“Explicit Guidance” from the Bank of England is just the opposite with all the caveats!

• The key mortgage message is that nothing much has changed

Ray Boulger of leading independent mortgage adviser John Charcol comments on today’s announcement of “explicit guidance” from the MPC and its implications for mortgage pricing.

Businesses Providing Services to Members of the Public Cannot Discriminate on Grounds of Sexual Orientation

In the case of Black & Anor v Wilkinson [2013], the claimants, Mr Black and Mr Morgan were refused a room at Mrs Wilkinson’s Bed and Breakfast, on the grounds that their sexual orientation conflicted with her religious beliefs.

The County Court decided that the defendant’s actions were unlawful discrimination against the claimants contrary to the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, a decision recently upheld by the Court of Appeal.

Will the Home Office’s Immigration Proposals Burden your Business?

Tougher sanctions on the employment of illegal migrants are being proposed by the Home Office. The proposals, currently in the consultation phase, should be noted by businesses as they look likely to tighten up the law and extend the liabilities of directors.

The broad aims of the proposals are to make it harder for illegal immigrants to live and work in the UK while simplifying the way the civil penalty scheme currently operates.

Are You Aware of Claims that Can be Made Against Unregistered Land?

Claims for adverse possession or prescriptive easements can come as a great shock to property owners. Understanding the risks and taking appropriate steps to protect your property from these types of claims is an important first step for owners of unregistered land.

As might be expected, adverse possession and prescriptive easement claims have always been a potent source of disputes. If things get to this stage it is important to seek immediate legal advice.

Contractual Audit Clauses Can Require Broad Disclosures

Long-term commercial contracts often contain complex audit clauses. These audit clauses can require the disclosing firm to maintain extensive records on contract performance over a lengthy period of time and can impose burdensome access and production obligations.

The 2012 case of Transport for Greater Manchester v Thales Transport Security Limited illustrates how the UK legal system interprets a broadly worded audit clause and the wide audit rights conveyed in such a clause.

Mortgage Rates Stable Pending The MPC’S “Guidance”

 

• Record 88% of John Charcol’s Residential Mortgages on Fixed Rates in July

Ray Boulger of leading independent mortgage adviser John Charcol comments on the mortgage market and today’s announcement from the MPC of no change in Bank Rate or the amount of Quantitative Easing.

Could a Review of Your Contracts Bring Cost Savings?

Once contracts have been signed and implemented, it is often the case that they do not see the light of day again. However, after the toing and froing of negotiations has come to an end and both parties have signed on the dotted line, it is important not to simply leave those important documents in a filing cabinet gathering dust; particularly if they relate to long-term relationships.