An employment tribunal ruled in favour of former Evon Print workers who have established that the print and design company based in West Sussex failed in their statutory duty to consult with them about impending redundancies. The former workers pursued claims against the company when they were made redundant on 14 March 2017 without any consultation following the administration of … Read More
Unite member compensated after suffering fractured ankle at work
A Unite member has received compensation after fracturing his ankle at work. The member, who is employed as a HGV driver by Aldi Stores Ltd, was delivering goods to an Aldi store in Leeds. His job involved dropping pallets of produce off and taking them into the stores. On the day of the accident, he was using an electric pallet … Read More
Employment Rights Update – The Taylor Review ‘Good Work’ Report
On 11 July 2017, almost a year after it was announced, the Taylor Review into modern working practices was published. The review considers the implications of new forms of work on worker rights and responsibilities, as well as on employer freedoms and obligations. The review was conducted by Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the Royal Society of Arts. The … Read More
Supreme Court rules tribunal fees are unlawful
On 26 July 2017, one of the most important judgments in the past 50 years of employment law was handed down. Yes, in an age of gloomy economic forecasts and disgruntlement in the workplace from squeezed workers, news reached us last Wednesday that restored our faith in the justice system. The Supreme Court in R (on the application of Unison) … Read More
We say farewell to our wonderful partnership with CHSF
After a fantastic 2 years supporting Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, it is now time to say a sad farewell. We have had such fun working with the team and it was very touching to meet many of the children and families who the charity are supporting. From taking part in skydives, it’s a knockout and firewalks, to colour runs, cake … Read More
Candlelighters chosen as Morrish charity partner for 2017/2018
We are delighted to announce that our Charity of the Year for 2017/2018 is Candlelighters. Candlelighters is a Yorkshire based charity supporting children with cancer and their families. They offer practical, emotional and financial support to all the 150 children diagnosed with cancer every year in the county. Paul Scholey, Senior Partner at Morrish Solicitors said: “We are proud of … Read More
Injured member secures compensation with support of Unite Legal Services
A Unite member has received compensation after lacerating his finger at work. Mr Baker, who is employed as a fitter at Arriva Buses in Castleford, was checking for an oil leak on one of the buses in the depot when he slipped on oil and fell, hitting his hand on a fan blade that was spinning in the engine. The … Read More
New legal services partnership for Morrish Solicitors and Social Workers Union
Morrish Solicitors are pleased to announce that they will be providing legal services to the Social Workers Union and its members. The Social Workers Union was launched by the British Association of Social Workers in 2011. Their representatives are social workers and they provide a service tailored specifically towards the needs of social workers, setting them apart from any other … Read More
GREAT NEWS!! Supreme Court finds Tribunal fees unlawful
In perhaps the most important judgment in employment law of the last fifty years, a seven-person Supreme Court has found that the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal Fees Order, which was introduced in 2013, prevents access to justice and is unlawful. An appeal made by Unison regarding the legality of the fees has been allowed by the Supreme Court. … Read More
Is property fraud really a thing?
Well, the short answer to that question is: ‘Yes’! But what does that actually mean? What is property fraud, and how can it affect you? More importantly, how can you protect yourself against it? The most common form of property fraud is where a criminal pretends to be you, in order to sell your property without your knowledge, and pockets … Read More
Summer holiday guidance at work
The summer holiday period can be a busy time for annual leave requests. Trying to balance work and childcare for several weeks can be hard for many families, especially at a time when other colleagues may also want to book leave. If you’re an employee, do you know what time off you are entitled to? Are there other options that … Read More
Employment Rights Update – Holiday Pay
Holiday Pay – Where Are We Now? A brief summary of some of the key features of the current law about holidays follows:- The Working Time Regulations 1998 confer on full-time workers 5.6 weeks’ annual leave in each leave year. The European position remains less generous – the Working Time Directive allows only 4 weeks’ annual leave. That means that … Read More
If you can’t join them, beat them (twice!)
Government Legal Service v Brookes UKEAT/0302/16/RN An aspiring law student dreamt of joining the Government Legal Service. She studied hard and got her law degree. Amongst thousands of graduates, she applied for a handful of trainee solicitor vacancies at the GLS. She had Asperger’s Syndrome. The medicos agreed that this condition made it difficult for her to complete multiple choice answers … Read More
Injured singer wins damages
An Equity member has received a significant settlement following an accident on stage. The performer was injured when part of a spotlight hit his head during rehearsals. Although the responsibility for the accident was clear, the case became difficult because of a dispute over damages. The performer suffered post-concussion symptoms, developed long-term headaches and facial pain. This pain could be … Read More
The key to any employment rights is the ability to enforce them
So, we have an election coming up. From an employment law perspective, and specifically from a worker’s focus, which of the two main parties will make a real difference to employment law protections, should it win? Both Labour and Conservative parties promise the protection of existing employment rights and propose the implementation of new ones. In fact, the Conservatives are … Read More
Unite bus driver loses job due to accident at work
A Unite member who suffered injuries to her neck and shoulder following an accident at work has been awarded compensation with the help of Unite Legal Services. Louise Welford, who was employed as a bus driver by First West Yorkshire Ltd in Leeds, was retrieving newspaper for the bus she was due to drive from an unlit shed at the … Read More
Could zero hours workers gain the right to request a move to a fixed number of hours?
