Blog - Bowling & Co Solicitors

Blog: Homeworking and the importance of cybersecurity risk management

March 30, 2021
David Downham
Risk Management, General Data Protection Regulation

Having staff working remotely has presented significant challenges for many businesses, but one of the most difficult to address is the increased cybersecurity risk. As many companies did not have sufficient opportunity to prepare for the transition to homeworking, they may not have identified potential cybersecurity issues. Moreover, it is now much harder to monitor staff and ensure they are following safe practices. Cybercriminals have wasted no time in exploiting these weaknesses, and businesses are encountering threats regularly. Here we look at the cybersecurity risks that homeworking may present to…

News: Bowling ‘dress up’ to support SSAFA Armed Forces Charity

March 26, 2021
Dinesh Raja
News, General, Firm News

Bowling & Co 'dress up' to support SSAFA Armed Forces Charity. A huge thank you to our clients, friends, and staff who ‘dressed up' in their best business attire to support Strettons, Ashfords LLP, and Nyman Libson Paul with their Tailored Tuesday launch day on 23 March in aid of SSAFA, The Armed Forces charity. For many of us, it was the first time in a while we dressed in full business attire, and for some, it appears lockdown has had a small impact on our waistlines! Nonetheless, we did not let that daunt us for…

Blog: Dealing with inheritance disputes

Dealing with inheritance disputes may have arisen in response to soaring property prices, second marriages, and blended families, with relatives more likely to feel they are missing out, but the courts are pushing back on frivolous claims and obstructive family members. Such disputes once seemed the preserve of celebrities and the wealthy, such as the former lover of singer George Michael who was reported to be planning a claim against the singer’s estate recently, but research carried out by Direct Line found that a quarter of people would be prepared…

Blog: Bullying and racism in the workplace during lockdown

March 17, 2021
Vandana Dass
Employment

Dealing with bullying and racism in the workplace, particularly with many staff working in different environments during lockdown. Bullying and racism affect everyone involved, and harassment hits hard at every level. Bullying or racism may seem the fate of the underdog, but recent headlines have shown how it may affect anyone at any level, including royalty and high-flying civil servants. Seniority and titles do not confer special protection. Companies are being encouraged to review their employment policies. Most recently, the Duchess of Sussex has talked about the impact of racism…

News: Covid-19 – Business interruption insurance

March 12, 2021
Özgecan Sözeri
Corporate

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to widespread disruption and economic volatility which had a significant impact on businesses. Particularly, the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have suffered a significant level of financial loss. A large number of affected businesses have made claims for the losses under their business interruption insurance policies. However, there is uncertainty over the business interruption (BI) insurance policies’ cover in the context of Covid-19 claims. Recently, the Newcastle Circuit Commercial Court (Court) has struck out a BI losses claim in consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic where…

Blog: Why cohabiting couples must consider estate planning

Millions of couples across the UK are choosing to forego marriage and live as cohabitees. Why must cohabiting couples consider estate planning? Without proper estate planning, they could be putting their finances at risk. Unlike their married counterparts, unmarried couples have no automatic right to inherit from each other. However, with proper estate planning, you can ensure your cohabiting partner is properly provided for should you pass away. This article looks at some of the important estate planning matters all cohabiting couples should consider. Write a will The most straightforward…

Blog: Caring responsibilities during furlough and your rights

March 4, 2021
Vandana Dass
Family, Employment

The rules concerning furlough, schools, and workplace restrictions continue to change frequently, and it can be difficult for both employers and employees to keep up. However, if you are affected by furlough or there has been a change in your caring responsibilities, it is essential that you understand your rights under UK employment law. Government guidance on the furlough scheme, issued in November, confirmed that furlough is available to employees who must stay home because they have caring responsibilities as a result of coronavirus. In this article, we look at…

Chancellor empties his purse for a pandemic-beating budget

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the UK’s economic agenda dominated the Chancellor’s 2021 Budget Statement, with support for business and jobs receiving top-line billing. In a statement focused on “protecting jobs and livelihoods”, the Chancellor outlined a range of measures designed to provide a continuing safety net for individuals, businesses, and the wider economy during the planned exit from lockdown and beyond, as outlined in the Prime Minister’s roadmap in February. This further support will see the country recording the highest-ever level of peacetime borrowing, at 16.9% of…

News: Stamp duty holiday extended until the end of June

What does it mean for you? In the Budget, today, the Chancellor has confirmed that the stamp duty holiday on properties priced up to £500,000 has been extended by three months until the end of June. In addition, the holiday will also apply to properties priced up to £250,000 until the end of September 2021! The extension provides relief for buyers who were unlikely to complete their transactions before the original March 31 deadline. With a tax cut now available for buyers until September, this should also help to ensure…

New: Law Society calls for review of end of SDLT holiday to prevent sales collapsing

The Law Society has made a press release that calls for urgent action to prevent the end of the temporary increase in the residential SDLT nil-rate band. This is due to end on 31 March 2021, resulting in possibly, thousands of aborted sales. The Law Society is urging people to write to their MP to call for action. It has also suggested three possible options for the government to address the problem: Extend the temporary increase in the SDLT nil-rate band, thereby providing more time for buyers to complete transactions.…

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