has the subject of rainfall been more news worthy than it is now. At the beginning of the year we had a drought and now our news is full of stories about flooding. Read more...
Inherited Property Likely To Be "Safer" From Divorce - 05/12/2012
The consultation period for changes to the rules for the treatment of inherited property, and other pre-acquired wealth, in divorce settlements is about to end. Read more...
Equal pay claims time-barred in Tribunal can be brought in civil courts - 03/12/2012
Employees who have brought equal pay claims out of time in the Employment Tribunal (ET) can bring them in the civil courts as breach of contract claims. In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court held that the courts' power to strike out claims on grounds Read more...
Consultation before redundancy not always required - 03/12/2012
An employer does not need to consult with an employee before making him redundant if it would be 'futile' to do so, according to a ruling of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT). A senior manager was made redundant after a more experienced and better Read more...
Businesses altering copyright works belonging to others risk 'derogatory treatment' legal claims - 03/12/2012
A business breached a photographer's moral rights by altering a copyrighted photograph she had licensed it to use, in a way that the court found amounted to 'derogatory treatment'. A photographer took a photo of a model wearing the clothes of a clien Read more...
New vehicle for England & Wales charities now promised for early 2013 - 03/12/2012
Charities in England & Wales will welcome the Government's intended introduction date of early 2013 for the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) following a number of delays. CIOs are special corporate entities tailor-made for carrying Read more...
Court will look at whole situation when considering enforceability of restrictions on ex-employee - 03/12/2012
Employers should consider whether other factors are consistent with any 'legitimate business interests' they claim to be protecting through non-compete clauses and other restrictions on a particular employee. Otherwise, they risk the non-compete clau Read more...
Employee bound by restrictions in unsigned employment contract - 03/12/2012
An employee was bound by non-compete clauses in a new employment contract he had not signed, because he claimed benefits which were solely referable to that contract, the High Court has ruled. An employee had signed a contract of employment while sti Read more...
Employee working at less than 25 per cent capacity not protected by TUPE - 03/12/2012
An employee working exclusively for a client, but at less than 25 per cent capacity, was not entitled to be taken on by the client under the TUPE rules when the client's contract ended, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled.… Read more Read more...
Sender does not automatically own content of emails - 03/12/2012
A business that sends emails to an employee has no right of ownership in the contents of the email merely because it is the sender, the High Court has ruled. A Chief Executive was sent a number of emails by his company from its servers.… Read m Read more...
Illegal conduct of company won't always block claims for breach of directors' duties - 03/12/2012
A director may not be able to defend a company's claim for breach of duty on grounds the claim is based on the illegal conduct of the company, if he is the cause of that illegal conduct, the High Court has ruled.… Read more Read more...
Claims on death decided on same principles as divorce claims - 03/12/2012
Individuals making a will should ensure a spouse's or civil partner's entitlement under the will is comparable to what he or she would have received had they divorced or dissolved their partnership, or risk a claim against the estate when they die, t Read more...
Test of mental capacity varies depending on act or activity being carried out - 03/12/2012
Families of a relative with declining and/or variable mental powers need to apply different tests when considering his or her capacity to carry out different acts and activities, the Court of Protection has highlighted. An elderly, wealthy man had be Read more...
Assets of husband's wholly-owned companies not available to wife on divorce - 03/12/2012
A wealthy husband has successfully argued that assets held by limited companies should not be available to his wife in divorce proceedings, even though he wholly owned and controlled those companies, as they are separate legal entities. The husband w Read more...
Inherited wealth made available to meet spouse's reasonable needs on divorce - 03/12/2012
A husband with inherited wealth could not rely on the usual rule that those assets should not be included in the matrimonial property to be shared with his spouse on divorce, as she would be left with insufficient means to meet her reasonable needs, Read more...
November - 2012
Top Agricultural Ranking for FBC Manby Bowdler - 28/11/2012
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has been ranked in the top tier of law firms for Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Shrewsbury and the surrounding area by the latest edition of the leading independent guide to law firms Chambers and Partners. Read more...
Landlords Advised To Prepare for Action If Retailers Fail To Pay Christmas Rent - 28/11/2012
It could be a worrying Christmas for landlords of retail units as 25 December is next date for retailers to make their quarterly rent payments. Read more...
Successful Seminar On Protecting The Family Farm - 26/11/2012
More than 70 farmers and landowners heard agricultural legal and financial experts from FBC Manby Bowdler LLP and Barclays Bank provide the latest thinking on how best to protect the family farm at a seminar at Welshpool Livestock Market. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on £8m Cradley Heath Power Plant Which Will Create 15 Jobs - 26/11/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised a Cradley Heath company on the establishment of its first renewable energy power plant, involving the gasification of waste wood. Read more...
Record Attendance at Wolverhampton Law Society dinner - 20/11/2012
For the second year in succession, a record number of solicitors and their guests attended the Annual Dinner of the Wolverhampton Law Society. Read more...
Online Retailers Beware Distance Selling Regulations - 19/11/2012
With the biggest online shopping day of the year set for Monday 3 December, Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is reminding local businesses trading on the internet to comply with all consumer protection regulations or face action. Read more...
Top Award for FBC Manby Bowdler Managing Partner - 19/11/2012
The managing partner of one of the West Midlands’ largest law firms has been recognised for her drive to improve client service and employee engagement. Read more...
Deadline for compensation for victims of violent crimes - 15/11/2012
Thousands of victims of violent crime will no longer get compensation after the Government forced through plans to slash funding for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. Read more...
Legal Advice for Snow and Ice! - 15/11/2012
With the media and Health & Safety Executive publishing articles and “guidance” advising the public against clearing snow and ice due to the threat of being sued, Adam Hodson, a solicitor and member of... Read more...
Employers Advised To Check Contracts When Promoting Employees - 13/11/2012
Following a number of key legal rulings, employers need to ensure that they check the contracts for all employees they promote, especially those moving to a senior position, or they could lose all legal protection if the employee subsequently leaves Read more...
Our digital legacy is at risk! - 06/11/2012
Treasured photographs, books and record collections kept online may be lost when we die, and not passed onto future generations, warns a leading West Midlands’ Wills Trusts and Estate Planning solicitor. Read more...
October - 2012
Whether to re-engage employee depends on situation at date of decision, not date of dismissal - 30/10/2012
When deciding whether it is practicable to re-engage an employee who was unfairly dismissed, it is the situation when the re-engagement would take effect that is relevant, not that at the time of the employee's dismissal. An architect successfully cl Read more...
New fast-track procedure for intellectual property disputes to benefit businesses - 30/10/2012
A quicker, cheaper small claims procedure is now available enabling businesses to recover compensation in some intellectual property disputes, including trade mark infringement, where the amount claimed is no more than £5,000. It is not available for Read more...
Employers who victimise ex-employees after they leave can still face claims - 30/10/2012
Employers should not act in a way that victimises former employees, following an Employment Tribunal (ET) legal ruling. A migrant nanny/housekeeper was abused by her employer and had to leave her job. During her subsequent race discrimination claim h Read more...
Landlords must comply with insurance obligations to the letter to recover premiums from tenants - 30/10/2012
A landlord who failed to comply strictly with lease clauses requiring it to take out joint insurance with tenants could not recover a share of the premiums from one of those tenants, the Lands Chamber has ruled. Under a lease, the landlord was requir Read more...
Employee facing redundancy not automatically entitled to be kept on if another employee resigns - 30/10/2012
Employers are not obliged to keep a poor-scoring, redundant employee on if another, higher-scoring employee in the redundancy pool then resigns, the Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled. An employee in a pool of four was made redundant after the othe Read more...
An unenforceable non-compete clause does not later become enforceable, even if circumstances change - 30/10/2012
If a non-compete clause is unreasonable, and therefore unenforceable when the employment contract is signed, it does not later become enforceable if circumstances later change making it reasonable, the High Court has ruled. In 2000, an employee was r Read more...
Court clarifies when domestic workers are entitled to the national minimum wage - 30/10/2012
The Court of Appeal has clarified when domestic workers are 'treated as family', and therefore not entitled to the national minimum wage (NMW). Domestic workers can be paid less than the national minimum wage if they are not family members but are tr Read more...
Right of way 'for all purposes' still has limits - 30/10/2012
Landowners unhappy with how a right of way across their land is used by others may be able to prevent the relevant use, even if the right of way is given 'for all purposes', the Court of Appeal has ruled. A farmer had a right of way 'for all purposes Read more...
Businesses can expect harder line from SFO when enforcing Bribery Act - 30/10/2012
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has updated its policies on the Bribery Act, and appears to be planning to take a harder line in selected key areas when deciding whether to prosecute for breaches of the Act. In its 2009 policies, the SFO took a 'pragm Read more...
Court gives guidance on legal rights of unregistered trade mark owners - 30/10/2012
Owners of unregistered trade marks will welcome judicial guidance on what they need to prove to win 'passing off' claims against other traders who use their trade mark and mislead the public into thinking their goods are those of the trade mark owner Read more...
Property owners, occupiers and building trades to benefit from Government's Green Deal - 30/10/2012
Property owners, occupiers and the building trade could benefit from the coalition Government's new 'Green Deal', designed to fund energy-saving improvements for domestic and non-domestic property owners and occupiers and reduce their energy bills. T Read more...
Novel factor in valuation of business for divorce purposes creates uncertainty, the Court of Appeal has ruled - 30/10/2012
Divorcing couples whose matrimonial assets include a business will not welcome a recent decision in which the court increased the value of a husband's business as at his marriage date to take into account its 'latent potential', reducing the wife's s Read more...
Tribunal exercises new power to order discrimination training - 30/10/2012
Employers should ensure their managers, particularly in human resources (HR), receive disability discrimination training and, where appropriate, specific training in relation to disability discrimination issues. A disabled employee inadvertently over Read more...
Have your say: Consultation on Renewable Heat Incentive scheme for domestic properties - 30/10/2012
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is consulting on proposals for a Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) scheme for domestic properties, in addition to the existing scheme for commercial properties. The RHI scheme will provide for regula Read more...
National Policy for New Homes Using Agricultural Occupancy Conditions Still Effectively In Place - 25/10/2012
Farmers and rural businesses looking for planning permission for a new house on their land, using agricultural occupancy conditions, should make haste to make an application, following a recent planning appeal decision, according to Read more...
Respected Agricultural Lawyer Appointed Vice Chairman of Staffordshire CLA - 23/10/2012
Highly experienced agricultural solicitor Sarah Baugh has been elected as Vice Chairman to the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) Staffordshire Committee. Read more...
Innocent Businesses Now Forced To Pay Legal Defence Costs - 23/10/2012
Businesses that find themselves wrongly accused, or which successfully defend themselves against criminal cases brought by public regulatory bodies, could now face paying tens of thousands of pounds in legal costs, Read more...
Former Air Traffic Controller To Speak At Wolverhampton Law Society Dinner - 22/10/2012
Former air traffic controller and American Express After Dinner Speaker of the Year David Gunson is to be guest speaker at the Annual Dinner of the Wolverhampton Law Society on Friday 9h November. Read more...
