Hidden deep in Mr Darling's PBR last week, where only sad tax advisers would find it, was a government promise to tackle banks and building societies that levy 'unfair' charges. Setting aside for a moment the natural cynicism associated with…

Share options: the low cost alternative to a pay rise When cash is short, small and medium-sized businesses should consider using share options as an alternative to a pay rise or a cash bonus. An approved share option scheme needn’t…

Controlling shareholder can be employee The Court of Appeal has confirmed that a shareholder and director of a company can also be an employee under a contract of employment with the company, even where that person has a controlling interest…

Make Sure Your Bank Knows You Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), a bank is required to inform the authorities about any transaction that it suspects might be connected with money-laundering or the proceeds of crime. Whilst the…

Fitness for Purpose - Knowledge Critical One of the most important principles of law governing buyers and sellers is that an item sold must be fit for the purpose for which it has been supplied. It is unusual for a…

The Recession - Keep and Eye on Your Lender | DFA Law Northampton Solicitors News The Recession - Keep an Eye on Your Lender! With lenders trying every device to maximise their income, it is worth thinking about your banking…

Companies Act 2006 - The Next Round The next round of changes resulting from the Companies Act 2006 came into effect on 1st October. The most important of these are as follows: Every company must have at least one director…

Financial Assistance: Is it really going away? On 1 October 2008, the financial assistance provisions of the Companies Act 1985 were repealed for most private companies. The repeal applies to financial assistance given on or after 1 October 2008 by…

Corporate Manslaughter: What does this mean for you? Companies and other organisations may face criminal prosecution for manslaughter from 6 April 2008, when the main provisions of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 come into force.  The introduction…