Could zero hours workers gain the right to request a move to a fixed number of hours? It is according to reports indicating that the government appointee Matthew Taylor’s review into modern employment practices, due to be published this summer, will recommend a new right for workers on zero hours contracts. It’s believed that a right to request more hours … Read More
Morrish Solicitors one of highest donating firms for Will Aid
John Coulhurst from Will Aid popped over to our Yeadon office this morning to present Tom Morrish with a certificate for being one of the highest donating firms in West Yorkshire (4th). An amazing £34,496 raised since being part of Will Aid and £5,490 this year. Peter de Vena Franks from Will Aid said: “This really is a huge amount … Read More
Unite member receives £200,000 in compensation after life-changing fall
A former HGV driver has received £200,000 in compensation after being injured in a fall at work that forced him to resign from his job. Unite member Mr W, who had started work for a car transport firm 2 weeks prior, was walking down the length of the transport vehicle checking the car positions, when he suddenly slipped and lost … Read More
Employment Rights Update
Easter is often associated with little things, like chicks, lambs and mini eggs. So it seems fitting that our monthly update should cover a little more satellite litigation on ACAS Early Conciliation and a little compensation for failing to grant the right of accompaniment. HM Revenue and Customs v Garau Mr Garau was an administrative assistant, formerly employed by HMRC. … Read More
Cohabitation – myth vs reality
Nearly one in five couples in the UK now chooses to cohabit rather than marry. Figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed that cohabiting couples are now the fastest growing family type in the UK, with 3.3m families documented in 2016 – more than double the 1.5m recorded in 1996. Most of the public are however unaware of … Read More
New legal services partnership for Morrish Solicitors and Musicians’ Union
Morrish Solicitors are pleased to announce that they have secured a contract with the Musicians’ Union to provide legal services on employment rights issues to the union and its members. Founded in 1893, the Musicians’ Union is one of the UK’s oldest and best respected independent ‘craft’ trade unions, with over 30,000 members working in all sectors of the British music industry. … Read More
Proposed probate fee increase scrapped
The proposed probate fee hike was scrapped last week. Tom Morrish, Head of our Wills and Probate department and Yorkshire Regional Coordinator for Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) said: “We are delighted to hear the proposed probate fees have been dropped. It was very clear from the offset that the new system was nothing more than a backdoor tax and … Read More
Please support our It’s a Knockout team
Ten Morrish members of staff will be taking part in It’s a Knockout to raise money for our Charity of the Year, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund!! It will take place at Roundhay Park, Leeds on 25 June 2017. The team will be preparing for new challenges with water, foam and inflatables! Children’s Heart Surgery Fund couldn’t be more local to us…they are literally steps around … Read More
BREAKING NEWS – Increase in Probate Court Fees
When applying for a Grant of Representation (this is the document required to enable the Personal Representatives of the estate to deal with the deceased’s estate) the Personal Representatives are aware that there will be a court fee payable. It is currently a manageable amount of £155 via a solicitor, £215 without the assistance of a solicitor and £0 if … Read More
Getting away with it?
As specialist lawyers for Claimants in Employment Tribunals and Courts, we often get involved in cases involving companies going bust (e.g. going into administration or liquidation), and dismissing large numbers of employees as a result. A good number of well-known companies have recently gone bust – City Link, BHS, Austin Reed and Phones4u. There are common themes to many recent … Read More
Can I transfer my business lease?
This is a question frequently asked by Tenants and one which can generally only be answered by a careful review of the lease. If the lease does not contain any written restriction upon transfer or assignment, then you are free to transfer it to a new Tenant subject to complying with any terms in the lease requiring the Landlord to … Read More
Controversial Blanket-Ban Policy Receives CJEU Clarification
With the Court of Justice of the European Union’s opinion in the case of Achbita v G4S Secure Solutions recently announced, now seems to be an apt time to address religious freedoms at work and the possible impact of this case on them. In this case a Muslim woman employed as a client-facing receptionist announced to her employer that she … Read More
Higher Rate Stamp Duty Land Tax
The Higher Rates for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) came into force on 1st April 2016. The higher rate is calculated as a 3% surcharge on the standard rates, and applies to all purchases of a second residential dwelling, unless an exemption applies. How will you know whether you will have to pay the higher rate? First of all, it … Read More
Employment Rights Update
In the case of Zebrowski v Concentric Birmingham Ltd UKEAT/0245/16 the EAT considered the correct approach to reducing compensation following unfair dismissal, in particular: when was it appropriate for the Tribunal to limit the award to a period rather than reduce by a percentage. Background The Claimant was employed by the Respondent from 2009-2015. The Respondent ran a specialist fluid … Read More
