News & Blog

JST Lawyers Trainee Solicitor Scoops Law Society Award

(12/12/11)

JST Lawyers – the Liverpool based law firm - was on a winning streak last week when trainee solicitor, Iona Horsburgh, won the prestigious Liverpool Law Society’s Timpron Martin Prize for her professional exam results.  Iona studied at Chester College of Law and has just collected a First Class Honours law degree. Iona joined JST Lawyers in 2009 having worked in the charity sector for over 15 years. She now specialises in assisting charities and social enterprises with legal advice. On ...Continue Reading

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Twitter versus Facebook

(09/12/11)

I’ve never really “got” Facebook. It is useful for following one’s gap year globetrotting kids, as they download photos of their adventures into the ether, but for business? Is the casual writing style it encourages really a good showcase for what you are trying to promote? To my mind, it is better to make your points from a company or personal website www.johnshield.com in a more structured style, and to partner that with a  few words which link ...Continue Reading

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PI Department successfully represents local business owner

(16/11/11)

The Personal Injury Department at JST recently represented a local business owner (‘the Owner’) following property damage suffered to their premises. The damage occurred when a car was shunted into the front of the premises after a road traffic accident took place close by. The premises were unable to open for business as usual due the extent of the damage sustained. The Owner did not have buildings insurance and was not in a position to pay for the repairs required. Therefore, ...Continue Reading

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A Monday night at the Russian Embassy

(20/10/11)

So nice for the Board of the Hermitage, including JS, to be asked to a reception this week at the Russian Embassy, Kensington Palace Gardens. Imposing pile in billionaires row. Party hosted by the ambassador who said a few words of welcome and finished with an obscure joke. Nice touch when someone dropped a glass in the middle of his speech and he asked who had been shot!  The ubiquitous female pianist ever present at this type of event tinkled ...Continue Reading

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New national minimum wage rates

(12/10/11)

New national minimum wage rates The national minimum wage rates have increased. The new rates which are effective from 1st October 2011, are as follows:

Standard rate: workers aged 21 and over

£6.08

Development rate: workers aged 18-20 and those aged 21 and over doing accredited training in the first six months of employment

£4.98

Young workers rate: workers above compulsory school age but under 18 and not apprenticed

£3.68

Apprenticeship rate: apprentices ...Continue Reading

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Liverpool ready to host Labour Conference

(23/09/11)

On Sunday, Labour’s Annual Party Conference (‘the Conference’) begins and will be hosted by Liverpool for the first time. The Conference is open to the public and allows those present to meet elected representatives and to take part in debates that will help decide Labour’s policy agenda. It is to last for five days and will be the largest ever conference held in the City. The hosting of the Conference in Liverpool follows on from the successful Liberal Democrat Annual Party Conference ...Continue Reading

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Employment Update – September 2011

(07/09/11)

The Supreme Court has upheld a Court of Appeal decision that car valeters, whose contracts described them as self-employed and contained a substitution clause, were, in reality, employees.  It confirmed that, when determining an individual's employment status, employment tribunals may disregard terms included in a written agreement where they do not reflect the genuine agreement of the parties.  The focus of the tribunal's enquiry should be on the ‘actual legal obligations of the parties’[1].  The statutory protection afforded to an individual ...Continue Reading

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Riot Damage Assistance

(23/08/11)

The recent riots which have affected much of the country have left some business owners facing a heavy loss, with many insurance policies not covering this type of damage.  The government has announced measures designed to assist those affected including: 1.  Business rates relief – a £20million “high street support scheme” is provided by the government to local authorities who exercise their power to offer relief from business rates for firms affected by the riots. 2. Valuation lists – the Valuation Office ...Continue Reading

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HMRC Consultation on VAT exemption when charities cost share

(15/08/11)

For many charities the idea of cost sharing with other organisations for core back room services such as finance and HR is an attractive proposition.   However, many are put off by the punitive VAT position that exists when organisations come together to set up an association to buy services centrally and then recharge them amongst themselves.   In many other parts of Europe there is already an exemption that allows organisations that make exempt or non business supplies to avoid a VAT cost ...Continue Reading

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JST IN HOT SEAT!

(02/08/11)

JST took to the hot seat last week after being invited to attend a Q&A session for start up community project leaders and social entrepreneurs as part of a training programme run by Adrienne Taylor of Panacea Associates. (http://www.panacea-associates.co.uk) The participants were attending a training programme to enable them to set up their own businesses or take their existing community projects or business starts up to the next level. Iona Horsburgh of JST provided a range of answers to ...Continue Reading

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