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Five Mistakes Shareholders Make Before Calling a Solicitor

Tom Esler
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Shareholder disputes rarely arise overnight. They usually develop gradually as commercial pressures increase. By the time legal advice is sought, early decisions may already have constrained the available options.

What we can do if unpaid invoices are crippling your business

Reuben Grimshaw
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Unless you’re running a very large organisation, maintaining a steady cash flow may be critical to your business’ survival. When unpaid invoices mount up, the resources spent chasing delayed payments are diverted from running your operations. ...

Directors and the 'best interest duty': an objective test

Samuel Pedley
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A director who deliberately deceives the board, even if they sincerely believe they are doing so in the company’s best interests, will be in breach of their fiduciary duties. The Court of Appeal has handed down a ruling involving a director who...

An agreement to agree a price was enforceable where contract was not silent

Reuben Grimshaw
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Commercial terms can be a minefield if not carefully negotiated and drafted to reflect the parties’ clear intentions. An ‘agreement to agree’ a price for a product has led to the Court of Appeal providing guidance that businesses will find...

When Trust Breaks Down: Winding Up a Company on Just and Equitable Grounds

Samuel Pedley
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In most circumstances, winding up a solvent company is considered a drastic and exceptional measure — a true remedy of last resort. Yet, as the High Court reaffirmed in Dosanjh v Balendran [2025] EWHC 507 (Ch) , where relationships between...

I'm a builder - what are my legal responsibilities to my customers?

Rebecca Rogers
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If you’re a builder working for individuals or households (as opposed to businesses), your work falls under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This legislation outlines the rights, consumers have when purchasing goods and services from traders, including...

Pursuing Repayment of a Debt: Part Payments

Reuben Grimshaw
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As a creditor, recovering the full amount owed by a debtor is often a key priority. However, there are several legal principles you should consider before taking action. If a debtor has made a part payment, issues such as accord and satisfaction or...

Understanding Professional Negligence

Rachel Gill
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Let’s face it, we all make mistakes. We’ve all forgotten to call someone back, or sent an email to the wrong person. But when a professional – like a surveyor, lawyer, or accountant – makes a mistake, the stakes are a lot higher and...

Unjust Enrichment

Rachel Gill
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I have mistakenly sent money to an incorrect account – what can I do? In this digital world we find ourselves in, making payments to third parties often now happens at the click of a button – over 350 million faster payment bank transfers are...

I am a builder. Does the Consumer Rights Act 2015 apply to me and my work?

Rebecca Rogers
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The Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to builders and their work, particularly if you are carrying out building work for consumers (individuals or households) rather than businesses. The Act sets out the rights and responsibilities for consumers when they buy...

Understanding Your Consumer Rights When Purchasing Second-Hand Vehicles in the UK

Chianna Weaver
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Buying a second-hand vehicle can be an exciting yet daunting experience. Whether you're in the market for a budget-friendly run-around or a vintage classic, knowing your consumer rights is crucial to ensuring a fair and satisfactory transaction resulting...

Understanding Your Consumer Rights When Purchasing Second-Hand Vehicles in the UK

Chianna Weaver
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Buying a second-hand vehicle can be an exciting yet daunting experience. Whether you're in the market for a budget-friendly run-around or a vintage classic, knowing your consumer rights is crucial to ensuring a fair and satisfactory transaction resulting...

I am a builder. How do I avoid disputes and non-payment?

Rebecca Rogers
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Avoiding disputes and non-payment in the building industry requires careful planning, clear communication, and proactive measures. Here are some strategies you can employ: 1. Detailed Contracts: Ensure that you have a detailed and legally binding contract...

Streamlining Justice: Registering Foreign Judgments in England

Rebecca Rogers
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In an era marked by global interactions, the process of registering foreign judgments in England serves as a pivotal mechanism for cross-border legal enforcement. Governed by the Administration of Justice Act 1920 and, in some instances, the Foreign...

Route to the door is different for directors

Samuel Pedley
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When Suella Braverman was removed from her cabinet post she decided to take a defiant stance, with an open letter criticising PM Rishi Sunak for reneging on promises and calling for a leadership election.  It was a defiant, headline-grabbing move and...

Director duties and considerations - key areas to keep in mind

Samuel Pedley
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The key piece of legislation around director duties is the Companies Act 2006. The Act, which covers a host of legislative areas, imposes the burden of various general duties on directors of UK limited companies. Here in our latest website blog, I want to...

When can an insolvency practitioner investigate a company's transactions?

Samuel Pedley
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There are several “reviewable transactions” which following a company’s insolvency, the insolvency practitioner can investigate and look to set aside which include but are not limited to the following:- Preference payments; Transactions...

Introduction of the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill

Rachel Gill
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The Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill – what landlords and tenants need to know It has been reported that commercial property landlords are owed more than £7 billion in rent arrears which was built up during the coronavirus pandemic. To...

Dealing with dilapidations - how do I make a claim?

Rachel Gill
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A claim for dilapidations is a useful remedy for landlords who are concerned about the state and condition of their rented commercial property.  This often comes to light shortly before, or immediately after, an outgoing tenant has vacated. What...

Is expert determination an alternative to Court Proceedings?

Rebecca Rogers
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What are the alternatives to Court proceedings in order to resolve disputes? There are various ways to resolve disputes rather than simply issuing a claim through the Courts.  Litigating through the Courts is not a quick process. There are lots of...

