News
Welcome to our news page. Here you will find out what we’re up to and what we think about recent events and future possibilities.
Immigration Act 2016 provisions and new prescribed form of Section 8 Notice of Seeking Possession into force from 1st December 2016
As of 1st December 2016, the Immigration Act 2014 will be amended by Sections 39 to 41 of the Immigration Act 2016. The provisions apply to private sector landlords and to social landlords.
Inquiry call over deaths in childbirth underlines challenges faced by NHS
Midwifery and obstetric errors can have a devastating impact on the families involved. We deal with many cases where serious mistakes have been made as a result of a lack of resources and training.
Devonshires expanding into the North
We are delighted to announce that Devonshires will be expanding into the North following the hire of Chris Drabble, Legal Director at Addleshaw Goddard, who will head a new Leeds office opening in February 2017.
Devonshires advises A2Dominion in Bond Issue
Devonshires recently acted for A2Dominion Housing Group Limited in establishing its £1bn Euro Medium Term Note programme and subsequent issue of a £250m 3.50% unsecured sterling bond due 2028.
Complaining in care homes should be encouraged not dismissed
News that hundreds of care homes are banning relatives from visiting elderly residents over complaints about quality of care highlights a growing need for sector reform.
Supreme Court Decision on the Bedroom Tax Challenges
On the 9 November 2016 the Supreme Court announced its judgment to the bedroom tax challenges made against the government.
Reducing Pre-Action Costs? New Construction and Engineering Pre-action protocol released tomorrow.
The new Construction and Engineering Protocol will come into effect on 9 November 2016 following a joint collaboration between TecBar and TecSA with the assistance of Mr Justice Coulson. The focus of the changes seems to be to reduce pre-action costs and speed up the pre-action procedure.
Competitive Dialogue – Contracting authorities should eye all the options
Since 2006, contracting authorities have been able to use the competitive dialogue (CD) procedure to procure contracts that cannot be awarded without prior dialogue with bidders due to the complex nature of the contract.
Airbnb and subletting in social housing – a guide for registered providers
From low level noise through to full blown party houses, Airbnb and subletting is creating a broad range of issues for registered providers (RPs). That was the message that came through loud and clear at a recent event we held to discuss the impact of the room-letting website on the social housing sector.
Article 8: long residence unlikely to give rise to a defence
On the 1 November 2016 the Court of Appeal considered the case of Holley v Hillingdon LBC. Mr Holley continued to occupy a property owned by the local authority following the death of the tenant, his grandfather, who had previously succeeded to the tenancy.
Investment in the care sector is essential to avoid mistakes being made
The care sector is back in the spotlight this month with two reports that highlight the ever growing number of challenges it faces.
Claimant ordered to pay full legal costs of Merlin Housing Society Ltd.
Devonshires acted for Merlin on a race discrimination claim issued in the Bristol Employment Tribunal by an ex-employee. The Judge dismissed all allegations of discrimination and made a finding of fact that the Claimant had lied whilst giving evidence. Devonshires made an application for costs based on the ex-employees unreasonable conduct and he was ordered to pay £17,204.16.
