Tesla has encountered legal headwinds in its push to trademark the terms “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab”, dealing a blow to the company’s highly anticipated autonomous ride-hailing plans ahead of a planned June 2025 launch. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) this week issued a “nonfinal office action” denying Tesla’s attempt to trademark “Robotaxi” for its […]
Fire and rehire, also known as dismissal and re-engagement, is a practice that’s been around in the business world for a long time. It involves companies dismissing an employee, and then immediately rehiring them. With the ‘new’ job, comes a new contract which will generally contain less favourable terms for the staff member in question. […]
Gender pay gap reporting for large employers was introduced in 2017. The Government’s view is that this has improved transparency and provided employers with important information about how to address inequalities. It intends to introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting and is now consulting on how to do this. The consultation period ends […]
A landmark tribunal ruling could provide major inheritance tax relief for families who engaged in historic ‘home loan’ schemes, potentially saving them six-figure sums in tax bills, according to national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP. The ruling in Elborne v HMRC overturned a previous decision that would have allowed HMRC to claim inheritance tax on […]
Businesses must prepare for a significant new workplace entitlement where a baby is born on or after 6 April 2025 – neonatal care leave. Currently, 1 in 7 babies in the UK requires neonatal care due to premature birth, low birth weight, or complications. Until now, parents in this situation have had to rely on maternity, […]
A High Court battle is set to determine whether Azzurro Associates, a debt buyer ultimately owned by the hedge fund Elliott Management, has the right to pursue two small business directors for repayment under personal guarantees initially arranged through Funding Circle. The case, closely watched by the alternative lending industry, centres on claims that potential […]
The new year is an excellent opportunity for businesses to review their finances and plan effectively for the months ahead. With the annual increases to the national living and minimum wage and other statutory payments set to take effect in April 2025, its essential to prepare for these changes in advance. National Living and Minimum […]
HM Revenue & Customs is ramping up its scrutiny of “side hustle” earnings, requiring online platforms such as eBay, Vinted and Airbnb to submit information on users’ incomes for 2024 by the end of this month. However, concerns have been raised that the discrepancy between the UK tax year (April to April) and the OECD’s […]
Hundreds of current and former McDonald’s employees – some as young as 19 – have joined a legal action against the fast-food giant over allegations of bullying, sexual abuse and harassment across more than 450 UK outlets. The complaint, filed through law firm Leigh Day, follows a fresh wave of accusations highlighted by a BBC […]
Apple has pledged to pay $95 million (£77 million) to settle a US class-action lawsuit alleging that Siri, its virtual assistant, recorded private conversations without users’ consent. The proposed settlement, filed in a federal court in Oakland, California, comes after a five-year legal dispute and covers tens of millions of Apple device owners. Although Apple […]