Blog
Government announces tough new late payment laws – what happens next?
Christopher Perrin
6 October 2020
Companies in hot water: environmental performance deteriorates further
The Environment Agency’s (“EA”) 2 October 2020 annual report provides sober reading for the nine water and waste service companies operating in England. After the 2019 report’s finding that performance across the sector was already ‘unacceptable’, the 2020 report concluded that all, without exception, had continued to deteriorate.
5 October 2020
The Fire Safety Bill: Extending the scope of the Fire Safety Order
On 1 October, the Fire Safety Bill had its second reading and debate in the House of Lords. The Bill is short but introduces important new measures.
28 July 2020
Recycling firm charged with corporate manslaughter
West Midlands Police have announced that Alutrade Limited, a specialist recycler of aluminium, is to be charged with corporate manslaughter over the death of Stuart Towns in July 2017. The last conviction of a company for corporate manslaughter was in 2017.
11 June 2020
COVID-19: Can you be prosecuted for opening your shop?
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (“BEIS”), Alok Sharma, announced this week that non-essential shops will be allowed to open from 15 June. Mr Sharma also stated that if shops do not follow COVID-secure guidelines they could be subject to enforcement notices. What does this mean?
5 June 2020
Returning to work and COVID-19: Could employers face health and safety prosecutions for infections in the workplace?
As we move through the phased easing of lockdown, employers and employees will be anxious to ensure that the return to the workplace does not exacerbate the risk of infection. Businesses do not want to find themselves falling foul of the law, and with news last month that the Health and Safety Executive (“HSE” – the body responsible for regulating and enforcing health and safety legislation) has been bolstered with £14m extra funding, it is more important than ever to manage the risks.