Commercial Update November 2008

Welcome to our Commercial Client newsletter. In the present volatile economic climate, business owners and managers need to keep a keen eye on market developments. But what is the real impact and how is your business going to cope? Recent months have seen markets thrown into turmoil, nationally and internationally. A recent article in the Daily Telegraph reported that over 16,000 businesses had failed in the first 9 months of this year, up by more than 28% in the last three months.

These conditions can be threatening but they also create opportunities to emerge stronger than before. "Marketing your way" through the downturn is one mantra that many businesses adopt. Talk to us about the opportunities and challenges for your business. We can help with contract reviews, help tighten client contracts, review supplier contracts etc.

This month the legal news on our website covers a wide range of topics such as the importance of reading an complying with the terms of your insurance policies to that old chestnut of proving to HMRC that all expense claims are valid. HMRC have revised their guidance on this point recently.

There is also a detailed article on the latest changes that came into effect as a result of the Companies Act on 1st October.

Lastly, don't forget that the Minimum Wage rates went up at the beginning of the month.

 LAWYER JOKE THAT TICKLED US
A lawyer had a jury trial in a very difficult commercial litigation case. The Client who had previously attended the trial was out of town when the jury came back with its decision, which found in favour of the Client. The lawyer immediately sent a text message to his client, reading "Justice has triumphed!"

The client texted back saying, "Appeal at once!"

That's all for this month, keep the hatches battened down and let's ride out the current storm!