Blake Morgan LLP

It’s been another eventful year, notable for a new Government and wide-ranging employment law developments on issues as varied as flexible working, the introduction of carer’s leave and the new duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Our employment law experts countdown new employment legislation, cases and key topics from 2024. This year’s countdown is brought to you in the form of some classic song choices, from disco, to the King and the Fab Four. So, relax, fetch a coffee and enjoy a mince pie, and read about them here: https://lnkd.in/dYqPtdrm #EmploymentLaw #Legislation #HR

What is the latest news on pensions law? We look at the proposed changes to the defined contribution pension schemes. The measures are aimed at enhancing the performance and accessibility of the schemes with the UK Government consultation on the changes closing on 16 January 2025. Gillian McCue and Zoe Groves summarise the details here: https://lnkd.in/e5pn5pWK They also examine a 72-page determination that clarifies the Pensions Ombudsman’s stance on the recovery of pension overpayments from scheme members and potential defences to recovery, which you can read about here: https://lnkd.in/eq-dBjCn #PensionsLaw #PensionsOmbudsman #DefinedContributionsPensionSchemes #PensionOverpayments

Christmas is a time for family, which is why separated parents can find the festive season challenging, especially if there is difficulty in agreeing how their children shall spend their time. Read Catherine Morgan's advice on navigating Christmas as a separated parent here: https://lnkd.in/eYm-a7cy #FamilyLaw #ChildrenArrangements #SeparatedParents

Blake Morgan has secured a high-profile win in the Court of Appeal case R (Fiske) v Test Valley Borough Council [2024] EWCA Civ 1541 which has widespread implications for Section 73 (s.73) permissions. "The ruling is important for planning law, as it confirms that S73 cannot be used to alter the operative part of a permission in any way unless the change is de minimis. We are immensely pleased to have secured this outcome for our client who has fought long and hard to secure this landmark ruling," said Blake Morgan Partner Sara Hanrahan who worked on the case with Dan Watts, alongside James Burton of 39 Essex Chambers as Counsel. Read about the implications here: https://lnkd.in/erNMW3if #Planning #s73Permissions #Section73Permissions

🎆 The #FestiveFive office celebrations continues with London. 🧣 The office has been supporting HandsOn London with their #WrapUp campaign, which involved donating winter coats to those who need them. 🎫 There will also be a partner auction where money is raised for the office charity as colleagues bid for a partner to wear festive fancy dress. #FestiveFive #WrapUpLondon

What do companies need to know about data protection? We revisit a blog that highlights the important of data protection and GDPR compliance, which you can read about here: https://lnkd.in/dBP7z4RD You can also sign up for our data protection course in January and February here: https://lnkd.in/gEpx24P #DataProtection #GDPRcompliance #DataProcessing

“The new landmark legislation, Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act 2024, enacted on 24 May 2024, has substantially strengthened the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) enforcement powers. This legislation marks a shift toward greater accountability for businesses engaging with UK consumers and underscores the importance of compliance with consumer protection standards.” Daniel Scognamiglio and Seray Genc of Blake Morgan LLP take a deep dive into the increased powers of CMA under the DMCC Act 2024. The article covers: 💪Strengthening enforcement ⬆️Increased rights for consumers 🚫Penalties and remedies for non-compliance 💸Personal fines ⚖️Impact of the Act Read the full article on page 8 & 9 of our latest issue of Travel Law Today: https://lnkd.in/eNXw4dEt

🎆 At Blake Morgan we like to celebrate our colleague’s commitment to our communities. With it being the season of giving, we will be sharing a few highlights from each office, starting with Cardiff today. 🎄 In early December, some of the office enjoyed the final wellbeing activity of 2024, a wreath making session. 🎟️ Still to come, there is also a raffle and Partner Auction, where you can nominate someone to dress up in a festive themed outfit for the day in exchange for a donation to the office charity, Wales Air Ambulance Charity • Elusen Ambiwlans Awyr Cymru. #FestiveFive #SeasonalCelebrations #WreathMaking #Wellbeing

The increasing challenges and opportunities of decarbonisation for the construction sector will be discussed at our Developing Connections event on 12 February. Our decarbonisation panel will focus on the urgent need to transition to lower carbon estates to meet legislation. Join the debate and get practical tips at this free event at our London office. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e9jAKjrR #Decarbonisation #Construction #LowerCarbonEstates #DevelopingConnections

If you die without having made a Will, you die ‘intestate’ and the rules of intestacy will determine the distribution your estate. It is important to understand what the intestacy rules are and how they impact your estate. Holly Jones explains why having a professionally drafted Will could be beneficial here: https://lnkd.in/eg94eRmD #IntestacyRules #Estate #Probate #Wills