Commercial News

Using settlement agreements to resolve employment issues

Employment relationships can come to an end for many reasons, including redundancy, dismissal and personality clashes. Increasingly, employers are using settlements to end an employment relationship. Settlement agreements offer an alternative to wading...

Is your business ready for this year's extra bank holiday?

On Friday 3rd June 2022 there will be an additional bank holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This will result in a 4-day bank holiday weekend, as the date of the usual Spring bank holiday has moved to Thursday 2nd June. The additional...

Looking for flexible part time work in Halifax? Come and join us!

Update 2 February 2022: Thank you to everyone who applied for this role; applications are now closed.   We're looking for a part-time Archivist to provide critical administrative support to our busy Wills and Probate team. Based at our town...

Come and join us - we are hiring

Update 10 February 2022: Thank you to everyone who applied for this role; applications are now closed. We're looking for a special someone to join the reception team at our town centre office in Huddersfield. In this busy and varied...

Are you ready to take the next step in your legal career?

We welcome expressions of interest from suitably qualified candidates who are interested in undertaking potential future training contracts with our busy and expanding legal practice. Our next intake will be in September 2023. During...

Hardev Kaur marks 15 years as a qualified Solicitor

Congratulations to  property and commercial specialist  Hardev Kaur  who celebrates fifteen years as a qualified solicitor this week. Hardev is based at our Halifax office and deals with all types of property transactions including the...

Laura Kurowski appointed trustee of The Eleanor Hirst Trust

We're delighted to announce that Laura Kurowski has been appointed as a trustee of The Eleanor Hirst Trust. The Eleanor Hirst Trust owns six Grade II listed Almshouses in the village of Wilshaw near Holmfirth  and maintains and preserves the...

Guide for employers: the pitfalls to avoid when using settlement agreements

If you're an employer and need to use a settlement agreement to end a long standing dispute, here is my guide to avoiding the most common pitfalls. Understand the fundamental purpose of settlement agreements Under the terms of...

2021 employment law changes: an overview for employers

Give yourself a head start in 2021 by planning ahead for these forthcoming changes to employment law. Coronavirus The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open until the end of April 2021. As an employer, you only need to contribute National Insurance and...

Christmas and New Year opening times

Our offices will close at 12.30pm on Thursday 24 December 2020. We reopen at 9am on Monday 4 January 2021. Merry Christmas from everyone at Wilkinson Woodward Solicitors! ...

Government Winter Plan for COVID-19

Earlier this week the Government announced plans for managing the coronavirus pandemic through winter. The 64-page document contains important information on how businesses and individuals will emerge from the current national lock down on 2 December 2020....

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: What Next

The  Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme  (JRS) ends on 31 October 2020, when it will be replaced by the  Job Support Scheme which aims to protect “viable” jobs. What are the main implications for employers and employees? In the...

Changes to the Job Support Scheme - announced on 23 October 2020

Today the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced an update to the new Job Support Scheme (to be known as the 'Open' Scheme in order to distinguish it from the Scheme provided for businesses legally required to close). The new support includes a...

10 June 2020: deadline for new entrants to the furlough scheme

Today -10 June 2020 -  is the last day employers can furlough staff who have not already been furloughed through the coronavirus job retention scheme. From 1 July 2020 employers may only claim for employees they have already claimed for;...

COVID-19 Secure Workplace Guidance

To support businesses and employees in re-opening workspaces and returning to work, the Government has now published a series of guides to making workplaces ‘COVID secure’. Eight sector-specific guides have been produced. These are for: ...

Government Covid-19 Recovery Strategy

The Government has now published its plan to bring England out of the current Coronavirus lockdown. The proposals state: “For the foreseeable future, workers should continue to work from home rather than their normal physical...

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Following the launch of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), small and medium-sized businesses can now apply for finance to help deal with operating costs and help to maintain cash flow.  Is my...

Coronavirus and Commercial Rent Payments

Commercial tenants who are unable to pay their rent due to Coronavirus will be protected from eviction. Most leases contain provisions which permit a landlord to terminate the tenancy if the tenant fails to pay rent for a period after it is due (usually 14...

Government announces further support for the self-employed

On 27 March 2020, the Government announced their intention to provide further support for the self-employed in the form of a taxable cash grant. The scheme allows individuals to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of...

