News & knowledge

In Smith v Pimlico Plumbers Limited, the Court of Appeal ruled that Smith, a worker who was previously wrongly classified as self-employed by Pimlico Plumbers, was entitled to holiday pay for the whole time he was engaged by the company. It is an important judgment for organisations which engage self-employed contractors on a long-term basis.

Age Discrimination. So held the Employment Tribunals in David Robson v Clarke’s Mechanical Limited. The Tribunal concluded that R had been subject to direct age discrimination due to R having to endure the nickname of “Half-Dead Dave.” The case was principally about unfair redundancy, however the Tribunal found that R’s age was the effective cause of his selection.

Despite running into some 75 pages the judgment in Cowie v Vesuvius & Ors makes for interesting reading, especially as direct age discrimination cases tend to be few and far between. The use of words like “old fossil” has brought it to the attention of some national newspapers.

Since the UK’s departure from the EU, the Madrid Protocol has become a popular method of filing trade mark applications in foreign jurisdictions.

It has long been held that parent companies, as separate legal entities, can rarely be held liable for the actions of their subsidiaries. Arguments around the degree of supervision, direction and control required to trump limited liability have proved extremely difficult.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are on the rise, with sales of them hitting record-breaking numbers. So what are they and why are they so valuable?

Penryn-based copywriting agency Radix Communications is now owned by its employees, after setting up an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

What’s the appeal, why are they useful and what are the risks?

Murrell Associates are pleased to advise Penryn-headquartered Inyanga Marine Projects on a £2m capital raise comprising a minority £0.8m equity investment backed by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) and £1.25m debt facilities.

Murrell Associates advises on the sale by Upper Deck Limited and Five Degrees Falmouth Limited of Falmouth’s popular independent bar and pizzeria Five Degrees West.

Thousands of tourists visit Cornwall and the South West each year, thanks in part to the region’s reputation for wonderful food and drink. Renowned for its Cornish cream tea, hearty pasties, fresh fish and locally reared meat; the region has something to offer for everyone.

When buying a pub in England and Wales, particular care must be taken with the premises licence. A premises licence is a licence from the local authority for the sale of alcohol and the provision of other licensable activities.