Cool Reception for "Owner-Employee" Contracts - 18/10/2012
Chancellor George Osborne’s plan for employees to exchange legal rights for tax-free shares in their workplaces has received a cool reception from a leading Shropshire employment lawyer. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Appoints Three New Solicitors - 18/10/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has appointed three newly qualified solicitors, all of whom trained with the firm. Read more...
Cadbury Decision Warning on Corporate Logo and Brand Colours - 10/10/2012
A High Court judgment which has protected Cadbury’s use of a specific shade of purple has highlighted the dangers and uncertainties that businesses need to be aware of when updating their corporate logo or brand, according to a leading Wolverhampton Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Strengthens Its Corporate Team - 05/10/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has strengthened its Corporate Department with two new appointments. Read more...
September - 2012
Guidance published on new age discrimination laws for service providers - 28/09/2012
Businesses and other organisations providing services will welcome the Government's 'quick-start' guidance on new age discrimination legislation. It was already unlawful for service providers to discriminate against customers on grounds such as sex, Read more...
Trade mark owners should review EU registration - 28/09/2012
UK businesses with an EU registered trade mark, or who are considering having one, should review whether there will be 'genuine use' of their trade marks as required by EU rules. Otherwise they may risk competitors applying to revoke their registrati Read more...
Fewer limited companies required to have audit under new rules - 28/09/2012
Fewer limited companies are now required to have their statutory accounts audited following relaxations to the company law 'audit exemption' rules. This will save them time and audit fees. The new rules apply to statutory accounts for financial years Read more...
Guidance published on Patent Box corporation tax reductions on patent income - 28/09/2012
Businesses with patents will welcome HM Revenue and Customs' guidance on the new Patent Box scheme offering significant corporation tax reductions to patent owners on income derived from certain of their patents. The Patent Box scheme is a preferent Read more...
Directors with solely strategic role may not be entitled to TUPE protection - 28/09/2012
Directors involved in strategic matters of an organisation, but not its day-to-day activities, were not entitled to TUPE protection when its activities were transferred to its only client, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled. A charity's a Read more...
Agency agreement unclear whether agent could act for multiple principals - 28/09/2012
Businesses entering into agency agreements need to be clear whether their agents can act for more than one principal, and/or for competing principals, to avoid costly and time-consuming legal disputes. A furniture company appointed an agent to sell i Read more...
Employers should make 'reasonable adjustments' for disabled employees reasonably quickly - 28/09/2012
An employer who made 'reasonable adjustments' for a disabled employee, but not quickly enough, has been ordered to pay compensation for disability discrimination. In October 2010, an employee working as cabin crew fell ill during a long-haul flight a Read more...
New data protection guidance allows personal data to be 'put beyond use' rather than deleted - 28/09/2012
Businesses and other organisations will welcome new guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) setting out the circumstances in which personal data can be 'put beyond use' rather than deleted, if certain conditions are met. Under data Read more...
Corporate manslaughter decision clarifies court's approach to sentencing - 28/09/2012
Businesses will welcome useful guidance from the courts on how they will approach sentencing in corporate manslaughter cases, following the third successful prosecution for corporate manslaughter since new laws were introduced in 2007. The company, L Read more...
Director who failed to take professional advice on company transaction breached his duties to the company - 28/09/2012
A director who carried out a share buy-back for his company without professional advice and got it wrong, breached his duties to his company and was ordered to pay compensation equal to the amount paid for the shares, the High Court has ruled.… Read more...
Settlement agreement covered known but unascertained building defects - 28/09/2012
Developers, landowners, builders and others entering into settlement agreements to resolve disputes should ensure the agreement makes it crystal clear which matters are covered by the agreement and which are not, the High Court has ruled. A developer Read more...
Directors bound to effect shareholders' agreement despite obligations breaching their directors' duties - 28/09/2012
Shareholders who make promises in a shareholders' agreement are bound to try to give effect to the agreement even if they are also directors; and even where doing so breaches their directors' duties, according to a High Court ruling. Three business p Read more...
New guidance on the legal definition of 'waste' - 28/09/2012
Businesses affected by laws governing storage, treatment, disposal, etc of 'waste' will welcome new guidance on the legal definition of waste, from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Waste is currently defined as "…any su Read more...
Upholding an employee grievance can block subsequent constructive dismissal claim by employee - 28/09/2012
Employers who find in an employee's favour in grievance proceedings before the employer has breached the implied term of trust and confidence, can prevent the employee subsequently claiming the employer has breached it. An employer lodged a grievance Read more...
Domain name Dispute Resolution Service decisions cannot be overturned by courts - 28/09/2012
Trade mark owners will welcome a recent ruling that the courts cannot overturn a decision made under the Nominet domain name Dispute Resolution Service, which resolves disputes between domain name owners and trade mark owners. The company Emirates a Read more...
Refusal to accept alternative terms on re-employment is not necessarily a failure to mitigate loss - 28/09/2012
A refusal by employees to accept new, inferior terms when their work is transferred to a new provider is not necessarily a failure to mitigate their loss, particularly where the offer of new terms is made before their dismissal, according to a ruling Read more...
Warring parents told to face up, not fall out, over contact with children - 27/09/2012
Divorced or separated parents can now no longer rely on the courts to deny their partner access to their children, following a Court of Appeal ruling, according to leading Wolverhampton family lawyer. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on Major Expansion at Wolverhampton Laboratory Supplier - 26/09/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised on a major expansion at a Wolverhampton company which is a leading supplier of science equipment and chemicals to schools and commercial laboratories throughout the UK. Read more...
Top Rankings for FBC Manby Bowdler - 26/09/2012
For the third year running Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has been ranked in the top tier of corporate and commercial law firms, in the West Midlands, based outside Birmingham, by the Legal 500, the leading independent guide to law Read more...
Local Supporters Group Raises More Than £7000 For Age UK In North Shropshire - 25/09/2012
AGE UK North Shropshire Supporters has raised more than £7,000 to help elderly people in North Shropshire, and to help keep AGE UK functioning in the area. Read more...
Another quality award for FBC Manby Bowdler - 25/09/2012
Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has been accredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), which recognises high standards of practice management and client care in the residential conveyancing market. Read more...
Scottish judgement raises hopes of greater rights for co-habiting couples in England - 25/09/2012
Hopes are being pinned on the Government bowing to pressure to change the law to give greater rights to English unmarried couples who break up, after the Supreme Court has added its voice to calls for reform, according to... Read more...
Act Now To Protect Historic Estate Land Rights - 25/09/2012
Estates and estates owners have just over a year to protect ancient legal rights granted to them as “Lord of the Manor’, according to a leading rural affairs solicitor. Read more...
Check PILON terms in employment contracts - 25/09/2012
Employers are advised to check the contracts of senior employees following an appeal court ruling that an employee can keep a payment in lieu of notice despite committing gross misconduct. Read more...
Prompt Action By Employers Can Help Avoid Constructive Dismissal Claims - 25/09/2012
Fast and fair action is the key to avoiding claims of constructive dismissal, where employees feel they’ve been unjustly targeted by a manager, according to a leading Wolverhampton employment solicitor. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler to sponsor Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery - 25/09/2012
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is to become a major sponsor of Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler to sponsor Wolverhampton Art Gallery - 25/09/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is to become a major sponsor of Wolverhampton Art Gallery for the next three years. Read more...
Deathbed Wills Strengthened - 25/09/2012
The validity of so-called “Deathbed Wills” has been strengthened following a court ruling, making it harder to challenge wills made by people with terminal illnesses, according to a leading Contentious Probate solicitor who specialises in advising... Read more...
Green deal will reduce affordable rural housing - 24/09/2012
Government measures designed to improve the energy efficiency of older homes will have a negative effect on the provision... Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler advises Wolverhampton's largest vets practice on further expansion - 05/09/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised Wolverhampton’s largest Vets practice on a further expansion. Read more...
August - 2012
Workers on long-term sick leave entitled to carry holiday forward without asking - 29/08/2012
An important ruling means employers must pay accrued holiday pay for untaken annual leave in previous years if they terminate the employment of employees on long-term sick leave, even if holiday leave was not requested during the relevant leave perio Read more...
Redundancy uncertainty for employers who reduce an employee’s hours - 29/08/2012
Employers considering reducing an employee’s hours face uncertainty over whether and when this could amount to a redundancy, following recent legal decisions. A taxi firm reduced the number of hours worked by its two night radio operators from 36 to Read more...
Businesses prepare for abolition of power to clamp on private land - 29/08/2012
Business owners of private land and their managing agents are preparing for the abolition of their power to clamp and/or tow away vehicles parked without authority on the land they own or manage. From 1 October 2012 it will be a criminal offence unde Read more...
Employers can be liable for employees’ unauthorised Facebook posts - 29/08/2012
Employers should ensure they have an effective social media policy in force, supplemented with back-up training, to avoid liability if an employee makes an unauthorised post on a colleague’s Facebook profile, following a court ruling. A manager left Read more...
New criminal offence of squatting in residential buildings - 29/08/2012
Landlords and agents of residential buildings will welcome a new criminal offence making squatting illegal. The new offence came into force on 1 September. Squatting in a residential building is now a criminal offence, even if the squatters entered t Read more...
Employer can fundamentally breach contract through honest misunderstanding of its terms - 29/08/2012
An employer who genuinely but wrongly believed an employee was not entitled to contractual sick pay under relevant terms commits a fundamental breach of the contract, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled. An employer only paid half pay to a Read more...
Workers’ contractual paperwork must reflect the facts - 29/08/2012
An employer was unable to rely on contractual paperwork to defend an unfair dismissal claim on grounds the claimants were not ‘employees’, because the paperwork did not reflect the actual relationship between it and its workers. A company had contrac Read more...
HMRC taxes whole of negotiated payment to employee on termination - 29/08/2012
An employee who negotiated a lesser payment after his employer breached his contract by failing to make a payment in lieu of notice (PILON) on termination of his employment has been taxed on the whole sum. HM Revenue & Customs made its assessment Read more...
Have your say: Exempting self-employed from Health & Safety laws - 29/08/2012
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is consulting on whether around 1m self-employed workers whose work does not pose a potential risk to themselves or others should be exempted from H&S laws. There are more than 50 H&S laws and regulatio Read more...
Have your say: Consultation on RIDDOR - 29/08/2012
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is consulting on how to simplify and clarify compliance with the Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). RIDDOR requires employers, the self-employed and owners and managing Read more...
Court rewrites friends’ agreement to own flat in 50/50 shares - 29/08/2012
Two friends who bought a flat on the basis each would make equal contributions and own a 50/50 share in the property have had their agreement overturned by the Court of Appeal, after one party made a significantly greater contribution than the other. Read more...
Naming a tenant in a break clause made break rights personal to that tenant - 29/08/2012
A new tenant could not exercise a right to get out of a lease under a break clause because the clause named the original tenant, making it personal to that tenant, the High Court has ruled. An original tenant negotiated a ‘break clause’ giving him a Read more...
Simpler test reduces business rates for more than one floor in shared buildings - 29/08/2012
Different floors in one building occupied by the same tenant should be treated as one, and not two or more ‘hereditaments’, resulting in payment of lower business rates, the Upper Valuation Tribunal has ruled. A business occupied floors two and six i Read more...
