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February 2012
Putting lawyers in touch with the youth of Oldham
Pearson Hinchliffe partner, Michael Pitt, takes over as 2012 Oldham Law Association President.
MoreReview of default retirement age brought forward to 2010
14th July 2009
The Government’s planned review of the default retirement age (DRA) has been brought forward a year to take place in 2010 to reflect the 'change in economic circumstances'.
According to the BBC, Gordon Brown, the prime minister, said: "Evidence suggests that allowing older people to continue working, unfettered by negative views about ageing, could be a big factor in the success of Britain's businesses and our future economic growth."
Pensions minister Angela Eagle said although employers can retire staff when they turn 65, 1.3m people choose to work beyond state pension age, and evidence suggests that as the value of pensions diminishes and life expectancy rises many more would work past 65 if were permitted.
The minister said it was time to look again at the default retirement age: "Some people prefer to take early retirement, others prefer to keep working. We want to give older people flexible retirement options.
"The government is responding to the changed economic landscape. The different circumstances today - for businesses, and for individuals coming up to retirement - suggest that an earlier review is appropriate.
"As Britain's demographics change it is sensible that we have the debate on what works for business and individuals. The retirement laws need to reflect modern social and economic circumstances."
As part of its strategy entitled: Building a Society for All Ages, the Government will now begin gathering evidence from stakeholders for the review.
Legal challenges
Earlier, a panel of judges heard that a legal challenge by a solicitor forced to retire at 65 could affect every employee in the country.
The government has intervened in the case of Leslie Seldon, who claims he was discriminated against on grounds of age when his firm, Clarkson Wright Jakes, asked him to leave at the normal retirement age in line with his partnership agreement.
Dinah Rose QC, acting for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, said the case raised "important questions of policy and principle".
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is intervening in a separate legal challenge next Thursday in the High Court over compulsory retirement in a case brought against the government by Age Concern and Help the Aged. It will decide if the UK's default retirement age can be justified under EU law.
Scores of age discrimination claims are waiting in the pipeline for the outcome of these challenges. We will report on the result in due course when the judges reserve their ruling.
Pearson Hinchliffe Commercial Law are able to advise you on employment law matters, especially managing employees' entry into retirement.
January 2012
Company and commercial law reforms to reduce red tape
Companies of all shapes and sizes have been asked for their views on how to tackle unnecessary bureaucracy in company and commercial law.
MoreJanuary 2012
Increase in unfair dismissal qualifying period will apply only to new employees
From 6 April 2012 the qualifying period of service for making a claim increases from one to two years.
MoreJanuary 2012
Maximum compensation for unfair dismissal increases from 1 February 2012
Annual revision of employment tribunal award limits and other amounts payable under employment legislation.
MoreDecember 2011
Health and safety laws to be cut by half
Government plans to slash health and safety red tape will mean substantial savings for small firms, business groups have said.
MoreNovember 2011
Weight Watchers case: the importance to employers of employment status.
The Upper Tier Tribunal holds 1,700 ‘leaders’ at Weight Watchers were employees for tax purposes.
MoreSeptember 2011
How to Conduct a Disciplinary Hearing
A recent presentation by Employment solicitor, Susan Mayall, setting out the stages for handling a disciplinary, referencing the ACAS Code of Conduct.
June 2011
ACAS Advice leaflet “Holidays and Holiday Pay”
Download the guidance covering arrangements for holidays and holiday pay.
October 2010
Recent Case Study: Commercial Landlord and Tenant - An Authorised Guarantee Agreement
Authorised Guarantee Agreements keep the original tenant on the hook in case a third party assignee defaults; they should be drafted with care.
July 2010
Recent Case Study: Doing Battle in the Boardroom
How Pearson Hinchliffe Commercial Law helped members of the Board of Directors achieve the outcome they sought in their boardroom dispute with a senior executive director.
May 2010
How the Mergers & Acquisitions team helped Lanes Group PLC achieve their LAS sell-off
Drainage specialists dispose £12.3 million majority stake in Lanes Assistance Services.
March 2010
PH Employment Direct
The Employment team at Pearson Hinchliffe Commercial Law have created PH Employment Direct - a user-friendly and simple service that gives you access to the best advice at the end of a phone 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
February 2010
Oldham Construction Sector
On 3 February 2010 Corporate Commercial partner Roger Hinchliffe delivered a presentation entitled, ‘Joint Ventures’ to the Oldham Construction Sector group.
January 2010
Debt Recovery Service
With our specialist commercial Debt Recovery service you can significantly increase the speed and likelihood of recovering the money owed to your business.