Adams Harrison Support Xmas Jumper Day 2017
Adams Harrison staff supported Christmas Jumper Day in all three offices and raised £25 for charity
Adams Harrison Support Christmas Jumper Day 2017
Archive for year: 2017
Morrisons Supermarket Liable For Data Breach
Morrisons Supermarket has been held liable for a data breach of 5,518 former and current employees’ personal data.
On 4th December 2017 the High Court allowed a compensation claim by thousands of Morrisons Supermarket staff. A former staff member that had worked as a senior internal auditors at Morrisons had taken personal data from payroll and posted it on line. So although Morrisons were not directly at fault for the leak at all they were nevertheless held to be vicariously liable for the actions of an employee.
The leak of personal information occurred in 2014 as a vendetta by the employee, Andrew Skelton who held a grudge against Morrisons for accusing him of dealing illegal drugs whilst at work. Skelton has since been jailed for eight years for a number of fraud and data security breach offences.
Morrisons have been given permission to appeal.
Data protection laws are currently governed by the Data Protection Act 1998. However, with effect from 25th May 2018 the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) will come into force. Some people had thought that due to Britain’s Brexit plans that the GDPR would not apply, but although the bill has yet to pass through Parliament it is going to be passed as law. The GDPR will impact all businesses and will have a dramatic impact on every organisation. It directly affects the way all businesses will collect, store and process personal data of clients/customers, prospects/contacts and employees.
Fines for non-compliance under the GDPR can be as high as 20 million Euros or 4% of global turnover, whichever is larger.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) governs and monitors compliance. They have published guidance for organisations preparing for the GDPR and this can be found at:-https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/resources-and-support/data-protection-self-assessment/getting-ready-for-the-gdpr/
Employment Law Update Winter 2017
We are pleased to bring you our Winter 2017 Employment Law update
Please click on the image below to download your copy.
Budget 2017; Stamp Duty Changes For First Time Buyers
The government announced yesterday that it is abolishing stamp duty land tax for first time buyers purchasing homes up to a value of £300,000. If a property is purchased up to £500,000 there will only be stamp duty payable at 5% on the amount between £300,000 to £500,000. This change in stamp duty provisions is hoped to assist first time buyers to get on the property ladder.
It is worth noting that a first-time buyer is defined as someone who has never owned a freehold or leasehold interest in a residential property before and who is purchasing their only or main residence. If someone has owned a residential property anywhere in the world previously then they won’t be counted as a first-time buyer. All purchasers in a joint purchase must be first-time buyers to avoid having to pay stamp duty.
Our conveyancing team will guide you through the home buying process, including advising on any liability to pay stamp duty.
Adams Harrison Jeans For Genes Event 2017
Adams Harrison took part in the Jeans For Genes event on 22nd September across all three offices, with staff making £2.00 contributions to take part and donations too. In total £66.81 was raised.
Adams Harrison At Anglia Ruskin Careers Fair Cambridge
Various representatives of Adams Harrison attended the Anglia Ruskin Careers Fair on 1st November 2017 in Cambridge.
The event was a very successful one and the Adams Harrison personnel spoke with a lot of potential trainee solicitors, and gave general advice to them about how they should proceed to achieve their goal.
Jenny Carpenter and Sue Lawton of Adams Harrison at Anglia Ruskin Careers Fair
Matt Darmon of Adams Harrison at Anglia Ruskin Careers Fair
Recover Tribunal Fees Previously Paid
Following the Supreme Court judgment on Employment Tribunal fees an announcement has now been made on the first stage of the scheme to be reimbursed fees paid whilst the fee regime was operational.
Up to around 1,000 people will now be contacted individually and given the chance to complete applications before the full scheme is opened up in the coming weeks.
If you paid a fee as well as being refunded this you will be entitled to interest of 0.5%, calculated from the date of the original payment up until the refund date.
The opening phase of the refund scheme will last for around 4 weeks. If you wish to register an interest in being refunded Tribunal fees paid we can assist and pre-register your refund request. Contact us at enquiries@adams-harrison.co.uk.
Adams Harrison Support Wear It Pink Day
Adams Harrison took part once again in raising awareness for Cancer Research by turning up to work in pink.
The staff at the Sawston office were only too happy to show their support, as pictured, and raised £15.00. The total across all three offices was £47.01
Employment Tribunal Fees Abolished
A fee regime was in place from 29th July 2013 whereby fees had to be paid upon issuing a claim before an Employment Tribunal and upon the case going to a full trial. The fee for issuing a claim was either £160 or £250, depending on the type of claim. The hearing fee was £230 or £950. On 26th July 2017 a judicial review case was heard at the Supreme Court brought on an application by Unison against the Lord Chancellor. The Supreme Court declared that fees in the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal were unlawful, under domestic and EU law. It quashed the Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal Fees Order 2013. The Supreme Court determined that the fee regime effectively prevented access to justice and was a breach of common law and constitutional rights. It was also held that it was indirectly discriminatory to have fees contrary to the Equality Act 2010.
As a result of this case all claims brought before an Employment Tribunal from now on will not incur a fee. It also means that that those Claimants that incurred fees at anytime during the four year period whilst the fee regime was in place are entitled to a refund. The detailed arrangements for recovering previously paid fees was due to be announced in September but the scheme has yet to be revealed.
There is now the potential for reinstatement of claims that were rejected by the Employment Tribunal as a result of a failure to pay the correct fee. There is also legal argument for allowing claims out of time on the basis that the Claimant could not afford to bring the claim when fees, that have now been held to be unlawful, were in place.
If you have any queries about fees or past or current claims our employment law expert, Jenny Carpenter can assist.
Success For Adams Harrison Employees In The Haverhill Triathalon
Adams Harrison sponsored the Haverhill Triathlon once again this year with two teams taking part.
Rebecca Dedman, Andy Dedman, Adam Woodhead, Oliver Farenden, Jack Stewart and William Staal
Jack Stewart and Rebecca Dedman ran the last leg and Adams Harrison came in 1st and 2nd as a team.
Rebecca Dedman and Jack Stewart collect their awards
Rebecca Dedman with her 10K Award
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