The wheels of civil justice are still turning!

Rebecca Rogers
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Disputes continue to arise in business. Here at mfg Solicitors LLP, we are working remotely to resolve disputes for our clients. The Civil Courts are continuing to operate remotely (and are working hard to keep the justice system working) during the outbreak...

COVID-19 Advice for Company Directors - What to do and not to do!

Samuel Pedley
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Directors of many companies are struggling with the financial uncertainty caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. With the threat of insolvency ever present many companies are simply trying to “hold on” and make it through the pandemic with as little...

Lockdown 3.0 - Cash flow has never been so important

Rebecca Rogers
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Effective and efficient debt recovery is vital to the continuation of any business, even more so in these continued unprecedented times. Businesses need to ensure that they have sufficient cash flow to allow them to continue to weather the storm. Can I...

BEWARE! Crown Preference IS BACK!

Samuel Pedley
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The reintroduction of Crown Preference is an unfortunate development at a time of unprecedented uncertainty, when many businesses are struggling with the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. The Enterprise Act 2002 abolished Crown Preference, meaning that HMRC...

Insolvency Statistics for the April to June 2020 quarter: period of tranquillity before chaos?

Samuel Pedley
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30 July 2020, the Insolvency Service published its quarterly insolvency statistics for April to June 2020. Surprisingly despite these tentative times, company insolvencies in England and Wales have declined by one-third compared to the same quarter ending...

How do I know where my property boundaries lie?

Rachel Gill
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With a lot of us spending more time in our homes and gardens, more and more of us are taking the time to embark on outdoor DIY projects and renovations, or simply enjoy our outside space. Unfortunately, this can lead to any underlying disagreements with our...

COVID 19 Crisis - Cash flow has never been so important

Rebecca Rogers
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Effective and efficient debt recovery is vital to the continuation of any business, even more so in these unprecedented times. With experts warning that that we may see a financial crisis like no other, businesses need to ensure that they have sufficient...

Directors Beware!

Samuel Pedley
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Directors, including non-executive directors, should always keep an eye on the financial wellbeing of the companies they manage during these difficult times. Some practical steps that directors should consider taking include: Constantly monitor the...

Shareholders must check their rights in company disputes

Samuel Pedley
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Shareholders who do not own a controlling stake in a business should check their rights in the event of disputes with fellow directors and other stakeholders. This is an often-overlooked issue I discussed in the media recently as I am seeing that too many...

COVID-19: Directors Act Now

Samuel Pedley
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... and please note!! With the present times being reported as the “greatest global health threat in history” it is inevitable that there are concerns as to the unparalleled distress that the whole global economy will experience. All types of...

Meeting your contractual obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Samuel Pedley
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The unforeseen outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in confusion and panic. Businesses are left to make difficult decisions particularly where contractual obligations are concerned. If you are struggling to meet your contractual obligations then the first...

BLOG: How to seek a refund on faulty items

Rebecca Rogers
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How to seek a refund on faulty items – consumer rights to refunds Q. When might I be entitled to a refund? A. Any item you purchase must be: 1) of satisfactory quality 2) fit for purpose and 3) match its description. Examples may be where the goods...

BLOG: How to reject a faulty vehicle if purchased from a trader

Rebecca Rogers
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Q. What standard does the vehicle have to meet? A. The vehicle must be 1) of satisfactory quality 2) fit for purpose and 3) as described. Q. How long do I have to reject a faulty vehicle? A. Should any issues arise you should contact the trader as soon as...

BLOG: How to recover an outstanding rent

Rebecca Rogers
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How to recover an outstanding rent, service charge and ground rent arrears Q. My tenant has fled leaving unpaid rent, how do I recover this? A. The first step would be to send the ex-tenant a letter before action demanding payment of the outstanding debt. ...

BLOG: How to issue a small claim in the county court

Rebecca Rogers
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Q. What is a small claim? A. A small claim is a claim which has a value of less than £10,000. Q. Do I need to take any steps before issuing a claim? A. Yes. Before issuing a claim you should send a “letter before action” to the other...

BLOG: How to enforce a County Court Judgment

Rebecca Rogers
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Q. Is there a time limit for enforcing a County Court Judgment? A. There is no strict limitation date for enforcing a Judgment. However, delay in enforcing can have consequences. Furthermore, permission may be required for some methods where a judgment is...

BLOG: How to wind a company up

Samuel Pedley
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How to wind a company up Q. What does it mean to wind a company up? A. The company will be dissolved, removed from the Register of Companies at Companies House and as such will no longer exist. The assets of the company will be divided amongst the...

BLOG: How to make an individual bankrupt

Samuel Pedley
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How to make an individual bankrupt Q. What are the requirements for making an individual bankrupt? A. In order to petition to make someone bankrupt they must owe you an undisputed debt which is £5,000 or more. Q. What is the first step? A. You must...

BLOG: How to make an administrative restoration

Samuel Pedley
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How to make an administrative restoration Q. What is administrative restoration? A. Administrative restoration is where you follow a process which involves liaising with Companies House to restore a dissolved company to the register. An application to...

BLOG: How to apply to court to restore a company to the register

Samuel Pedley
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How to apply to court to restore a company to the register Q. When is it appropriate to apply to court to restore a company to the register? A. If the company was undergoing an insolvent event before being struck off the register then this is the...