News

Love is in the air – Valentine’s Day proposals – should we sign a pre-nup?

According to the American writer, Richard Bach, true love stories never have endings. Whilst this is certainly the case for many couples, there are unfortunately an inevitable number of couples for whom this is untrue and who are faced with the consequences of having to deal with a relationship breakdown. If the couple are...
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Are you liable for the misdemeanours of your employees?

What do the following have in common? A managing director punches an employee at a drinking session in the early hours; a self-employed doctor sexually assaults a bank’s prospective employees during pre-employment medical checks; a petrol station attendant violently assaults a customer; and an IT auditor releases personal data for staff at Morrisons?  The...
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Adverse Weather and Employee Travel Disruption

This business briefing highlights some practical steps that a business can take to reduce the risk of adverse weather affecting an employee’s travel to work. There are many reasons why employees may be delayed or prevented from getting to work by major disruptions. The main examples are:

• Weather: Extreme adverse weather conditions can either cause...
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Brexit No-Deal – Supply Chain Implications

With the prospect of a “No-Deal” Brexit on the horizon, there are a number of issues that a supplier or manufacturer should be considering and preparing for. Below are the key points we consider relevant, but you should not hesitate to contact the Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) Corporate and Commercial team...
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Why are we paying more Inheritance Tax than ever before?

Despite the increase in available Inheritance Tax (IHT) allowances, HM Revenue and Customs have announced that the payment of IHT has broken the £5billion barrier for the first time in 2017/18, and is likely to continue to rise over the next few years. In April 2018 the Government revealed that the amount of Inheritance...
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Grumbles or grievances – why you need to take employee complaints seriously

Receiving a grievance from an employee is rarely welcome – dealing with it can soak up resources, cause disquiet among other employees and in some cases escalate into a dispute which ends up before an employment tribunal. However, as Richard Porter, employment lawyer with Thompson Smith and Puxon in Colchester...
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Ground Rent

When you are purchasing a leasehold property you should be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply on an annual basis throughout your ownership of the property. These charges will be specific to your property and will be paid directly to the freeholder or their management company. When buying a leasehold...
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Company Voluntary Arrangements

This business briefing explains what a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) is and highlights what the main advantages and disadvantages of a CVA are for a business. A CVA is a procedure that allows a company to settle debts by paying only a proportion of the amount that it owes to creditors; to come to...
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Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children

This year TSP decided to once again join in with the festive fun and support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper day campaign on Friday (21st December). The national campaign was held on Friday 14^th December but as this coincided with the firm’s Christmas party we decided to hold it on our last day...
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Compulsory Liquidation

This business briefing explains what compulsory liquidation means for a creditor of a business that is in the process of being wound up by the court. Compulsory liquidation (or winding up by the court) is a procedure by which any assets of a company are sold, and the proceeds are distributed to the company’s creditors. A...
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Welcome Jolyon! Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) Appoints New Partner

Leading Essex Law firm Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jolyon Berry Ltd as a new partner in the firm. Employment Solicitor Jolyon, the director of Jolyon Berry Ltd, has joined the TSP Business Services Team and brings the total number of partners at the expanding Colchester and...
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Mines and Mineral Rights

Marie Crawley, Chartered Legal Executive in the Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) Residential Property team discusses mines and mineral rights and explains how they can affect your property purchase or ownership. The mines and minerals contained in the land underneath your property are presumed to be included in your ownership. However,...
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Selling Part of your Garden

If you are considering selling part of your land or garden, which has become much more common in recent years, there are number of factors to consider as follows:

• Mortgage company consent: If there is a mortgage secured against the property or land, the mortgage lender’s consent must be obtained. It is therefore advisable...
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Things to do Before Selling Your Property

Selling a property can be quite a stressful time, and that’s before you even think about all of the packing to be done! There are a few things you can do, before you put your property on the market, which will help the process run as smoothly as possible.

• Certificates and Warranties: During the...
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Top Tips to Help Separated Families Sort Out Christmas Children Arrangements

Festive preparations are well underway for many and whilst you may have started your Christmas shopping and replied to party invitations and celebrations, have you sorted out the arrangements for your children yet in so far as who they will spend time with over Christmas? If not, now is the time to do so...
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Christmas and New Year

The Directors and Staff of Thompson Smith and Puxon wish all our clients and professional contacts the very best for Christmas and the New Year. Our offices will be closed from 5.00 pm on Friday 21st December 2018 until 9.00 am on Wednesday 2nd January 2019. Instead of sending Christmas cards this year we are making a donation...
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