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With unemployment at its lowest levels since the mid-1970s, is the writing on the wall for zero hours contracts? Here our employment specialist Tim Wolley looks at this contentious issue. On 23 April the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released figures showing that in November 2017 there were 1.8 million zero hours contracts, being six per cent of all employment contracts. This is an increase of about six per cent over the previous November, and at the same time there has been a similar growth in the number of employment contracts. So the position is at present holding steady. The...
With news of Chinese workers wearing wristbands and helmets to monitor their brainwaves for fatigue, our employment and disputes specialist Tim Wolley, guides you through the law relating to the monitoring of employees. In 2017, Three Square Market, a vending machine company in Wisconsin, started to microchip its employees. The device, the size of a grain of rice, was placed in the hand, and did away with computer logins and security door passwords. But how far can employers go in monitoring their employees? And is such monitoring lawful? Terms and conditions of employment set out the basic ground rules for...
At Bowcock & Pursaill Solicitors we are strengthening our legal team once more with the appointment of commercial property specialist Joy Hancock. An Associate Solicitor, Joy will be based at our Uttoxeter office, and brings with her extensive experience in the property sector having previously worked at Grindeys and Knights solicitors. She has a passion for landlord and tenant matters, property portfolio work, property sales, acquisitions, financing and all aspects of asset management, having originally considered becoming a surveyor as a career until the property market flatlined. Joy said: “I originally studied for a BSc Honours degree in estate management,...
Staffordshire families and couples facing a relationship or marital breakdown are set to benefit from a new service from Bowcock & Pursaill Solicitors which will allow them to resolve their issues outside of court. Our Associate Solicitor Lisa Cogger, has qualified as a Collaborative Family Lawyer, a process which offers a non-confrontational approach to dealing with divorce and other areas of family law without having to go to court. The whole process is led by the client and involves a series of four-way meetings where both solicitors and their clients are present and work together to find a fair and...
The publication of a HMRC report into inheritance tax reliefs and exemptions, followed by a request to the Office of Tax Simplification by chancellor Philip Hammond to review the IHT regime, show that the government clearly has the tax regime in their sights. Here our tax planning specialist Ian Naylor explains why agricultural and business property reliefs are under threat and why there’s never been a better time to review your tax situation. “HMRC has published a paper on the influence of IHT reliefs and exemptions on estate planning, with a particular focus on agricultural and business assets. There have...
We have strengthened our legal team with the permanent appointment of our apprentice. Jodi Attwood-Boot joined us as a legal apprentice based at our Uttoxeter office in Carter Street and is now training to become a Chartered Legal Executive, after successfully completing her two-year apprenticeship and securing a permanent position. After completing her A Levels, Jodi was working part-time while looking for full-time employment. It was her lifelong interest in law that inspired her to apply for the apprenticeship position here at Bowcock & Pursaill Solicitors. Originally from Uttoxeter, Jodi said: “I really love working at Bowcock & Pursaill Solicitors as...
Thinking of tackling those large home improvement jobs during the holidays? You’re not alone. Nearly a third of UK homeowners will carry out work on their home in the next three years with up to £6 billion in projected works planned over the next three years. According to a study from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) over a million homeowners (1,050,000) are looking to build extra space to accommodate grown up children who can’t afford to leave home. With almost 40% of those home improvements set to be major refurbishments, including new kitchens and home extensions, our legal...
In 2017 we began sponsoring up and coming Derby event rider Danielle Meehan to support her in her quest to compete at the very top level of this very challenging equine competition. Eventing tests both horse and rider across every level as it incorporates show jumping, cross country and dressage, and can be run as a one-day or a three-day event, the most popularly known ones being Badminton and Burghley. Last year Danielle was competing at novice level, but this year moves up into the intermediate category with her three horses, which will see fence sizes jump from 1.10 metres...
The Ministry of Justice has announced that a refund scheme is now in place for people who have been overcharged for their Lasting Power of Attorney registration fee. The refunds are being offered to those who may have been charged more than was necessary when they applied to register for powers of attorney between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017. According to the MoJ, the operating costs of the Office of the Public Guardian decreased between 2013 and 2017, however, the fee charged for the application did not reduce in line with this. The fee was subsequently lowered by...
Founded in 1927, Bowcock & Pursaill has been our clients’ number one choice for solicitors in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire for almost 100 years. We also act on behalf of clients throughout the country.
The firm prides itself on its customer service, offering detailed and bespoke advice to clients thanks to our small and highly specialised team of partners, solicitors and legal executives based in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Are you interested in joining Bowcock & Pursaill? We have a friendly and supportive atmosphere, where everyone knows everyone else and there’s a good team spirit.
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