This checklist summarises the changes to employment legislation that will come into force in October 2010.

A property case of major importance has recently been settled out of court. The High Court previously held that, if as a pre-condition to consent to assign, a tenant’s guarantor must enter into an authorised guarantee agreement (AGA) (to guarantee the performance of the assignee’s obligations), the AGA will be void. The judge went further than this and effectively said that such a guarantee would still be void, even if given voluntarily.

Over the past 10 years, it has become much easier for employees to bring claims for stress, bullying and harassment.

Following the introduction of the Companies Act 2006 (Act), it has become quicker, simpler and, in most cases, cheaper for a company to reduce its share capital. 

A common way for a supplier to protect himself against a defaulting customer is to adopt “retention of title” (RoT) provisions in his terms of business or contract with his customers.  However, a recent case highlights the importance of drafting an appropriate RoT clause that is suitable to the actual trading relationship of supplier and customer.