Comparators in discrimination claims not required to be identical to shift burden of proof, the Supreme Court has ruled - 29/08/2012
The burden of proving acts or omissions are not discriminatory can shift to an employer, even if the circumstances of the comparators relied on by the employer are not exactly the same as the employee’s. A female, Sri Lankan consultant dentist at a h Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler strengthens Residential Property Team - 20/08/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has strengthened its residential property department and appointed a new head. Read more...
Plans for discounted DIY wills service slammed by local solicitor - 20/08/2012
A leading Wolverhampton Wills Trusts and Estate Planning solicitor has slammed plans for the launch of a heavily discounted will writing service via an on-line discount promoter. Read more...
BCC members put the eurozone at the top of their list of worries - 10/08/2012
In a poll of almost 2,000 of its members, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has found that the economic situation in the eurozone is top of the list of issues that business owners believe will affect their firm this year and next.… Read mo Read more...
Government and business groups take action to tackle late payments - 10/08/2012
The Government has joined forces with business bodies to tackle the on-going issue of late payment — a damaging trend that threatens small businesses across the UK. According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Britain's smal Read more...
Small firms must keep HMRC up-to-date or face hefty fines warns FPB - 10/08/2012
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is warning entrepreneurs to fully update HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) about any changes to their businesses, no matter how small, following a report that one firm is facing a £10,000 penalty fine for not informi Read more...
All quiet on the high street while online sales soar - 10/08/2012
Two sets of research highlight the parlous state of UK high streets this summer. The latest figures from the Retail Traffic Index (RTI), showed disappointing national footfall levels in July with a 5.2% year-on-year decline. The RTI monitors the volu Read more...
Weekly round-up - 10 August 2012 - 10/08/2012
Who are your favourite business pioneers? The Institute of Directors (IoD) is running a competition to find the three most inspirational business leaders from a shortlist of 30. They include ten pioneers of the past, ten from the present and ten that Read more...
Funding for Lending supersedes National Loan Guarantee Scheme - 03/08/2012
The Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) is now open for business and will be in place for the next eighteen months. The scheme is designed to encourage banks and building societies to increase lending to UK businesses and households. Those that lend mor Read more...
EU to hold new European SME assembly - 03/08/2012
The EU is planning a new event to help SMEs “go for growth” bringing together small businesses, business organisations, European, national and regional government, academia and the media. Cyprus, as EU presidency, is to host the first ever European S Read more...
Cabinet Office comes to rescue of small firms facing late payment - 03/08/2012
The Cabinet Office is investigating procurement issues in the public sector on behalf of small businesses as part of its SME Mystery Shopper scheme and the results of 67 new investigations have been published online. The scheme allows small businesse Read more...
SMEs could save £2 billion in tax by using self-employed contractors - 03/08/2012
A new report by Unbiased.co.uk suggests that small and medium-sized businesses could save as much as £2 billion in tax by using self-employed contractors. However, it warns that business owners must be clear on HMRC rules regarding self-employed work Read more...
Weekly round-up - 3 August 2012 - 03/08/2012
Court of Appeal decision sheds light on holiday and sick leave In the Court of Appeal decision in NHS Leeds v Larner, it has been held that a worker who was unable to take four weeks’ annual leave due to sickness did not have to make a request to car Read more...
July - 2012
Sound legal foundations important for a successful Shooting Season - 27/07/2012
Failure to get a legal lease in place could lead to a ruined shooting season, warns a leading rural affairs solicitor. Read more...
Employee share schemes set for increase - 27/07/2012
There will be an upsurge in the number of share schemes for employees of small and medium sized companies, following a relaxation of the rules by the Government, predicts a leading Wolverhampton corporate lawyer. Read more...
Companies who load the dice against the consumer stand to lose their shirt - 11/07/2012
Businesses, especially those trading online, must ensure that the terms of their consumer contracts are fair and clearly presented, or risk losing money, warns a leading Wolverhampton litigation lawyer. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler strengthens Shrewsbury legal teams - 11/07/2012
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has strengthened its Employment and Litigation teams in its Shrewsbury office, a move which comes hard on the heels of the recruitment of two highly... Read more...
New legal team to tackle compensation for abused and neglected elderly - 02/07/2012
With more than 4,300 complaints about the care of older and disabled people and increasing numbers of cases of the abuse and neglect of... Read more...
Shropshire professionals advise on MBO of Telford logistics company to secure jobs and growth - 02/07/2012
A trio of Shropshire professionals has advised on the management buy-out (MBO) of a Telford-based logistics company which will help safeguard 15 jobs and create a further two Read more...
June - 2012
FBC Manby Bowdler supports new Wolverhampton charity shop - 29/06/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised a Wolverhampton women’s refuge charity on the launch of its second fundraising shop in the city. Read more...
New president of Wolverhampton Law Society - 19/06/2012
Partner at West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, Guy Birkett has taken over as President of the Wolverhampton Law Society. Read more...
Employees can be disciplined twice for the same offence - 19/06/2012
Employees can be now disciplined twice for the same offence, if employers feel that the first punishment did not fit, according to a leading Shropshire employment lawyer. Read more...
Wolverhampton Brain Injury Solicitor Runs Free Advice Clinic For Carers - 15/06/2012
FBC Manby Bowdler - a Wolverhampton law firm that specialises in brain injury – is running a free drop in advice clinic for carers of brain injured relatives and friends during Carers’ Week (June 18-24, 2012). Read more...
Breaking up is still hard to do - Break clauses can cost - 13/06/2012
Many Midlands’ companies are uncertain about their property strategy and, as a result, are losing thousands of pounds, according to Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
Respected agricultural lawyers join FBC Manby Bowdler - 11/06/2012
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has strengthened its Agricultural and Rural Services Team with the appointment of two highly experienced agricultural solicitors as partners. Read more...
Meeting to tackle employee absenteeism - 08/06/2012
Dealing with employees’ long and short term sickness absence will be the main topic for the next Wolverhampton HR (Human Resources) User Group meeting on Wednesday 13 June, which is open to anyone responsible for human resources. Read more...
May - 2012
Managing Euro 2012 "sickies" - 24/05/2012
With Euro 2012 set to kick off in Poland and Ukraine on 8 June, and England’s first game on Monday 11 June, Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has drawn up a list of tips... Read more...
Scrutiny and conditions toughened for licensed trade and temporary events - 23/05/2012
Pub and club owners and event organisers face increased scrutiny when applying for drinks and entertainment licences, or having them reviewed, following the introduction of The Police Reform and... Read more...
Hats the way to raise money for Headway at FBC Manby Bowdler - 21/05/2012
For the third year in succession, staff in the Wolverhampton and Willenhall offices of law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, will be raising money for a national brain injury charity by wearing brightly coloured hats to work for a day. Read more...
Trio promoted to Associate at FBC Manby Bowdler - 18/05/2012
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has promoted three solicitors to the position of Associate. Read more...
Employers beware demanding degrees for high level applicants - 16/05/2012
Employers may have to change their promotion and employment policies on qualifications, following a landmark judgement, warns a leading Shropshire employment lawyer. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler advises on digital acquisition - 09/05/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised a Birmingham digital media agency on the takeover of a rival business. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler appoints new Training Partner - 08/05/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has appointed Litigation Partner, Craig Ridge, as its new Training Partner. Read more...
Company websites must adapt to new cookie regulations - 01/05/2012
Organisations have less than a month to make sure their websites meet new privacy and electronic communications regulations, warns a leading Wolverhampton media lawyer. Read more...
April - 2012
Specialist team created to challenge wills and inheritance - 26/04/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has established a Contentious Probate team to focus the work of its specialist lawyers already advising on numerous claims against trusts, wills and estates. Read more...
Ignorant co-habitees risk losing out when relationship breaks down - 26/04/2012
Co-habiting couples are ignorant of their lack of legal rights should they split up, according to a survey by Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
Employers ignore legislation "small print" at their cost - 26/04/2012
Employers could face costly claims for unfair dismissal unless they read the small print in recent changes to employment legislation, warns a leading Shropshire employment lawyer. Read more...
Employers must be more transparent about redundancy process - 26/04/2012
Employers looking to shed employees need to be open about the redundancy process, or face a costly challenge at an employment tribunal, warns a leading Wolverhampton employment lawyer. Read more...
Deadline for private landlords to protect tenant deposits - 26/04/2012
Private landlords have only until 6 May to ensure they protect new tenants’ deposits through a Government-registered scheme, according to Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
Antiques Roadshow’s Lars Tharp to appear at Staffordshire Art Fund charity auction - 24/04/2012
Wolverhampton Auctioneers & Valuers Cuttlestones and solicitors firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP are lending their support to the local branch of the Art Fund in its... Read more...
Chartered status for 12 at FBC Manby Bowdler as Institute of Legal Executives receives Royal Charter - 18/04/2012
Twelve lawyers working for West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP have received a boost to their status. As the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) has received a Royal Charter, they have become Chartered Fellows. Read more...
Courts make it harder to stop online libel - 18/04/2012
A High Court ruling has made it harder for individuals to stop anonymous on-line libellous postings, by finding that internet service providers are not responsible for comments posted on their sites, according to a leading Wolverhampton media lawyer. Read more...
March - 2012
Planning for future medical treatments - Living Will or Power of Attorney? - 30/03/2012
With the legal and moral position of assisted suicide again in the headlines, and advances in medicine keeping people alive longer than ever, a leading West Midlands’ Wills Trusts and Estate Planning solicitor is... Read more...
New framework will slow down planning process by removing guidance - 30/03/2012
The lack of detail in the Government’s new National Planning Policy Framework will actually make planning more complex and therefore slow down the process, which it was designed to speed up, argues a leading Shropshire planning lawyer. Read more...
Solicitor supporting MacMillan in London marathon - 27/03/2012
A solicitor from West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is running this year’s London Marathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Read more...
On yer ead' - Scoring a goal for career freedom - 27/03/2012
Like Wayne Rooney, everyone has the right to reap the benefits of their career success, and employers cannot stall the progress of key employees by... Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler recognised as one of the best small companies to work for - 27/03/2012
West Midlands and Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has been accredited as one of the best small companies in the region to work for... Read more...
Where There's A Will, There's A Way Round Care Home Fees - 22/03/2012
With the cost of care home fees hitting the headlines once again, a leading Shropshire Wills Trusts and Estate Planning solicitor is urging couples to use their wills to help safeguard the family home for their children’s inheritance. Read more...
Legal Ruling Will Aid Corporate Restructures - 14/03/2012
Organisations looking to restructure by reducing the number of senior posts will find this process easier following a recent legal ruling, according to a leading Wolverhampton employment lawyer. Read more...
Free Updates On "Busiest Year" For Employment Law - 07/03/2012
Employment law experts from West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP will provide the latest information on new and proposed... Read more...
Draft rules make it clear when new unfair dismissal rules will apply - 01/03/2012
The Government has clarified when the new requirement for employees to have two years ‘qualifying service’ before they may claim unfair dismissal will apply. Read more...
