Blog - Legally Speaking

IP » ‘Button Moon’ Creator Triumphs in Copyright Dispute
The creator of the classic 1980s children’s programme, Button Moon, has triumphed in breach of copyright and passing off claims against a businessman who sold a range of t-shirts and mugs bearing strikingly similar designs. The Patents County Court granted artist, writer and puppeteer, Ian All...
News » Cheshire Professionals event: Thursday 23rd May
Cheshire Professionals is a new corporate membership organisation set up to promote and grow the professional and financial services sector in Cheshire and Warrington. The group is part of the Cheshire Hub, the business portal for Cheshire and Warrington, and is supported by Marketing Cheshire.Follo...
Employment & HR » Hillyer McKeown and Icon Business Solutions team up for 'Business Toolbox' workshop
Justine Watkinson, Head of Employment at Hillyer McKeown Solicitors and Heather Hobden from Icon Business Solutions are teaming up to deliver an exclusive interactive workshop.Held in Warrington, the session will offer practical fixes & solutions to four of the most pressing issues that SME&rsqu...
Corporate » Company Director Banned from Running a Business for Eight Years
An internet company director has been banned from running a business for eight years.Alexis Stone, a director of Bike Insurer Services, was banned after he paid himself or his American company ahead of other creditors, and now cannot run a business until May 2021.The specialist motorbike insurance c...
Wills and Probate » Lord Chancellor rejects calls for will writing to be a reserved legal activity
A recommendation by the Legal Services Board to add will writing to the list of reserved legal activities has been rejected by the Lord Chancellor.The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) published Lord Chancellor's decision last Tuesday (14th May 2013). The decision notice acknowledged that the report submitt...
News » Law firm welcomes grant to improve local sports facility
Wirral law firm Hillyer McKeown have welcomed news that local rugby club, Anselmians RUFC, the club which they sponsor, have been awarded a ‘Better Facilities’ grant of £10,000 from ...
Employment & HR » The Queen’s Speech 2013: Employment law proposals
In her speech yesterday, the Queen highlighted three Bills which will affect employment law. These are:1. The National Insurance Contributions Bill - This introduces an employment allowance of £2000 which every charity and business will be entitled to. It will also restrict the use of off...
Employment & HR » Increase in firms hiring staff on zero hours contracts
Recent reports show that the amount of zero hours contracts are increasing in large British firms. A zero hour contract is a flexible contract in which an employee agrees to be available for work, even though the employer does not give them any guarenteed hours. The workers are then paid for the hou...
Employment & HR » Social Media- Do we need to be more careful?
The recent story concerning Paris Brown, the former youth police and crime commissioner for Kent, shows just how damning social media can be in the work place. 17 year old Paris was forced to resign when the Mail on Sunday publicised ‘tweets’ she had posted when aged between 14 and 16, w...
Legal 500 » Mark of excellence for City Law Firm Hillyer McKeown
Widely recognised as the most prestigious award for excellence across the legal sector the Legal 500, announced today, has yet again recognised Hillyer McKeown for their outstanding expertise, innovative service delivery and calibre of staff.Head of Commercial Property, Victoria Jones, was listed ag...