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - further details announced

The Government has now published additional information about Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the Furlough Scheme). At present the details represent guidance for HMRC; whether legislation follows remains to be seen. We recommend you read the full guidance...

Emergency Legislation for Coronavirus

The Government has recently passed all stages of its emergency bill through the House of Commons. The bill has cleared the House of Lords, and is expected to become law later today. The bill provides the Government with wide-ranging powers...

Coronavirus COVID-19: guidance for employers

All employers have a statutory duty of care for their employee’s health and safety and to provide a safe place to work. If you’re an employer, here’s what you need to know. How can I prevent the spread of infection in my business? The...

Budget 2020. Key points for employers and employees

On 11 March 2020 Sajid Javid announced several measures aimed at protecting businesses and employees against the impact of Coronavirus. The key points were: Sick Pay and Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) will be available from the first day of absence...

Full steam ahead for Huddersfield charity Platform 1

We were recently introduced to Huddersfield men’s charity Platform 1, a charity which supports men across Kirklees. After starting with just four members, the charity now supports over 400 men from across Kirklees, offering them a unique space to...

Christmas and New Year Opening Times

It’s business as usual until 12.30pm on Tuesday 24 December 2019. We reopen at 9am on Thursday 2 January 2020. Merry Christmas from everyone at Wilkinson Woodward Solicitors. ...

And the winner of our festive hamper is...

Congratulations to Mr Robert Hitchen who won our Christmas prize draw for a £250 hamper packed with festive food and drink. Mr Hitchen's name was drawn on Monday 16 December 2019, at random, from our database of clients. The...

Christmas sorted: win a festive hamper worth £250

This Christmas we want to give something back to all our clients. Thanks to your support we’ve continued to grow as a legal practice and as a proud supporter of our local communities of Halifax, Huddersfield and Brighouse. As a small token of our...

Hepworth Brass Band

Commercial and property specialist Laura Kurowski has recently agreed changes to the lease at Dobroyd Mills, Jackson Bridge near Holmfirth on behalf of Hepworth Brass Band. This will enable the Band to extend and refurbish their rehearsal facilities. Band...

Free Legal Advice Service in Hebden Bridge 8 November 2019

Our next free legal advice clinic will run from 2pm to 4pm on Friday 8 November 2019 at the Upper Valley Community Hub in Hebden Bridge.  Our legal team will be on hand to offer free, expert legal advice on: Divorce and relationship...

Free Legal Advice Service in Hebden Bridge 11 October 2019

Our next free legal advice clinic will run from 2pm to 4pm on Friday 11 October 2019 at the Upper Valley Community Hub in Hebden Bridge.  Our legal team will be on hand to offer free, expert legal advice on: Divorce and relationship breakdowns...

Free Legal Advice Service in Hebden Bridge 13 September 2019

Our next free legal advice clinic will run from 2pm to 4pm on Friday 13 September 2019 at the Upper Valley Community Hub in Hebden Bridge.  Our legal team will be on hand to offer free, expert legal advice on: Divorce and relationship...

Class of 74 YorkshireThree Peaks Challenge: Thank You

Thank you to everyone who supported Andrew Crabtree's recent 'Class of 74 Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Andrew and his former Hipperholme Grammar school pals completed the gruelling 24.5 mile walk in ten hours. So far, as part of Liza's...

Free Legal Advice Service Launches in Hebden Bridge

In partnership with Upper Valley Community Hub, we're launching a new free legal advice service covering Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and the Upper Valley. Our legal team will be on hand to offer free, expert legal advice on: Divorce...

Class of '74 Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge: the first of our Liza's Legacy events

In memory of our much-loved colleague Liza Pickles who passed away last year, we've signed up to Liza's Legacy , a series of events to raise funds for Overgate Hospice, whose amazing staff cared for Liza in the final days of her life. ...

Tim and Penny Manock mark a double legal milestone

Husband and wife solicitors Tim and Penny Manock are celebrating a double milestone this week by each marking three decades as qualified solicitors. The couple both qualified as solicitors thirty years ago on 1 October 1988. Tim and Penny met as...

Laura Kurowski celebrates 10 years as a qualified solicitor

Director and property specialist Laura Kurowski is celebrating this week having notched up her first decade as a qualified solicitor. Laura qualified as a solicitor on the 1st of September 2008 and has extensive knowledge of all areas of commercial and...

