Knotty Problems and nuisance claims

Japanese knotweed is an invasive non-native plant that can lead to significant problems because it can cause physical damage to buildings and land and is expensive to eradicate and dispose of. Although there is no legal obligation to remove Japanese knotweed or to report it if you find it on your land, the spread of knotweed can result in civil and criminal liability and adversely affect the value of a property and its insurability. This means that you may be liable to compensate a neighbour if the knotweed spreads from your land to theirs even if the knotweed has not caused physical damage: the mere presence of its roots or rhizomes is sufficient. The Supreme Court recently considered the issue of knotweed and liability in the case of Davies v Bridgend County Council. This case…

Reform of holiday rights: what employers need to know

Calculating holiday allowances can be tricky for any staff who work irregular hours. In an effort to simplify things, this year the government has introduced changes to the rules on holiday rights as part of reforms to some employment rights that developed from years of European and UK case law. These changes were made following consultation, with the stated aim of simplifying the rules on holiday entitlement and pay. ‘They also address the potential unfairness of a Supreme Court decision that gave a term-time worker more holiday when compared to a someone who worked all year round for the same number of hours each year. Our employment team highlight the changes and the importance of complying with the new rules, as well as outlining the benefits and how and when to take advantage of these. What…

Contentious probate: challenging a Will

Inheritance disputes can arise for people in all walks of life, but are particularly prevalent among farming families – often due to the complex ways farms are held and run, or poor succession planning. Julie Bradwell, Litigation Solicitor and agricultural specialist at Ware & Kay incorporating Pearsons & Ward Solicitors in Malton, York & Wetherby, explains how farming inheritance wrangles commonly arise, and outlines your options if you feel you have not received your fair share in a Will. A farming Will could be challenged for a range of reasons including claims for: Proprietary estoppel A common cause of farming inheritance disputes is where the testator promised to leave you something in the Will, and you relied on this pledge to your detriment, but the promise was broken. This might arise, for example, if…

An overview of Flexible Working Arrangements

Flexible working refers to arrangements that allow employees to have greater control over when, where, and how they work. This can include options such as flexitime, remote working, compressed workweeks, job sharing, and part-time work. The aim of flexible working is to support employees in achieving a better work-life balance, increase job satisfaction, and improve productivity. In the case of Wilson v Financial Conduct Authority an employment tribunal considered an employer's rejection of a flexible working request to work entirely from home. The employer's policy was that employees should work in the office 40% of the time.  Currently, an employer must notify an employee of their decision, including the decision on any appeal, within three months from the date of the employee's request (or a longer period if the parties agree). From April 2024, this decision…