‘Deemed service’ rule doesn’t apply where statutory document not actually received - 01/03/2012
A business that can show ‘on the balance of probabilities’ that a properly addressed, pre-paid and posted document (required by law to be sent) never actually arrived can overturn the usual legal rule. Read more...
HSE publishes new RIDDOR guidance - 01/03/2012
The Health & Safety Executive has published new guidance that explains new rules on reporting injuries under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Read more...
Landowner loses out because rights over neighbouring property not formalised - 01/03/2012
A landowner whose only access to the first floor of his property was a staircase on a neighbour’s land, but who had not formalised the arrangement, had no rights when a new neighbour took his access away, a court has decided. Read more...
Court clarifies when an ex-employee has ‘solicited’ former clients - 01/03/2012
Employers will welcome a recent court case giving guidance on what ‘soliciting’ means when considering whether an employee has broken a ‘non-solicitation’ clause in their contract of employment that stops them from approaching clients of their former Read more...
Harmonisation of employee’s terms after transfer to new employer not necessarily a TUPE problem - 01/03/2012
Employers who introduce changes to new employees’ terms are more likely to be able to claim the changes are not connected to the transfer, and avoid claims they have breached the TUPE regulations, following a recent legal decision. Read more...
Digitally altered photos can be protected by copyright too - 01/03/2012
Design agencies and other businesses that manipulate photos digitally after they have been taken can sometimes claim copyright protection for the resulting images, the County Court has confirmed. Read more...
Buyer fails to get out of contract when seller defaults on post-completion obligations - 01/03/2012
The court has decided that a buyer of premises could not treat the sale as null and void when the seller failed to deliver on his promise to carry out certain works after completion. Read more...
Court clarifies right to higher payments under Feed-In Tariff scheme - 01/03/2012
Business and domestic property owners seeking payments under the Government’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) scheme can now be certain how much they will be paid, following a recent legal ruling that proposed cuts to the sums payable were unlawful. Read more...
Commercial lets to charities that mean landlords avoid business rates must be genuine - 01/03/2012
Charities that do not occupy commercial property they lease are being investigated by the Charity Commission in case the let has taken place to help the landlord avoid business rates. Read more...
Court clarifies when an employer is liable for employee violence - 01/03/2012
The Court of Appeal has clarified the circumstances when an attack by one employee on another creates a liability for the employer. Read more...
Direct negotiations without lawyers end in court case on whether clients had agreed settlement - 01/03/2012
The managing directors of two companies due to go to court in a dispute had a series of telephone conversations, without involving their lawyers, to discuss how to resolve it, but ended up in court anyway arguing whether they had reached agreement or Read more...
Exiting director has right to veto appointment of expert to value his shares under articles - 01/03/2012
Limited companies should check their articles to be sure departing directors who also hold shares do not have the right to stop the appointment of a share valuation expert on grounds he/she is unhappy with the expert’s terms of engagement, following Read more...
Court applies new principles, and ignores post-nuptial agreement - 01/03/2012
The High Court has recently set aside a post-nuptial agreement as a result of following the principles laid down in the legal decision of Granatino v Radmacher in which the court considered whether to take into account a pre-nuptial agreement. Read more...
Tenant’s exercise of break clause ineffective because interest not paid - 01/03/2012
A tenant’s exercise of his right to get out of a lease using a break clause was held ineffective by the court because he had not paid interest due under the lease, even though the landlord had never asked for it. Read more...
Confidentiality agreement ineffective because it was not clear what was confidential - 01/03/2012
An agreement designed to protect an employer’s confidential information did not make it sufficiently clear what was confidential, and was therefore ineffective, a court has ruled. Read more...
Relief from forfeiture of a lease must be given by the court - 01/03/2012
A tenant who had negotiated relief from forfeiture with his landlord still had to go to court to get the relief formalised in a court order, the court has ruled in a recent case. Read more...
Covenants in employees’ contracts unenforceable as being too wide - 01/03/2012
An employer has failed to stop former employees from working with his customers at their new employer’s, because the court has ruled that the restrictions in the employees’ contracts are too wide and therefore unenforceable. Read more...
February - 2012
Free Guide To Help Landlords Deal With Insolvent Tenants - 29/02/2012
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has published a free guide for landlords of commercial properties to help them deal with any tenants which become insolvent. Read more...
Newlife Appeal for Specialist Bed - 24/02/2012
Staff at FBC Manby Bowdler Solicitors have raised £1,420 to help ten-year-old Josiah Shanks, from Seisdon near Wolverhampton, get the specialist bed he requires to support his complex health needs. Read more...
Youngsters Call For Cycle Helmet Law - And Their Parents To Wear Ski Helmets! - 24/02/2012
Despite many youngsters shunning cycle helmets, boys and girls aged 11-16 would welcome a law enforcing their wear. Anecdotal research carried out... Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Partner Secures Second Agricultural Law Fellowship in Staffordshire - 14/02/2012
A partner at law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has become only the second solicitor working in Staffordshire to be granted the top award by a leading rural legal business organisation. Read more...
Top Employment Tips to Manage Sporting Fever - 09/02/2012
With less than 180 days to go to the start of the 2012 London Olympics in August and the England football team’s participation in the UEFA Euro 2012 Championship in June even closer... Read more...
Unfair dismissal awards increase from February 2012 - 08/02/2012
The annual review of the maximum compensation that can be awarded in unfair dismissal and other cases increases the awards to a new maximum of £85,200 from 1 February. Read more...
Maternity, paternity, sickness and other pay rates to increase from April 2012 - 08/02/2012
The annual review of maternity, paternity, sickness and other pay rates mean the amounts payable will increase from April 2012. Read more...
New procedure for landlords when commercial tenants default - 08/02/2012
Landlords taking action against defaulting tenants from April 2012 must use a new, more complex and limited process called ‘commercial rent arrears recovery’ (CRAR) instead of the familiar remedy of ‘distraint’. Read more...
Charity Commission ‘public benefit’ guidance revised - 08/02/2012
A recent Upper Tribunal decision and judicial review, about the application of the ‘public benefit’ test in charity law, mean that the previous Charity Commission guidance on the test is wrong and is being replaced. Read more...
Government report proposes Health & Safety changes - 08/02/2012
A government report has found that health and safety laws are generally satisfactory but makes recommendations to address the reasons why many businesses to go beyond the strict requirements, and beyond what is proportionate. Read more...
Health & Safety work accident reporting changes - 08/02/2012
From 6 April 2012, RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) reporting rules will change. Read more...
Information Commissioner updates guidance on new ‘cookie’ law - 08/02/2012
Businesses will welcome updated practical guidance on how to comply with new ‘cookie’ laws due in May 2012 this year, issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Read more...
Information Commissioner can investigate blogs and networking sites - 08/02/2012
Individual’s blogs and networking sites can be investigated by the Information Commissioner (IC) on grounds their content may breach data protection laws, the High Court has decided. Read more...
Facebook can sell user data to site advertisers - 08/02/2012
The Office of the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) has said that Facebook’s policies and practices allow it to use information about users collected on the site to sell targeted advertising opportunities on the site to advertisers. Read more...
HSE publishes top ten H&S media myths - 08/02/2012
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its top ten list of instances where the media have wrongly blamed it for the cancellation of events. Read more...
Court rules Lottery win may not be a marital asset on divorce - 08/02/2012
A spouse’s Lottery win on a ticket bought with her own money was not a marital asset to be included when dividing up assets on her divorce, a court has said. Read more...
HMRC entitled to demand accounts of overseas trusts - 08/02/2012
Documents held by trustees of overseas trusts have been presumed to be within a UK beneficiary’s “power”, even though he has no legal right to them, in a recent legal decision that means he must produce them to the UK tax authorities. Read more...
Divorce New Year peak looms - 08/02/2012
Sadly, numbers of divorces peak in the early months of every new year following family conflicts over Christmas. Check our guide to the fundamentals of divorce law. Read more...
Dissapointment For Businesses On Changes To Unfair Dismissal Period - 01/02/2012
Businesses hoping that Government changes to employment legislation would make it easier to dismiss underperforming workers will be disappointed by an announcement that... Read more...
Free Legal Information for Businesses - 01/02/2012
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is bringing a free on-line legal and business information resource to its business communities. Read more...
January - 2012
Breaking up is Still Hard to do - Failure to Exercise Break Clauses Correctly Costs Midlands Businesses Dear - 31/01/2012
Midlands’ companies are still failing to extract themselves from property leases they no longer want, and, as a result, losing thousands of pounds, according to Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
Is a "rotten compensation culture" causing a rise in insurance prices? - 31/01/2012
A West Midlands Solicitor has responded to the latest wave of criticism levied against the Personal Injury industry as "misguided and misinformed". Read more...
Big risks for growing numbers doing DIY probate - 31/01/2012
Family members who look to save money by dealing with the estate of a deceased loved one themselves could instead find themselves severely out of pocket, warns a leading West Midlands’ Wills Trusts and Estate Planning solicitor. Read more...
Leading Insolvency Lawyer Welcomes Government U-Turn on Pre-Packs - 27/01/2012
A leading Wolverhampton insolvency lawyer has welcomed the government’s change of heart on plans to overhaul legislation around pre-pack deals, aimed at improving transparency around the controversial administration practice. Read more...
Avoid online copyright pitfalls - 27/01/2012
Most business owners use websites and social media to promote their firms — effectively making them online publishers. To avoid problems you need to understand your obligations under copyright law. Read more...
Payments for owners of premises using renewable heating technology - 27/01/2012
The new Renewable Heat Incentive (‘RHI’) scheme, providing for payments to businesses to reward them for using renewable heating technology, was delayed from 30 September 2011, but is now in operation for non-domestic properties. Read more...
Court confirms that trust assets ‘likely’ to be available should be taken into account on divorce - 27/01/2012
Spouses who are ‘likely’ to have access to trust funds, even if they will only become beneficiaries of the trust, and even if funds are only paid out, at the discretion of the trustees, should be aware... Read more...
Wealth inherited pre-marriage, and wealth derived from pre-marriage business, treated differently by Court of Appeal on divorce - 27/01/2012
Spouses who inherited wealth or set up their business before their marriage should consider two Court of Appeal decisions on whether and how such assets are to be treated when dividing up assets on divorce. Read more...
Court gives further guidance on when emails can create contracts - 27/01/2012
Those negotiating contracts by email will benefit from guidance given in a recent High Court decision on when an exchange of emails can inadvertently create a legally binding agreement. Read more...
Penalty for a residential landlord’s failure to pay deposit into approved scheme only applies if claim enforced before tenancy ends - 27/01/2012
The requirement that a landlord of a shorthold tenancy must pay the tenant’s deposit into one of three approved schemes,... Read more...
Businesses should beware cumulative effect of actions against director-shareholder - 27/01/2012
Steps taken by two director-shareholders in a limited company to get rid of another were cumulatively ‘unfairly prejudicial’, entitling the aggrieved party to bring a court claim even though each step was lawful on its own, in a recent court case. Read more...
