Clearview National March 2015 - Issue 160 | Page 89

businessnews In-house Legal Protection For many window and conservatory companies, dealing with employment issues and legal requirements of running a business can be stressful, time consuming and expensive; and getting professional legal advice is often no different. »»With this in mind, lawyer and senior partner at Stormcatcher Law, Philip Harmer, is spearheading the launch of a new business support service designed to provide the benefits of an in-house legal department without the costs. Philip says that the accessibility and affordability of legal advice is central to preventing and resolving employee concerns, helping give the peace of mind and confidence to focus on the business. Contrary to the traditional arrangement, the new service is geared to convenience and certainty; where the lawyers come to you or you can get instant advice tailored to the circumstances at any time via the advice line. There are no hourly rates as it comes on an “unlimited calls and usage” monthly tariff. As well as all aspects of employment law, tribunal representation, business law, legal documents and dispute resolution, the service includes help with “small claims” and contract checking. ‘stressful, time consuming and expensive’ For further information call 0333 700 7676 or email [email protected] 1st April 2015 deadline fast approaching for business rate refund appeals »»Businesses face losing out on five years’ worth of refunds on their business rates because of the Government’s controversial imposition of a looming deadline for appeals; warn real estate advisors, Colliers International, who is spearheading a campaign to draw attention to the fact that any business paying Business Rates only has a number of weeks to appeal any overcharged payments. Companies need to lodge their appeal by 1st April 2015. This applies to any owner/ occupier or commercial property landlord, so impacts on all types of business premises. There are around 1.9 million commercial properties across the UK, and in an average year, there might be around 120,000 appeals. This year though, more than 250,000 are expected. But many companies will lose out because most businesses are unaware of this deadline or their right to appeal. John Webber, Head of Rating at Colliers International, fears most businesses are unaware of the Government-imposed deadline of 1st April 2015 for appeals on their business rates valuations. The deadline was “almost lost in the small print” of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in December 2014 with “certainly no attention drawn to it,” said Mr. Webber. ‘businesses could lose out on five years’ worth of rebates’ He explained: “Despite having extended the time period for the revaluation of businesses on the ratings list from five to seven years (extended to 2017) they haven’t extended the period where businesses are entitled to appeal. “This means that whilst businesses will still be able to appeal between April 2015 and 2017, any refunds or savings will only be backdated to April 2015, meaning that businesses could lose out on five years’ worth of rebates. He said: “Most businesses won’t be aware of these changes. They haven’t been publicised and there are genuine concerns that less business rate savvy companies will really lose out. “We worry that the new deadline will cause panic with ‘cowboys’ in the industry persuading clients to appeal en-masse to the Valuation Office without the due diligence, which could result in an increase in rates liability, ironically also dating back five years.” Mr. Webber feared that the Valuation Office, which sets the rateable value for nondomestic properties, will be unable to cope with a flood of appeals prior to 1st April 2015, having only recently cleared a backlog of appeals made prior to September 2013. He added, “No-one is ready for the impending change, neither businesses nor the Valuation Office, and the Government doesn’t want the appeals to be made so it’s not highlighting this deadline to businesses.” C L E A RV I E W-U K . C O M » M AR 2015 » 89