Next Step Trust expand into 1855 Building

As one of our chosen local charities, we’re delighted to be supporting Calderdale’s Next Step Trust in the most recent milestone of their ongoing development. We recently secured a lease for the Trust to operate from the 1855 Building which is...

Calderdale Local plan could highlight space for new homes

  If you're a local land owner, you may have been approached by Calderdale Council as part of their work to identify sites for development and protection. The Calderdale Local plan (which will replace the current unitary development...

Andrew Crabtree marks 30 years at Wilkinson Woodward

Our senior commercial and property law specialist Andrew Crabtree is celebrating this month after notching up thirty years’ service Wilkinson Woodward. After graduating from the University of East Anglia in 1984, Andrew began his legal career...

Tim Manock joins Wilkinson Woodward's Commercial team

We're delighted to welcome solicitor Tim Manock to our Commercial team. After completing his law degree in Leeds, Tim began his legal career with a Leeds based law firm before joining Savage Crangle in the 1990s where he later became a partner. ...

Kevin Britton and James Bell join forces in charity ride

Conveyancing expert Kevin Britton and Commercial Law  specialist James Bell have teamed up for their latest lycra-clad charity challenge. The 2017 Appleyard Lees Velo is being sponsored by intellectual property law firm Appleyard Lees to raise...

James returns safe and well from Trek 26

Congratulations to commercial law specialist James Bell who has returned - battered, blistered but still in one piece – from his recent 26 mile trek in support of The Alzheimer’s Society. James, who is based at our Halifax office, took part...

Kevin limbers up for his latest cycle challenge

Conveyancing specialist and cycling maniac Kevin Britton is all set for his latest two-wheeled challenge - a monster 88 mile ride in support of the Sue Ryder charity. Kevin will join three fellow cyclists from Bradford Cycle Club for the full distance...

Quiz Raises Four Figures for Brain Tumour Charity

One thousand pounds was raised for a brain tumour charity by supporters from Calderdale and Kirklees who took part in our annual charity quiz last night. The event, which was supported by local businesses as well as our friends, families...

Our pick of fabulous summer events in Calderdale and Kirklees

With summer finally upon us, here's a sample of some of the brilliant events happening this summer across Calderdale and Kirklees. If you’re a fan of the illustrator Quentin Blake, there’s still time to see some of his works at The...

Join us at K9 Party in the Park on Sunday 2 July 2017

We're delighted to once again be sponsoring this year's RSPCA K9 Party in the Park at Heath Park, Halifax on Sunday 2 July. The event, which kicks off at 12 noon, attracts around 1500 people and their pooches for an afternoon with...

James Bell gets into training for marathon charity trek

Commercial law specialist James Bell is limbering up for his latest charity challenge - a 26 mile trek in support of The Alzheimer’s Society. James, who is based at our Halifax office, is taking part in Trek 26, a marathon distance...

Autumn Statement 2016 spells more tax for buy to let landlords

Following the recent government changes which came into effect in April 2016 there is already an additional 3% stamp duty on the entire cost of a second or subsequent residential property. Further changes are set to take place which are likely to cause more...

Welcome to Hardev Kaur - the latest addition to our commerical team

We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Hardev Kaur to our Commercial Team. Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2006, Hardev has worked in Leeds. During this time, she has gained experience in property and commercial law, including the sale and...

Serving notice on tenants in assured shorthold tenancies - changes take effect from 1 October 2015

On 1st October 2015 the Deregulation Act 2015 will introduce significant changes to the regime under section 21 Housing Act 1988 for serving notices on tenants in assured shorthold tenancies, with potential traps for unwary landlords. One of the aims of the...

Landlords - are you budgeting for loss of tax relief

Following the summer budget, many landlords are still coming to terms with the proposed changes in how rental income from property is taxed. The amount of income tax relief available to landlords on residential property borrowing (the main one being mortgage...

Business Rates Exemptions - Empty Non-Domestic Property

This business briefing sets out the exemptions from business rates for non-domestic properties. Business rates exemptions - empty non-domestic property This business briefing sets out the exemptions from business rates for non-domestic properties. Retail...

Business May Benefit from Changes to Planning Law

Changes to planning laws have increased permitted development rights in relation to business premises and the re-use of existing buildings. Changes to planning laws: business briefing This business briefing sets out the recent changes to the planning laws...