Seller’s failure to update reply to pre-contract enquiry on sale of land lets buyer get out of contract - 27/01/2012
A buyer of land has been given the right to get out of the contract after the seller failed to update his reply to one of the buyer’s pre-contact enquiries about planning issues, even though the contract contained a common clause saying he couldn’t. Read more...
Connect2Law's Brain Injury Group - 24/01/2012
In the last 12 months FBC Manby Bowdler has secured a number of major settlements for clients who have suffered head injuries. Read more...
Businesses Beware Of Cashing In On The Olympics - 18/01/2012
With less than 200 days to go to the start of the London Olympic Games, and advertising and marketing campaigns by official sponsors starting to build momentum, a leading Wolverhampton commercial litigation lawyer is warning that... Read more...
Solicitor Challenges the Government and the BBC on "Whiplash" Claims - 12/01/2012
The Government is failing to listen to the voices of innocent people who have been injured in accidents, according to Adam Hodson, a Personal Injury solicitor with FBC Manby Bowdler and member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Read more...
Government announces proposals for major employment law reform - 11/01/2012
The Government has announced radical proposals for reform of employment law, designed to safeguard workers’ rights while reducing unnecessary demands on business. Read more...
Deceitful directors personally liable for company’s debts - 11/01/2012
The Court of Appeal has decided that directors who put off a company creditor with lies and tall tales can be personally liable for their company’s debts to that creditor under the law of deceit, even if their statements are made orally and not in wr Read more...
New Energy Performance Certificate rules for landlords and agents - 11/01/2012
From April 2012 landlords and managing agents selling or letting property in England & Wales must comply with new rules about commissioning and disclosing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) certifying the energy rating for a property. Read more...
Tribunal gives guidance on tenants installing solar panels - 11/01/2012
Landlords may find they cannot unreasonably refuse to allow tenants to install solar panels, following a recent Tribunal decision. Read more...
When directors can be personally liable on company insolvency - 11/01/2012
Two recent cases have clarified when directors can be made personally liable for their company’s debts under ‘wrongful trading’ laws, if it goes into insolvent liquidation. Read more...
Directors disqualified for misleading HMRC - 11/01/2012
Directors who were economical with the truth in dealings with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have been disqualified from acting as directors on grounds their conduct meant they were unfit to be directors. Read more...
British Standards Institution launches Bribery Act standard - 11/01/2012
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has launched a new specification for an anti-bribery management system, designed to help businesses reduce the risk of prosecutions under the Bribery Act 2010. Read more...
Software that ‘emulates’ other software does not breach copyright - 11/01/2012
The Advocate-General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has given his opinion that writing software that emulates the functionality of other software is not a breach of the copyright in that other software. Read more...
Government auto-enrolment pension rules deferred for small businesses - 11/01/2012
The government has announced that businesses with 50 or fewer employees will not have to introduce the new auto-enrolment pension schemes until 2015, rather than the original date of 2014. Read more...
Court gives guidance on key contract term in e-marketing contracts - 11/01/2012
An e-marketing business that promised to email and SMS ‘opted-in’ football fans for a client failed to deliver when it bought in email addresses from a third party. Read more...
Agricultural Sector Set to lead Shropshire Property Market Again in 2012 - 11/01/2012
Agricultural land and property will continue to be the best performing area of the Shropshire commercial property market in 2012, predicts a leading agricultural and rural services lawyer. Read more...
Employers Could Face Legislation Overload in 2012 - 11/01/2012
Employers could be facing legislation overload in 2012, with more changes to employment law than in many previous years, but many of the Government’s well reported proposals for change have not yet been firmed up... Read more...
Single Plot Acceptance Sites - Affordable Homes in The Countryside - 01/01/2012
Arising from Shropshire Council’s implementation of the new Shropshire Local Development Framework relating to Affordable Housing which was adopted on the 16th March 2011... Read more...
December - 2011
University of Wolverhampton - New Legal Advice Centre Opens - 16/12/2011
A new legal advice clinic run by law students at the University of Wolverhampton has opened its doors in the city centre. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Christmas Carol Service - 16/12/2011
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP held a carol service in the chapel of Shrewsbury School for more than 130 fellow professionals, staff and their families. Read more...
First prosecution under the Bribery Act - 12/12/2011
A court clerk at the Magistrates’ Court is the first person to be sentenced under the new Bribery Act 2010, for taking a £500 bribe in relation to a motoring offence. Read more...
Flower Power Wins The Day in Interflora Trademark Battle - 07/12/2011
Internet advertisers who use competitor names to draw traffic have been dealt a rap on the knuckles following a high profile battle between Marks & Spencer and Interflora, according to a leading business litigation lawyer. Read more...
I hear the Localism Act 2011 is going to affect planning permission. Will this affect me? - 02/12/2011
The Localism Act 2011 contains some sections which will have a serious impact on unauthorised development... Read more...
Agricultural Q & A - December 2011 - 01/12/2011
With the winter snow and ice, Local Authorities are responsible for gritting and salting public roads and pavements. What are your legal responsibilities for your own drives and paths? Read more...
November - 2011
FBC Manby Bowdler Celebrates Success of the Award Winning Brain Injury Group - 30/11/2011
Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is celebrating the success of the Brain Injury Group – of which it is a member – that won an award for innovation and inspiration. Read more...
Planning appeal win by Wolverhampton law firm supports economic growth in the countryside - 24/11/2011
Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has won a planning appeal which has secured the future of a thriving farm shop and tea room and saw the Planning Inspector supporting economic growth in a Green Belt area. Read more...
Check bequests in light of falling wills values - 16/11/2011
The amounts of money and other assets left to loved ones and charities in wills could be adversely affected by the current tough economic circumstances, according to a leading West Midlands’ Wills Trusts and Estate Planning solicitor... Read more...
Protected conversations a long way from being legal - 16/11/2011
Despite the Government’s intentions to start consultations on so-called ‘protected conversations’, as a means to resolve employment disputes informally, a leading Midlands employment lawyer is... Read more...
Get your head out of the clouds and protect electronic assets - 14/11/2011
Internet bank accounts and other online assets could end up being lost or stolen, if individuals do not find a secure route to pass on to their family confidential passwords and account information in their wills... Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Acts on Deals Worth £105 Million - 10/11/2011
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has completed corporate deals worth more than £105 million in the past six months. Read more...
Check contracts before rushing to install solar panels - 01/11/2011
People rushing to have solar panels installed before 12 December to take advantage of the top rate of Government Feed in Tariff (FIT) payments before they are more than halved from 1 April 2012... Read more...
October - 2011
Employers advised to check senior employee contracts - 27/10/2011
Pressure of having to work harder without a pay rise is making senior employees consider moving jobs once again. Read more...
Businesses under protected on Intellectual Property - 12/10/2011
Midlands businesses need to do more to protect their valuable intellectual property, according to a leading business litigation lawyer. Read more...
The dawn of "Tesco Law" - 06/10/2011
A West Midlands Solicitor has warned of the possible dangers consumers and the public face in light of a change in the law which enables banks and supermarkets to sell consumer legal services in England and Wales for the first time. Read more...
Proposed new law threatens compensation for road accident victims - 06/10/2011
A proposed new law would cut compensation levels and hinder access to justice for innocent victims of road traffic accidents, according to a leading Wolverhampton Personal Injury lawyer. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler helps sisters grow successful bridal business - 06/10/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has helped two sisters establish and expand a new wedding business in Birmingham. Read more...
September - 2011
FBC Manby Bowdler secures two on shortlist for awards - 28/09/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has secured two nominations in this year’s Law Society's Excellence Awards. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Corporate Touch Rugby Tournament - 26/09/2011
Wolverhampton and Black Country business people and professional advisers had to put in more effort than usual at a... Read more...
Dowler Family Support "No-Win No-Fee" Agreements - 23/09/2011
A West Midlands Solicitor has praised the family of the murdered teenager, Milly Dowler, for supporting Conditional Fee Agreements or so-called "No-Win No-Fee" agreements (NWNF). Read more...
Landlords advised to prepare for action if retailers fail to pay rent - 15/09/2011
With the next date looming large for retailers to make their quarterly rent payments, a leading property litigation lawyer is advising landlords to be prepared to take swift... Read more...
David Grove appointed head of Commercial Property at FBC Manby Bowdler - 13/09/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has appointed Partner David Grove as Head of its Commercial Property Department. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler to support women's refuge - 08/09/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has chosen The Haven Wolverhampton as one of its corporate charities for the next 12 months, with the aim of raising at least £1,500. Read more...
Dealing with trespassers - 08/09/2011
With the date of 19th September set for the eviction of Irish Travellers living without planning permission at Dale Farm in Crays Hill, Essex, litigation lawyer David Campbell... Read more...
Turnover boost for Shrewsbury office of law firm - 07/09/2011
Local law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has revealed a significant increase in turnover at its Shrewsbury office in the past 12 months. Read more...
August - 2011
Employment Newsletter August 2011 - 26/08/2011
Welcome to the next issue of FBC Manby Bowdler's Employment Newsletter, covering the most recent developments and issues in employment law. Read more...
Professional negligence claims are on the rise - 16/08/2011
The number of legal claims for negligence against solicitors, estate agents and property surveyors is set to rise in the next 12 months, according to a leading professional negligence lawyer. Read more...
Lawyers banned from internal disciplinary hearings - 09/08/2011
Employees no longer have the automatic right to legal representation at internal disciplinary proceedings when their career is deemed to be at stake, according to a leading Wolverhampton employment lawyer Read more...
Best time for business owners to divorce - 03/08/2011
For business owners and shareholders, there has rarely been a better time to get divorced, according to a leading Wolverhampton matrimonial solicitor. Read more...
July - 2011
FBC Manby Bowdler advises on expansion for Wolverhampton health and fitness firm - 29/07/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised Wolverhampton health and fitness firm Firewalker (UK) Limited on the opening of its new FW Fitness gym and health club in Solihull, which will create 12 new jobs. Read more...
New Riverside is once in a generation chance to secure Shrewsbury as a retail destination - 28/07/2011
Shrewsbury has a once in a generation chance, with the proposed new £150 million Riverside development, to become a major regional retail destination, bringing jobs, growth and prosperity to the town, according to a leading commercial property lawyer Read more...
Business Must Ready Itself For New Temporary Worker Rights - 07/07/2011
Employers have to be ready for to deal with new regulations controlling the rights of temporary workers from 1 October 2011, or face having to pay unlimited compensation and penalties of up to £5,000, warns a leading employment solicitor. Read more...
June - 2011
Businesses Face Big Fines For Not Protecting Personal Data - 28/06/2011
All organisations must take better care of personal details they hold, as the Information Commissioner’s Office looks to get tough on breaches of the Data Protection Act 1988, warns a leading Wolverhampton business and regulatory crime specialist. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Adds Another Partner to its Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Team - 24/06/2011
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has strengthened its Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Department with the appointment of a new partner. Read more...
Fakin' it When They Should Have Been Makin' it... - 21/06/2011
The partner of a millionaire estate agent who died suddenly has been found guilty of creating a fake will, when she discovered his divorce had never been finalised. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Strengthens Personal Injury Team - 15/06/2011
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has strengthened its Personal Injury team with the appointment of new solicitor. Read more...
