Tribunal Defines ‘Payment’ in VAT Context
A businessman has succeeded in overturning a £500,000 VAT assessment on the basis that it was issued outside the three-year time limit set out in section 80(4) of the VAT Act 1994. In ruling on
Using ‘Free’ Photos from the Internet? – Beware!
The dangers of downloading and making use of apparently ‘free’ photographs and other potentially copyright material from the internet have been amply illustrated by a case in which a professional photographer sued a nightclub that
Court Limits Protection Against ‘Stale’ Service Charge Demands
In a case where a flat tenant objected to being charged for gas supplies up to seven years in arrears, the High Court has ruled that, on a correct interpretation of section 20B of the
Rare Flora and Fauna Trump Lorry Park Plans
A village campaign group has triumphed in its High Court fight to block plans for a lorry park and industrial units close to a river which is home to rare flora and fauna and is
Enforcement Notices Can Only Demand the Minimum
In the context of a planning dispute in respect of the unauthorised conversion of a single dwelling house into three self-contained flats, the High Court has emphasised that enforcement notices must demand no more than
Senior Diplomat Unfairly Treated by Foreign Office
A former senior diplomat has won the right to substantial government compensation after the High Court ruled that he was unjustifiably removed from his prestigious overseas posting on the basis of an unfounded allegation that
Betting Exchange Customers Are Not ‘Bookmakers’
In a ruling of great financial significance to the gambling and racing industries, the Court of Appeal has ruled that sophisticated customers of Betfair and other online betting exchanges do not fit the definition of
Residents of ‘Defective’ Flats Win Over £800,000
Apartment owners who complained of ‘excessively bouncy’ floors, smelly drains and sound insulation so poor that they can hear their neighbours’ footsteps have won more than £800,000 compensation from the developers of the residential block
Are You an Equitable Life Policyholder?
It has been 12 years since the collapse of insurer Equitable Life, which had more than a million members. In that time, the financial pieces have been picked up and a compensation pot of £370
Flat with Shop Underneath is not ‘A House’
In an important ruling for landlords and tenants, the court of appeal has decided that a shop with a flat above it could not reasonably be described as ‘a house’ within the meaning of the