Adjudications, which force employers to make payments under construction contracts even where there is a dispute over the value of the work, could become far less popular following an Appeal Court decision. Under the Construction Act 1996, a contractor can…read more
Financial Ombudsman to take on SME complaints from 2019. Published December 2018
Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) will be able to take complaints about financial businesses to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) from 1 April 2019 under plans announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The regulator is also consulting on increasing…read more
Financial Ombudsman backs client who overruled pension advice. Published November 2018
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has awarded compensation to a pension transfer client, despite the independent financial adviser (IFA) recommending against the transfer. The controversial decision could mean that fewer firms act for insistent clients in the future. IFA firm…read more
Fully-video court hearings extended to CCJ set aside applications. Published January 2019
The courts have moved another step towards fully-video hearings. A pilot scheme in Manchester and Birmingham will test a procedure for applications to set aside County Court default judgments. The trial follows the first fully-video hearings of tax tribunal appeals,…read more
Report recommends tough complaints procedures following bank malpractice. Published December 2018
A major report has recommended new complaints procedures for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) which are in dispute with their banks and other lenders. The report follows widespread alleged misconduct by banks in the wake of the global financial crisis. …read more
Solicitor struck off after practicing for 12 years without insurance. Published December 2018
A veteran solicitor has been struck off after practicing without insurance for 12 years. Peter Rollin also failed to seek authorisation to act as a sole practitioner and did not keep proper accounts, among numerous other rule breaches. Mr Rollin,…read more
Law firm pays damages despite mortgage fraud. Published November 2018
A law firm has been forced to pay damages for failing to register a property transfer, despite the client having been involved in mortgage fraud. The Appeal Court ruled that the client’s illegal mortgage application was not linked with her…read more