Online Anonymity Under Legal Attack - 14/06/2011
Tweeters and bloggers who think they can avoid legal action by making anonymous postings on the internet are in for a rude awakening Read more...
Commercial Property Purchasers Increase Risk by Neglecting Searches - 01/06/2011
Some commercial property and land buyers are risking overpaying by not carrying out some simple legal searches, according to a leading Wolverhampton commercial property lawyer. Read more...
Delayed Trains Have Same European Compensation Rules as Planes - 01/06/2011
With another volcanic dust cloud threatening to disrupt European air travel, following last year’s delays more people may be tempted to switch to the train to guarantee their summer holidays... Read more...
May - 2011
Employers Now Liable for False Statements About Former Employees - 24/05/2011
Employers now have to take care when commenting in any situation about former employees, or risk being liable for damages if they get it wrong, according to a leading Wolverhampton employment solicitor. Read more...
Conference for Professional Farming Advisors - 23/05/2011
More than 40 professionals working in the agricultural sector in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire heard cutting edge ideas on how they can help their farmer and land owner clients to improve their businesses. Read more...
Dont Look to Soap Operas for Advice on how to Conduct a Divorce - 20/05/2011
Anyone considering a divorce should not be tempted to follow the current storyline in BBC soap Eastenders, concerning the divorce of Ian and Jane Beale, according to a leading Wolverhampton family lawyer Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Retains Independent Quality Standards - 18/05/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has successfully retained two independent quality marks - The Law Society Lexcel Practice Management Standard and the ISO 9001:2008 (Lawnet) Standard. Read more...
Court decision will boost challenges to Wills - 10/05/2011
An Appeal Court decision is expected to give a further boost to the already increasing numbers of people prepared to challenge a relative’s will in court, in the hope of improving their inheritance... Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Helps Save Iconic Black Country Pub - 09/05/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has helped one of the Black Country’s most iconic pub and restaurants stay open and saved 15 jobs. Read more...
Top Telford Property Lawyer Retires - 03/05/2011
One of Telford’s best known commercial property lawyers, who played a key role in the development of the new town, has stepped down from his legal practice. Read more...
April - 2011
FBC Manby Bowdler Joins New Brain Injury Group - 21/04/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has been selected to join the new Brain Injury Group - a national network of expert brain injury lawyers working alongside a wide range of specialist support services. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Renews Shropshire Cricket League Sponsorship for Fourth Year - 14/04/2011
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is to sponsor the Shropshire Cricket League for a fourth consecutive year. Read more...
Four Promoted to Associate at FBC Manby Bowdler - 14/04/2011
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has promoted four solicitors to the position of associate. Read more...
DIY Divorces on the Increase, but Many Cost More than Using a Solicitor - 12/04/2011
DIY divorces are on the increase, but, far from being cheap and easy, doing-it-yourself can be complex and fraught with difficulties and extra costs, warns a leading West Midlands matrimonial solicitor. Read more...
New Senior Partner Takes Reins at FBC Manby Bowdler LLP - 07/04/2011
Niall Blackie has taken over as Senior Partner at West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. He replaces Gavin Southall, who has retired from the partnership and becomes a consultant to the firm. Read more...
Employment Newsletter April 2011 - 05/04/2011
Welcome to the next issue of FBC Manby Bowdler's Employment Newsletter, covering the most recent developments and issues in employment law. Read more...
The Ordinary TUPE Rules apply when a business enters administration - 01/04/2011
For sometime it was questionable whether the usual rules of TUPE applied when a company went into administration. Read more...
Health and Safety Executive commences unannounced inspection visits to construction sites - 01/04/2011
The HSC will be carrying out unannounced visits to construction sites across the country starting in March 2011. Read more...
New Flexible Working Requests Form - 01/04/2011
The right to request flexible working is being extended from the 6 April 2011. Read more...
The Bribery Act 2010 - 01/04/2011
Following the Government’s announcement on 30 March 2011, the new Bribery Act is due to come into force on 1 July. Read more...
Twitter Messages Are Not Private - 01/04/2011
The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) has ruled that material published on Twitter should be considered public and therefore the person tweeting has no right to privacy in respect of the tweet. Read more...
March - 2011
Checklist For New Bribery Act - 31/03/2011
With the new Bribery Act due to come into force on 1 July, following the Government’s announcement yesterday (30 March 2011), law firm FBC Manby Bowdler has prepared a checklist for businesses to help them avoid falling foul of the new legislation. Read more...
Think Before you Tweet or Post - 29/03/2011
With the first successful court action for libel on Twitter resulting in a bill for £53,000, Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is warning all users of social networks to pause and think before they tweet or post Read more...
Smart Local Investors Turning to Commercial Property - 29/03/2011
Canny Shropshire investors are moving back into commercial property to take advantage of lower prices and higher yields, according to a leading Shrewsbury commercial property lawyer. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on Expansion of Staffordshire Logistics Firm - 28/03/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised a Staffordshire logistics operator on an acquisition which broadens its customer base. Read more...
Budget Planning Changes Welcomed by Planning Professional - 24/03/2011
A leading planning lawyer has welcomed the changes to planning rules announced in yesterday’s Budget as a sign of a commitment to freeing up the planning system. Read more...
Employment Law Updates on Retirement Issues - 18/03/2011
Employment law experts from West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP will provide the latest information on the new regulations for retiring older workers, at Employment Law Update sessions to be held in Wolverhampton, Telford and Shrewsbury. Read more...
Free Planning Seminar on the New Localism Bill - 11/03/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is holding two seminars for land and property owners, and property professionals on the changes to the planning regime proposed by the new Localism Bill... Read more...
New Legal Service to Review Employee's Use of Social and Corporate Networking - 09/03/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has launched a new service for organisations worried about the use of social and corporate networking sites by employees... Read more...
February - 2011
Directors Should Check Health and Safety Compliance - 24/02/2011
Directors should check their company’s compliance with Health and Safety regulations, following the first successful prosecution of a company for corporate manslaughter, warns a Wolverhampton business and regulatory crime legal specialist. Read more...
New Localism Bill Could Bring Chaoes to Property Markets - 21/02/2011
The new Localism Bill proposed by the coalition Government could bring uncertainty and chaos to both the residential and commercial property markets, where innocent purchasers could become responsible for the actions of a previous owner... Read more...
Check Credit Controls to Avoid Losing Money - 09/02/2011
Despite the headline fall in companies going bust, in the latest insolvency figures (published 4th February 2011), maintaining a positive cash flow remains a pressing problem for many businesses, warns a leading Wolverhampton litigation lawyer. Read more...
January - 2011
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on Acquisition of Worcester Hair and Beauty Training Academy - 31/01/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised City of Wolverhampton College on its acquisition of a hair and beauty training academy in Worcester. Read more...
Do not Bank on a Days Holiday for Royal Wedding - 28/01/2011
Many workers will not be entitled to a day off for the forthcoming Royal Wedding, unless employers specifically grant them one, according a leading Wolverhampton employment lawyer Read more...
Protecting Family Home From Nursing Home Fees is Number One Concern for Older People - 18/01/2011
Having to sell the family home to pay for nursing home fees is now the number one concern for most older people, according to a survey by West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Acquires Specialist Corporate Practice - 17/01/2011
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has acquired a specialist corporate legal practice Read more...
Joint Shropshire Farming Conference on Improving Business - 14/01/2011
More than 70 Shropshire farmers and landowners heard cutting edge ideas on how they can improve their businesses from industry and legal experts at Harper Adams University College and Shropshire-based law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
No Need for Employer Panic Over Abolition of Default Retirement Age - 14/01/2011
Employers should not panic about the Government’s abolition of the default retirement age (DRA), according to a leading Wolverhampton employment lawyer. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Set to Build on 2010 Success - 13/01/2011
2010 proved to be a successful year for Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. The ‘Lawyers’ Bible’, The Legal 500 ranked it as the best law firm in the city for Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Secures Landmark Legal Victory for Farmers on Agricultural Development - 10/01/2011
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has won a landmark legal ruling in favour of farmers who wish to put up agricultural buildings that fall within “permitted development” parameters Read more...
December - 2010
Increase in the Annual Compensation Limit - 16/12/2010
From 1 February the cap on unfair dismissal claims will increase to £68400. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Takes on Four New Trainee Solicitors - 13/12/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has taken on four new trainee solicitors... Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on Expansion at Document Storage Company - 08/12/2010
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised on the expansion of a Black Country secure document storage and destruction company... Read more...
November - 2010
Cancel and Return any Unwanted Internet Goods ASAP - 24/11/2010
With more people than ever expected to purchase their Christmas presents via the internet this year... Read more...
England Is Best Place For Vulnerable to Divorce - 17/11/2010
England is the best place for the financially weakest in a separating couple to get a divorce... Read more...
Better Company Insolvency Figures Hiding True Picture - 11/11/2010
The better than expected results from the Insolvency Service (published last Friday - 5 November) which show... Read more...
UK Compensation Culture is a Myth - 10/11/2010
Less than one in three people claim compensation after they have been injured in an avoidable accident... Read more...
New Senior Partner at FBC Manby Bowdler LLP - 10/11/2010
West Midlands and Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has appointed a new Senior Partner. Read more...
Fine Advice for Entrepreneur From Midlands Based Professionals - 02/11/2010
Two West Midlands based professional firms have advised a Shropshire entrepreneur on an investment which is designed to boost the success of his international fine wines company Read more...
No Room for 'Sloppy Language' in Staff Discipline - 02/11/2010
Employers must take extra care when it comes to disciplining or dismissing employees... Read more...
October - 2010
Supreme Court Ruling Will Accelerate Use of Pre- and Post- Nuptual Agreements - 22/10/2010
The UK Supreme Court ruling, that a pre-nuptial agreement is binding in the case of a German paper company heiress, will encourage many more people to enter into pre- and post-nuptial agreements Read more...
New Solicitors at FBC Manby Bowdler - 14/10/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has appointed three newly qualified solicitors, all of whom trained with the firm. Read more...
Employment Newsletter October 2010 - 13/10/2010
Welcome to the next issue of FBC Manby Bowdler's Employment Newsletter, covering the most recent developments and issues in employment law. Read more...
Compensation for Further Injury at Wolverhampton City Council Events - 12/10/2010
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has helped another clubber win compensation after slipping and injuring herself during an evening out at a nightclub event organised by Wolverhampton City Council. Read more...
Joint Venture Deal Secures £10 Million Order and New Jobs For Shrewsbury Firm - 12/10/2010
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has helped a local specialist environmental company to seal a joint venture agreement to deliver orders worth more than £10 million, and create three new jobs. Read more...
HR User Group LinkedIn - 05/10/2010
At the last meeting of FBC Manby Bowdler's HR User Group Read more...
Statutory Requirement to Provide Employees with Written Particulars - 04/10/2010
Statutory requirement to provide employees with written particulars Read more...
Unfair Dismissal & Employer's Ability to Pay - 01/10/2010
The employer’s ability to pay is not a factor which the Tribunal ought to consider in determining how much compensation is to be paid to the employee in a claim for unfair dismissal. Read more...
