Commerical Services

A new face has joined the commercial property section of solicitors Ellis-Fermor & Negus at their Beeston office. Martin Cornforth, who lives in the town, has joined the company at its Devonshire Avenue base after working with another legal firm...

Question My foreman and his wife are expecting a baby due next month. Exactly how much paternity leave may he ask for? Answer The statutory right to take Ordinary Paternity Leave (‘OPL’) was introduced in 2003. Your foreman may ask...

Question   I have a post available and am about to hold interviews. I am worried that an unsuccessful candidate might claim compensation for discrimination. What questions might I safely ask and what subjects should I avoid? Answer We all know...

Our Employment Rights series addresses important questions about employment matters. Our employment solicitors explain common misconceptions and break down legal jargon. Question:   I have been told that I have no employment rights until I have at least 12 months’ continuous...

Question: My employees do not have contracts of employment. Is this a problem? Answer: Every employee has a contract of employment.  If there is nothing in writing, however, that contract is just a verbal one. Omitting to have written contracts...

You need your workforce in place but how do you get them there? In a recent case a group of prison officers refused to be transported to work by their employer via a closed road during adverse weather conditions.  As...

Dispute Resolution week takes place 25th – 29th November 2013.  The aim is to promote the benefits of alternatives to court for separating and divorcing couples.  It is organised by Resolution – the national organisation of family lawyers, committed to...

A recent decision of the High Court is a salutary reminder to parties involved in any form of settlement negotiation  that failure to make a settlement offer expressly ‘subject to contract’ may produce unintended consequences. In Newbury v Sun Microsystems...

A firm of solicitors is warning that people who have a grievance against an employer may be denied justice because of new fees to take cases to an employment tribunal. Ellis-Fermor & Negus, which has offices in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire,...

On 29 July 2013 the Government introduce Employment Tribunal fees – £1180 for an unfair dismissal case. Good news or bad? Bad news for employees with this financial obstacle to justice. Good news for employers as employees are deterred from...