Payment Schedules and Breach of Natural Justice – Morganstone Ltd v Birkemp Ltd [2024] EWHC 933 (TCC) A recent judgment in the TCC has provided a useful update and reminder of the law relating to payment schedules in construction contracts and the risk of adjudicators taking an unnecessarily restrictive view of their own jurisdiction. The case involved two linked claims: a Part 7 claim by civil engineering sub-contractor, Birkemp Ltd (“Birkemp”), to enforce an adjudicator’s decision (“the Decision”) which awarded Birkemp circa £200,000; and a Part 8 claim by main contractor, Morganstone Ltd ..read more

Cohabiting couples make up 1 in 5 families in the UK and they are the fastest growing family type over the past 10 years. It is still believed by many unmarried couples that the ‘common law marriage’ exists and that legal rights flow from this type of relationship. However, the law in England does not recognise ‘common law marriage’. Cohabiting and unmarried couples believe that the law offers the same protection them if they separate as it does for married couples. A recent survey by the family law group Resolution | Resolution found that almost 50% of unmarried couples are unaware that they ..read more

Heike Stephenson, senior associate in Sintons’ commercial law team, outlines the changes to UK procurement law which will come into force this October, with the introduction of the new Procurement Act 2023. Like many other areas, UK procurement law used to be very much determined by European law, in this case to ensure consistency for bidders and buyers across the internal market. Following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, the UK government began a consultation on how UK procurement law should develop. A green paper was published in December 2020 and the Bill was introduced into Pa ..read more

Sintons’ Court of Protection team is expanding with the addition of a new solicitor. Rebecca Spellman joins the team having recently completed her training contract to become a qualified solicitor. She brings with her expertise in Court of Protection work as well as wills, trusts and estates. Paul Nickalls, head of Sintons’ personal and family law department, welcomed Rebecca to the firm, saying: “Our Court of Protection lawyers do a very specialised and varied job. They are committed to supporting clients in every aspect of their lives. . I know Rebecca and her previous experience will be a g ..read more

Jarrow-based UTS Engineering has expanded with the acquisition of a specialist pipeline manufacturer and service provider. PTS Group was established by leading industry engineers that have worked within the oil and gas sector since 1980. Working from an 80,000 square feet manufacturing and services centre in North Lincolnshire, PTS, which has a £5m turnover, designs and manufactures a range of pipeline products for the UK and European utility sectors. It also has a global reach, with clients in Australia, Columbia and across the middle and far east. UTS was established in 2001 by managing dire ..read more

In the twenty-first of our ‘Understanding Residential Conveyancing’ podcast series, Senior Associate Suzanne Dixon interviews third year solicitor apprentice, Sabrina Jackland about the last six months she has spent working in the residential conveyancing department Please click on the play button below to listen. The post Interview with Sabrina Jackland appeared first on Sintons ..read more

April changes Christian actor was not subject to direct religion or belief discrimination or harassment – Omooba v Michael Garrett Associates Ltd (T/A Global Artists) and another [2024] EAT 30 April changes National minimum wage From 1 April 2024 the National minimum wage hourly rates increased as follows:- National Living Wage (age 21): £11.44 (up from £10.42). Age 18 – 20: £8.60 (up from £7.49). Age 16 – 17: and Apprentices: £6.40 (up from £5.28). Holiday accrual for irregular hour workers and pat year workers For holiday years commencing on or after 1 April 2024, “irregular hour workers ..read more

The first phase of the reforms to UK Companies House made by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) went live on 4 March 2024. The reforms broaden the objectives and powers of Companies House, transforming it from what we knew as a largely passive recorder of the information provided to it, into a gatekeeper of company creation and an active scrutiniser of information. Separately, Companies House have confirmed that a range of increases to their fees will take effect from 1 May 2024. The ECCTA contains a wide range of measures to tackle economic crime and improve corpor ..read more

In the bustling legal landscape of the north east, one name stands tall—Chris Welch, the Managing Partner of Sintons, a distinguished Newcastle law firm with roots tracing back nearly 130 years. In this exclusive interview, Chris reflects on his journey with Sintons, the firm’s evolution, and his perspective on the legal profession. Chris joined Sintons in 2003 after a 16-year stint, 12 of which were as an equity partner, at another law firm. He was drawn to Sintons by its values, client-centric approach, and genuine care for its clients. The firm, then based in Jesmond with around 80 staff, c ..read more

Today we recorded our ‘Ask the Experts monthly Q&A with Sintons’ Employment Team – episode 56’ – with Catherine Hope & Samuel Scott. The team covered the following questions: How should an employer choose between multiple protected employees for a suitable alternative vacancy in a redundancy situation? If an employee on maternity leave has another child before her entitlement to statutory maternity pay (SMP) for the first birth expires, is she entitled to claim SMP for the first birth during the second maternity leave? Can an employer deal with sickness absence under their disciplinar ..read more