The Equality Act 2010 - 01/10/2010
The purpose of The Equality Act 2010 Read more...
Job Descriptions - Words not to Use - 01/10/2010
Do not use the word “younger” in a job specification. Read more...
Abolition of the Statutory Default Retirement Age of 65 from October 2011 - 01/10/2010
At present employers can retire employees, provided they have followed the appropriate procedure at the age of 65. Read more...
Unfair Dismissal & Costs Awards by the Tribunal - 01/10/2010
An employee obtained a finding of unfair dismissal due to technical breaches of the statutory dismissal procedure by the employer. Read more...
Correct Procedure for Putting Employees on Garden Leave - 01/10/2010
It used to be the position that an employer could not require an employee to go on garden leave unless there was an express garden leave clause in their contract of employment. Read more...
Employers Warned Against Checking Out Job Candidates on Social Networking Sites - 01/10/2010
Employers should be wary of searching the internet for potential employees’ personal profiles Read more...
September - 2010
FBCMB Wolverhampton Marathon Team Success - 27/09/2010
2 hours and 7 minutes was the time the FBCMB Wolverhampton Marathon Team Read more...
Commercial Tenants Sqaundering New Lease Protection and Rent Reduction - 23/09/2010
Many commercial property tenants are losing the opportunity to reduce the rent that they are paying at the end of their lease period. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler LLP Advises on DayMen International Expansion - 22/09/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised on a major expansion at a leading international supplier of photographic accessories. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Ranked Top Corporate Law Firm in Legal 500 - 13/09/2010
FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has been named as the top corporate and commercial law firm in Wolverhampton Read more...
Charities Warned to Check That They Are Fit to Take on Public Services - 09/09/2010
Many charities will find it difficult to fill the hole left by public spending cuts. Read more...
FBCMB Solicitor Wins Future Professional of the Year - 09/09/2010
Charlotte Clode, a solicitor in the Firm's Litigation Department, based in Wolverhampton Read more...
New Chairs at Wolverhampton Business Breakfast Club - 06/09/2010
Wolverhampton Business Breakfast Club (WBBC) has appointed two new Chairs. Read more...
Agricultural Q & A - 01/09/2010
Agricultural Q and A Read more...
August - 2010
Holiday Compensation Limited for Ruined Holidays - 17/08/2010
Holidaymakers returning from a disastrous foreign holiday can expect to be reimbursed for delayed or cancelled flights, but should not count on winning major compensation for mental distress or disappointment Read more...
New Head of Family Law at FBC Manby Bowdlers’s Wolverhampton Office - 11/08/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has appointed a new head of Family Law at its Wolverhampton office. Read more...
“Singing Solicitor” is New Head of Family Law For Shrewsbury - 11/08/2010
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has appointed a new head of Family Law at its Shrewsbury office. Read more...
Panorama Highlights Dangers of Using Will Writers - 09/08/2010
Tonight’s Panorama programme (broadcast at 8.30pm on Monday 9th August on BBC One), highlights the risks in using a will writing service, says a leading Wolverhampton private client solicitor Read more...
Employers Beware Fake Fit Notes - 02/08/2010
Employers should be on the look out for fake fit notes, which are being sold on the internet for as little as £10, warns a leading Midlands’ employment lawyer Read more...
July - 2010
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on Expansion at Jennings Funeral Directors - 29/07/2010
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised on the expansion of one of the longest established funeral directors in Wolverhampton Read more...
New Government Policy Will Increase Housing Shortage - 22/07/2010
New housing planning policies introduced by the new government will detract from efforts to rectify the shortage of new homes in the West Midlands Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Wins £75,000 Compensation For Clubbers Injured at Wolverhampton City Council Events - 16/07/2010
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has helped six clubbers win compensation after slipping and injuring themselves during an evening out at nightclub events organised by Wolverhampton City Council. Read more...
New Legal Protocol Cuts Number of New Home Possessions - 13/07/2010
A new legal protocol designed to encourage more communication between mortgage lenders and borrowers falling behind with their repayments has succeeded Read more...
Health check your social media policies - 12/07/2010
As social networking, via online tools such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter has exploded in popularity over the last few years, many employers have had to deal with inappropriate conduct by their employees on the web. Read more...
National minimum wage rates confirmed - 12/07/2010
From October 1st 2010, the NMW rates are set to increase as follows: Read more...
Making reasonable adjustments in the workplace - 12/07/2010
In the recent case of Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police v Jelic the Employment Appeal Tribunal has agreed with the decision of an employment tribunal Read more...
Tribunals and "illegible" claim forms - 12/07/2010
In the recent case of May v Greenwich Council, Mr May presented his claim form at the Tribunal on the last available date of the 3 month period, Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Helps Deliver a Slice of the Action for Newest Pizza Hut Franchise - 05/07/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised on the opening of the latest Pizza Hut Delivery franchise in Wolverhampton, which has created 25 new jobs. Read more...
June - 2010
FBC Manby Bowdler strengthens Shrewsbury litigation team - 21/06/2010
Shrewsbury law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has strengthened its Litigation team with the appointment of a local solicitor. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler supports charity hike for Macmillan - 21/06/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has chosen MacMilllan Cancer Support as one of its two corporate charities for the next 12 months Read more...
Long wait for Co-habitation legislation will lead to further court disputes for unmarried couples - 14/06/2010
With little sign that giving further legal rights to unmarried couples is a priority for the new Government, there is likely to be an increase in former co-habitees facing expensive legal disputes Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler advises on major expansion at Walsall manufacturer - 14/06/2010
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised on a major expansion at a Walsall window and door hardware manufacturer. Read more...
May - 2010
Hats the way to raise money for Headway at FBC Manby Bowdler - 24/05/2010
Staff in the Wolverhampton and Willenhall offices of law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP have raised more than £500 for a national brain injury charity by wearing brightly coloured hats to work for a day. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on Expansion at Wolverhampton Financial Adviser - 24/05/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised a leading Wolverhampton independent financial adviser on an expansion programme involving the acquisition of three smaller rival businesses in the past three months. Read more...
Managing Football Fever - 17/05/2010
With the FIFA World Cup set to kick off in South Africa on 11 June, West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has drawn up a list of tips for employers to help them deal in advance with any absences causing disruption to business. Read more...
More Parental Leave Promised by New Tory Liberal Coalition Government - 12/05/2010
Employers can expect few breaks from the new Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition Government Read more...
Licensing Curbs Extended to Wolverhampton Takeaways - 11/05/2010
Takeaway food establishments which want to open or extend their operating hours within Wolverhampton City Centre Ring Road can now have their licence refused Read more...
Wrong Claims Lead to Delays in Claiming Inheritance Tax Allowances - 11/05/2010
Children trying to claim their inheritance without paying tax on their parents’ estate are facing long delays due to a complicated claim form and onerous record keeping requirements Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Advises on Housing Development Purchase - 04/05/2010
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has helped to get a stalled housing development moving again by advising on the acquisition of the freehold of a partly finished residential development in Willenhall, whose owner had become bankrupt. Read more...
Checklist for Businesses to Avoid Fraud - 04/05/2010
With cases of business fraud on a seemingly inexorable rise, West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has prepared an Employee Fraud Checklist to help businesses recognise the signs. Read more...
April - 2010
Seven Promoted to Senior Positions at FBC Manby Bowdler - 28/04/2010
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has made seven promotions to the position of partner and associate. Read more...
Law Firm Advises Celebrity Hairdresser on London Salon Franchise - 12/04/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised a celebrity hairdresser on the franchise agreement for a new London salon. Read more...
Beware the CRC - 12/04/2010
Commercial landlords and tenants must take into account the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme in both new and existing leases, warns West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
Law Firm Advises on Establishment of Polymer Training and Innovation Centre - 12/04/2010
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised City of Wolverhampton College on the establishment of the Polymer Training and Innovation Centre (PTIC) Read more...
March - 2010
Taylor Retires After 40 Years With the Same Law Firm - 30/03/2010
One of Wolverhampton’s longest serving solicitors has stepped down after nearly 40 years with the same law firm. Read more...
Stronger Village Green Law Will Hinder Development Opportunities - 24/03/2010
Preventing development of land in small towns and villages areas has become easier as result of a landmark Supreme Court decision Read more...
Discriminatory Jobs Adverts Targeted by Serial Litigants - 11/03/2010
Employers using discriminatory job adverts are being targeted by so-called serial litigants, who are winning an average of £2,000 per claim, warns a leading Shropshire employment lawyer. Read more...
Leading Family Lawyer to Address WI Meetings on Divorce - 10/03/2010
One of Shropshire’s leading family lawyers will be speaking about divorce to a series of Woman’s Institute (WI) meetings throughout the county. Read more...
Impatient Landlords Risk Losing Out - 03/03/2010
Commercial property landlords risk losing substantial amounts of time and money by allowing tenants to move into their premises before signing a lease, warns a leading Shropshire commercial property lawyer. Read more...
Employers Face Increased Threat of Whistleblowing Investigations From Disgruntled Employees - 03/03/2010
Employers could soon find themselves subject to investigation by regulatory authorities thanks to disgruntled employees using new ‘whistleblowing’ regulations, warns Bridgnorth law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
Effective date of termination - you're fired, effective from? - 01/03/2010
In the case of Gisda Cyf v Barratt Miss Barratt attended a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday 28 November. She was sent home and told to expect a letter concerning possible dismissal that Thursday. Read more...
Introduction of Fit Notes - 01/03/2010
The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and the Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 are intended to come into force on 6 April 2010. Read more...
IVF treatment and sex discrimination - 01/03/2010
In the recent case of Sahota v The Home Office and Pipkin Mrs Sahota worked for the Border and Immigration Agency and was undergoing IVF treatment. Read more...
Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 - 01/03/2010
The right to request time off is being extended to cover employees who wish to undertake training or study. Read more...
New Financial Year Policy Review - 01/03/2010
With the start of a New Financial Year looming, it is a good time to review your employment documents and check you have at least some of the basics in place. Read more...
February - 2010
FBC Manby Bowdler Renews Shropshire Cricket League Sponsorship - 16/02/2010
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is to sponsor the Shropshire Cricket League for a third consecutive year. Read more...
Check "Copying" Policies - 09/02/2010
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is warning businesses to be extra vigilant when they are copying material from external sources. Read more...
Step Up for FBC Manby Bowdler Legal Duo - 02/02/2010
Two members of the Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Department at West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP have been appointed as members of an international organisation for professionals who specialise in tax, trusts and estate planning. Read more...
Equestrian Businesses Need to Check Worker Status - 02/02/2010
A leading equine lawyer is warning the Shropshire equestrian industry to check the employment status of its workers following a court ruling. Read more...
January - 2010
FBC Manby Bowdler Joins Certainty - 25/01/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has become a founder member of Certainty, the national electronic Will search and Will registration facility. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Reappointed to Headway Panel - 18/01/2010
Shropshire law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has been reappointed to the list of solicitors firms approved by leading brain injury charity Headway. Read more...
New Specialist IT-IP Group Launched - 18/01/2010
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has established a specialist Intellectual Property and Information Technology (IP/IT) group to deal with the growing number of clients seeking its help in these specialist areas of business law. Read more...
