charity law news November 2011
Blake Lapthorn solicitors' Charities group publishes regular
ebulletins to keep you up-to-date with breaking news and topical
issues affecting the charities sector. Please click on the links
below to view November's articles. Please click here to view
the print
version.
The Charity Commission is to amend its guidance on the public benefit test following a ruling by the Upper Tribunal on the high profile independent schools case.
A number of changes to the role of the Charity Commission are expected, following Government cutbacks.
The Charity Commission has issued new investment guidance clarifying that charities can invest ethically, even if this provides a lower rate of return than an alternative investment.
HMRC has recently published its detailed guidance on payments to bodies overseas. This is particularly relevant to charities funding international operations, as the HMRC will deny tax relief if the qualifying conditions are not met.
The Charity Commission has recently published more detailed guidance on how the Equality Act will affect charities.
The new national minimum wage rates took effect from 1 October 2011.
After some uncertainty in the press, the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 came into force as planned on 1 October 2011.
The qualifying period of service to able to make an "ordinary" unfair dismissal claim will be increased from one year to two years from 6 April 2012.
The default retirement age has now been repealed along with the statutory retirement procedures.
A number of recent cases have clarified landlord's responsibilities under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to tenant's deposits.
A recent social housing case looks at when service charges have been reasonably incurred.
Please contact us if you are interested in a copy of our summary guidance for charity trustees on the implications of the Bribery Act 2010.
A round up of various seminars and conferences hosted by Blake Lapthorn of interest to the organisations interested in charities, employment, social housing and pensions.