Increase in Agreements to Protect Assets in Second Marriages - 11/01/2010
More people are seeking to protect their assets by using legally binding agreements to restrict their spouse’s or partner’s rights to their wealth Read more...
Businesses Advised to Check Leases and Insurance Policies - 08/01/2010
The recent explosion in Shrewsbury town centre has shocked the entire community, but what would be the implications and costs for local business owners and occupiers should it happen to them? Read more...
Employers Must Be Clear on "Snow Days" Policy - 06/01/2010
With the region battling with some of the worst winter conditions for the past two decades, a leading Wolverhampton employment lawyer is urging employers to make clear their policy on being absent from work due to the snow. Read more...
December - 2009
Agricultural Q & A - 21/12/2009
The vehicular track to part of my farm is across a neighbour’s property which has recently changed hands. The new owner tells me I have no written right to use the track and is intending to block it based on what is shown on his Deeds. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Delivers on First Quench Stores Acqusition - 21/12/2009
A team from West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised a Dudley-based discount off licence chain on its acquisition of 14 former Thresher and Wine Rack stores, part of First Quench which went into administration at the end of October. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Strengthens Corporate Team - 07/12/2009
West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has strengthened its corporate department with the appointment of a new solicitor. Read more...
Leading Threatened Buildings Campaigner Steps Down - 02/12/2009
One of the key figures in the on-going battle to preserve Wolverhampton’s historic buildings has stepped down. Read more...
November - 2009
Law Firm Advises on City's Legendary Entertainment Venue - 30/11/2009
Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler has proved its credentials in advising clients involved in the leisure and entertainment business by helping the re-birth of a legendary entertainment venue in the city. Read more...
Save Tax - Give Cash for Christmas - 30/11/2009
Giving cash as a Christmas present to children, grandchildren, and other relatives or friends, will not only spread a lot of happiness, but can help reduce the tax bill too Read more...
Check Lack of Licence Will Not Ruin Christmas Party - 25/11/2009
A Bridgnorth law firm is warning businesses, charities, societies and social clubs to make sure their Christmas parties do not fall foul of licensing laws, and face a fine of up to £20,000 or six months in prison. Read more...
Malingerers' Charter to Hit Firms During Christmas Shutdown - 23/11/2009
Black Country firms could face a host of claims for extra holidays from workers claiming they were sick during the traditional Christmas shutdown, warns a leading Wolverhampton employment lawyer. Read more...
Licensing Deal Secures £Multi-Million Orders and Prospect of New Jobs - 10/11/2009
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler has helped an entrepreneur licence a new technology for use in the food processing industry Read more...
Employers Struggling to Recruit Despite Unemployment Figures - 03/11/2009
Despite 12-year record high unemployment figures, Shropshire organisations are struggling to recruit good workers, according to a leading employment lawyer. Read more...
October - 2009
Free Guide to Help Landlords Deal with Insolvent Tenants - 26/10/2009
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler has published a free guide for landlords of commercial properties to help them deal with any tenants which become insolvent. Read more...
Do Not Rely on Political Promises to Safeguard Future - 21/10/2009
Too many people are prepared to bet their children’s inheritance on vague promises made by political parties seeking election, according to a leading Wolverhampton solicitor. Read more...
Recession Changing Divorce Trends - 19/10/2009
The current economic crisis is bucking the trend for divorce numbers in a recession, and is changing the nature of divorce settlements themselves, according to a leading West Midlands’ matrimonial solicitor. Read more...
Property Market Conditions Helping Tenants Do Better Deals - 07/10/2009
The current state of the commercial property market is helping tenants to achieve some excellent property deals, according to a leading Midlands’ commercial property solicitor. Read more...
Pitchcare Form Strategic Alliance with ALS - 05/10/2009
The e-commerce arm of Pitchcare.com Limited has formed a strategic alliance with Amenity Land Solutions (ALS) with funding from The Co-operative Bank’s Birmingham corporate banking centre. Read more...
September - 2009
Business Community Gathers to Mark FBC Manby Bowdler's Theatre Severn Gallery Sponsorship - 24/09/2009
More than 50 of Shrewsbury’s leading business lights gathered at the town’s new Theatre Severn to celebrate the sponsorship of the theatre’s third floor gallery area by local law firm, FBC Manby Bowdler. Read more...
Deal With Short Term Absences Now to Avoid Swine Flu Crisis - 23/09/2009
Organisations need to reduce persistent short term absenteeism from work now, so that they can cope with the potential effects of the on-going Swine Flu pandemic this winter, according to a leading Midlands’ employment lawyer. Read more...
FBC Manby Bowdler Partner Secures First Agricultural Law Fellowship - 23/09/2009
A partner at a Bridgnorth law firm has become the first solicitor in Shropshire to be granted the top award by the leading rural legal business organisation. Read more...
Simpler Forms Should Boost Powers of Attorney - 23/09/2009
The introduction of simpler documentation is expected to lead to a much needed uptake in the numbers of powers of attorney, according to a leading Midlands’ lawyer specialising in wills, trusts and estate planning. Read more...
Employers Recruiting Again for the Upturn Advised to Check Job Procedures - 18/09/2009
With some employers starting to recruit again for the expected economic upturn, a leading Midlands’ employment lawyer is warning them to review their employment procedures Read more...
Adjudication Can Provide a Cash Flow Lifeline for Construction and Property Companies - 18/09/2009
With around 17 businesses going under every day, the construction and property sector should make more use of adjudication to settle contract disputes, according to a leading Midlands’ construction litigation lawyer. Read more...
BCBP Welcomes Outcome of Bishop's Castle Biomass Power Plant Planning Inquiry - 04/09/2009
Bishop’s Castle Biomass Power Limited (BCBP) has welcomed the Planning Inspector’s decision to grant it planning permission to build and operate a biomass power plant in Bishop’s Castle Read more...
Inheritance Tax and Rented Holiday Accommodation: Update - 01/09/2009
Rented holiday accommodation is a valuable source of income for many farmers and people involved in the rural economy. Read more...
August - 2009
Important Changes to the National Minimum Wage - 10/08/2009
Important changes to the National Minimum Wage are set to come into force on 1 October 2009 Read more...
It's Not Too Late to Plan for Swine Flu Absenteeism - 10/08/2009
With Department of Health (DoH) officials predicting a ‘worst case’ scenario of 30% of the population succumbing to swine flu Read more...
June - 2009
New Powers Enforce the Payment of Tribunal Awards - 22/06/2009
A local solicitor has highlighted new measures from the Ministry of Justice designed to ensure that people who have been granted awards by an Employment Tribunal receive the money they are owed Read more...
New 'Fit Note' Looks Set to Help Patients Stay in Work - 19/06/2009
Britain’s ‘sickness culture’ is estimated to cost the economy some £100 billion and 172 million working days every year – but a local solicitor believes that this is all set to change next spring. Read more...
Agricultural Property Relief and Inheritance Tax - 08/06/2009
Am I right in thinking that there has been a recent change in the rules for Agricultural Property Relief on Inheritance Tax ? Read more...
Double Whammy for Employers as Credit Crunch Drives up Number of Employment Tribunals - 08/06/2009
As the credit crunch continues to bite, Shropshire businesses are now also facing an increase in the number of employment tribunals and the subsequent additional expenditure. Read more...
April - 2009
Dispute Resolution - The Way Forward - 01/04/2009
On 6 April 2009 the Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution) Regulations 2004 will be repealed. Read more...
December - 2008
Distressed Landlords Could Miss Dated Distraint - 18/12/2008
The common law right of distraint, which has been applied by landlords of premises for years to recover rent, is likely to be abolished shortly Read more...
Voluntary Organisation Relocates to New Development - 16/12/2008
Wolverhampton-based voluntary organisation Access to Business has announced its relocation to larger premises in response to rising demand for its services. The company was advised by local law firm FBC Manby Bowdler. Read more...
The Best Way to Deal with D-Day - 15/12/2008
Christmas can be a stressful time for many as visiting in-laws, money worries and attempting to keep everybody happy can bring any problems in a relationship to a head. Read more...
November - 2008
Relax, it's Christmas! - 04/11/2008
Bosses should avoid a Scrooge response to the credit crunch and engender Christmas goodwill by relaxing their IT and postal policies for staff in the run up to Christmas, says West Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
A Case of Practice Makes Perfect... - 03/11/2008
“I have no interest in lowering our standards or our quality. I want us to be the most outstanding law firm within a 60-mile radius, giving the best quality at the best prices, and quite frankly, clients wouldn’t think of coming anywhere else.” Read more...
October - 2008
Health Warning - You Face Jail! - 22/10/2008
Company bosses face up to two years in prison for neglect of their health and safety duties under new laws, a county law firm is warning. Read more...
Telford Seat Maker has Designs on Europe - 20/10/2008
A design-led Telford contract furniture designer and manufacturer is poised to expand and enter Europe as a result of a joint venture with a larger Dutch manufacturer – and advice from a Shropshire law firm. Read more...
September - 2008
Tomorrow is Another Day - 09/09/2008
What’s in a day? As much as £36,000 if you are retired early against your will! Read more...
July - 2008
Twin Blow to Employers of Parents - 28/07/2008
Workers with kids are set to deliver a twin whammy to employers in Shropshire, says law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
Booze Abuse Brings Stronger Measures - 04/07/2008
Licensees in Shropshire can now face tougher punishments if they or their punters flout the law, warns FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
June - 2008
Positive Step for Fairer Sex - 27/06/2008
Women in the Shropshire workforce can finally expect equal pay under new laws to allow positive discrimination, says law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP. Read more...
New Recruit Back For More At FBC Manby Bowdler - 25/06/2008
Newly merged Black Country law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has strengthened its team with an old face as a new recruit. Read more...
Blacklist Could Backfire on Bosses Playing Big Brother - 11/06/2008
Share details of bad leavers at your peril, an employment expert has warned Black Country company bosses. Read more...
May - 2008
Midlands Could Bump on Lack of Corporate Recycling - 30/05/2008
The credit crunch and fears of a recession could take their toll on the Midlands economy, an insolvency lawyer is warning. Read more...
Consult to Avoid Huge Redundancy Penalties - 28/05/2008
Employers in the West Midlands struggling in the face of economic slowdown are being warned to follow procedures correctly when making redundancies – or face huge costs. Read more...
Shropshire Cricket League Nets New Sponsor - 22/05/2008
Black Country law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP is to sponsor The Shropshire Cricket League for two years. Read more...
Regulators Cut Red Tape - 16/05/2008
Seven principles of regulation will make life easier for businesses in Shropshire, a compliance expert predicts. Read more...
Empty Rates Could Cripple Development - 12/05/2008
Regeneration and speculative office development could grind to a trickle as a falling Shropshire market is hit by the latest blow of empty property rates. Read more...
April - 2008
FBC Manby Bowdler United - 28/04/2008
West Midlands law firm heavyweights Manby Steward Bowdler and fbc have officially tied the knot to create fbc Manby Bowdler LLP – exactly a year on from Manbys’ merger with respected Shrewsbury practice Bowdlers. Read more...